Easterns Automotive Group Bait and Switch Sterling, Laurel, Temple Hills, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Alexandria, Frederick, Millersville MD, VA

Easterns Automotive Group is a used car dealership with multiple locations in the Washington DC area. I was in the market looking for a specific automobile, a 2019 Ford Fusion Titanium Hybrid. I located one on their website and called to make sure that it was still available. The individual stated that it was available at their Sterling, VA location, and I make an appointment on July 18, 2020, at 11:00 am to see it. At the appointment, the salesperson stated that according to their records, the car was supposed to be at that location, but they could not find it, and they called their other locations, and the car was nowhere to be found.

However, they had other non-titanium Ford Fusions that I could see. I said no because I was interested in the specific model. I understand that computer records could be wrong with extensive inventories. And that it was I gave them the benefit of the doubt when I found another Fusion on the website at their Frederick, MD location. I called to make sure that they had not misplaced this one, and they assured me that it was there.

I made an appointment for July 25 at 1:30 pm. And low and behold, when I arrived at the dealership, they could not find the car and could not locate it at any of their other locations. But they had other Fusion for me to look at. The dealership will lie about their inventory to people to get them to come in; this is classic “bait and switch.” This is illegal, and this dealership should be fined, if not shut down.