Anyone seen those commercials ...

[ColbertWatcher]

... for U.S Fidelis?

They offer some kind of program to pay for car repairs. It sounds something that can easily become a scam if it isn't already one.

[PBS Poll-435]

1. I think they sell extended warranties (service contracts)

Much like a dealer does.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. What happens if someone can't pay? n/t

[PBS Poll-435]

4. You buy the warranty before you need to use it eom

[ColbertWatcher]

7. But what happens if you can't afford to? n/t

[PBS Poll-435]

9. Then you can't buy their warranty

And you will have to pay out-of-pocket for your repairs.

I lease so the factory warranty never runs out for me on my cars.

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Excuse me, what I was asking was ...

... what if someone begins payments on their "warranty" but then can no longer afford to pay?

Or do you pay for the whole thing in one big lump sum.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Oh!

Sorry.

:dunce:

My understanding is that it is paid all "up-front."

When you go through the dealer, they normally roll that into your payment.

[ColbertWatcher]

18. If someone can afford to pay it up front ...

... why wouldn't they just pay for the repairs?

This whole thing makes me suspicious.

[PBS Poll-435]

19. You are right to be suspicious about extended warranties

Price?
Usually $1500-2500

Cost of Sale?
Usually 1/3 or 1/2 of that.

HUGH!!11! profit item for dealerships.

[ColbertWatcher]

23. I was hoping by bringing it up here ...

... someone might know something about it.

[PBS Poll-435]

24. I worked for dealerships for 6 years

In the Accounting Department.

:loveya::hug:Extended Warranties!:hug::loveya:


New cars needed to make a profit of at least $2800 per car deal. The extended warranty helped make up a piece of that.

Used cars? Anything less than $3400 per "copy" was frowned upon.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. The commercial that chills me

is the - I think - Hyundai that states, in the most soothing tones, that if you can't pay for your new Hyundai at any time during the next year, they'll be glad to take it off your hands.

At first, it sounds really reassuring.

Then, you realize they're talking about letting you off the hook for your car payments if you financed through them. They get the car back and you get dick.

Slick.

[ColbertWatcher]

8. I never thought about it that way.

I just thought they were trying to reassure people about their credit.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. That's why it's a genius ad

But, look at what it's really saying.

It chills me, but it's absolutely brilliant.

[ColbertWatcher]

15. Ok, if we're talking freaky commercials ...

... what about those Army ads that say "If your child wants to talk about joining the Army..."

Those are creepy.

[PBS Poll-435]

16. WOW

I totally agree.

"Take the time to listen..."

"You made them strong, we will make them Army Strong."

:scared:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

17. Infuriating

They look so damn helpful and legitimate, don't they?

And there are people who will fall for them.

Initially, they were only African-Americans portrayed in those ads. Now it's nice white farm boys.

Murderous thugs.

[ColbertWatcher]

21. Yeah.

The thing is it makes young adults feel like babies if they don't "talk to their parents about the Army" and makes parents feel like hyper-clingy worry-worts if their kids never ask them about the Army.

Propaganda has gotten tricky.

[sam sarrha]

5. i have heard they screw you.. and they are expensive. i have a super reliable new Honda.. $1800 year

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Wow.

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone paying that much in repairs on a Honda before.

[PBS Poll-435]

11. Me either.

Sheesh.

$24.95 plus tax every quarter for me.

(oil changes & tire rotation)

[sam sarrha]

25. that is what they wanted to charge me a year..

[EFerrari]

6. I don't watch any of those channels and so far, I'm okay and nothing has exploded.

:)

[spanone]

20. sounds like a big time scam.....we'll be reading about it in a few years...if it takes that long

[ColbertWatcher]

22. I'm just hoping it's not a new way to screw the working poor.

Like what subprime mortgages did for housing.