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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

Messages Page 315 of 317

#3132 of 3162 Re: Extened Warranty [chrissy4605] by davidjfriedman

Feb 05, 2013 (8:36 am)

Replying to: chrissy4605 (Dec 09, 2012 5:57 am)
If it makes you feel any better, I just signed up for a PowerShield Enhanced plan via Warranty Direct and have similar payments. I had a similar warranty on two previous cars and MORE than got my money's worth.
 
I take many of the complaints about Warranty Direct with a grain of salt. Many people purchase these plans without reading the contract, and then they get mad when something isn't covered (even though it was clearly stated in the contract).
 
I think it all boils down to preference. Would it be better to just open a savings account and put $100 in it each month? Maybe--depends who you ask. What I will say is that Warranty Direct IS legitimate, and they have paid out THOUSANDS of dollars toward my repairs over the last few years. The only complaint I can possibly think of is that sometimes, late in the day, their claims dept didn't get back to my mechanic, and I ended up having to leave the car overnight. Ultimately, they always paid, though.

#3135 of 3162 GREAT Experiences with IWS! by iflynride

Feb 26, 2013 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: art_vandelay (Sep 13, 2004 1:19 pm)
In the past couple of months, my 2008 Scion Xb with 70,000 miles on it has needed one rear brake caliper and both rear wheel bearings.
 
In the two separate service incidents at my local Firestone dealer, they authorized both repairs, paying 100% of the costs. This would have cost me almost $1,300. I paid $975 or so with tax for the warranty from my credit union. I couldn't be any happier, unless the repairs were not needed, and I could qualify for a refund of an unused warranty!
 
I have almost 2 years and 30,000 miles left on this thing, and it has paid for itself in about 45 days!

#3136 of 3162 Warranty Solutions, Worthless waste of money by 58carguy

Feb 28, 2013 (4:32 pm)

MY Son, An ARMY enlisted man, purchased a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 with 62K miles, financed via MILES with $2000 of the loan for an extended warranty via Warranty Solutions (under Wachovia Management Corp, now part of Wells Fargo). He put 30K miles and the engine destroys itself. He changed oil every 7500 miles, and had proof: but when the engine was torn down for inspection ($675 labor at a Dodge dealer) for the claim, shellac is found everywhere. The oil pickup tube has loose metal (bronze and steel) shavings over it (however oil/air flow thru it). All from the timing chain breaking and disintegrating it's guides, ,which made the pistons hit the valves, etc. shutting the engine down.
The truck was at speed when it happened, so much more damage than had it been at idle.
  
Warranty Solutions response: "we see shellac or sludge, we deny" . Contract doesn't say "see" anywhere, it says "caused by". Two mechanics doing the tear-down agree that no sludge was involved and that the 'shellac' on the oil-splashed surfaces is typical of a hot engine at 90+K miles (all 'friction' surfaces were pristine, including piston walls, and rod bearings checked).
So son files a formal appeal request, with a detailed rebuttal of the garbage from the 'inspector', and Warranty Solutions says they will send another inspector. They don't, instead sending the same guy out, to signoff on his original report (cover himself), all while the Dodge mechanic is showing him otherwise.
So now my son must put $7000 into a remanufactured longblock install, on a truck he is still paying on. That includes the $675 in labor charges for the dealer to do the tear-down for the inspection!
Bad enough that my son doesn't make enough to be above the US poverty level, but to get the 'shaft' from a company that was "servicing" mainly Military members is just sad. He survives Iraq, with a wife and newborn back home, only to come back and have this happen.
MILES (www.usmiles.com) should stand up for the products they market and package with their loans (at 17%apr btw).
Wells Fargo (now the parent of Warranty Solutions) clearly is concerned more about conservation of their wealth, rather than providing a service they were paid dearly for.
 
In the end: putting away a nest egg for repairs and keeping it growing during every car you purchase is a good idea (at least until the NEXT emergency comes to take it all away).
 
Beyond extended Warranties with a Manufacturers name on it, these others (if you are talking about small stuff) will probably honor repairs. But really Big stuff? They will go out of their way to ensure that THEY do not pay out a dime.

#3137 of 3162 Re: Warranty Solutions, Worthless waste of money [58carguy] by ken117

Mar 01, 2013 (5:33 am)

Replying to: 58carguy (Feb 28, 2013 4:32 pm)
Good story which demonstrates why most "experts" advise against an extended warranty, really an extended service contract as only the OEM can issue a warranty. Dealer Finance and Insurance people are well trained in how to persuade customers to purchase high profit items such as these.
 
As you indicated, people would be much better served if they simply put the additional monthly car payment which would result if they purchased an overpriced service contract for the dealer and into a bank account to be used if needed. Of course, if there are no repairs the buyer has the money rather than the dealer.
 
Also anyone interested in an extended service contract should indeed only buy one from the OEM. Also, those contracts which are sold at the time the vehicle is purchased are greatly overpriced. Usually, they can be found on line from a dealer at a much lower cost.

#3138 of 3162 84-months? by steve_ HOST

Mar 05, 2013 (5:37 pm)

A reporter is looking for a new car buyer who is financing their car for 84 months or longer. If you have an 84-month or longer term, and you would like to share your story, please send your daytime contact to predmunds.com no later than Wednesday, 3/6/13 at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.

#3139 of 3162 Re: 84-months? [steve_] by texases

Mar 05, 2013 (6:24 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Mar 05, 2013 5:37 pm)
"A reporter is looking for a new car buyer who is financing their car for 84 months or longer."
 
A.K.A. "Debtor-for-life"...

#3140 of 3162 Re: 84-months? [texases] by ken117

Mar 06, 2013 (6:43 am)

Replying to: texases (Mar 05, 2013 6:24 pm)
Financing for 84 months is not necessarily a bad thing. It depends on the interest rate. A person can always pay more each month effectively reducing the term. A lower required monthly payment coupled with paying off the loan ahead of time can be very helpful if a person has a short term cash flow issue.

#3141 of 3162 Re: 84-months? [ken117] by kirstie_h HOST

Mar 06, 2013 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: ken117 (Mar 06, 2013 6:43 am)
True, it can be a good solution as long as you honestly think your cash-flow issue is short-term, AND as long as you have the discipline to pay extra each month once the cash is available. Otherwise, the additional years of interest and lack of progress in paying off principal can be a real shocker, especially if the owner wishes to trade-in prior to paying off.
 
Last time I paid cash, but otherwise, I usually take out a 5-year loan with payments I know I can comfortably afford, even if I have a (not totally drastic) change in income. I then pay $50-100 extra each month. That plan fits my comfort level better than a shorter-term loan.

Messages Page 315 of 317

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