Dealership-applied interior protectant

R

RAG

New member
So we've been over the dealership's "miracle sealant" scam a dozen times, but I'm not sure we've covered the interior protectant scam. I just had a customer buy a new vehicle yesterday who got the pitch...so it's fresh on my mind.



What I want to know is: how do they weasel their way out of actually replacing carpets and seats when they do get stains (they claim their "magic" protectant will prevent stains for 5 years and if any stains can't be removed, they'll replace it)? Yeah right. We all know the carpets can, and will eventually get stained, so what fine print do they use to keep from coughing up dough?
 
The car owner waited too long? :nixweiss



I'm not sure they actually put the replacement of upholstery in writing. I've asked to my clients ppwk from MBZ but they have yet to develop it. I see them tomorrow and will try again. Good question BTW.
 
yeah my sister bought into it....she got a jeep and if the interior gets dirty, she just has to pay 100 deductible and they will replace it all....same with the exterior....she had to pay 500 (actually was thrown in for free for buying that day) but I just think its another scam....
 
On that note (5 year exterior sealant), my customer from yesterday did say that they told him they were so confident in the protection it provided, it would protect againts any form of etching...and they'd repaint if it didn't. First, we all know a sealant cannot protect against acid rain, bird crap etching, etch. Secondly, I don't think I'd want their $200 repaint anyways...cause delearships being dealerships, you know they don't pay for proper work (even on vehicles they haven't sold yet).
 
I think the fine print, inetrior or exterior is that the "super duper, space aged, miracle...yadda yadda" is that the stuff has to applied on a regular basis.
 
My mom fell for the exterior sealant on her lexus and they supplied her with the product which said must be applied every 2-3 months. How the hell would they know how often it was applied...your word against theirs.
 
Basiclly they are selling the warranty. I have read the fine print on many of these systems and most say the sealant must be reapplied every 6 months, whether by you or them, for extra charge.



Interior products every 3 to 5 years.



All state that the problem area must be reported asap or within 30 days. And some things aren't covered like bleach, acts of God etc. Then they will try to correct the damage themselves. The better ones will then repair or replace and the bad ones will just cover the cost of the product.



I do use The Valuguard sealant. They state no reapplication for 3 years. I sell it as 6-12 month sealant and explain how these thinks work. I sell it with no warranty ( $20 sign up charge). I do give a word of mouth warranty, though.



I also don't charge $400-$500 for it. I start at $99 and might include clay and polish.
 
I hope you guys aren't bad-mouthing the dealership "protection plans." I love those things!



...'cause I get paid extra to apply them :)
 
Having worked in the electronics biz for 24 years, the last 11 in service sales - I got to tell ya in case you haven't already figured it out - service work has the highest profit margin. Product sales, be it cars or whatever, do not keep the dollars flowing, the lights on and the dealership employee's paid. That's why there are so many add-on service deals. I just bought a TV from Circuit City, poor sales guy tried to sell me a 3 year warranty - ha! I just told him I sell service plans too, wink-wink and he shut right up.
 
JuneBug said:
Having worked in the electronics biz for 24 years, the last 11 in service sales - I got to tell ya in case you haven't already figured it out - service work has the highest profit margin. Product sales, be it cars or whatever, do not keep the dollars flowing, the lights on and the dealership employee's paid. That's why there are so many add-on service deals. I just bought a TV from Circuit City, poor sales guy tried to sell me a 3 year warranty - ha! I just told him I sell service plans too, wink-wink and he shut right up.
Click to expand...



Being a home theater guy myself, I do believe that sometimes it is worth it to get the extended warranty on video and sound equipment. There have been times where those warranties have saved my @$$ with expensive stuff.
 
ron231 said:
Being a home theater guy myself, I do believe that sometimes it is worth it to get the extended warranty on video and sound equipment. There have been times where those warranties have saved my @$$ with expensive stuff.
Click to expand...



I agree. I never bought an extended warranty in my life until I bought a 60" Sony rear projection TV, but I did buy one on that. 2 months later, the bulb blew out & the warranty paid for it & I basically broke even on the warranty at that point.



~John
 
I have been in the dealership market for many years and honestly it is a big scam. People usually buy into it cause they think the dealer is the only place that does the best work. The have the illusion that they are pros and have all the literature to back them and make them look like the kings.



The best part is all these 5 year protections are being applied by "mostly" a kid with very little to no experience. You ask them a bunch of questions and they tell you to see the service manager. I usually go to dealers and ask them questions for fun!



Honestly, it is a HUGE scam! They just find people that are vulnerable with the feeling of getting a new car and they just add it to their payments. The dealer insures them that they made the best investment choice for their new baby. Also, the dealer will tell them that they will get more on trade in cause the car will still look 100% brand new.



A lot of those chemical trucks used to come to my dealership and try to make me sell the sealant exterior and interior packages. I just laughed and told them to take their scam elsewhere.
 
I bet they spray paint ("dye") away the stains the carpets/seats before they would replace. Since I first posted this, I've now had several more people tell me they have the interior protection package where the dealership will replace anything that gets stained...but no one has tried to make good of it yet...so maybe that's how they get away with it - nobody every comes back.



salty said:
Basiclly they are selling the warranty. I have read the fine print on many of these systems and most say the sealant must be reapplied every 6 months, whether by you or them, for extra charge.



Interior products every 3 to 5 years.



All state that the problem area must be reported asap or within 30 days. And some things aren't covered like bleach, acts of God etc. Then they will try to correct the damage themselves. The better ones will then repair or replace and the bad ones will just cover the cost of the product.



I do use The Valuguard sealant. They state no reapplication for 3 years. I sell it as 6-12 month sealant and explain how these thinks work. I sell it with no warranty ( $20 sign up charge). I do give a word of mouth warranty, though.



I also don't charge $400-$500 for it. I start at $99 and might include clay and polish.
Click to expand...
 
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