The issue of artificially claiming list prices is such an issue that BBB has it in their code of ethics for advertising:
https://www.bbb.org/code-of-advertising/##f1
Quote:
6. List prices
6.1 “List price,” “manufacturer's list price,” “reference price,” “suggested retail price,” and similar terms, hereinafter collectively referred to as “list price,” may be used deceptively to state or imply a savings which was not, in fact, the case. To the extent that a list price does not in fact correspond to the price
at which substantial sales of the product in question have been made, the advertisement of a reduction may mislead the consumer. Such a comparison must be substantiated by the advertiser prior to making any advertised comparison.
6.2 An advertiser, however, can also reference a list price non-deceptively where the advertiser:
6.2.1 Does not describe the difference as a “savings,” or use any other words of similar meaning; and
6.2.2 Clearly and conspicuously discloses[2] that the list price may not necessarily be the price at which the product or service is sold. This disclosure may be unnecessary in situations where consumers generally know that the list price may not necessarily be the price at which the product or service is sold. This may be the case, for example, when an automobile dealer references, in its ad, a new car’s Monroney Sticker price.
The parts stores squeak by because they don't advertise as "savings over list" so technically the advertisement is not misleading.
But the same psychology still is in play though and the customer misleads themselves, when they see the $11 for one quart of Mobil1 sticker on the shelf, and there is a special, the mind calculates "what a deal better stock up"; even though no one in their right mind substantially buys the oil at that "list" price.
The spirit that
substantial sales occurred at list price definitely is broken.
But it's a free country, a store can price oil however high they want, and if some guy walks in the door and wants to buy a few quarts at $11/quart they can feel free to do that.
I guess the point is, the penalty is if they
advertise it as savings they will get downrated by the BBB.