Is That Used Car for Sale Really a Repo or Government Surplus?

Ads proclaiming "Government Vehicle Disposal" and "The Repo Joe Sale" are designed to steer buyers to special used car sales events under the pretense they're getting a special deal. But the Washington Attorney General's Office says these promotions frequently violate consumer law.

"We're laying on the horn because too many advertisements suggest that the cars being sold are repos available for a limited time and at a special price," Assistant Attorney General Mary Lobdell said in a statement. "In reality, the cars are from the dealer's standard inventory and the ads typically fail to disclose that prices are contingent on the buyer's ability and willingness to obtain financing."