Protection/Maintenance Packages
I have read various comments over the years both extolling the virtues, as well as denigrating the value, of extended warranty/maintenance/protection plans sold by the dealer on new vehicles.
Upon recent arrival of a new truck (Sierra 2500HD), I opted to accept a Protection Package (paint and undercarriage) offered by the dealer. Although it was folded into the payment plan, the cost was cited at $2600 CAD.
Upon receipt of the truck, as I always do, I read through the manuals (main and a smaller warranty related publication) that evening.
I happened to come across a two paragraph statement by GM (deep in the manual, on page 13), in which they advise the factory protective coating is sufficient, do not recommend an after manufacture application (not after market, but anything after factory) and also state that any after manufacture product may cause corrosion issues. To me, it was quite explicit.
I returned to the dealer, with these paragraphs in hand and questioned the reason why they would sell a product, contrary to the advice of GM. I spoke with three different employees, including a manager, and each expressed surprise with the statement and all advised they were unaware of this. Each, in turn attempted to discount the intent of the wording. The conversation ended with the manager promising to speak with a GM regional rep for clarification. The implementation of the package was put on hold.
Returned a few days later, where the rep's response (in writing) was shown to me, where he re-affirmed the contents of the manual, advising GM does not recommend the product and warn it could cause potential corrosion issues. I cancelled the package.
There is an epilogue to this story, but would make for a very long(er) post.
If they were, in fact, unaware of this clause in the manual, I wonder if they will discontinue the sale of these after manufacture products? Or will they continue to knowingly market a product which is potentially detrimental to the customer? I ask these questions somewhat facetiously.
So, a word of caution to those who may consider one of these packages.
Marv
Upon recent arrival of a new truck (Sierra 2500HD), I opted to accept a Protection Package (paint and undercarriage) offered by the dealer. Although it was folded into the payment plan, the cost was cited at $2600 CAD.
Upon receipt of the truck, as I always do, I read through the manuals (main and a smaller warranty related publication) that evening.
I happened to come across a two paragraph statement by GM (deep in the manual, on page 13), in which they advise the factory protective coating is sufficient, do not recommend an after manufacture application (not after market, but anything after factory) and also state that any after manufacture product may cause corrosion issues. To me, it was quite explicit.
I returned to the dealer, with these paragraphs in hand and questioned the reason why they would sell a product, contrary to the advice of GM. I spoke with three different employees, including a manager, and each expressed surprise with the statement and all advised they were unaware of this. Each, in turn attempted to discount the intent of the wording. The conversation ended with the manager promising to speak with a GM regional rep for clarification. The implementation of the package was put on hold.
Returned a few days later, where the rep's response (in writing) was shown to me, where he re-affirmed the contents of the manual, advising GM does not recommend the product and warn it could cause potential corrosion issues. I cancelled the package.
There is an epilogue to this story, but would make for a very long(er) post.
If they were, in fact, unaware of this clause in the manual, I wonder if they will discontinue the sale of these after manufacture products? Or will they continue to knowingly market a product which is potentially detrimental to the customer? I ask these questions somewhat facetiously.
So, a word of caution to those who may consider one of these packages.
Marv
