GM Buyback/Repurchase, the end result
Several months ago I posted a question to the group about what GM does about aftermarket items placed on my 2013 3500 Duramax when they take it back via lemon law. No one (fortunately) answered so I guess not many people had gone through the lemon law issue. There was no earlier posts either so I wanted to make one for others. As a summary, my 2013 had several trips to the dealer for NOX sensor issues, two radiator problems and a turbo exchange.
This post is for those who may go through lemon law buyback, or "repurchase" as GM called it. First, any aftermarket items you install (radio, tonneau cover, and even Chevy mud flaps installed by your dealer) will not be calculated for reimbursement for you. You lose! But, there is good news and advice: if you want cash back then they issue you a check and you can go anywhere and get you a new truck, bad news: they deduct mileage you have used. And, their calculations for mileage can be misleading, in their favor! My first issues were at 12,000 miles with the NOX sensors but GM calculated my mileage from the radiator issues at 36,000 miles. So I lost out on dollars in reimbursement. If you decide to trade it for a new truck then GM pays for registration and taxes! And, you only pay for the difference between MSRP prices (2013 vs 2016 truck, in my case). So, financially, the trade was the best deal. And, in case anyone is wondering, my 13' never left us stranded but the check engine light always came on during long trips with the 5th wheel. I loved the truck and towing with it, but with all the check engine light problems showing NOX sensors, radiator and turbo issues, GM admitted it was a lemon. I checked out other trucks but I still preferred Chevy.
The process from GM was not pleasant! My dealer was awesome and submitted the paperwork for me. They were very helpful but once GM had everything, I was alone making calls to GM asking questions about the process, aftermarket items, mileage, etc. Thats where I became mad. GM representatives wouldn't return phone calls, took their sweet time answering questions and one even lied to me, saying he was a supervisor (because I wanted to complain about not getting phone calls returned) when he was actually just a co-worker. Even when I suggested I contact an attorney, they didn't care. They were only a hourly employee handling the paperwork. Finally, when I spoke to a supervisor, I was able to get the ball rolling.
Long story short, if I had to do it over again, I might have just contacted an attorney. In CA it costs nothing to the consumer for the attorney as GM has to pay for them. I know that when you purchase a vehicle (at least in CA) you sign a document saying that you agree to working with GM and your dealer or arbitration instead of an attorney, but legally you can go straight to an attorney if you want. On the other hand, I don't like handing over tasks to someone else because I know only I have my best interest.
This week I finally got my 2016 Duramax and love it. I went with a long bed this time and the ride is smoother because of the longer wheelbase. If anyone has questions, feel free to PM me. Hope this helps answer someone else's questions if they have to go through a lemon law buyback.
This post is for those who may go through lemon law buyback, or "repurchase" as GM called it. First, any aftermarket items you install (radio, tonneau cover, and even Chevy mud flaps installed by your dealer) will not be calculated for reimbursement for you. You lose! But, there is good news and advice: if you want cash back then they issue you a check and you can go anywhere and get you a new truck, bad news: they deduct mileage you have used. And, their calculations for mileage can be misleading, in their favor! My first issues were at 12,000 miles with the NOX sensors but GM calculated my mileage from the radiator issues at 36,000 miles. So I lost out on dollars in reimbursement. If you decide to trade it for a new truck then GM pays for registration and taxes! And, you only pay for the difference between MSRP prices (2013 vs 2016 truck, in my case). So, financially, the trade was the best deal. And, in case anyone is wondering, my 13' never left us stranded but the check engine light always came on during long trips with the 5th wheel. I loved the truck and towing with it, but with all the check engine light problems showing NOX sensors, radiator and turbo issues, GM admitted it was a lemon. I checked out other trucks but I still preferred Chevy.
The process from GM was not pleasant! My dealer was awesome and submitted the paperwork for me. They were very helpful but once GM had everything, I was alone making calls to GM asking questions about the process, aftermarket items, mileage, etc. Thats where I became mad. GM representatives wouldn't return phone calls, took their sweet time answering questions and one even lied to me, saying he was a supervisor (because I wanted to complain about not getting phone calls returned) when he was actually just a co-worker. Even when I suggested I contact an attorney, they didn't care. They were only a hourly employee handling the paperwork. Finally, when I spoke to a supervisor, I was able to get the ball rolling.
Long story short, if I had to do it over again, I might have just contacted an attorney. In CA it costs nothing to the consumer for the attorney as GM has to pay for them. I know that when you purchase a vehicle (at least in CA) you sign a document saying that you agree to working with GM and your dealer or arbitration instead of an attorney, but legally you can go straight to an attorney if you want. On the other hand, I don't like handing over tasks to someone else because I know only I have my best interest.
This week I finally got my 2016 Duramax and love it. I went with a long bed this time and the ride is smoother because of the longer wheelbase. If anyone has questions, feel free to PM me. Hope this helps answer someone else's questions if they have to go through a lemon law buyback.
