GasBuddy News Article

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GM's return policy may not be worth the hassle

detnews.com -- Sunday, September 27, 2009

You fell in love with that $22,000 Chevy Malibu because of its color, style and price. After driving it home, you realize it's not what you wanted. Maybe it's the way it handles on the highway, the location of the cup holders or the shape of the seats.

Don't worry. Bring it back for a refund, no questions asked, says GM's Chairman and new TV pitchman Edward Whitacre Jr.

As with any deal, it's a good idea to read the fine print. As your love affair with the new car turns to hate, you'll need to drive very carefully and make sure to limit how many miles you put on the car. And don't expect your wallet to be made whole even if you follow the fine print to the letter.

Q : So, I can bring back my car or truck to the dealer anytime?

A : Not so fast.

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Submitted Sep 27, 2009 By: yours16

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CoffeeTrader Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,412 Points:443,680 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:23:20 PM Ignore CoffeeTrader Report Abuse I would question the fine print...it kills you every time.
TomT2Lee Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,470 Points:1,091,790 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:22:56 PM Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse Government Motors in action. How fitting.
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,140 Points:534,535 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:22:43 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse If it sounds to good to be true...
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:21:00 PM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse Too bad we did not make GM sign a contract that if the public is not satisfied by the way they conduct their business with the public's money that we could get all our money back!
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,647 Points:1,636,235 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:12:42 PM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse the old sounds too good to be true caveat
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:2,505 Points:584,850 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:07:06 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Best way to make sure you'll like the car. Rent the model that you intend to buy for a few days or so. If you don't like it, you'll only lose the cost of the rental. Also test drive the car thoroughly. Examine it carefully before you buy. If there is something that you don't like about, don't buy the car.
sam09SC All-Star Author Columbia Posts:569 Points:112,400 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:03:27 PM Ignore sam09SC Report Abuse Its always something in the way of a free lunch.
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,824 Points:1,552,390 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 4:00:53 PM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse Make sure you read the fine print!
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,501 Points:1,124,510 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:57:45 PM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse It's a Mason Avenue ploy. It definitely not a free ride. I don't blame GM, there are too many people that will try to manipulate to get a free ride. You better be serious or it will cost you even more.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,363 Points:1,165,235 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:53:25 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse there is no such thing as a free lunch someone said many years ago
goldilox88 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,263 Points:626,530 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:48:52 PM Ignore goldilox88 Report Abuse Buyer's remorse?
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:5,651 Points:1,571,290 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:41:58 PM Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse Makes sense to take the $500.
katiejayWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,270 Points:383,310 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:41:08 PM Ignore katiejayWV Report Abuse To many hoops for me. I'll take the $500.00 bucks.
the_peddler Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,303 Points:349,150 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:40:14 PM Ignore the_peddler Report Abuse theres always fine ptint.
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:7,334 Points:1,338,095 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:38:57 PM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse It's the same with any contract. If you have a mobile phone, did you read and understand all of it?!
LuckyD43 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:14,435 Points:1,581,110 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:38:34 PM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse Looks like GM's return policy has more holes in it than a slice of swiss cheese. You didn't think they were going to make it easy, did you?
nozzle46 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,498 Points:630,155 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:36:27 PM Ignore nozzle46 Report Abuse Yep, better the read the 4pt fine print.
gasspy49 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:871 Points:94,000 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:31:19 PM Ignore gasspy49 Report Abuse Always a catch and leave it to GM.
WP62 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,333 Points:1,116,020 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:27:21 PM Ignore WP62 Report Abuse I don't see many returns being made.
SeerLV Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,503 Points:718,660 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:25:49 PM Ignore SeerLV Report Abuse There are always strings!
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,384 Points:996,350 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:25:09 PM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse The relatively low $200 limit on damage, combined with the provision that GM gets to determine what constitutes "damage," seems to be a deal breaker. When the chairman of GM says, "If you're not happy, bring it back. We'll refund your money.", and then a substantial limit is tacked on, that's not really honest. Fine print will always qualify an advertised deal, but should not be used to render the deal meaningless. GTH, who is not buying from Government Motors soon, if ever
kc5mzr Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:411 Points:196,970 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:24:54 PM Ignore kc5mzr Report Abuse Yep, it won't be easy to return the car.
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,574 Points:928,585 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:20:46 PM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Of course, you should always read the fine print with Government Motors.
Minster Champion Author Wichita Posts:2,236 Points:783,265 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:19:10 PM Ignore Minster Report Abuse if they have a good Warante. and back it up. with a 100,000. and cut the fine print to a minimum. and get the trust of the people back it would be worth it
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,652 Points:731,425 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:14:45 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse Read the fine print. The only company I know that did that was Saturn.
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,462 Points:1,405,320 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:13:13 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse The right hand giveth and the left hand taketh away. The devil is in the details or fine print.
Zeke33 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,842 Points:969,070 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:12:25 PM Ignore Zeke33 Report Abuse Gotta read the fine print.
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:8,968 Points:1,750,700 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:12:02 PM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse GM is not thinking long term, because they don't know if they will make it.
bdeagle1 Sophomore Author Texas Posts:243 Points:633,540 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:10:55 PM Ignore bdeagle1 Report Abuse Obama and the democracts are full of loopholes. So why would be surpried to learn that this is full of loopholes as well.
codeman94 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:526 Points:155,495 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:08:44 PM Ignore codeman94 Report Abuse I knew it was too good to be true
Bud122CA Champion Author California Posts:2,980 Points:680,455 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:05:27 PM Ignore Bud122CA Report Abuse Why should we start trusting car salesmen????
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:9,507 Points:1,656,545 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:05:12 PM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse This warranty would not get me to buy a car.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,008 Points:1,050,870 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:02:30 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse There is an old saying that says: 'If it's too good to be true, it probably is'! Enough said!
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:9,739 Points:1,706,235 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:01:16 PM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse The fine print is the consumers enemy and the sellers joy!
Grasshopper53 Champion Author Texas Posts:1,229 Points:175,420 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 3:00:27 PM Ignore Grasshopper53 Report Abuse Same article from two weeks ago. Still a desperate move from a failing company. Maybe when China owns them this will change.
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:4,526 Points:880,250 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:59:06 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse all in the fine print ask Obama cash for _____
kwmcbrid Sophomore Author Iowa Posts:118 Points:405,260 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:57:58 PM Ignore kwmcbrid Report Abuse An expensive test drive masquerading as a sale. Much cheaper to just test drive several and make sure it's what you want b4 signing the dotted line.
dcjauburn Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,360 Points:1,271,265 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:56:52 PM Ignore dcjauburn Report Abuse This is a repeat of an old article.
brus282 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,626 Points:943,225 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:54:53 PM Ignore brus282 Report Abuse there will always be a gotcha on crap like this, that's what companies do!
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:12,165 Points:704,375 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:54:38 PM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse A person would be a fool to go car shopping with the thought that the thing was returnable if they later decided they didn't want it.
dred001 All-Star Author San Jose Posts:707 Points:66,720 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:49:54 PM Ignore dred001 Report Abuse Get it correct the first time...take the $500 and run
misuds Rookie Author New Haven Posts:93 Points:357,335 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:48:26 PM Ignore misuds Report Abuse The first mistake is believing a car salesman. We bought a 2008 Lincoln MKX with "chrome clad aluminum wheels" - they were part of an option package. What did we get - aluminum wheels with chrome clad PLASTIC wheel covers ! When I asked the dealer about it I was told - they are chrome clad - the chrome is cladding the plastic, then he laughed. I should have decked him. Another example of truth in the auto industry and it's contempt for the consumer.
netman044 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,844 Points:646,060 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:46:48 PM Ignore netman044 Report Abuse Fine print or not, if they are going to advertise a return policy, they should have to advertise all of it. If they don't then they should sued for false advertising.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,931 Points:818,705 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:43:26 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse GM just won't let go of certain practices (like dishonesty). This company sure runs like an Obama product.
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:8,398 Points:1,743,075 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:43:12 PM Ignore Lengas Report Abuse GM usually has tricks up their sleeves, but I agree we should not be able to treat the return of the car to the point of we had free car rental for 30 days.
StephenOM Champion Author Florida Posts:1,583 Points:598,245 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:41:56 PM Ignore StephenOM Report Abuse Watch the fine print. Walmart they ain't.
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,880 Points:597,260 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:30:33 PM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse another gm trick or treat deal
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,184 Points:1,641,070 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:27:01 PM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse There always has to be a catch.
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,216 Points:1,499,495 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:25:57 PM Ignore amearly Report Abuse The old saying if the deals sounds to good there's probably a catch
la90042 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,402 Points:505,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:24:06 PM Ignore la90042 Report Abuse come on we all know it was an advertising gimmick - if it was too good to be true- it isn't.
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:2,207 Points:603,230 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:22:59 PM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse People should just not ever take these types of things so seriously - it's always better than nothing, but never as good as you might like to think! The automaker is always going to protect themselves so they won't end up losing money on the offer.
snell snail Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,888 Points:1,692,395 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:19:42 PM Ignore snell snail Report Abuse ...interesting gimmick....read the small print....