Consumer Warranty Direct - Dealer Preferred Warranty - Consumer Direct Warranty Service, Beware of Extended Vehicle Warranty or Used Car Warranty Unsolicited Phone Call Nationwide

i got an unsolicited call from Dealer Preferred Warranty, telling me that i could get an extended auto warranty on my Passat that already had 85K miles on it. I felt a bit nervous giving them my contact info and auto details, but fell for the bait to hear the offer.

The offer was for an extended warranty for an additional 5 years up to 235K miles. All i had to do was give them my credit card over the phone and they'd process the order and send me a big package with all of the details and the ability to cancel at any time.

I said i wasn't going to give an unsolicited caller my credit card over the phone before checking them out. i asked for a web address and said i'd call back after checking them out. With much reluctance and pressure tactics (if i don't accept the offer now they may not get special approval to offer a warranty for a car that's already past the usual allowed limit of 80k; if i'm used to using my credit card on the internet, then this is the same thing, etc.), the salesman gave me a web address: www.dpwarranties.com. I went to the address and it had nothing to do with warranties.

I confirmed that i had the right address, he said yes, and then i explained that i would be even more uncomfortable giving a credit card to someone who just gave me a web address that has nothing to do with their business. He then said, "oh, we've been having some difficulty with that address." Try this one: "www.cdsnow.com" which led me to the website for Consumer Direct Warranty Service.

I then said, "that's interesting. Your name, "Dealer Preferred Warranty" isn't even mentioned. It says the business sells policies under these names:

GreatChoice
DirectChoice
CoolChoice
BestChoice
SecureChoice
FleetChoice

Ever the salesman, he still tried to convince me that Dealer Preferred Warranty was part of that group and did i want to put it on Visa or Mastercard?

I said no and then found this website. I don't know if Dealer Preferred Warranty is really part of Consumer Direct Warranty Service, but judging from the other complaints i've seen about CDWS, i wouldn't be surprised. Alternatively, Dealer Preferred Warranty could be another scam outfit.

Bottom line: Beware of the extended auto warranty policies and heavy pressure tactics they use on the phone to try to get your credit card.

Juice_man
los angeles, California
U.S.A.