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Extended Warranties

3162 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 1:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Warranties

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#3105 of 3162 Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? by jordangski

Sep 12, 2012 (10:38 pm)

I recently purchased a used 2000 Ford Taurus from a Ford dealership.
On the window of the car, it had a small sticker saying this car had warranty plans, ranging from 30-90 days. On an even bigger sticker on the back windshield, in large print, there are 2 check boxes:
[ ] No Warranty- As Is
[X] Warranty
Warranty is clearly checked, and it goes on to describe the warranty info. It also had the specific model number and stock number of the vehicle, in the dealership's system. So this sticker was specifically for this vehicle.
 
So throughout the process of purchasing the vehicle, the dealer, named Mike, kept mentioning the warranty. When I went for a test drive, I noticed a possible leak and the A/C making a rattling noise. Again, he kept mentioning the warranty, saying "Any issues with the car, you bring it in and we fix that up for you, no charge." Those issues were fixed within a day, in the midst of finalizing the deal. With the warranty and these issues fixed, we obviously felt confident about this car.
The day I finalized the purchase, I met with Mike in the morning. I payed in full, cash, for the vehicle. It was being registered in my mother's name, so we had to come back to sign papers later on when she was out of work.
 
When we returned, Mike was not there, and we dealt with a different salesman. We sat in a room, and he had us signing papers. He kept making it a point that we'd be out of here with a new car in minutes. He handed us things to sign, basically said "sign this and you'll be out of here within 3 minutes." So clearly, he's in a rush to get us out. Without describing what we were signing, the receipt had in small print "Car sold 'as is.' No warranty on this vehicle." Never was I notified that the warranty was suddenly not being offered to me. So with that said, why would I even think to ask about it? And why would they not explain it to my mother? This was the first time she came with me to the dealership, so wouldn't they explain everything to the person they are really selling it to?
 
Less than a week after purchasing the vehicle, my check engine light came on and the car was leaking fluids. I called on a Monday to schedule an appointment, they couldn't get me in until Friday. I showed up and handed my keys over. Before going to the waiting room, I made sure to ask "This is covered under warranty, correct?" The lady responded, "Yes, you're all set. No worries." So I waited patiently for 2 1/2 hours. They finally came in, said they fixed the engine light issue (spark plug). They couldn't fix the leak, I guess they didn't have the parts they needed. It was a Friday, so any orders wouldn't be in until the following Tuesday the earliest. So Tuesday came around, no call. On Wednesday, I called them up and asked how long I'd be waiting. She said they don't have any way of tracking the shipment, so they didn't even know. On Thursday, I received a restricted call. They left a voice-mail. Turns out it was the dealership. The lady said to give her a call back.
 
I call her back, and she informs me that I am not covered under warranty, but they will not charge me for fixing the spark plug before. The car was sold as is, and they have the papers to prove it. I explain how there was a verbal agreement and how it was even posted on the car. She says that apparently, my car was too old to cover with a warranty (2000 Ford Taurus) so that is why it was sold as is. I WAS NEVER INFORMED THIS. She said they would be willing to work on my car, just obviously with me paying out of pocket as normal. She says that the mechanics also noticed a coil spring near the rear tire is loose. She just thought she would mention it to be courteous, as I have a 4 month old baby that I drive with in this car. She's worried that it could blow a tire while driving. WHY IN THE WORLD was I not informed this sooner? The mechanic withholding that information potentially put my daughter and I at serious risk, as I frequently drive on the highway.
 
So at this point, I decided to call Mike to set things straight. I explain to him how there was warranty information ON THE CAR in two different locations, and all throughout our discussion, he kept mentioning it. He explained that he doesn't recall discussing it, as it was 2 weeks ago. The only thing they can go by is what's on paper, which is a signature of my mother, finalizing the deal, with the tiny words mentioning the whole "as is" business. He said the best he could do was double check the papers. He abruptly hung up the phone. He never called back.
 
I have not contacted them since. However, today I discovered the large sticker about the warranty in my glove box. I plan on having a talk with them tomorrow. At the least, I'll explain that I was completely mislead, that transferring to a different employee could've caused an error, that mine and my child's life has been in danger, and delaying the repair of this car has potentially caused even greater damage.
 
Also, I found this tidbit about purchasing as-is vehicles:
 
"As-is is a term used in warranty law to disclaim the seller's liability for faults in the item sold. The buyer accepts the item in the present condition, whether the faults are apparent or not. "As-is" language clarifies that no written or verbal warranties were made to the buyer and is used to protect the seller. However, the seller cannot misrepresent the item or use fraud to induce the sale."
 
Verbally, the dealer never informed me of the "as-is" condition of the sale.
 
Am I in the wrong? Is there any chance they'll actually help me? Could I build a case here, or at least get them to fix my car???
I literally just payed them in full, with cash, for a used car, and they clearly snuck this tiny detail of as-is under my nose at the last second...

#3106 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by jordangski

Sep 12, 2012 (10:42 pm)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:38 pm)
How do I post a new discussion? Meant to post an entirely new thread, not in this thread.

#3107 of 3162 If You Want To Buy An Extended Warranty And You Live In Florida---READ THIS by bwflorida

Sep 13, 2012 (6:05 am)

In 2008 I bought the GM Major Guard warranty from Black Cadillac in Illinois, and I could not be happier. I got a great price, significantly less than the price quoted by the local GM stealer, and had two expensive repairs paid by the warranty without any problem at all. If you're looking for a GM warranty, get the warranty price from a local GM dealer, then call Allen at Black Cadillac for a quote (877-472-9550, ext 302). You're gonna be pleasantly surprised.
 
However, that was 2008. Today, if you want to buy an extended warranty, and IF YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA, YOU'RE SCREWED!
 
Since my warranty is about to expire, I called Black Cadillac to price a renewal . . . but when I said I live in Florida, he told me HE'S BEEN NOTIFIED BY GM MANAGEMENT THAT HE'S NO LONGER ALLOWED TO SELL WARRANTIES TO CONSUMERS IN FLORIDA.
 
A call to the GM Warranty people (800-631-5590) verified this is true. If you live in Florida, no GM dealer in any other state can sell you a warranty.
 
NOTE: Even if an out-of-state dealer LIES and says he can sell you a warranty, GM Warranty said it will eventually be cancelled.
 
While I'd like to start some kind of grass-roots effort to fight this, I don't have the resources to fund such a project . . . but I do have web development and publication skills that I would volunteer to such a movement.
 
If there are other Florida residents who agree that this kind of purchasing discrimination is down-right UNAMERICAN, please contact me. Let's see if it might be possible to get that ridiculous ruling repealed!

#3108 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by mikefm58

Sep 13, 2012 (6:11 am)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:38 pm)
IMHO, I'd say you're out of luck. Yours is a classic case of a shady sales person promising the world verbally but then having different paper work. Trust but verify. Why didn't you catch the "as is" part on the papers? READ EVERYTHING!!! That sucks that this happened to you but IMHO you have no one to blame but yourself.

#3109 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by mikefm58

Sep 13, 2012 (6:13 am)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:42 pm)
Scroll down to the "Post a message" section and just type.

#3110 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by kirstie_h HOST

Sep 13, 2012 (7:04 am)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:42 pm)
We don't allow members to start new threads on this board - we used to, and it became littered with one-question discussions. When that happens, it makes it very difficult for members to find the information they're looking for. We keep similar conversation grouped in general categories, which seems to serve the needs of most of our community.

#3111 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by mitzij

Sep 21, 2012 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:38 pm)
Did you ever get any answers from your dealer on this?
What did the warranty disclosure paper say the warranty was? (what did it cover, for how long?)
 
A few things you did learn:
 
1. always have your favorite mechanic check a used car out before you buy it.
2. if it's not on the contract you signed, it doesn't count. The car could have 'free repairs for life' painted on it, but that doesn't mean there's a warranty on it.
3. you'll usually get more straight answers from the service department than from sales.
4. twelve year old Fords tend to leak.
 
I hope they helped you out.

#3112 of 3162 Re: Dealership claims I don't have warranty on car when I was supposed to? [jordangski] by carconsultant

Sep 26, 2012 (12:07 am)

Replying to: jordangski (Sep 12, 2012 10:42 pm)
In California if the vehicle sticker says "No Warranty" which means sold "as is" there is no legal recourse unless it is one of the 12 safety items which has to be operational or within acceptable limits. If the dealer withheld information that would hinder the safe operation of the vehicle, that would be grounds for a case. Dealers are bonded for at least $50,000, inform the owner or general manager, either repair the vehicle at their cost, or you're going to make a claim against their dealer bond through the Bureau of Automotive Repair. That will get their attention real quick because they could lose their dealer license and possible criminal charges against them.
The pen is mightier than the sword!

#3113 of 3162 Honda Warranry by couponmagnet

Nov 19, 2012 (10:32 am)

Hi,
  
I was sold a Zurich Optional Service contract with purchase of a new Honda. (its just yesterday).
Should I cancel it? as many forums I read sound like this is a third party warranty. (Finance guy told me this would cover electronics as well at $0 deductible and unlimited miles of towing if required).
  
If I have to cancel it how do I do it? I live in CA.
  
Whats better Optional Service contract or EW?

#3114 of 3162 The last time I bought a new Chevy. by chucktc

Nov 20, 2012 (7:39 pm)

Will be the last time I ever buy a Chevy. After we made the deal we came back to sign
the papers. Their sales closer said we should add an extended warranty, that the factory
warranty was not very good. I wanted to walk but my wife wanted her car.
The closer pulls out a fuel injector he had in his desk and said the injector is 1200.00
to replace and would fail as soon as the factory warranty was over. I wanted to walk but
my wife wanted her car. The extended warranty was to cover anything and everything
no questions asked. The car was fine until we had past the factory warranty and had
only the extended (covers everything) warranty.
 Well one Sunday after Church the car is in third gear and the shifter is in no gear.
We drove slow and timed the traffic lights so we didn't come to a full stop and got the
car to the dealer. Monday morning the dealer looked the car over and said unfortunately
the repair would not be covered. It seems that the shifter didn't wear out or break it just
fell apart. And parts that fall apart are not covered by the extended warranty.
 I will never buy another GM car. Today I drive a Toyota and never have felt slighted by
Toyota or the dealer.

Messages Page 312 of 317

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