Ohio Dealer Advertising Laws
Advertising laws are covered for dealers in your dealer training class. The dealer classes are held in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Akron, Toledo, and Dayton, Ohio.
You will have several laws and guidelines to follow when you are advertising your vehicles for sale. The advertising laws will apply regardless if you are advertising in newspapers, radio, television, billboards, and all forms of internet advertising such as Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, or your own website.
There are also several advertisements that could lead to an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General's office.
The following advertising concepts may lead to an
investigation by the Ohio
Attorney General’s Office
Disclaimers that contradict the advertisement message
Deceptive or unfair advertisements
Small print that
is unreadable
Prize notifications, including free
products or instant savings scratchoffs
References to
the government or use of a seal — anything that could
cause a reasonable consumer to believe he is receiving
an official
document or notice
Minimum or specific
amounts offered for trade-ins
Advertisements or
direct mail solicitations that include fake “checks”
Reference to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price
(MSRP),
either directly or indirectly, in a used
vehicle advertisement
Use of these or similar
terms:
• “liquidate” or “liquidated”
• “bank
foreclosure” or “repossessed”
• “specially selected”
or “chosen”
• “wholesale pricing direct to the
public,” “pennies on the dollar,”or “sold regardless of
loss of profit”
ll motor vehicle “invoice”
advertisements in Ohio must clearly and conspicuously
disclose the following: “FACTORY INVOICE MAY NOT
REFLECT THE DEALER’S ACTUAL COST.”
We will show you how to legally advertise your
vehicles in your Ohio dealer training class.