GNYADA March 2017 Newsletter

Window-Tint Law Not So Clear 14

would further hamper dealers and confuse consumers, and will keep members updated on the bill’s status. Medical exemptions: Since it first went into effect, the tint law has exempted vehicles that have been tinted to accommodate certain medical conditions that cause photo- sensitivity to light. These exempting light-sensitivity conditions include porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosa and severe drug photo-sensitivity. GNYADA has a two-piece tint meter available for members to purchase at a specially discounted price. To order the Tint-Chek PRO, call 718.746.5900.

These rules only apply to passen- ger cars (not trucks, limos, or unmarked police cars). If a vehicle fails inspection due to illegal tinting, the consumer must address the issue by the expiration date on the inspection sticker. Rear windshields are currently exempt from the new standard, provided there are outside rear- view mirrors on both sides of the vehicle; although, a bill was intro- duced in this Legislative Session that would remove rear windows from the exemption list, requiring inspection stations to test them as well. GNYADA opposes this, as it

Now that window tint testing is part of annual vehicle inspection require- ments — a change stemming from concerns over police officer safety — dealers are adjusting to how this impacts their customers and their repair work. Per the standard, window tinting can- not go above 30%, below 6” from the top of the windshield, or on any part of the side windows. Additionally, a two-piece tint meter is now required in order to test windows that don’t roll down. Other important highlights of the regulations are as follows: Vehicle inspection stations are required to test and fail a vehicle if its windshield or side windows are tinted darker than 30%. n

n

n

n

DMV created a YouTube video that explains the new regulations and reviews some testing procedures. To watch the video, go to dmv.ny.gov/registration/tinted-windows and click the YouTube link.

Federal Law Addressing Negative Customer Reviews

15

The Consumer Review Fairness Act is a new federal law that went into effect on March 14, 2017 that auto- matically voids any “gag clause” that is included in a customer form con- tract (i.e. one which customers don’t have the opportunity to negotiate, such as a sales contract) and also pro- hibits businesses from offering con- tracts that contain gag clauses. A gag clause prevents customers from writing a public review of the level of service, the satisfaction of the goods, etc. from a business such as a new car dealer. This new law protects customers’ rights to give a dealership a negative review, on an outlet such

ers may be impressed with how you’ve handled the situation. Dealers are advised to review their customer form contracts to ensure that they do not contain gag clauses. GNYADA will update members as soon as compliance guidelines and

as yelp.com or the dealership’s social media page, as long as the review is not defamatory. Steps dealers can take: Dealers are advised to encourage cus- tomers to post reviews about their positive experiences with your dealer- ship. In addition, dealers need to pay attention to negative reviews. Keep in mind that if you receive a negative review, this can be used to garner positive attention by respond- ing with an apology about the experi- ence that led to it and offering to address the issue. Even if you can’t “convert” the negative reviewer, oth-

penalty amounts associated with the Consumer Review Fairness Act are made available.

Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association • www.gnyada.com

The Newsletter • March 2017

10