| Author | Thread |
|
|
05/09/2006 12:00:45 AM · #1 |
Ok, itâs not about cameras but cars but anyone that has purchased or planning on purchasing an extended warranty on his or her vehicle please read.
Back in 2003 I purchased my wife a 2002 ford focus and at the same time purchased an extended warranty that would add an extra 36,000 miles or 3 years on to the warranty. Since the car was used I though it would be a good idea. I read the warranty information very carefully or I thought I did. I found out today they could hide any clause any where in the contract that will cost you a lot of money.
Since purchasing the car (our only car) we have not had a bit of trouble out of it. Well Saturday I was going to take pictures and the wife had to stop by the store first. I turned off the car, she went inside, and when I went to start the car it sounded like it through a rod, or the crankshaft broke. I cut the car off within seconds and had to let her car sit there till today.
First thing this morning I called the warranty company, had the car towed to the place the said, and everything seemed fine until I got a call from the ford place. He told me that they could not find the problem without breaking down the engine. Of course not if the problem is inside the engine how else are you going to find the problem. He began to tell me that I had to authorize the breakdown of the engine before they would do it. I asked why and he said because it will cost YOU $1000. Now keep in mind this is something they have to do to fix the problem. Wouldnât you think it would be covered? NO! The warranty company had placed a clause in fine print on the last page that said anything considered diagnostic is not covered and the cost will be the responsibility of the owner.
The ford place said there was nothing they could do about it. They considered breaking down the engine to fix the problem is diagnostic and the warranty company would not pay. Even though the breakdown is required to fix.
The things insurance/warranty companies will do to get over on people are amazing. To say the least I am mad. I may be a gentleman but when you try to screw me I can become 6â1â â220lbs of attitude as the person on the line at the warranty company found out.
Warranty buyers beware!
|
|
|
|
05/09/2006 12:08:27 AM · #2 |
Don't stand for it. The tear-down might have been required for diagnostic purposes, but it would also have been required for the repair. I can see them not covering it if the problem turns out to be elsewhere, but if the problem is internal to the engine, they should ante up for the complete repair.
If they refuse to honor their comittment, let then know your next call will be to the department of consumer protection in your state, and in the state in which their corporation is registered. Also report to BBB. Tell them you will contact your local media if you have a "consumer affairs" reporter that gets involved with consumer compliants. They may not take your threats seriously, but at the first call from one of these organizations, their tune may change.
|
|
|
|
05/09/2006 12:09:20 AM · #3 |
Well I can tell you this. I'm not sure what company you bought your contract from. But most contracts we deal with will pay for reasonable diagnostics after determining that the part that caused the failure is actually covered by your contract. We do have to get authorization from the customer to tear down the engine, the transmission or whatever the item is. The reason is that if the part is not covered you know up front what your expenses will be to get it to the point that the contract company decides if the part is covered or not. Some cheaper contracts wont pay for any diagnostic fees at all. However unless the entire engine is being replaced, the tear down costs should not be charged to you if the covered repair is performed because the tear down would be part of the normal repair. However if the engine is replaced with a complete assembly you should only be charged for the time agreed upon to tear down and determine engine condition. I hope this helps you.
MattO
|
|
|
|
05/09/2006 12:19:21 AM · #4 |
I was told by the warranty company and the ford dealership that the $1000.00 tear down charge will be my responsibility. Normal wear and tear, defective part caused the problem, user neglect (which I can see this) but I have changed oil and all lubricants and regular maintenance on time and have papers.
Now I have used my free tow to the ford dealer. I told the ford dealer I would pick the car up. I asked them what had they done. He said NOTHING, only listen to the engine. Then told me it would be $69.95 (1 hr labor charge) for listing to the motor for less than 15 sec. I also have to pay a $50.00 tow charge to another repair shop. And pay a per day charge until I can get my car towed, which will be Monday when I get paid. So I'm getting screwed two ways. Just for 15 sec of listening to the motor, tow again, and per day charge I'm going to be out about $250 bucks.
|
|
|
|
05/09/2006 12:38:24 AM · #5 |
Maybe this will help, maybe not...
Several years ago, my wife and I purchased an extended "bumper to bumper" warranty on our 4x4 through the dealership where we bought it.
Check engine light comes on - dealer says, it's the transmission computer. I said, great, let's fix it. (USD$1500 policy for 3 years) Dealer says, no problem, but not covered. Repair was $800. Broken part was an external transmission computer board, not internal - this contract only covered the internal. (Insert puzzled look here. Did I design the thing? Do I know this? NO! What part of "bumper to bumper" did I miss?)
Bottom line, I pushed 'everyone' on this, because of the principle. After all, I paid good money for the coverage that was supposed to be "bumper to bumper" as the sales idiot put it.
I pushed the dealer, the insurance agent, the manufacturer and finally threatened with a "detailed letter" to the better business folks, the insurance commision AND several major automotive magazines. I had been through enough. Do they really want so much bad publicity for such a low cost repair, compared to the cost of the policy?
The agent sent me a personal check for the balance - he didn't want to lose the time and money, and frankly, I didn't care WHO paid me anymore. (Again, it wasn't the money, it was the principle.)
Be persistent and stand your ground. Go public - it may work to your favor. (True story - your mileage may vary!)
Conclusion? I could have saved more money over time by NOT getting the extended warranty and paying for repairs personally. Next time.
Good luck, be persistent! |
|
|
|
05/09/2006 12:55:21 AM · #6 |
Start the car and hold the gas to the floor until a connecting rod slings through the block. Diagnostics problem fixed, I'm just kidding ofcourse, but would've been my first thought in your situation.
|
|
|
|
05/09/2006 02:56:58 PM · #7 |
That's the problem with aftermarket warrantees. I've not seen these issues with the GM's extended warrantees.
Now you've got me wondering how the MAC or RepairTech warrantees will work. |
|
|
|
05/09/2006 03:45:00 PM · #8 |
| years ago we had a car that we bought a warranty on. the transmission went out on it. the guy at the transmission shop decided that tearing apart the transmission was part of the fixing not part of the diagnostic. he actually told me he did that so they would have to pay for it. so before you tow it somewhere else make sure that they won't do the same thing that ford was doing. |
|
|
|
05/09/2006 04:40:00 PM · #9 |
too slow...
Message edited by author 2006-05-09 16:41:01.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 11/26/2025 10:28:06 AM EST.
