WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved final consent orders this week, settling charges that two dealers deceptively advertised the cost or available discounts for their vehicles.

The FTC charged Don White's Timonium Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Cockeysville, Md., with advertising "dealer discounts" and "Internet prices" that the FTC alleged were not available to a typical consumer.

Ganley Ford West in Cleveland was charged with misrepresenting that vehicles were available at a specific dealer discount when the FTC said the discounts only applied to specific and more expensive models of the advertised vehicles.

Under the settlements, regulators said both dealers are prohibited from advertising discounts or prices unless the ads clearly disclose any qualifications or restrictions. The settlements also prohibit the dealers from making misrepresentations regarding the existence, price, value coverage, or features of any product or service associated with the motor vehicle purchase, and the number of vehicles available at particular prices.

The FTC first announced these cases last September.

Regulators responded to a total of five commenters who sent letters to the FTC. The following is an FTC reply to an individual who commented about the settlement with Don White's Timonium Chrysler Jeep Dodge:

"As we understand your comment, you suggest that dealer advertisements that feature a sale price should be required to ‘include all of the amounts which are to be paid to the dealership,' including a charge commonly referred to as a ‘doc (document) fee.' The complaint in this matter concerns advertisements that featured ‘dealer discounts' and ‘Internet prices' that were not available to the typical consumer. The complaint alleges that Timonium Chrysler failed to disclose adequately that consumers would need to qualify for a series of smaller rebates not generally available to them in order to receive the advertised discounts and prices. The commission looks at a number of factors in determining appropriate relief that will deter future violations, and believes the proposed order provides strong consumer protections that address the alleged violations. The proposed order prohibits Timonium Chrysler from advertising discounts or prices unless they are accompanied by clear disclosures of any required qualifications or restrictions. The proposed order also prohibits additional misrepresentations, such as the existence of any discount, rebate, bonus, incentive or price, and the number of vehicles available at particular prices."

Having responded to the other four public inquiries, the FTC voted to approve the final orders by a margin of 4-0.