Planet Money: Why Buying A Car Is So Awful

In survey after survey, people rank buying a car as one of their least favorite experiences.

Why hasn't anyone figured out a better way to sell cars? Why can't you just go to a car store and shop for cars from a bunch of different manufacturers? Why don't cars have real price tags — with real prices, that people actually pay?

Today on the show: Why car buying is so unpleasant, and what your local legislators may be doing to keep it that way.

For more, see this paper (PDF)by Fiona Scott Morton, an economist we talk to on today's show.

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