{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-217.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-217.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-217.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-217.html"}],"law_id":74276,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74276,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-217","catch_line":"Advertising merchandise, etc., for sale with intent not to sell at price or terms advertised; prima facie evidence of violation","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 59.1-45; 1968, c. 439; 1972, c. 217; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"a\n\nAny person, firm, corporation or association who in any manner advertises or offers for sale to the public any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing with intent not to sell, or with intent not to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.b\n\nIn any prosecution or civil action under this section, the refusal by any person, firm, corporation or association or any employee, agent or servant thereof to sell, or the refusal to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing advertised or offered for sale to the public, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section; provided, that this subsection shall not apply when it is clearly stated in the advertisement or offer by which such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing is advertised or offered for sale to the public, that the advertiser or offeror has a limited quantity or amount of such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing for sale, and the advertiser or offeror at the time of such advertisement or offer did in fact have at least such quantity or amount for sale.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":267051,"text":"Any person, firm, corporation or association who in any manner advertises or offers for sale to the public any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing with intent not to sell, or with intent not to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":267052,"text":"In any prosecution or civil action under this section, the refusal by any person, firm, corporation or association or any employee, agent or servant thereof to sell, or the refusal to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing advertised or offered for sale to the public, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section; provided, that this subsection shall not apply when it is clearly stated in the advertisement or offer by which such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing is advertised or offered for sale to the public, that the advertiser or offeror has a limited quantity or amount of such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing for sale, and the advertiser or offeror at the time of such advertisement or offer did in fact have at least such quantity or amount for sale.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14926,"edition_id":1,"name":"Misrepresentations and Other Offenses Connected With Sales","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13358,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:50","permalink":{"id":166333,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14926,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/6\/8","url":"\/18.2\/6\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13358,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Fraud","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":165933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13358,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/6","url":"\/18.2\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56967,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-214","catch_line":"Changing or removing, etc., trademarks, identification marks, etc","url":"\/18.2-214\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-214","metadata":false},{"id":82948,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-214.1","catch_line":"Penalties for failure to report removal or alteration of identification or serial number on business machines","url":"\/18.2-214.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-214.1","metadata":false},{"id":68648,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-215","catch_line":"Removal or alteration of identification numbers on household electrical appliances; possession of such appliances","url":"\/18.2-215\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-215","metadata":false},{"id":67373,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-216","catch_line":"Untrue, deceptive or misleading advertising, inducements, writings or documents","url":"\/18.2-216\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-216","metadata":false},{"id":60772,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-216.1","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punishment","url":"\/18.2-216.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-216.1","metadata":false},{"id":74276,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-217","catch_line":"Advertising merchandise, etc., for sale with intent not to sell at price or terms advertised; prima facie evidence of violation","url":"\/18.2-217\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-217","metadata":false},{"id":75186,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-218","catch_line":"Failure to indicate goods, etc., are \"seconds,\" \"irregulars,\" \"secondhand,\" etc","url":"\/18.2-218\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-218","metadata":false},{"id":64605,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-219","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-219\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-219","metadata":false},{"id":64882,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-220","catch_line":"Use of word \"wholesale\" or \"wholesaler.\"","url":"\/18.2-220\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-220","metadata":false},{"id":66715,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-221","catch_line":"Advertising new or used automobiles or trucks","url":"\/18.2-221\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-221","metadata":false},{"id":75297,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-222","catch_line":"Misrepresentation as to source of merchandise; penalty","url":"\/18.2-222\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-222","metadata":false},{"id":86176,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-223","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; permit required","url":"\/18.2-223\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-223","metadata":false},{"id":74974,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-224","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; counties, cities and towns to issue permits; inspections; application for permit; inventory required; commingling of other goods prohibited; duration; additional permits; inclusion of permit number and dates in advertisements; fee","url":"\/18.2-224\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-224","metadata":false},{"id":58121,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-225","catch_line":"Misrepresentations as to agricultural products","url":"\/18.2-225\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-225","metadata":false},{"id":64895,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-226","catch_line":"Fraud and misrepresentation in sale of liquid fuels, lubricating oils and similar products","url":"\/18.2-226\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-226","metadata":false},{"id":71529,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-227","catch_line":"Same; sale from pump indicating other brand","url":"\/18.2-227\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-227","metadata":false},{"id":77793,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-228","catch_line":"Same; imitating indicia of other brands","url":"\/18.2-228\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-228","metadata":false},{"id":76918,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-229","catch_line":"Same; false trade name or mixing brands","url":"\/18.2-229\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-229","metadata":false},{"id":77965,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-230","catch_line":"Same; assisting in violation of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-226 through 18.2-229","url":"\/18.2-230\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-230","metadata":false},{"id":84281,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-231","catch_line":"Same; label required","url":"\/18.2-231\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-231","metadata":false},{"id":71104,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-232","catch_line":"Same; punishment for violation of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-226 through 18.2-231","url":"\/18.2-232\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-232","metadata":false},{"id":82796,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-233","catch_line":"Sale of goods marked \"sterling\" and \"sterling silver.\"","url":"\/18.2-233\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-233","metadata":false},{"id":87312,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-234","catch_line":"Sale of goods marked \"coin\" and \"coin silver.\"","url":"\/18.2-234\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-234","metadata":false},{"id":58096,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-235","catch_line":"Regulating sale of merchandise made of gold","url":"\/18.2-235\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-235","metadata":false},{"id":71037,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-236","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-236\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-236","metadata":false},{"id":73398,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-237","catch_line":"Buying, etc., certain secondhand materials; intent; possession","url":"\/18.2-237\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-237","metadata":false},{"id":57637,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-238","catch_line":"Buying, etc., pig iron, etc., with intent to defraud; possession; evidence of intent","url":"\/18.2-238\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-238","metadata":false},{"id":66246,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-239","catch_line":"Pyramid promotional schemes; misdemeanor; definitions; contracts void","url":"\/18.2-239\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-239","metadata":false},{"id":61630,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-240","catch_line":"Same; injunction","url":"\/18.2-240\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-240","metadata":false},{"id":81679,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-241","catch_line":"Acceptance of promissory notes in payment for food sold at retail","url":"\/18.2-241\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-241","metadata":false},{"id":71800,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-242","catch_line":"Use of games, lotteries, etc., for promoting sale of certain products","url":"\/18.2-242\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-242","metadata":false},{"id":67303,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-242.1","catch_line":"Certain referral transactions in connection with consumer sales or leases prohibited; effect of such transactions","url":"\/18.2-242.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-242.1","metadata":false},{"id":79206,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-243","catch_line":"When issuer or distributor of advertisements not guilty of violation; inadvertent error","url":"\/18.2-243\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-243","metadata":false},{"id":70417,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-244","catch_line":"Right to select clientele or customers not affected","url":"\/18.2-244\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-244","metadata":false},{"id":65577,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-245","catch_line":"Enjoining violation of this article","url":"\/18.2-245\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-245","metadata":false},{"id":73290,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-246","catch_line":"Penalty in general for violations","url":"\/18.2-246\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-246","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60772,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-216.1","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punishment","url":"\/18.2-216.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-216.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75186,"structure_id":14926,"section_number":"18.2-218","catch_line":"Failure to indicate goods, etc., are \"seconds,\" \"irregulars,\" \"secondhand,\" etc","url":"\/18.2-218\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-218","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-217\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 439; in 1972, chapter 217; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74845,"section_number":"35.1-9","catch_line":"Local ordinance superseded; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/35.1-9\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":166355,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74276,"identifier":"18.2-217","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-217","url":"\/18.2-217\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-217\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-217","dublin_core":{"Title":"Advertising merchandise, etc., for sale with intent not to sell at price or terms advertised; prima facie evidence of violation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-217","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"a\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">a.<\/span> Any person, firm, corporation or association who in any manner advertises or offers for sale to the public any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing with <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> not to sell, or with <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> not to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-267051\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-217\/#a\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"b\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">b.<\/span> In any <span class=\"dictionary\">prosecution<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">civil action<\/span> under this section, the refusal by any person, firm, corporation or association or any employee, agent or servant thereof to sell, or the refusal to sell at the price or upon the terms advertised or offered, any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing advertised or offered for sale to the public, shall be prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of a violation of this section; provided, that this subsection shall not apply when it is clearly stated in the advertisement or offer by which such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing is advertised or offered for sale to the public, that the advertiser or offeror has a limited quantity or amount of such merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing for sale, and the advertiser or offeror at the time of such advertisement or offer did in <span class=\"dictionary\">fact<\/span> have at least such quantity or amount for sale. <a id=\"paragraph-267052\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/18.2-217\/#b\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADVERTISING MERCHANDISE, ETC., FOR SALE WITH INTENT NOT TO SELL AT PRICE OR\nTERMS ADVERTISED; PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF VIOLATION (\u00a7 18.2-217)\n\na. Any person, firm, corporation or association who in any manner advertises or\noffers for sale to the public any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or\nthing with intent not to sell, or with intent not to sell at the price or upon\nthe terms advertised or offered, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nb. In any prosecution or civil action under this section, the refusal by any\nperson, firm, corporation or association or any employee, agent or servant\nthereof to sell, or the refusal to sell at the price or upon the terms\nadvertised or offered, any merchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing\nadvertised or offered for sale to the public, shall be prima facie evidence of a\nviolation of this section; provided, that this subsection shall not apply when\nit is clearly stated in the advertisement or offer by which such merchandise,\ngoods, commodity, service or thing is advertised or offered for sale to the\npublic, that the advertiser or offeror has a limited quantity or amount of such\nmerchandise, goods, commodity, service or thing for sale, and the advertiser or\nofferor at the time of such advertisement or offer did in fact have at least\nsuch quantity or amount for sale.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 59.1-45; 1968, c. 439; 1972, c. 217; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}