G.M. to Make a 60-Day Money-Back Offer

[Lord Cadillac]

DETROIT – General Motors Co. says it will allow new car buyers to return their vehicles within 2 months of purchasing them for a full refund if they're not satisfied.
The program is part of a sweeping, new marketing campaign, called "May the Best Car Win."

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-- Another take on the story --

By BILL VLASIC
Published: September 10, 2009

DETROIT — In an all-out effort to restore confidence in its products, General Motors will offer a 60-day, money-back guarantee on all its vehicles beginning on Monday, according to people involved in the company’s plans.

As part of its marketing campaign, G.M.’s new chairman, Edward E. Whitacre Jr., will be featured as the company’s spokesman in a new television commercial designed to lure consumers back to the company’s showrooms.

The commercials, which feature the slogan “May the Best Car Win,” will make their debut on national television on Sunday. Mr. Whitacre, the former chairman of AT&T, will make a direct appeal to consumers to try G.M. vehicles — and return them after 60 days for a full refund if they aren’t satisfied.

“We’re putting our money where our mouth is,” Mr. Whitacre says in the commercial, according to people who have seen the campaign.

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[orconn]

Sounds like a real opportunity for those who like to buy in the "Used" car marketplace. On the surface it would seem that GM is opening itself up for some unscrupulous behavior on the part of their car buyers. I hope Whiteacre is as telegenic as Lee Iaccoca was for a Foundering Chrysler. At 67 I hope his pace maker is fully charged and he's had a good night's sleep when he takes the set for his television ads. So far I haven't seen a GM executive who could convince me to buy his presence at GM much less one of his cars. Let the cars sell themselves .... Americans aren't stupid when it comes to buying cars.

[osu411yamaha]

My little cousin told me he sees a bunch of kids at his high school who keep all the tags on their clothes. When he asked them why they told them they take them back after each time of wearing them and get something different for free. I could see things like this happening here, also.

I wonder if GM will charge for mileage, dents, dings, etc... on these cars if/when they are brought back?

[The Tony Show]

You can be assured that if a car is returned, the customer will be billed a rental charge, plus mileage and any wear and tear on the car (which is only fair). There will be one heck of a legal document to sign at the time of delivery.

[cvettr/cts-v]

Not to mention you will have to choose another vehicle from them as your trade if you used one would be gone already so you'd be walking home if you did not get in another. Lots of potential issues with that knd of guarantee.

[77CDV]

The fine print on this one should be deeply amusing. GM's lawyers are earning their keep this year for sure.

[C&C]

GM is just trying to get people to give GM another look (or maybe a first look; as some have never been exposed to the domestic brands from childhood). GM has good product but a lot of people aren't even giving them a consideration; this should at least temp (non GM) buyers to get in a GM and give it a test ride (and maybe buy) with the assurance that if they get a 'bad egg' they can turn it back in.

[Destroyer]

Not gonna work. People are always trying to scam the system and this will be no exception. Expect posers that can't afford new cars to be rolling up in new Vette's and Escalade's every 2 months acting like pimps.

[CIWS]

They will need to do something to keep customers walking in the door since the C4C program is now no longer offered. Otherwise sales could really drop off.

[osu411yamaha]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Not gonna work. People are always trying to scam the system and this will be no exception. Expect posers that can't afford new cars to be rolling up in new Vette's and Escalade's every 2 months acting like pimps.

I do forsee some scamming, but not really sure if it will be to the extent you are talking. They will still have to get approved for a car loan. I doubt banks will be handing out many 70k+ car loans to people who can't afford them....

[Florian]

pimps have cash....no credit reqd.

F