Small Claims Guide Class Actions Lemon Laws FAQ Newsletters
|
|
NEWS
RECALLS
COMPLAINT FORM
SCAM ALERTS
RESOURCES
Small Claims Guide Class Actions Lemon Laws FAQ Newsletters |
|
| Automotive Education Employment Electronics Family Finance Health Homeowners Insurance Pets Shopping Travel |
 Print This  Email This
|
|
|
 |
GM Offers Money-Back GuaranteeCarmaker hopes to restore lost consumer confidence | ||||||||
|
By Mark Huffman
September 11, 2009
But in a high stakes gamble - a gamble with taxpayer dollars, by the way - General Motors is offering new car buyers a 60-day money back guarantee on eligible purchases of new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles. The guarantee allows customers to return their vehicle to their dealer between 31 and 60 days of purchase and receive a refund of the purchase price for the vehicle. GM is the first U.S. automaker to ever take such a bold step. "We think if consumers give us a fair chance and look at the facts on the things that matter most to them, like design, fuel economy, warranty and safety, our vehicles are the best choices - that's what makes an offer like this possible," said Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman, Marketing and Communications. The offer covers covers 2009 and 2010 Model Year Chevys, Buicks, GMCs and Cadillacs but does not include medium duty trucks. Customers must take delivery of the vehicle by November 30. The satisfaction guarantee covers the vehicle purchase price and sales tax, but not other add-ons like accessories, negative equity on a trade-in or other fees. The carmaker says other restrictions apply, and will be spelled out fully when the program is launched next weeks. In a flurry of leaks before the announcement, GM sources said the ad campaign surrounding the program will be "may the best car win." According to sources, some of the ads will feature GM CEO Ed Whitaker, in a throwback to an earlier era. When Chrysler mounted a successful campaign to turn itself around in the 1980s, CEO Lee Iacocca served as TV pitchman, telling consumers "if you can find a better car, buy it." Dealers dingedGM is also leaking word of a restructured deal with its dealers. Reuters quotes an unnamed source as saying GM is cutting dealers' profit margins by a half point to make GM more competitive. GM emerged from bankruptcy in July, using about $50 billon in federal aid to bolster its cash flow as it regroups. GM sales are down about 34 percent through August, though it did get a lift from the government's "cash for clunkers" program. GM apparently is aiming to restore consumer confidence in its brand, tarnished by the automaker's collapse, beginning at the end of last year. The campaign's message is that GM believes in the quality of its product so much that it's willing to back up each sale with a guarantee. Skeptical consumesSuch a campaign would likely be targeted at consumers like Ronald, of Rosedale, New York, who said he took his 2008 GMC Arcadia to the dealer five separate times because the check engine, AWD, tracking and stabilizing lights would flash on his dashboard and shut the car down. "When returning the vehicle, the mechanics seemed to not have a clue to what the problem was even after putting the vehicle on a diagnostic machine several times," Ronald told ConsumerAffairs.com. On one occasion, my alarm was removed because they stated it was the cause of the problem. To date, the problem has not been rectified and my car is still without an alarm, which they have failed to replace since it was not the cause. I have insisted that if they are unable to fix my vehicle, they should replace it or refund me of its value according to the Lemon Law." In its story on the marketing ploy, the Wall Street Journal cites a source who said GM will "spend heavily" on advertising and will cover a wide range of media, including the Internet. GM will reportedly stage events around the country to allow skeptical consumers to drive GM vehicles on a test track. In fact, some GM commercials have already featured such scenes. Report Your Experience
|
||||||||
Back to the top | |
|||||||||
Advertisement
|
|
Custom Search
|
||||
|
AUTOMOTIVE • Dealers • Manufacturers • Service • Extended Warranties • Lemon Laws • Recalls • Tires • Transporters FAMILY • Aging • Children, Parenting • Recalls • Dating • Education • Entertainment • Pets • Weddings |
FINANCE • Annuities • Banks • Credit Cards • Debt Collection • Debt Counseling • Insurance • Investing • Loans • Mortgages • Payday Loans • Student Loans • Tax Prep HEALTH • Doctors • Drugs, Pharmacies • Health Clubs • Hearing Care • Hospitals • Nursing Homes • Nutrition, Diets • Vision Care • Weight Loss |
HOUSE & HOME • Appliances • Cookware • Furniture • Home Improvements • Lawn & Garden • Movers • Pools & Spas • Realtors, Rental Agents • Recalls • Utilities ELECTRONICS • Cable TV/DBS • Cameras • Cell Phones • Computers • Home Electronics • Internet Access • Local Phone Service • Long Distance • VoIP |
SHOPPING • In-Home • Online • Retail Stores • Sporting Goods • Supermarkets • Telemarketers TRAVEL • Airlines • Bus Lines • Car Rental • Cruises • Hotels • Travel Agents • Trains RESOURCES • Class Actions • Complaint Form • Small Claims Guide • Lemon Laws |
CONSUMER NEWS • Latest News • Automotive • Telecom • Financial • Health • Homeowners • Scams • Seniors • Travel • More ... RECALLS • Automotive • Children's Products • Drugs • Food • Household Products • Sporting Goods ABOUT US • FAQ • Privacy Policy • Advertise With Us • Newsroom • Syndication • Terms of Use |
Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use
Copyright © 2010 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. |
|
• 
