Watchdog warns FTC that car buyers getting hit with hidden fees as online listings ‘mislead’
A conservative watchdog group, the Bull Moose Project, is urging the Federal Trade Commission to extend its crackdown on deceptive car pricing to online listing platforms. The group argues that hidden fees added after the initial advertised price mislead consumers, potentially adding thousands of dollars to the final cost. They recommend implementing 'all-in pricing' rules for online car listings, similar to those used in other industries like hospitality and ticketing.
- ▪The Bull Moose Project sent a letter to the FTC urging regulation of online car listing platforms for deceptive pricing practices.
- ▪Hidden fees can increase a vehicle's final cost by 7% to 8%, meaning a $40,000 car could cost around $43,000 before taxes and title.
- ▪The group advocates for 'all-in pricing' on digital platforms to ensure advertised prices reflect the total cost to consumers.
- ▪Online platforms like Cars.com and AutoTrader currently allow dealers to display incomplete prices, delaying fee disclosures until later in the buying process.
- ▪While the FTC has taken action against dealerships, the watchdog says enforcement must include digital advertising platforms where most car shopping begins.
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Business exclusive Watchdog warns FTC that car buyers getting hit with hidden fees as online listings ‘mislead’ By Ariel Zilber Published April 30, 2026, 2:57 p.m. ET A conservative policy group is urging federal regulators to widen their crackdown on deceptive car pricing — warning that hidden fees are costing Americans thousands of dollars on one of the biggest purchases of their lives, The Post has learned. The Bull Moose Project, a right-leaning antitrust group, sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission applauding recent enforcement actions against auto dealers but argued they don’t go far enough — because the real problem now lives online.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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