OMVIC OMVIC All-In Price Advertising and Standards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dealer's TV commercial states 'get this car for $999 a month' without displaying the all-in purchase price. Under OMVIC standards:
- Monthly payment advertising is fully exempt from all-in price requirements
- The all-in purchase price must also be clearly displayed when monthly payment advertising is used (Correct answer)
- This is acceptable as long as the monthly payment is accurate
- Only print advertising requires the all-in price to be shown
Correct answer: The all-in purchase price must also be clearly displayed when monthly payment advertising is used
When advertising monthly payments, the all-in purchase price and key financing terms must also be clearly disclosed so consumers can evaluate the total cost.
Question 2: Which of the following actions would constitute a violation of OMVIC's all-in price advertising standard?
- Clearly labeling HST as a separate item on the bill of sale
- Charging a $395 'eco fee' that was not included in the advertised all-in price (Correct answer)
- Advertising a vehicle at $0 down and $500 per month with all-in price also shown
- Including the cost of mandatory freight in the advertised price
Correct answer: Charging a $395 'eco fee' that was not included in the advertised all-in price
Adding any fee such as an 'eco fee' that was not included in the advertised all-in price is a direct violation of OMVIC's advertising standards.
Question 3: An online classified ad by a registered dealer shows a vehicle price of $16,500 but states 'certified separately.' The certification typically costs $600. Under OMVIC rules:
- This is fine since certification is an optional service
- If certification is required for purchase, the $600 must be included in the $16,500 all-in price (Correct answer)
- Certification costs are excluded from all-in pricing as they are inspection fees
- The dealer can exclude certification costs if they offer an uncertified option
Correct answer: If certification is required for purchase, the $600 must be included in the $16,500 all-in price
If buyers must pay for certification to purchase the vehicle, that cost is a mandatory charge and must be included in the all-in advertised price.
Question 4: A first-time dealer registrant asks about OMVIC's advertising rules. Which statement is the most accurate advice?
- Advertising rules only apply once the dealership has been operating for 2 or more years
- All-in price advertising rules apply from the moment the dealer is registered and begins advertising (Correct answer)
- New dealers have a 6-month grace period to comply with advertising standards
- Only dealers selling more than 50 vehicles per year must comply with all-in pricing
Correct answer: All-in price advertising rules apply from the moment the dealer is registered and begins advertising
OMVIC's advertising standards apply to all registered dealers immediately upon registration; there are no grace periods or volume thresholds for compliance.
Question 5: A dealer advertises a lease deal: '$0 down, $299/month' without any other information. Under OMVIC advertising standards for lease promotions, what else must be disclosed?
- Nothing additional — monthly payment and down payment are sufficient for lease ads
- Total lease obligation, residual value, term, and any other material conditions (Correct answer)
- Only the total number of payments required
- The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the vehicle
Correct answer: Total lease obligation, residual value, term, and any other material conditions
OMVIC requires that lease advertisements disclose all material terms including the total lease obligation, residual value, term length, and any conditions to avoid misleading consumers.
Question 6: If a dealer charges every buyer a $299 'GPS tracking fee' regardless of whether they want it, how should this be handled under OMVIC's all-in price rule?
- It can be disclosed verbally at time of negotiation
- It must be included in the advertised all-in price since all buyers are required to pay it (Correct answer)
- It can be listed as a separate line item on the bill of sale
- GPS tracking fees are exempt from all-in pricing rules for security reasons
Correct answer: It must be included in the advertised all-in price since all buyers are required to pay it
Any charge that every buyer is required to pay — regardless of what it covers — must be included in the all-in advertised price.
Question 7: A dealer's website correctly shows an all-in price of $25,000 for a specific vehicle. At the dealership, the salesperson tells the buyer the price is $26,200 due to 'market adjustment.' Under OMVIC rules:
- The salesperson's verbal price prevails since it was given most recently
- The dealer is in violation — the advertised all-in price is what the consumer should be charged (Correct answer)
- Market adjustments are permitted if market conditions have changed since advertising
- The buyer agreed by entering the dealership to negotiate from MSRP
Correct answer: The dealer is in violation — the advertised all-in price is what the consumer should be charged
Charging more than the advertised all-in price is a direct violation of OMVIC's advertising standards; 'market adjustment' charges are prohibited add-ons.
OMVIC OMVIC All-In Price Advertising and Standards 5
A dealer's TV commercial states 'get this car for $999 a month' without displaying the all-in purchase price.
Under OMVIC standards: