OLYMPIA, Wash. — The attorney general for the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, has accused two marketing firms of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars.
The
The attorney general for the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, has accused two marketing firms of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The attorney general for the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, has accused two marketing firms of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars.
The
state announced two new lawsuits today as part of an ongoing effort to enforce
fair marketing practices. "We’ve warned dealers and ad firms that they need to make
sure their promotions comply with state laws,” said Assistant Attorney General
Mary Lobdell. “Now we’ve set up a roadblock to stop those businesses that
continue to drive down the wrong side of the legal road.”
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division filed a complaint
today in Pierce County Superior Court accusing Big Ideas Direct LLC, of
Woodinville, and owners Jeffrey Watts and Michael Nealy, both of Snohomish
County, of violating Washington’s consumer protection and prizes/promotions
laws.
State attorneys filed a similar complaint
May 19 in Thurston County Superior Court against Smart Automotive Group LLC, of
Metairie, La.,
and its president, Bernard E. Burst III, of New Orleans.
McKenna's office reached settlements in 2007
and 2008 with three other companies concerning similar allegations. The office
created a Web page at www.atg.wa.gov/dealers.aspx with
tips to help dealers comply with advertising laws.


Talk to F&I customers like you’d talk to a friend, without industry lingo or sales-like questions, and use hard proof to show, not tell, them about a need.
Read More →
Helping F&I customers understand complementary offerings is likely to lead to more sales, based on the success of a high-performing practitioner of the philosophy.
Read More →
Ethical F&I Manager's Conference will take place at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on April 13–15, 2026.
Read More →
EFI 2026 will take place April 13–15 at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Read More →
In this video, Reese Dailey explains how effective follow-up drives better results across the dealership, including increased sales, higher F&I penetration, and stronger customer retention.
Read More →
‘So You Think You Can Do F&I’ is a live role-play contest taking place at the 2026 Ethical F&I Managers Conference.
Read More →
It may be human nature to back off when a customer seems to say no to a product or service. But experts say F&I managers should operate as though the answer will be the opposite.
Read More →
Deal volume ebbed and flowed throughout 2025, but product performance remained steady, according to automotive technology and data intelligence solutions provider StoneEagle.
Read More →
A new top 10 list ranks the least expensive for average full insurance coverage on a clean driving record and high driver credit scores.
Read More →