{"version":"1.1.0","producer":"fm.getcarcurious","layer":"official","episode":{"title":"This Car Business UGLY Secret Just GOT EXPOSED | Episode 1085","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/this-car-business-ugly-secret-just-got-exposed-episode-1085","audioUrl":"https://pdrl.fm/3359a6/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/1385/injector.simplecastaudio.com/14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9/episodes/de42773d-cd21-4c65-a77b-78973069565e/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=14b42e71-1f9c-41b2-944f-bc8f2b3a3cb9&awEpisodeId=de42773d-cd21-4c65-a77b-78973069565e&feed=gkrQ6WSC","description":"Today on CarEdge Live, Ray and Zach discuss the latest on what happened in New York. Tune in to learn more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com\nfor information about our collection and use of personal data for\nadvertising.\n"},"annotations":[{"id":405307,"startTime":82.6,"endTime":106.0,"type":"company","title":"Nissan","url":"/glossary/nissan","quote":"Now, the beginning of today's show and what we're going to focus on... is one of the biggest ugly secrets in the car business that just got exposed. Now, Dad, automotive news has the headline Nissan to audit New York dealers ensure refunds for lease buyout overcharges.","canonicalId":"company:nissan","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Nissan is the automaker at the center of the story, tied to an audit of New York dealers and refunds related to lease buyout overcharges. The episode frames this as part of how dealer practices can affect what consumers actually pay at lease end.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nissan is the car company involved in this situation. The discussion is about whether some Nissan dealers charged lease customers too much when they tried to buy out their leases.","sourceStartTime":82.6,"sourceEndTime":106.0}},{"id":405308,"startTime":94.7,"endTime":106.0,"type":"concept","title":"lease overcharge schemes","url":"/glossary/lease-overcharge-schemes","quote":"Attorney General James secures refunds for all New Yorkers cheated by Nissan dealerships lease overcharge schemes. Dad, help us understand here, what is the big secret?","canonicalId":"concept:lease-overcharge-schemes","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Lease overcharge schemes” refers to dealer or intermediary practices that charge lease customers more than they should—often by misapplying fees, calculations, or contract terms. In this segment, the claim is that New York consumers were cheated during lease buyouts.","simplifiedExplanation":"This phrase means some dealers may have been charging lease customers extra money that they weren’t supposed to pay. In this story, it’s tied to what people were charged when buying out their leases.","sourceStartTime":94.7,"sourceEndTime":106.0}},{"id":405309,"startTime":116.4,"endTime":134.3,"type":"term","title":"residual values","url":"/glossary/residual-values","quote":"Well, the story is, and this was particularly from 2020 to 2022, when leases were worth much more than their residual values because of the new car shortage and the used car shortage, and people decided that it made more sense to buy out their lease at the end of its lease term...","canonicalId":"term:residual-values","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In a lease, the residual value is the pre-set estimate of what the car will be worth at the end of the lease term. If market prices change, the gap between the residual value and the car’s real end-of-lease value can make lease buyouts cheaper or more expensive.","simplifiedExplanation":"When you lease a car, the contract usually sets a future value for the car at the end of the lease. That number is called the residual value, and it affects how much you’d pay if you want to buy the car later.","sourceStartTime":116.4,"sourceEndTime":134.3}},{"id":405310,"startTime":129.6,"endTime":141.2,"type":"concept","title":"lease buyout","url":"/glossary/lease-buyout","quote":"...because of the new car shortage and the used car shortage, and people decided that it made more sense to buy out their lease at the end of its lease term, because traditionally, when it came to leasing, you have three options at the end of the lease.","canonicalId":"concept:lease-buyout","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A lease buyout is when you pay the contracted amount to purchase the leased vehicle at the end of the lease term. During shortages, the car’s market value can rise above the buyout price, making buyouts financially attractive.","simplifiedExplanation":"A lease buyout is when you decide to keep the leased car instead of returning it. You pay a set amount from your lease agreement to buy it at the end.","sourceStartTime":129.6,"sourceEndTime":141.2}},{"id":405311,"startTime":156.9,"endTime":164.6,"type":"term","title":"disposition fee","url":"/glossary/disposition-fee","quote":"walk away from it and pay a disposition fee, or you can buy it through most lease companies\n[164.6s] at the agreed upon residual value","canonicalId":"term:disposition-fee","priority":0.85,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A disposition fee is a charge some lease companies apply when you return a leased vehicle at the end of the term. It’s meant to cover the administrative/processing costs of handling the return, and it’s separate from taxes and registration.","simplifiedExplanation":"When you lease a car and then return it, the company may charge a disposition fee. Think of it as an extra “return paperwork/processing” charge on top of taxes and registration.","sourceStartTime":156.9,"sourceEndTime":164.6}},{"id":405312,"startTime":164.6,"endTime":172.3,"type":"term","title":"lease agreement","url":"/glossary/lease-agreement","quote":"residual value, which is listed on the original lease agreement.\n[172.3s] And that is the only thing that you're supposed to be charged for other than state title,\n[180.8s] registration fees","canonicalId":"term:lease-agreement","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A lease agreement is the contract that spells out the lease term, mileage allowance, fees, and the residual value. It’s the document that defines what you can be charged for and what options you have at the end of the lease.","simplifiedExplanation":"A lease agreement is the paperwork that lays out the rules of your lease. It includes things like how long you lease the car, how many miles you can drive, and the buyout price.","sourceStartTime":164.6,"sourceEndTime":172.3}},{"id":405313,"startTime":200.6,"endTime":215.7,"type":"concept","title":"contract to rent a vehicle","url":"/glossary/contract-to-rent-a-vehicle","quote":"Elise, most everyone in our community probably knows what Elise is, but let's explain\n[205.2s] Elise is a contract to rent a vehicle for a period of time.\n[211.9s] And there is a company","canonicalId":"concept:contract-to-rent-a-vehicle","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The host is defining a lease as a contract to rent a vehicle for a set period, rather than buying it outright. The key idea is that the contract includes mileage/time limits and a residual value that affects both payments and end-of-lease options.","simplifiedExplanation":"A lease is basically a long-term rental agreement. You pay to use the car for a set time, and the contract sets limits like miles, plus an option to buy it later.","sourceStartTime":200.6,"sourceEndTime":215.7}},{"id":405314,"startTime":200.62,"endTime":204.64,"type":"car","title":"Lotus Elise","url":"/cars/lotus/elise","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/2010_Lotus_Elise_%28MIAS_%2710%29.jpg","quote":"... to take a step back. I want to take a step back. Elise, most everyone in our community probably knows wh...","canonicalId":"car:lotus:elise","priority":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lotus Elise is a lightweight, two-seat sports car known for its agile handling and driver-focused feel. It’s often discussed because its simple, performance-first design makes it a benchmark for “feel” and responsiveness rather than outright comfort or luxury. In a podcast, it commonly comes up when people talk about what makes a car fun to drive and how weight and balance affect performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lotus Elise is a small two-seat sports car made for driving enjoyment. It’s designed to be light and quick to respond when you steer. People mention it because it focuses more on handling than on being a big, comfortable car.","imageAttribution":"Bull-Doser (Public domain)","imageLicense":"Public domain","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2010_Lotus_Elise_(MIAS_'10).jpg","sourceStartTime":200.62,"sourceEndTime":204.64}},{"id":405315,"startTime":220.4,"endTime":235.8,"type":"term","title":"miles","url":"/glossary/miles","quote":"the lease term is both by time and miles.\n[225.9s] How many miles you're going to\n[231.1s] drive the vehicle up to and how much time is going to pass","canonicalId":"term:miles","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In a lease, the mileage allowance is part of the contract and is tied to the lease term. The host notes typical annual mileage figures (like 10,000–15,000 miles/year) that affect depreciation assumptions and therefore your payment.","simplifiedExplanation":"Leases usually limit how many miles you can drive. If you drive more than the allowance, it can change what you owe at the end, and the allowance also affects the monthly price.","sourceStartTime":220.4,"sourceEndTime":235.8}},{"id":405316,"startTime":220.4,"endTime":231.1,"type":"term","title":"lease term","url":"/glossary/lease-term","quote":"at the\n[220.4s] end of that lease term, the lease term is both by time and miles.\n[225.9s] drive the vehicle up to and how much time is going to pass, typically 36 months","canonicalId":"term:lease-term","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The lease term is the length of time you’re allowed to keep the vehicle under the lease contract. In this segment, it’s discussed as typically 36 months, but it can also be 24 or 48 months.","simplifiedExplanation":"The lease term is simply how long you have the car under the lease. The host mentions common lengths like 24, 36, or 48 months.","sourceStartTime":220.4,"sourceEndTime":231.1}},{"id":405317,"startTime":362.4,"endTime":370.1,"type":"term","title":"MSRP","url":"/glossary/msrp","quote":"And X happens to be the residual value that was based on a percentage of the original MSRP.","canonicalId":"term:msrp","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MSRP stands for Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, the sticker price the automaker sets for a vehicle. In leasing, residual value is often calculated as a percentage of the MSRP.","simplifiedExplanation":"MSRP is the car’s sticker price set by the manufacturer. Lease deals often use it to calculate the car’s expected end-of-lease value.","sourceStartTime":362.4,"sourceEndTime":370.1}},{"id":405319,"startTime":401.4,"endTime":410.0,"type":"brand","title":"MINI","url":"/glossary/mini","quote":"When we used to do it at BMW and MINI, we couldn't make anything other than we could we could charge our processing fee","canonicalId":"brand:mini","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MINI is the British-style brand under BMW Group, referenced here alongside BMW as another place the speaker worked. The point is still about how dealer fees are limited when lease pricing is fixed by contract terms.","simplifiedExplanation":"MINI is a car brand (part of BMW Group). It’s mentioned because the speaker is talking about how dealers handle lease buyouts and what fees they can charge.","sourceStartTime":401.4,"sourceEndTime":410.0}},{"id":405318,"startTime":401.4,"endTime":410.0,"type":"brand","title":"BMW","url":"/glossary/bmw","quote":"When we used to do it at BMW and MINI, we couldn't make anything other than we could we could charge our processing fee","canonicalId":"brand:bmw","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"BMW is a German automaker referenced here as an example of where the speaker previously worked with lease-related transactions. The brand context matters because the speaker is describing how dealer profit is constrained by lease contracts.","simplifiedExplanation":"BMW is a car brand. In this part of the discussion, it’s mentioned because the speaker is explaining how lease deals work from a dealer’s perspective.","sourceStartTime":401.4,"sourceEndTime":410.0}},{"id":405320,"startTime":410.0,"endTime":419.5,"type":"term","title":"processing fee","url":"/glossary/processing-fee","quote":"When we used to do it at BMW and MINI, we couldn't make anything other than we could we could charge our processing fee, which was at that time, it was either $1.99 or $3.99.","canonicalId":"term:processing-fee","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A processing fee is a dealer-added charge for handling paperwork or administrative steps in the transaction. In this segment, the speaker argues that the dealer’s legitimate profit is limited to small fees like this rather than markup on the vehicle price.","simplifiedExplanation":"A processing fee is an extra charge the dealer adds for handling the paperwork. The point here is that it’s one of the few areas where the dealer can make money when the vehicle price is fixed by the lease contract.","sourceStartTime":410.0,"sourceEndTime":419.5}},{"id":405321,"startTime":419.5,"endTime":425.1,"type":"term","title":"state registration fees","url":"/glossary/state-registration-fees","quote":"And you don't make any money when you charge and collect the state registration fees, because you have to get a new title for the vehicle.","canonicalId":"term:state-registration-fees","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"State registration fees are government charges required to register a vehicle in a specific state. The speaker’s claim is that dealers typically don’t profit from these because they must be paid to the state as part of the title/registration process.","simplifiedExplanation":"These are fees the government charges to register the car. The dealer may collect them, but the money generally goes to the state rather than being dealer profit.","sourceStartTime":419.5,"sourceEndTime":425.1}},{"id":405322,"startTime":482.8,"endTime":490.9,"type":"term","title":"front end","url":"/glossary/front-end","quote":"for those of you that are unfamiliar with front end back end, front end is the selling price of the vehicle, back end is how does the customer choose to finance or purchase it?","canonicalId":"term:front-end","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In car-dealer finance talk, “front end” refers to the portion of the deal tied to the vehicle’s selling price (what the customer pays to buy the car). It’s where dealers might try to add profit through pricing and fees before the customer even gets to financing details.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealers use “front end” to mean the part of the deal that’s basically the car’s price. If there’s money to be made, it’s usually in how the price and fees are set up.","sourceStartTime":482.8,"sourceEndTime":490.9}},{"id":405323,"startTime":482.8,"endTime":490.9,"type":"term","title":"back end","url":"/glossary/back-end","quote":"for those of you that are unfamiliar with front end back end, front end is the selling price of the vehicle, back end is how does the customer choose to finance or purchase it?","canonicalId":"term:back-end","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In car-dealer finance talk, “back end” refers to the financing or purchase structure—how the customer chooses to pay (cash, loan, or other arrangements). Dealers often make more money here via finance-related products and markups rather than the vehicle’s sticker price.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Back end” is the part of the deal that’s about how you pay—like financing or other payment options. Dealers often earn money from the payment setup, not just the car’s price.","sourceStartTime":482.8,"sourceEndTime":490.9}},{"id":405324,"startTime":514.8,"endTime":520.2,"type":"term","title":"CPO","url":"/glossary/cpo","quote":"Many investigated dealerships responded to these incentives by charging consumers $399 for the CPO inspection and extended warranty, despite Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation's instructions not to.","canonicalId":"term:cpo","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CPO stands for “Certified Pre-Owned.” It’s a program where a used car is inspected and backed by the manufacturer or its authorized channel, typically with added warranty coverage. Here, the host claims some dealers improperly charged for CPO-related items and even reclassified them as repairs.","simplifiedExplanation":"CPO means “Certified Pre-Owned.” It’s supposed to be a used car that’s been inspected and comes with extra coverage. The segment alleges some dealers charged for CPO items in ways they weren’t supposed to.","sourceStartTime":514.8,"sourceEndTime":520.2}},{"id":405325,"startTime":514.8,"endTime":520.2,"type":"term","title":"extended warranty","url":"/glossary/extended-warranty","quote":"Many investigated dealerships responded to these incentives by charging consumers $399 for the CPO inspection and extended warranty, despite Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation's instructions not to.","canonicalId":"term:extended-warranty","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An “extended warranty” is coverage that goes beyond the standard warranty period, typically sold as an add-on. In this segment, the host argues dealerships charged for an extended warranty alongside CPO inspection fees, allegedly contrary to the finance company’s instructions.","simplifiedExplanation":"An extended warranty is extra protection after the factory warranty ends. The host is saying some dealers added charges for it even when they weren’t supposed to.","sourceStartTime":514.8,"sourceEndTime":520.2}},{"id":405326,"startTime":534.9,"endTime":539.2,"type":"term","title":"final safety recall","url":"/glossary/final-safety-recall","quote":"Still other customers were charged as much as $3,200 for repairs necessary to implement the final safety recall.","canonicalId":"term:final-safety-recall","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “safety recall” is a manufacturer-mandated repair campaign for vehicles with a safety-related defect. The host claims customers were charged up to $3,200 for “repairs necessary to implement the final safety recall,” implying dealers may have billed for recall work in a way that wasn’t appropriate.","simplifiedExplanation":"A safety recall is when a car maker requires a fix because of a safety problem. The segment alleges some dealers charged customers a lot of money for doing the recall repair.","sourceStartTime":534.9,"sourceEndTime":539.2}},{"id":405327,"startTime":661.9,"endTime":666.7,"type":"term","title":"predefined one price","url":"/glossary/predefined-one-price","quote":"The reason lease buyouts have a case here is because they have a signed contract with the lease company that says there's the predefined one price that you can pay to buy.","canonicalId":"term:predefined-one-price","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “predefined one price” refers to the specific purchase amount written into the lease contract by the lease company. It’s important because it limits what the dealer can legitimately charge for the buyout—any deviation is where disputes arise.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means your lease paperwork already lists the exact buyout price. If a dealer tries to charge more than that, it can be unfair or even against what the contract allows.","sourceStartTime":661.9,"sourceEndTime":666.7}},{"id":405328,"startTime":672.5,"endTime":676.1,"type":"place","title":"state of New York","url":"/glossary/state-of-new-york","quote":"The state of New York, the AG could be going after every brand in New York. Maybe they are. Maybe they will be.","canonicalId":"place:state-of-new-york","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The host discusses the state of New York as the jurisdiction where the alleged lease-buyout/dealer-charging practices are being scrutinized. The implication is that enforcement and consumer protection can vary by state.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about New York as the place where this could be investigated. Different states can enforce consumer protection rules differently.","sourceStartTime":672.5,"sourceEndTime":676.1}},{"id":405329,"startTime":687.5,"endTime":698.7,"type":"person","title":"Jeff Wines","url":"/glossary/jeff-wines","quote":"And listen, we know because we did some stories with Jeff Wines here from Fort Lauderdale, Florida about what was going on down there at Volkswagen dealers","canonicalId":"person:jeff-wines","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Jeff Wines is referenced as a source connected to stories about dealer practices in Florida Volkswagen dealerships. The host uses him to support the claim that the issue isn’t isolated to one state or brand.","simplifiedExplanation":"Jeff Wines is mentioned as someone who helped provide stories about what dealers were doing. The host is using that as evidence for the broader claim.","sourceStartTime":687.5,"sourceEndTime":698.7}},{"id":405330,"startTime":692.7,"endTime":698.7,"type":"place","title":"Fort Lauderdale, Florida","url":"/glossary/fort-lauderdale-florida","quote":"we know because we did some stories with Jeff Wines here from Fort Lauderdale, Florida about what was going on down there at Volkswagen dealers","canonicalId":"place:fort-lauderdale-florida","priority":0.15,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the location tied to the host’s referenced reporting about dealer charges at Volkswagen dealerships. It’s used to illustrate that the alleged behavior can occur outside New York as well.","simplifiedExplanation":"Fort Lauderdale, Florida is where the host says they heard about the dealer charging issue. It’s an example of the problem happening in other places too.","sourceStartTime":692.7,"sourceEndTime":698.7}},{"id":405331,"startTime":698.7,"endTime":705.7,"type":"company","title":"Volkswagen dealers","url":"/glossary/volkswagen-dealers","quote":"we know because we did some stories with Jeff Wines here from Fort Lauderdale, Florida about what was going on down there at Volkswagen dealers in particular when it came to what they were charging customers","canonicalId":"company:volkswagen-dealers","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Volkswagen dealers” refers to the dealer network selling Volkswagen vehicles, used here as an example of the same kind of lease-related charging controversy. The host’s focus is on dealer behavior and state-by-state enforcement, not on Volkswagen vehicle design.","simplifiedExplanation":"They mention Volkswagen dealers as another example. The discussion is about what dealers were charging customers under lease terms.","sourceStartTime":698.7,"sourceEndTime":705.7}},{"id":405332,"startTime":912.3,"endTime":918.1,"type":"term","title":"title","url":"/glossary/title","quote":"There has to be a new title issued on the vehicle. So there's certain fees that you can't get away from.","canonicalId":"term:title","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A vehicle title is the legal document that proves ownership of the car. The host notes that when registering or transferring a vehicle, a new title may need to be issued, which can trigger additional state fees.","simplifiedExplanation":"A title is the legal paperwork that shows who owns the car. When ownership changes or the car is registered, the state may require a new title and charge fees for it.","sourceStartTime":912.3,"sourceEndTime":918.1}},{"id":405333,"startTime":925.1,"endTime":941.4,"type":"term","title":"lease contract","url":"/glossary/lease-contract","quote":"Let's go line by line on the lease contract because we can go line by line and you ain't going to find that anywhere.","canonicalId":"term:lease-contract","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A lease contract is the written agreement that spells out the rules and costs for leasing a vehicle, including fees, responsibilities, and what happens at the end of the term. In this segment, the host is emphasizing that certain charges (like inspection or repair-related fees) should only be added if they’re explicitly stated in that contract.","simplifiedExplanation":"A lease contract is the paperwork that lists what you have to pay and what the dealer or leasing company is allowed to charge you. The point here is: if a fee isn’t written in the contract, the customer shouldn’t be forced to pay it.","sourceStartTime":925.1,"sourceEndTime":941.4}},{"id":405334,"startTime":925.1,"endTime":933.6,"type":"term","title":"certified inspection fee","url":"/glossary/certified-inspection-fee","quote":"But if a dealer says, no, there has to be a certified inspection fee. Show me where it says that.","canonicalId":"term:certified-inspection-fee","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A certified inspection fee is a charge tied to a required vehicle inspection process (often for safety or compliance) that’s performed by an authorized party. The host is arguing that dealers can’t just add this fee unless it’s properly required by law and/or clearly disclosed in the lease paperwork.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a fee a dealer might charge for an official inspection of the car. The host’s argument is that you shouldn’t be charged for it unless it’s actually required and properly documented.","sourceStartTime":925.1,"sourceEndTime":933.6}},{"id":405335,"startTime":949.9,"endTime":956.7,"type":"term","title":"state inspection","url":"/glossary/state-inspection","quote":"Now, if it is a state that has a state inspection that is required because it's a pre-owned car, well, then you can do the state inspection.","canonicalId":"term:state-inspection","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A state inspection is a government-regulated check that vehicles must pass to be considered road-legal, especially for safety compliance. The host distinguishes between paying for the inspection and being required to perform specific repairs—those repair obligations depend on what the contract and state rules actually require.","simplifiedExplanation":"A state inspection is an official check to make sure a car is safe and legal to drive. The host is saying paying for the inspection doesn’t automatically mean you must do every repair unless it’s required by the rules or the contract.","sourceStartTime":949.9,"sourceEndTime":956.7}},{"id":405336,"startTime":1082.5,"endTime":1088.2,"type":"term","title":"buyer's order","url":"/glossary/buyer-s-order","quote":"If it is a taxable fee that's showing up on your buyer's order, it's negotiable.","canonicalId":"term:buyer-s-order","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A buyer’s order is the dealer’s paperwork that lists the vehicle and the line-item charges the customer is agreeing to. In the segment, the host emphasizes that if a fee appears on the buyer’s order, it’s treated as negotiable.","simplifiedExplanation":"A buyer’s order is the form that shows the final deal details and all the charges. The point being made is that fees listed there can be negotiated rather than assumed to be fixed.","sourceStartTime":1082.5,"sourceEndTime":1088.2}},{"id":405337,"startTime":1105.1,"endTime":1117.2,"type":"term","title":"Freedom Information Act request","url":"/glossary/freedom-information-act-request","quote":"The CDG team did a Freedom Information Act request to the Federal Trade Commission to get 200 entries from them that they could actually do an analysis on.","canonicalId":"term:freedom-information-act-request","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is a legal process in the U.S. that lets people request records from government agencies. Here, the Car Dealership Guy team used it to obtain complaint entries from the Federal Trade Commission for analysis.","simplifiedExplanation":"A FOIA request is a way to ask the government for records. In this case, they used it to get complaint information so they could study patterns in dealer behavior.","sourceStartTime":1105.1,"sourceEndTime":1117.2}},{"id":405338,"startTime":1108.2,"endTime":1117.2,"type":"company","title":"Federal Trade Commission","url":"/glossary/federal-trade-commission","quote":"The CDG team did a Freedom Information Act request to the Federal Trade Commission to get 200 entries from them that they could actually do an analysis on.","canonicalId":"company:federal-trade-commission","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a U.S. government agency that enforces consumer protection laws, including rules around deceptive advertising. In the segment, it’s the source of complaint records obtained via a FOIA request.","simplifiedExplanation":"The FTC is a U.S. agency that helps protect consumers from unfair or misleading business practices. The host mentions it because complaints about dealers were tied to the FTC’s records.","sourceStartTime":1108.2,"sourceEndTime":1117.2}},{"id":405339,"startTime":1128.2,"endTime":1136.5,"type":"car","title":"BMW 330i X-Drive","url":"/cars/bmw/3-series","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/BMW_Vision_Neue_Klasse%2C_IAA%2C_M%C3%BAnich%2C_Alemania%2C_2023-09-10%2C_DD_10.jpg","quote":"I called about a 2020 BMW 330i X-Drive listed for sale for $26,549. They confirmed it was still available. I went into test drive.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:3series","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The BMW 330i X-Drive is a 3 Series sedan with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In this segment it’s used as a concrete example of a dealer listing that changed dramatically once the buyer got to the sale process.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a BMW 3 Series sedan with all-wheel drive. The host brings it up because the advertised price jumped after the buyer started the buying process, with extra fees added.","imageAttribution":"Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Vision Neue Klasse concept","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BMW_Vision_Neue_Klasse,_IAA,_M%C3%BAnich,_Alemania,_2023-09-10,_DD_10.jpg","sourceStartTime":1128.2,"sourceEndTime":1136.5}},{"id":405340,"startTime":1136.5,"endTime":1141.6,"type":"term","title":"test drive","url":"/glossary/test-drive","quote":"I went into test drive. I was ready to purchase the price of the sale. Changed to $38,000.","canonicalId":"term:test-drive","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A test drive is the in-person driving session before purchase, but in this context it’s used as the moment when the advertised price and terms changed. The segment highlights how the buyer’s expectations were set by the listing and then altered during the process.","simplifiedExplanation":"A test drive is when you go drive the car before buying it. Here it matters because the price and fees changed after the buyer already went through that step.","sourceStartTime":1136.5,"sourceEndTime":1141.6}},{"id":405341,"startTime":1141.6,"endTime":1146.3,"type":"term","title":"false advertising","url":"/glossary/false-advertising","quote":"They added in nearly $12,000 worth of fees that were not optional packages created or removed. This is false advertising.","canonicalId":"term:false-advertising","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"False advertising is when a seller’s marketing claims are misleading or untrue, especially about price or what’s included. The segment frames the dealer’s added fees and missing items as a mismatch between the advertised listing and what the buyer was actually offered.","simplifiedExplanation":"False advertising means the ad doesn’t match what you actually get. Here, the host is saying the dealer’s advertised price and terms didn’t line up with the final deal.","sourceStartTime":1141.6,"sourceEndTime":1146.3}},{"id":405342,"startTime":1152.0,"endTime":1158.3,"type":"term","title":"advertising and price mismatches","url":"/glossary/advertising-and-price-mismatches","quote":"You can see here 79 of the submissions were for used car-related things. Advertising and price mismatches dominated the issue types of 164.","canonicalId":"term:advertising-and-price-mismatches","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Advertising and price mismatches describe situations where the advertised price or deal terms don’t match what the customer is quoted or charged later. In this segment, it’s presented as a dominant issue type in consumer complaints.","sourceStartTime":1152.0,"sourceEndTime":1158.3}},{"id":405343,"startTime":1164.7,"endTime":1171.7,"type":"term","title":"ceramic coating","url":"/glossary/ceramic-coating","quote":"One consumer drove 96 miles to find the price had jumped more than $10,000, $799 for ceramic coating that was never applied.","canonicalId":"term:ceramic-coating","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ceramic coating is an aftermarket paint-protection product sold by dealers or detailers, typically marketed as making the car easier to clean and more resistant to contaminants. The segment claims a $799 ceramic coating charge was added even though it was never applied.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ceramic coating is a protective product that’s supposed to be applied to the car’s paint. The host’s example says the buyer was charged for it, but it wasn’t actually done.","sourceStartTime":1164.7,"sourceEndTime":1171.7}},{"id":405344,"startTime":1223.5,"endTime":1230.1,"type":"term","title":"bait and switch advertising","url":"/glossary/bait-and-switch-advertising","quote":"[1223.5s] ago, 50 years ago, and they'll be the exact same as they are today. It is not as if we didn't know\n[1223.5s] that bait and switch advertising was going on all the time, that advertised prices were not the\n[1230.1s] price that you could actually buy the vehicles for, because every member of the, of the FTC has","canonicalId":"term:bait-and-switch-advertising","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Bait-and-switch advertising is when a business advertises one price or offer to get you in the door, then changes the terms so you can’t actually buy at the advertised deal. In car sales, this often shows up as “advertised price” versus the final price after add-ons, fees, or different vehicle availability.","simplifiedExplanation":"It means a company advertises a deal to get you to show up, but then the real deal isn’t actually available. With car dealers, the “cheap” price may disappear once you’re ready to buy.","sourceStartTime":1223.5,"sourceEndTime":1230.1}},{"id":405345,"startTime":1332.1,"endTime":1340.8,"type":"concept","title":"freedom of information request","url":"/glossary/freedom-of-information-request","quote":"[1332.1s] So that's the other piece to this, but CDG, and I will pull back in the state of New York,\n[1336.8s] we don't have names named. You know, you can do this freedom of information request. Actually,\n[1340.8s] you don't know what the dealerships are. They give you locations, things like that.","canonicalId":"concept:freedom-of-information-request","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A freedom of information request is a legal process that lets the public ask government agencies for records. In this context, the host says it can reveal dealership-related information (like locations) without necessarily naming specific dealers in the agreement.","sourceStartTime":1332.1,"sourceEndTime":1340.8}},{"id":405346,"startTime":1368.0,"endTime":1373.6,"type":"person","title":"Andre Medeiros","url":"/glossary/andre-medeiros","quote":"[1362.2s] dealers actually named in this agreement. This agreement was signed, yeah, January 1st by Nissan\n[1368.0s] Motor Acceptance Company, you know, Andre Medeiros, the vice president of operations. He's the\n[1373.6s] individual entering into this agreement with the attorney general for the state of New York.","canonicalId":"person:andre-medeiros","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Andre Medeiros is identified here as the vice president of operations for Nissan Motor Acceptance Company and the individual entering into the agreement with the New York attorney general. This is relevant because it shows the finance company’s leadership role in the legal/regulatory matter being discussed.","simplifiedExplanation":"Andre Medeiros is a named executive tied to the Nissan finance company mentioned in the segment. The host is saying he was the person who signed/entered the agreement on the company’s side.","sourceStartTime":1368.0,"sourceEndTime":1373.6}},{"id":405347,"startTime":1569.3,"endTime":1579.9,"type":"term","title":"dealer ratings and reviews","url":"/glossary/dealer-ratings-and-reviews","quote":"So that's why I bring up the dealer ratings and reviews. Most dealerships get an A grade for transparency from courage.","canonicalId":"term:dealer-ratings-and-reviews","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dealer ratings and reviews are consumer- and platform-based scores that summarize how a dealership operates, including how transparent it is and how it treats customers. In this segment, they’re used as a proxy for dealer transparency and trustworthiness.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealer ratings and reviews are scores and comments from customers about how a car dealership behaves. The hosts are using them to help you figure out which dealerships are honest and which ones aren’t.","sourceStartTime":1569.3,"sourceEndTime":1579.9}},{"id":405348,"startTime":1598.8,"endTime":1600.2,"type":"term","title":"FTC","url":"/glossary/ftc","quote":"with their Freedom of Information Request Act from the FTC.","canonicalId":"term:ftc","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is a U.S. government agency that enforces consumer protection laws, including rules around advertising and unfair or deceptive business practices. The segment ties FTC activity to scrutiny of dealership conduct.","simplifiedExplanation":"The FTC is a U.S. consumer-protection agency. The hosts mention it because it can investigate or enforce rules that affect how dealerships market and sell cars.","sourceStartTime":1598.8,"sourceEndTime":1600.2}},{"id":405349,"startTime":1610.5,"endTime":1620.8,"type":"term","title":"add-ons","url":"/glossary/add-ons","quote":"Finding a Washington Honda, for example, dad, who's one of the good guys because there are no add-ons. The price you see is the price you get.","canonicalId":"term:add-ons","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Dealer add-ons are extra products or services added to a car sale—often after you think you’ve agreed on the price—such as protection packages or fees. The host contrasts “no add-ons” with a transparent pricing approach where the listed price is the final price.","simplifiedExplanation":"Add-ons are extra items a dealership tries to tack onto the deal, like add-on packages or extra fees. The point here is that some dealers add them and others don’t.","sourceStartTime":1610.5,"sourceEndTime":1620.8}},{"id":405350,"startTime":1610.5,"endTime":1615.6,"type":"brand","title":"Washington Honda","url":"/glossary/washington-honda","quote":"Finding a Washington Honda, for example, dad, who's one of the good guys because there are no add-ons.","canonicalId":"brand:washington-honda","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.72,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Washington Honda refers to a specific Honda dealership (or dealership group) being held up as an example of transparent pricing. The key claim is that it has “no add-ons,” meaning the advertised price matches what you pay.","simplifiedExplanation":"Washington Honda is a specific Honda dealership. The host is praising it because they say it doesn’t try to add extra charges on top of the price.","sourceStartTime":1610.5,"sourceEndTime":1615.6}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Ray Shefska","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Zach Shefska","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/this-car-business-ugly-secret-just-got-exposed-episode-1085/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}],"alignmentMode":"scalar","fallbackOffset":0.0}