Los Angeles Times: Firm's extended vehicle warranty offer
breaks down under scrutiny
A letter that appears to be from an auto dealer is actually
from an out-of-state company selling an expensive contract with a sweeping
loophole.
March 12, 2013|David Lazarus Los Angeles Times
It was the sort of letter designed to get attention.
"Final attempt to notify," it said on the outside.
Within, an official-looking "product warranty
expiration notice" said that my Toyota's service contract "is
expiring or has expired." It provided a number to call "to extend
coverage."
This was troubling because when I purchased my
"certified pre-owned" car from a dealer in 2011, I paid $1,700 for a
seven-year, 100,000-mile extended warranty. Now it was expiring?
The answer, of course, was no. And the racket I'm about to
run down is yet another reminder that you need to examine closely anything that
even remotely looks like a financial warning. Chances are, it's a sales pitch
for something you don't want and don't need.
Most homeowners have received things like this in the mail
relating to their home. Maybe it's called mortgage protection. Maybe it's
extended coverage for your gas line or chimney.
This was the first time I've seen one relating to a vehicle.
And the format of the letter was particularly insidious, making it seem to be
from my dealer and indicating that if I didn't act right away, I could be on
the hook for any breakdowns.
My first call was to the Toyota dealer that sold me the car….
++++++++++++++++++++++
Offer of an extended factory warranty from American
Automotive Service Solutions
Dec. 1, 2015
Why are such companies allowed to remain in business?
And why do these letters only seem to come to Toyota owners?
Anecdotally, a quick search of the web indicates that this seemingly misleading
and sensational letter – or postcard only seems to come to Toyota owners? In
our personal experience, we only get these offers for our Toyota – not our Ford
truck…
Other than that possible explanation; that perhaps the
scammers get the information from the Toyota; is it possible that the Maryland
Dept. of Motor Vehicles sells our private information and addresses?
Business information:
Principal:
Jarrett Bell (Chief Executive Officer)
Customer Contact: Michael Hall (Chief Operating Officer)
Laura Hall (Chief Financial Officer)
American Automotive Service Solutions
933 Main Plaza Dr
Wentzville, MO 63385
800-827-5528
From the Better Business Bureau – one of several negative
customer reviews… “When I opened my mailbox, there was a letter that said
"FINAL NOTICE" regarding my newly purchased vehicle. It had the make
and model of the vehicle, then "Official Business" and "Penalty
For Private Use" in the window of the envelope…” - See more at: http://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-reviews/auto-service-contract-companies/american-automotive-service-solutions-in-wentzville-mo-310288545/customer-reviews?cacheit=y#sthash.ZWwJPaqn.dpuf
*****
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