Originally appearing in NBC News on April 8, 2023, Shannon Pettypiece looks at the growing cascade of financial pressures around owning a car that are squeezing already strained consumers and quotes John Van Alst. “Because of the current labor market, a lot of people are able to get a job, but the number one thing…
Originally airing on NPR during All Things Considered on February 4, 2023, Chris Arnold discusses deceptive auto sales and interviews John Van Alst. “It does happen all too frequently,” says John Van Alst, an attorney with the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center. Usually, when you finance a car through the dealer, technically you owe the…
We appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on the 30D and 25E credits. The inclusion of previously owned clean vehicles in eligibility for a federal tax credits and providing away for moderate and low-income taxpayers who lack the tax liability to take advantage of non-refundable tax credits, albeit only though an eligible entity, are exciting…
Read More about Comments to Treasury on Credits for Clean Vehicles
The consumer groups confines our comments to six topics: § 700.3(c) FTC should clarify that the Act applies to consumer leases § 700.10(b) Certain 50/50 warranties should be interpreted as violating the Act’s anti-tying provision § 700.11(a) FTC interpretation of Act’s application to insurance contracts conflicts with a federal statute and Supreme Court precedent §…
The focus of this article is on motor vehicle repossession including limits on self-help repossessions, ten strategies to prevent repossessions, six steps to take after your car is repossessed, and advice on responding to the creditor’s demand for additional payment even after the repossession.
Add-on products sold by car dealers, such as service contracts, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance, and window etching, make up a large share of dealers’ profits. They also significantly increase car buyers’ costs. While many have questioned the value of these products for consumers, the pricing of these products has received less attention, largely because…
Access to a safe, affordable vehicle is increasingly limited for many consumers by sharply rising prices, burdensome accompanying debt obligations, and problematic dealer practices.
Written Testimony of John W. Van Alst Attorney, National Consumer Law Center and Director of NCLC’s Working Cars for Working Families Project Before the Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations U.S. House of Representatives “Examining Discrimination in the Automobile Loan and Insurance Industries.”
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