Administrative Law: Yes, We Want No Bananas

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

The ad clearly offered the car for “1,395 bananas.” Mrs. Bernice Wyszynski, who figures she can read as well as anyone else, immediately rushed to Used Car Dealer Joseph De Gonge in Bristol, Conn., and plunked down 25 bananas as down payment. Aghast, De Gonge demurred. Incensed, Mrs. Wyszynski appealed to the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. There followed grave official words about such matters as false advertising. Last week De Gonge compromised and accepted Mrs. Wyszynski’s offer—not for the banana car, but for a 1962 Pontiac Tempest that otherwise would have cost her $850. Not surprisingly, the United Fruit Co. got into the act by supplying Mrs. Wyszynski with 1,370 free bananas (value: $60) to complete the deal. De Gonge sent the whole shipment to a hospital for crippled children. As for the down payment, his hungry salesmen ate it.