Car dealerships are no strangers to using questionable marketing tactics to lure in potential customers. One of the most recent ploys being used is called “Scratch and Win Big.” This promotion involves sending flyers in the mail to individuals with scratch-off spaces that reveal cherries. If the individual manages to get three cherries, the flyer promises them a car, cash, or other prize upon presentation of the flyer at the dealership. It’s very similar to the Scratch and Match marketing campaign, which is also used to trick people into visiting car dealerships under false pretenses.
Unfortunately, this promotion is often a scam designed to trick people into visiting the dealership. Victims of the promotion are told that they did not win the car or cash after presenting the flyer at the dealership and in some cases, the dealership may offer additional prizes, such as cash, gift cards, or electronic devices to compensate for the disappointment of not winning the car.
Car dealerships have been known to use high-pressure sales tactics to convince customers to buy cars they don’t need or can’t afford. They may also engage in deceptive advertising, such as promoting cars at prices significantly lower than what they are actually selling them for. Predatory lending practices are also common, where dealerships charge exorbitant interest rates to customers with poor credit scores, leading to many consumers falling into debt and losing their cars due to repossession.
Consumer advocates recommend that individuals exercise caution when receiving flyers from car dealerships promising free cars or other prizes. It is important to read the fine print carefully and research the dealership before committing to anything. Contacting the dealership beforehand to confirm the legitimacy of the promotion and to ask about any potential restrictions or requirements for claiming the prize is also advised.
The ‘Scratch and Win Big’ promotion is just one example of the questionable marketing tactics that car dealerships use to attract customers. To avoid falling victim to these marketing scams, it’s important to stay aware of these tactics and exercise caution when dealing with car dealerships. As the old saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
