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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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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....
sobeton Sophomore Author Miami Posts:164 Points:117,425 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:13:20 PM Ignore sobeton Report Abuse If it would have been true long enough for people to take advantage of it, companies would go under. This in no way can be possible.
tempus_fugit Rookie Author Texas Posts:7 Points:665 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:07:10 PM Ignore tempus_fugit Report Abuse TIME: present day LOG: and the truth is, warranty will always only be good as the limitations fine printed...for such is the binding, yet limiting, condition that put together the intentions of the involved...and in the business market, sweet talks are part of the strategy - to put forth propositions pleasing to the consumer's ears, yet, bulging to the supplier's deep pockets ASSUMPTION: the civilized and commonly sensed consumers will always find a way to see the difference [Edited by: tempus_fugit at 9/27/2009 3:08:02 PM EST]
lvpeg Champion Author California Posts:10,435 Points:1,446,845 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:07:00 PM Ignore lvpeg Report Abuse When could you trust a car salesman?
roadkillGA Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,382 Points:485,950 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:06:31 PM Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse REMEMBER!! Advertising can spin ideas and with this one, there are EXCEPTIONS but is GM going to tell you? H--- no!
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,859 Points:601,470 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 2:01:24 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse i'm sure they are counting on that
Bou Champion Author Maine Posts:6,387 Points:1,706,590 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:52:14 PM Ignore Bou Report Abuse Better than nothing.
Panama Red Champion Author San Diego Posts:6,196 Points:1,555,090 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:50:37 PM Ignore Panama Red Report Abuse Let the buyer beware...
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,854 Points:1,278,170 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:45:00 PM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse Did you expect the government to be upfront and honest regarding their dealings? Don't forget, these are Boma Motors.
nance92 Veteran Author Ohio Posts:386 Points:175,175 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:44:42 PM Ignore nance92 Report Abuse Does that surprise you that a company tied up with the government wouldn't be lying about this deal?
OldMan322 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,113 Points:650,435 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:44:26 PM Ignore OldMan322 Report Abuse Yes people remember FREE is never free
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:1,668 Points:1,264,280 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:42:31 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse GM is now under the GOVERNMENT.Since it received bailout money it is controlled not by GM as we knew it but by its new name GOVERNMENT MOTORS.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,084 Points:2,181,140 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:40:06 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse That is why I stay with my old clunker!!!
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,089 Points:975,290 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:39:28 PM Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse If it sounds to good to be true.........
pliskin Champion Author Syracuse Posts:3,204 Points:980,035 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:39:17 PM Ignore pliskin Report Abuse It definitely sounds like it is and besides Ford is well into the 2010 full line models, not straggling like GM. And unlike GM Ford has rebates and finance plans that could help car buyers get their new vehicle. Not pushing for Ford here but I was at my Chevy dealer the Saturday looking into the 2010 Malibu hybrid availability. I was told they had a few regular '10 Malibus but the hybrid probably won't be remade as it wasn't successful last year. I looked last year and was told that they couldn't keep the hybrids on their lots, same dealer different salesperson. They make the '10 Tahoe, Pickup and Equinox hybrids. So who's scamming who? They also has no incentive plans of any kind, not even for repeat buyers.
Boo1989 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,172 Points:558,140 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:39:06 PM Ignore Boo1989 Report Abuse gubmint motors can't get anything right.
kyrunner Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,941 Points:727,660 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:37:22 PM Ignore kyrunner Report Abuse Even an offer like this would not convince me to buy any GM product again. I guess when the federal government and the UAW own the company they can make offers any real legitimate business couldn't possibly make. Remember GM has basically unlimited taxpayer funds to operate with today.
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:3,073 Points:1,204,115 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:33:46 PM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse Too many conditions, makes sense that new-GM wouldn't want many people to be able to take advantage of this.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:5,383 Points:1,132,685 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:32:06 PM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse GM is a POS company ... Dont forget the fact that it uses chinese made engines in its vehicles and cry out for money from US gov which gives our tax dollars.
GoBlazers Champion Author Washington Posts:2,819 Points:401,635 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:30:05 PM Ignore GoBlazers Report Abuse The fine print reveals a lot of restrictions. Poor GM.
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:2,717 Points:484,845 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:28:56 PM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse hummer 4 years no problems gmc van 15 years no problems chevy monte carlo 8 years no problems we need the whiners to keep us on our toes
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,148 Points:1,299,245 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:28:55 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse briank299 wrote: >Get your facts straight before you spew hate against the >very industry that is keeping this nation going. Without >an automotive industry, our main manufacturing base, we >won't be a free nation for very long. There are a lot of companies in the armament business. The automotive business is notable for their absence in the armament business. They were at one time but they sold out because they couldn't compete. (And they weren't even having to compete with the Japanese.) >Will the Chinese sell us tanks and bombs if we go to >war with them? You're really expecting another WWII? I don't think so! Remember what we did to the fourth largest army in the world? Thirty days of "shock and awe" thanks to Boeing and Lockheed Martin and a hundred hours of boots on the ground thanks to General Dynamics and AM General.
GGW Veteran Author Austin Posts:329 Points:582,155 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:28:35 PM Ignore GGW Report Abuse Gottcha....sorry about that.
Skychief Veteran Author Florida Posts:259 Points:182,485 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:28:22 PM Ignore Skychief Report Abuse Did anyone really think there would be no catches?
cardjcsk Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,427 Points:1,017,080 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:28:14 PM Ignore cardjcsk Report Abuse Won't bring me to GM
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:3,529 Points:766,090 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:24:36 PM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse GM's return policy is too good to be true.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:3,148 Points:623,460 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:24:29 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse there is always the fine print
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:2,787 Points:985,060 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:24:11 PM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse allways read the small print
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,148 Points:1,299,245 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:20:54 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse BillA wrote: >I'd hate to think of how bad U.S. Government Health Care >could be. USG is doing 44% of all health care now between Medicare and Medicaid. Most care providers whine about the Medicare reimbursement rates but oddly enough clinical lab company Quest Diagnostics does not. Seems that some of the managed care companies have negotiated even lower rates.
bobmcl2006 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,983 Points:1,394,890 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:20:44 PM Ignore bobmcl2006 Report Abuse The last paragraph of the article says it all: Refuse the refund offer and take the $500 for doing that.
WonderfulMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,872 Points:812,350 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:19:05 PM Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse If you buy the car honestly intending to keep it this is a great deal. If you are looking for a way to scam GM, this is not a great deal. You can hardly expect to get money back for the State fees of title and registration. You can hardly expect to get money back if you drive it 4,000 miles (which would be 24,000 miles per year!), especially if you are telling your insurance company that you only drive less than 7,500 miles per year. And you should not expect to get your money back after you damage the vehicle. A minor door ding usually will not cost $200 to fix. A bunch id dings would cost more - but they you should take more where you park the "brand new" vehicle. I have a 1994 escort with 173,000 miles, and four door dings. If you do not like GM, do not want a GM, and are only looking for how to screw GM, this is not a good offer for you.
DAK1960 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,922 Points:403,260 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:18:10 PM Ignore DAK1960 Report Abuse we will see what happens
briank299 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:11,377 Points:2,101,295 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:18:07 PM Ignore briank299 Report Abuse tomok wrote: "GM has yet to see the light. Offer a vehicle that has high MPG, at a reasonable cost, is “multi fueled” and very reliable and watch the sales." ================================================================ Hmmmmm... Chevrolet, GM's main brand, offers the Cobalt, Malibu, Silverado, Traverse and Equinox. ALL of those models get BETTER FUEL MILEAGE than the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tundra, Honda Pilot, Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV-4. Get your facts straight before you spew hate against the very industry that is keeping this nation going. Without an automotive industry, our main manufacturing base, we won't be a free nation for very long. Will the Chinese sell us tanks and bombs if we go to war with them? God Bless America. [Edited by: briank299 at 9/27/2009 2:18:52 PM EST]
snewwee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,999 Points:1,016,055 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:17:08 PM Ignore snewwee Report Abuse No one really beleived that returning a GM product would be as easy as they made us believe did they? If so, I've got a bridge for sale in New York that I will sell to those people for a real deal.
Mr.Dirt Champion Author Albany Posts:5,003 Points:1,787,340 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:16:32 PM Ignore Mr.Dirt Report Abuse take the car for a test drive if you like it buy it if not find another car whats so hard about that
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:5,980 Points:693,370 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:13:59 PM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Unless it's for a lower priced item, under about $500, there always seems to be a catch or two.
timdtune All-Star Author Virginia Posts:634 Points:132,710 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:09:54 PM Ignore timdtune Report Abuse Again, dkinsf your written statement is right on. GM still needs to creep its way out of the bottom to create a profit. Unfortunately, GM has yet to create a reliable product as compared to many foreign makes and Ford.
Boby All-Star Author San Francisco Posts:788 Points:1,333,805 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:09:23 PM Ignore Boby Report Abuse All talk...no substance. Now you know why Gutless Motors went belly up - twice.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,157 Points:1,013,260 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:06:52 PM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse People have to be reasonable.
dkinsf Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,367 Points:669,085 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:06:14 PM Ignore dkinsf Report Abuse We need to remember that GM is in the business to make money. They are doing this to give customers some reassurance. This not meant to be a free rental. The cars that are returned will probably be need to be sold as used because it have been registered to someone besides GM.
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,527 Points:512,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:04:32 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse Another thing, those something for nothing people are probably the same people that return something they broke to Wal-Mart for free, or keep the change that they don't deserve and then go to church on Sunday and act holier than thou.
jony Champion Author Florida Posts:2,963 Points:827,875 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:00:38 PM Ignore jony Report Abuse be sure to read the fine print that says only under certain conditions
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,527 Points:512,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 1:00:13 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse I agree with no1Lakersfam. I've seen this warranty by many dealers in the past. Just have to admit that there are too many people out there that want to get something for nothing.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,900 Points:1,006,620 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:59:05 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse GM id NOT that trustworthy. Who in their right mind would really believe that advertisement? Never in a million years!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,332 Points:1,370,060 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:56:56 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse GM has yet to see the light. Offer a vehicle that has high MPG, at a reasonable cost, is “multi fueled” and very reliable and watch the sales.
no1lakersfam Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,983 Points:1,643,835 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:55:32 PM Ignore no1lakersfam Report Abuse Who in their right mind would think that you get fully reimbursed for a car that you do not like after you drive it for a while? It is silly to think this, and you know there has to be a catch in there some where. It sounds like a good idea but is very hard to put into practice.
going_nowhere Sophomore Author Texas Posts:102 Points:3,660 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:53:18 PM Ignore going_nowhere Report Abuse a legal way of being duped and here's an ode for that: grind mister, grind grind that crankshaft till it wind - winding tires on the road in line line til dawn until you whine - whine to GM; they'll just say "no return...your car is fine"
Ramaniac Champion Author St. Louis Posts:10,113 Points:1,718,930 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:53:12 PM Ignore Ramaniac Report Abuse The first time I drove an Avenger was on the way home from the dealership. It handled just as I expected a car would. Return? Please, give me a break. If you are so flighty that you change your mind after 30 days, you had no business purchasing it in the first place.
BillA Champion Author Portland Posts:11,157 Points:1,534,600 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:51:59 PM Ignore BillA Report Abuse Loads of red tape and you will never win! (did you expect anything else from a government owned company?)"Several consumer experts say the hassle isn't worth it, particularly when you consider that GM is quietly offering an incentive NOT to participate." I'd hate to think of how bad U.S. Government Health Care could be.
pigmanTX Champion Author Houston Posts:1,281 Points:369,735 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:50:52 PM Ignore pigmanTX Report Abuse If you do not have the time to read the contract and understand the fine print, perhaps you should not enter into the agreement.
Gramps001 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,957 Points:693,455 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:46:50 PM Ignore Gramps001 Report Abuse Everyone should always read the fine print on any document!