Hunting online for a rock-bottom deal on a new Jeep or Ram is about to get tougher, the Wall Street Journal reports. Stellantis, which owns Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler, will soon bar its US dealers from advertising prices below a set minimum, joining General Motors, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, and others in enforcing "minimum advertised pricing." That means the lowest possible prices won't show up in public listings—shoppers will have to call or visit a dealership to find out how far it will really go. At the same time, it means consumers wouldn't get lured to a dealership by a low price that turns out to be fictional. The change goes into effect Oct. 1.
Automakers say the move is about cleaning up bait-and-switch tactics, as regulators crack down on hidden fees and misleading ads. Stellantis, whose brands are currently heavily discounted from sticker, argues the policy will protect its image and help dealers turn a bigger profit. But "there is no question it makes price discovery for consumers harder," says Scott Painter, CEO of the car-buying platform TrueCar. The rules also will restrict phrases like "unlock additional price" or "ask about additional discounts," clear signals the dealer is prepared to negotiate. Some see a shift underway to push the industry closer to Tesla-style fixed pricing as more customers signal they're tired of drawn-out haggling. Read the full story.
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
