Chevrolet 73 Squeezed For Violating New Jersey’s Lemon Law
By MICHELLE BRUNETTI For The Press
Berlin-based auto dealer Chevrolet 73, Inc., will pay $200,000 to settle charges it violated New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act and Used Car Lemon Law, the state said this week. The dealership also agreed to comply with state and federal laws in the future.
In a lawsuit filed in Nov-ember 2006, the Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs alleged that the dealership failed to honor advertised pri-
ces, failed to disclose all terms and conditions of a negotiated deal, and failed to disclose the mechanical condition of some used cars. The company does business as Chevrolet 73 and Chevrolet 73 Bargain Corral.
"Consumers are entitled to be told all the relevant facts before they purchase a vehicle. Under this settlement, the dealership will provide this information so consumers can make an in-
formed decision," Attorney Gen-eral Anne Milgram said in a statement.
The dealership also will participate in the Division's Alternative Dispute Resolution program for three years, and will respond to any complaints brought to it by the division within 30 days. Unresolved complaints will be forwarded for binding arbitration.
For more information on the Consumer Fraud Act, visit:
www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/ocplaw.pdf
For information on the Used Car Lemon Law, visit:
www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/usedlemon.htm
You can also call the division at 800-242-5846.
This is a celebration?
The state went to bat last week for hundreds of consumers statewide who contracted and paid for wedding photographs, videos and other services, but never received them.
The Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit against Morris County based Celebration Studios, Inc., and its principal Marc S. Schwartz in Superior Court. Celebration was based in Chester, and also had locations in Clifton, Fairfield, Hoboken, Mahwah, Montclair, Paramus, Red Bank, Short Hills and Princeton, the state said.
The company was entering into contracts as late as October, 2007, according to the state, for weddings throughout 2008. Early this month the business suddenly closed, and the state has received 584 consumer complaints as a result.
"The emotional distress caused by the defendants cannot be overstated. We have close to 600 consumers who are distraught because they did not receive the photos, videos and other visual keepsakes of their weddings," Milgram said in a statement. "We want these consumers to get their wedding albums and for the defendants to be held accountable."
The court granted the state's request for a temporary restraining order that prohibits Celebration from disposing of any photos, negatives, proofs, digital files, videotapes, DVDs, albums and cards. It also requires the defendants to maintain all books and records of the business, and to maintain all consumer deposits and payments.
The state also is seeking an impound order to freeze the assets of Celebration, consumer restitution, civil penalties and reimbursement of the state's attorneys' fees and investigative costs.
Consumers who have been affected should be sure to file complaints with the state, either at www.njconsumer
affairs.gov or by calling the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.
Consumer Action will respond to each properly submitted letter about a problem or question, either in this column or by letter or phone. Letters must include copies – not originals – of all relevant documentation and a name, address and phone number at which you can be reached. Send letters to: Consumer Action, The Press, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, NJ 08232.
