Bait and Switch

Before traveling, ask for written confirmation of the VIN, stock number, mileage, trim, advertised price, required conditions, add-ons, and availability. Save screenshots of the full advertisement, including the date, disclosures, and dealer identity.

If the vehicle is gone, ask when it sold and whether the dealership will honor the same written terms on a genuinely comparable vehicle. An ordinary inventory mismatch can be corrected with a clear explanation. Pressure to ignore the mismatch and accept a more expensive deal is your signal to leave.

The federal Guides Against Bait Advertising address offers made without a bona fide effort to sell the advertised product, while the FTC's dealer-ad guidance tells shoppers to confirm availability and get the out-the-door price in writing. You do not need to make a legal conclusion in the showroom. Save the evidence and report a concerning pattern to the FTC and the appropriate state or local agency.