By Bob Katzen
On February 12, 2024, the House gave initial approval to a bill that makes online sales of cars subject to the same law as if the sales were executed at the dealership’s physical place of business.
Supporters said the bill aims to modernize the law regarding online car buying by not forcing dealers to provide a 3-day return policy for online auto purchases. The measure would make it so the businesses selling these cars would have the choice to make all purchases final as long as that fact is clearly disclosed to the customer, instead of making the dealer pay for the sometimes significant transportation costs associated with a customer changing their mind. They noted that people shopping for a car online have the benefit of a lot of information to make this important decision, as well as the luxury to shop for many cars at once located over a great distance.
Reps. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham) and Priscila Sousa (D-Framingham), the co-sponsors of the proposal did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them if they think BTR is violating House rules by holding up the measureand if they would move to discharge the bill from BTR.