Procycle - Spfld and Columbia

[Outdoorsfool]

I think it was on this site last fall that we were talking about ProCycle. Here's a news release from the AGO....

Jan. 9, 2006

Nixon accuses Columbia, Springfield motorcycle dealers of bait-and-switch; lawsuits seek refunds for consumers
Jefferson City, Mo. ? Attorney General Jay Nixon wants to put the brakes on three Missouri motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle dealers that he says lure customers through misleading advertisements. ProCycle has two locations in Springfield and one in Columbia, and Nixon says the dealerships, in some instances, promised one price for merchandise while charging another.

Nixon?s lawsuits, filed today in Boone and Greene County circuit courts, say ProCycle employees confirm the advertised price to customers. Some consumers who buy the merchandise, however, have complained that they were hit with additional back-room fees for processing, set-up, credit-card surcharges and other costs.

"This is your classic bait-and-switch scheme," Nixon said. "ProCycle is bringing customers in the door by advertising one price, reassuring them of that price, then hitting them with hundreds of dollars in extra fees. Misleading consumers that way is not allowed under Missouri law."

Nixon also says ProCycle of Columbia ran radio commercials saying it had no hidden fees. Nixon says his office took at least 25 consumer complaints against ProCycle of Columbia and 20 complaints against the Springfield locations. All three locations have the same owners.

Nixon?s lawsuit asks the court to order ProCycle to fully reimburse consumers who bought merchandise for a higher price than advertised; pay a penalty of $1,000 per violation of Missouri?s merchandising laws; and reimburse Nixon?s office for its investigative and legal costs.

Consumers may file complaints with the Attorney General?s Office on this or other cases by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or going to www.ago.mo.gov to download a complaint form.

[Triton X2]

Interesting ODF, and if they are actually doing this they should have a hefty fine to pay. I remember some of the guys talking about this but I wasnt aware they were in Springfield too.

[Sweaty Monkey]

Not to jump to these guys' defense, but I did buy a new motorcycle from them about two years ago for a price that I thought was a little lower than it should be....so I get there to purchase it, and they actually DID sell it to me for the advertised price and with no hassle. Very smooth sale. It was a great deal. They did right by me at least.

[Outdoorsfool]

News Release
August 10, 2006

ProCycle dealerships to pay $114,000 to 364 consumers, $84,000 in other payments in settlements with Nixon

? The ProCycle dealerships in Springfield and Columbia will pay more than $114,000 in settlement payments to the Attorney General's Office for the benefit of 364 consumers and $84,000 to the state under settlements with Attorney General Jay Nixon. Nixon sued the owners of the ProCycle dealerships in January, alleging they misled consumers by failing to disclose certain fees and charging three percent for use of a credit card.

"Many consumers are price-conscious and will shop with merchants if they believe they are getting good deals on the prices," Nixon said. "That becomes a problem if the advertised price and the bottom line price end up being greatly disparate. Our settlements today not only will return an average of $315 to hundreds of ProCycle customers, they also will ensure that ProCycle complies with state laws to protect consumers from fraud and deception."

The ProCycle dealerships in Springfield are operated by Ozark Cycle Inc.; the Columbia ProCycle dealership is operated by Shernaman Enterprises Inc. Both corporations have the same ownership.

Nixon's lawsuits, filed Jan. 9 in Boone and Greene County Circuit Courts, alleged ProCycle lured customers through misleading advertisements. Nixon alleged the dealerships, in some instances, promised one price for merchandise while charging another. ProCycle employees would confirm the advertised price to customers, though some consumers who bought the merchandise complained that they were hit with additional unexpected fees for processing, set-up, credit card surcharges and other costs.

ProCycle will pay $114,749.26 in settlement payments to the Attorney General under the consent judgments. The defendants will also pay $30,000 to both the Boone County and Greene County School Funds, and a total of $24,000 to the state to cover the investigative and legal costs of the case.

Consumers who are entitled to settlement payments will be contacted by the Attorney General's Office in the next few months.

Consumers may file complaints with the Attorney General's office on any case by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or going to www.ago.mo.gov.