In Missouri, the battle against alleged deceptive business practices within the auto industry has taken a sharp turn as the Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit against Select Motor Company, LLC. According to the Attorney General's Office, the dealership is accused of selling vehicles to consumers without providing them with the necessary titles, potentially leaving buyers without legal ownership and unable to legally drive or resell their vehicles. This action, initiated in Christian County Circuit Court, highlights the office's commitment to consumer rights and legal compliance.
The gravity of the situation is underscored through the words of Attorney General Bailey, who asserted, "Whether it’s a young family buying a car for work or a retiree relying on fixed income, no one should be left empty-handed by a business that refuses to play by the rules," as obtained by the Attorney General's Office. His office's petition notes that in at least nine cases, consumers paid significant amounts for their cars, some shelling out over $18,000, but were left in the lurch without proper documentation. The dealership has been accused of flouting Missouri law, specifically Section 301.210, RSMo, and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA), which bars unfair business practices and deception.
With the lawsuit's filing, the Attorney General's Office seeks several key remedies to protect Missouri consumers and uphold state law. Among these are court orders to officially recognize consumers as rightful owners of the vehicles purchased and directives for the Missouri Department of Revenue to issue the overdue titles. To prevent further questionable sales, the office is seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions against Select Motor Company. If these injunctions are granted, the dealership would be prohibited from selling any additional vehicles in the state until they adhere to the requisite protocols. Moreover, the lawsuit demands full restitution for consumers, covering not just the vehicle cost but also any related losses due to the absence of a valid title, including fines and insurance issues.
The actions taken by Attorney General Bailey's Office are not simply a direct response to Select Motor's conduct but also serve as a stark warning to others in the business. The lawsuit is also requesting financial penalties in line with violations of the MMPA, to penalize and deter deceptive behavior. Additionally, the state's legal costs, incurred from investigating and prosecuting the dealership’s actions, are to be reimbursed by Select Motor. "Missourians deserve honesty and accountability when making major purchases like a vehicle," Bailey concluded, emphasizing a no-tolerance stance towards business malpractices that take advantage of consumers, as found in the Attorney General's Office's statement.
