Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 10, 1990 TAG: 9005100396
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Medium
Under Jackson's Christian Members Buyers Plan, Brown Lincoln-Mercury in Fairfax City offers cars at a discount to practicing Christians.
Jews also qualify, Jackson said, but Moslems, Hindus, Sikhs and most other non-Christians would not.
"We're a Christian dealership. We sell the Christians cars at just a little above invoice," said Jackson.
Under the program, Jackson sells Lincolns for $600 over cost and Mercurys at $250 over cost to those who qualify. Jackson said pastors can buy Lincolns at $400 over what he pays the factory, and Mercurys at $150 over cost.
The dealership also will donate $100 for a Lincoln and $50 for a Mercury to the church of the qualifying customer's choice, Jackson said.
"Realizing that the church is the most vital unit and organization in society today, it is important that we as Christians continue to work for the Lord and support the uplifting of his kingdom," Jackson wrote area churches.
The plan has upset attorney Victor Glasberg, who says the discounts may violate the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which forbids religious discrimination in credit transactions.
"It is not clear to me that one of the benefits which Jesus had in mind for those who accepted him as a savior was to provide them with discounted Lincoln or Mercury automobiles," Glasberg said in a letter to the dealership.
State and local officials said Jackson's buying program does not appear to violate civil rights laws.
The laws apply to housing, employment and places of public accommodation, such as restaurants and movie theaters, but not to car dealerships, said Bert Rohrer, a spokesman for Virginia Attorney General Mary Sue Terry.
Jackson compared the program to the United Buyers Service, which offers deals to employees of certain companies, and the United States Automobile Association, which is open to military families.
"Ford Motor Co. would not structure a program in this manner, but Freddye Jackson is an independent businessman," spokesman John Spelich said. "Quite frankly, we don't address this in our sales agreements with our dealers."
Jackson won't discuss his profits or say how many customers have used the program he created shortly after taking over the dealership in July 1989.
He says Ford had pegged the dealership among the lowest-ranked Lincoln-Mercury dealers for customer service in the Washington area, but since he took over and it became a "Christian dealership," it has risen to third place.
Salespeople are not allowed to smoke, drink or use profanity in the showroom and are encouraged to attend church, Jackson said.
"Christ being here made the difference," he said.
by CNB