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LIC Car Dealership Faces Additional Fines, City Seeks $37 million Claiming Deceptive Sales Tactics

Dec. 22, 2017, By Christian Murray

The Department of Consumer Affairs, which filed charges against a Long Island City-based auto dealership in March for deceptive sales practices, has increased the damages sought from $1.5 million to $36.5 million.

The DCA claimed in March that Major World dealership had a long-standing practice of luring unsuspecting consumers, particularly those with limited English proficiency, with promises of great deals on used cars and financing–regardless of credit history and income.

The DCA initially sought more than $1.5 million in restitution and fines based on the complaints of 30 consumers. However, the city agency claims that it found wider abuse during the discovery process and is now seeking $36.5 million.

The agency initially filed charges against the dealership primarily on the grounds of deceptive lending practices. The additional claims focus on the dealership’s alleged deception as to the condition of the vehicles themselves.

The DCA claims that the dealership deceived consumers as to the history of the vehicles and also violated state law in terms of the warranty and serviceability of the vehicles. It also found additional cases of deceptive print and web advertisements.

The agency is calling for the creation of a trust for the victims who were allegedly cheated by Major World. In addition, it seeks to revoke the company’s auto dealer licenses.

The case will be heard in front of the city’s Office of Administrative Trails and Hearings. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Jan. 9.

The charges deal with the firm’s practices at Major World Chevrolet (43-40 Northern Boulevard), Major World Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (50-30 Northern Boulevard), and Major Kia of Long Island City (44-11 Northern Boulevard).

The DCA’s additional claims are part of the ongoing suit that allege that Major World would submit false information on consumers’ credit applications–such as the nature of their employment, income and monthly rent obligations–to ensure the loans were approved.

The company would target low-income immigrants who had a limited grasp of English, according to the DCA. Many got loans they were not qualified to receive, according to the DCA.

The dealership would then inflate the price of the vehicles, leaving many consumers with overpriced cars and heavily in debt, according to the DCA.

“Our city’s working families, who often struggle to make ends meet, rely on their cars to accomplish life’s most basic tasks like going to work or going to school,” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas in March.

“Buying that car is usually one of the largest purchases a family makes. It is outrageous that Major World, who claims to treat its customers like family, traps these hardworking New Yorkers into loans they can’t afford.”

The owners of the dealership could not be reached for comment.

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17 Comments

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James

If anybody here is educated you will know that a dealer in ny cannot sale no lemos unles costumer knows and sign because all the banks look into what they are lending agaist no salvage tittle cannot be finance or water damage cars cars with bad tittle no bank will lend you money banks are not stupid guys pls educate your self before writing a review a use car is like a lotto you dont know who drove the car before or how they put the miles on it if your lucky you get a good car there is no way anybody can determin what can happen to a car in a few months or maybe a year some problems can be avoided but not everything remeber mechanics are humans and humans make mistakes

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A.Bundy

sounds like somebody wants their land and has friends in high authority that can push them out. i’ve seen this done a million times in nyc.

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Sunnyside Loves Me Long Time

Major World doesn’t own the land. It’s leased to them by General Motors.

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Ladybug

Walking past the lot guy says to me “Yo, you wanna car?” I said no..no license. He says “Yo, I got an extra one.. don’t worry yo”. I couldn’t believe my ears.

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James

That is imposible major world lot is in the back you are not able to see anything from the front i been there and purchase 4 cars there no issues so far and just to inform you you dont need a license to buy a car you need a ny state id or 6 points of id to register a car you need a license for inaurance has nothing to do with the dealer

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Its even worse, Marys become an old maid!

Truth is, dont buy a used car, These bastards are the scum of society. Always have been.

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Oran Juice Jones

Al from Warwick sold me a lemon pimpmobile when he was a salesman here. It had a boomerang antenna and diamond window in the back.

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actually i am a robot

damn i was planning on using my “big beautiful Christmas present” from the GOP to buy me some new wheels from Northern blvd!

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Billy

Geographic professor- According to the Department of City Planning, the population center lies in Maspeth, Queens, near the intersection of Galasso Place and 48th Street, near Maspeth Creek. The geographic center is in Bushwick, Brooklyn, on Stockholm Streetbetween Wyckoff Avenue and St. Nicholas Avenue. Alice you’re close enough. Geographic progreso couldn’t even provide a location.

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WouldCyde

Regardless they occupy a lot of land currently (flat lot) that can easily be transformed into some sort of shopping destination.

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