Customers complain of hidden charges at Portland used car dealership

PORLTAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Justice reached a settlement against the owner of a Portland used car dealership after consumers complained of a hidden charge.

Customers at Austin's Affordable Auto say they ended up paying $1,000 above the sticker price. 

It is illegal to charge a customer more than the lowest advertised price for a vehicle, according to the attorney general's office.

"A lot of these folks had no idea of the interest rates.They didn't know the terms that they were signing up for," said Assistant Attorney General Althea Cullen. "They had no idea that they even paid $1,000 more than they should have."

"They were taking advantage of people," said Brynn Arnold, a Portland woman who bought a 2004 Acura MDX from the dealership.

She was charged an extra $1,000 because she could not pay in cash. She needed financing.

"They should have to pay back the money," said Arnold.  "It is not fair."

Matthew Austin has since closed down his used car lot on Southeast 82nd Avenue, according to his lawyer.

The Vancouver Auction Outlet in Hazel Dell was also named in the lawsuit.

All three defendants settled the case out-of-court in October. 

As part of the settlement, Austin agreed to pay $24,000 to the Oregon DOJ, in $1,000 monthly installments. So far, the attorney general's office says Austin has failed to make any payments.

Austin could not be reached for comment. 

"He is a good paying customer," said Richard Franklin, Austin's attorney. "If he has not paid, there has to be some type of an oversight."

The attorney general's office would like to hear from other customers that may have paid extra fees to Austin's Affordable Auto, so the money can be returned.

"They did wrong and they are not following through with the consequence," said Arnold. "If I had a fine, I would go to jail if I didn't pay it."

Top local headlines:

E. Coli scare prompts Starbucks, Costco, 7-Eleven recalls

Watch: Icy conditions in Hood River

Forest Service hiring 1,000 jobs in Pacific Northwest

Keep up with the latest news in Portland and beyond. Tap to get our free KGW News app!