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General Motors' new "May the Best Car Win" ad campaign, which offers new buyers an unprecedented 60-day money back guarantee, is aiming to prove that the GM-branded vehicles are better choices than their competitors.
As a new car shopper, will you let a GM vehicle jump into the ring with the other cars you are considering? How about if you could have up to a 60-day test drive before you decide the winner? GM sure is hoping you will take it up on its offer. Truly, if a GM car or truck is on your list, there is no real reason not to – there is really almost nothing to lose.
Here is how the program works. The 60-day money-back guarantee covers all 2009 and 2010 model year Chevrolets, Buicks, GMCs and Cadillacs, excluding medium-duty trucks, that are purchased and delivered to the customers by November 30, though GM says it may extend the promotion.
If the new owner is not fully satisfied after 30 days, they can return the vehicle within the
next 30 days -- no questions asked -- as long as it has less than 4,000 miles, no more than $200 worth of damage and has not been in an accident.
The offer is good only for one vehicle per household. Leased and fleet vehicles, as well as those purchased for businesses,are not eligible. So, assuming your car meets those requirements, do you get all your money back? Yes and no.
The "buyback" price, as GM calls it, is the purchase price -- after any rebates or discounts -- plus any applicable sales taxes
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that were paid. It does not include anything else. This means the customer is responsible for costs such as other taxes, license, title and registration fees, finance charges, accessories, dealer fees and extended warranty charges.
So, anyone who returns a vehicle would have some out-of-pocket costs. However, the costs would be relatively minimal, assuming you avoid large charges such as an extended warranty or adding on dealer-installed accessories.
Perhaps the largest drawback to the promotion is that customers cannot get their trade-in back. If you return the vehicle, you will need to purchase another car from that dealer or somewhere else, so you will have transportation.
There is actually little reason not to consider GM cars when shopping for a new vehicle. Quality has improved dramatically over the last few years. In terms of value, its products are generally priced competitively and offer similar options and features as competing vehicles.
All GM really needs is for consumers to give it a look, and it hopes its money-back guarantee will be the ticket to getting customers onto dealer's lots. Will it work? We will know in a couple of months, as the sales numbers come in for the rest of the year.
The preceding information was obtained from bankrate.com, Tara Baukus Mello, freelance automotive writer.
Janine Rywak
County Extension Director
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