Fair Allocation System, Inc. - C3832

9710065
B246377

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS:: Robert Pitofsky, Chairman; Sheila F. Anthony; Mozelle W. Thompson; Orson Swindle

In the Matter of

Fair Allocation System, Inc., a corporation.

Docket No. C-3832
DECISION AND ORDER

The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission"), having initiated an investigation of certain acts and practices of respondent Fair Allocation System, Inc. ("FAS"), and the respondent having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of complaint which the Bureau of Competition proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge the respondent with violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and

The respondent and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by respondent of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of complaint, a statement that the signing of said agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and

The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined it had reason to believe that the respondent has violated the said Act, and that a complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days, now in further conformity with the procedure described in § 2.34 of its Rules, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and enters the following order:

1. FAS is an incorporated association of franchised automobile dealerships (primarily Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep and Eagle), organized, existing and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Montana, and has a mailing address at P.O. Box 1691, Helena, Montana 59624.
: 2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondent, and the proceeding is in the public interest.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this order, the following definitions shall apply:

A. "Respondent" or "FAS" means Fair Allocation System, Inc., its officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, successors, and assigns, its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by FAS, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, successors, and assigns of each.
: B. "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent, directly or indirectly, or through any person or any corporate or other device, in or affecting commerce, as "commerce" is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, shall forthwith cease and desist from carrying out, participating in, inducing, suggesting, urging, encouraging, or assisting any boycott or threatened boycott of, or concerted refusal to deal or threatened concerted refusal to deal with, any automobile manufacturer or consumer.

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall:

A. Within thirty (30) days after the date this order becomes final, distribute by first-class mail a copy of this order and the complaint to each of its members;
: B. Within sixty (60) days after the date this order becomes final, amend its by-laws to incorporate by reference Paragraph II of this order, and distribute by first-class mail a copy of the amended by-laws to each of its members;
: C. For a period of ten (10) years after the date this order becomes final, provide each new member with a copy of this order, the complaint, and the amended by-laws within thirty (30) days of the new member's admission to FAS; and
: D. Within sixty (60) days after the date this order becomes final, and annually thereafter for a period of ten (10) years on the anniversary of the date this order becomes final, file with the Secretary of the Commission a verified written report setting forth in detail the manner and form in which FAS has complied with and is complying with this order.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in respondent, such as dissolution or reorganization resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation or association, or any other change in FAS that may affect compliance obligations arising out of this order.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing compliance with this order, upon written request, respondent shall permit any duly authorized representative of the Commission:

A. Access, during office hours and in the presence of counsel, to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda and other records and documents in the possession or under the control of respondent relating to any matters contained in this order; and
: B. Upon five days' notice to respondent and without restraint or interference from it, to interview officers, directors, or employees of respondent.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall terminate on October 22, 2018.

By the Commission.

Donald S. Clark
Secretary

SEAL