Automobile Warranty Fraud at Doyle Chevrolet *Consumer Suggestion

Between September 1995, and January 1997, I purchased two new vehicles from Doyle Chevrolet, in Webster, NY. At the time of both purchases, I was asked if I also wanted to purchase extended warranties on these vehicles. Since I planned to keep both of them for a long period of time, I felt that it would be a wise decision.

During the paperwork phase of the first transaction, the salesman handed a form to me for a signature, telling me that it was for the extended warranty. I signed it, handed it back, and shortly thereafter, was on my way with my new car. A couple of weeks later, I get the warranty paperwork, and it's from First Extended Service Corporation, not General Motors. I guess that I incorrectly assumed that since I was purchasing a GM car from a GM dealer, I'd also be purchasing a GM warranty. When I went back to the dealer to straighten this out, they told me that this warranty was better. I said, "How's that?" They then told me that the First Extended warranty covered everything the GM warranty covered, and there was an added benefit. This "benefit" was that if I didn't make any claims on the warranty during the 3rd-6th years that the warranty covered, my money would be refunded. I asked how that was possible, and they said that the warranty company has your money invested for 6 years, and they make something on that. Therefore, if you don't make any claims, they've made some profit and return your purchase cost. A year and a half later, when I bought the second vehicle, they gave me the same sales pitch.

On vehicle number one, the six years is now up. I called the dealership to arrange my refund, since I didn't have to use the warranty. Now I get a new story. They tell me to bring in my "letter", and I'll be all set. I asked, "What letter?" They reply, "The letter that says you're entitled to a refund, since this was a special sales promotion." At no time during either of the vehicle transactions was this warranty "benefit" sold to me as a "special promotion". Two different salesmen, at two different times, told me that this was how this warranty worked, therefore it was a better deal than the GM warranty. Now, it's a whole different story, as I now need some letter that they never sent to me, in order to get this refund.

I sincerely feel that I've been defrauded. Obviously, if I don't have to use the warranty on vehicle number two, they'll have the same story ready again.