In Norfolk Virginia there’s a used car dealer who’s TV ads have received so many complaints and have been deemed so disturbing that Senator Jim Webb has been involved in efforts to get the ads taken off the air. As the Auto Insider I have always tried to educate you about dealer tricks and scams so you can protect yourself. So I never thought a scenario could develop were I would be upset that a member of the Senate was attempting to intervene against a car dealer… but that’s exactly the case!
Here’s the story. A used car dealer, Charlie Falk decided to run TV commercials with actresses playing military personnel. It appears the rub is that the actresses are not providing an authentic portrayal of how a female in the military would be dressed. No, they are not dressed in a sexual or overt manner; just not properly attired. For instance, one actress has the very top button of her shirt open; another does not have a t-shirt on under a camouflage shirt. Remember, nothing sexual – just unauthentic. Now these ads have upset and offended several active military women along with some retired personnel.
Please understand my disagreement is NOT connected to the women who are offended by Charlie Falk’s ads. I may not be able to fully comprehend their feelings on this matter because I do not have a military background, but that is not what has me upset. The only suggestion I would give these offended women is that they should use their power as a consumer block to get their fellow military men and women to boycott Charlie Falk. There is a huge military population in Norfolk and without their business I’m sure Charlie Falk would take an enormous financial hit.
My contempt is focused on Senator Webb. The Senator has decided to use his enormous power and influence to address this issue rather than the countless illegal, unethical and deceiving auto ads used to fleece car buyers all over Virginia and the entire US on a daily basis! In these TV ads Mr. Falk did not attempt to insult any military people, remember they represent a huge portion of his customer base. I’ve seen the ads and in my educated opinion Charlie Falk was just sloppy and thoughtless while producing his TV spots.
Now Senator Webb is a former military man and I bet the military vote is critical for the good Senator to stay in office. To me, this appears to be little more than a Senator pandering for votes. It’s a shame that Senator Webb doesn’t put our tax dollars to work ensuring car dealers don’t rip people off, rather than just insult people! No, I am not condoning insulting people, but I do think that the fact that an enormous number of Americans are financially assaulted by car dealers represents a more pressing issue for the Senator to address.
To prove my position all you need to do is take a closer look at Charlie Falk. In October 1994 Mr. Falk agreed to settle a lawsuit by forgiving $10.5 million in defaulted loans and pay $400,000 in damages to former customers. Mr. Falk runs what’s called a Buy Here – Pay Here used car lot. In 1994 Mr. Falk owned 11 such BHPH used car lots. The lawsuit arose over his practice of repossessing vehicles in an untimely manner. Some people might describe it as selling someone a car, then legally stealing it back! Given the choice, I’d rather be insulted by Mr. Falk rather than some of the alternatives. The $400,000 paid to former customers was split between 2,500 to 3,100 people! That’s a lot of people harmed in my opinion.
In fact, I wonder how he could possibly be allowed to continue selling cars after settling a case that damaged so many people. You would think that some figure with the power to protect the people would have taken his license away back in 1994. Gosh, I bet a Senator could have done that, I wonder why no one did? I think I know the answer. Buy Here – Pay Here auto dealerships cater to low income customers. People often choose to do business with these dealerships because they can not obtain an auto loan from a bank. The Buy Here – Pay Here dealer holds the note for the car they sell.
Now in Senator Webb’s defense I need to state that he was not in office in 1994. Additionally, it is possible he is not familiar with the prior actions of Mr. Falk. But if he reads this and does a little research he will learn that the present actions of Mr. Falk are pale in comparison to his previous offenses. I urge Senator Webb to become more aware and active in his attempts to protect the citizens of Virginia from all car dealers like Charlie Falk. Use this as a springboard for change!
But, we can not assume that Senator Webb is unfamiliar with the actions of may car dealers. He’s a very bright man and he knows auto dealerships commit illegal and unethical actions against unsuspecting people on a daily basis. So, if this is the end of Senator Webb’s actions against Mr. Falk and other dealers like him there’s only one conclusion I can draw – if your business practices prey on the poor, stealing money from them and ruining their financial status (like Charlie Falk) I won’t comment or act. But, if you happen to insult military personnel with a poorly researched and produced TV ad I’m ready to take you on!
Senator, if you buy a newspaper, watch TV or read anything on the internet you can quickly identify hundreds or thousands of car dealers who should receive your attention and wrath, unfortunately in this case Charlie Falk is not one of them!