"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/23/2014 at 16:46 • Filed to: None
5
17|
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
08/23/2014 at 16:46 • Filed to: None | 5
| 17 |
I got this letter in the mail from something called Vehicle Services Department, in an official-looking windowed envelope that, with its eagle logo and random codes that probably don't mean anything, vaguely resembles a notice from a government agency. But, it's actually a load of shit.
This is a sales pitch for an extended warranty that's trying to make it seem like you're in trouble if you don't sign up. It has warnings like:
You may no longer be eligible for this coverage once your factory warranty has expired.
Due to the nature of luxury vehicles, by neglecting to obtain coverage you will be at risk of being financially liable for any and all high cost repairs after your factory warranty expires.
No other notices will be sent. This will be our only attempt to contact you about your factory warranty which may have expired or will be expiring.
We reserve the right to revoke your eligibility for service coverage after 5 days.
This letter pinged my bullshit detector immediately because it didn't come from BMW, and my car is leased, so why the hell would I worry about an extended warranty?
But to a less-savvy person, the letter could easily be interpreted as, "oh no I won't have a warranty if I don't call these guys in 5 days." Then this shady company sells them a warranty they don't need, because they think they if they don't pay up, bye bye warranty.
Now here's the kicker. In teeny tiny fine print at the bottom, there's the following message:
You may have been selected to receive this special limited time offer from AutoAssure, LLC because of information in your consumer data. Final acceptance is subject to your eligibility to meet our full eligibility requirements. This is an advertisement to obtain coverage. AutoAssure offers vehicle repair coverage for most makes and models and is not affiliated with any specific manufacturer.
(Emphasis mine.)
Aside from deceptive scare-tactic advertising, is AutoAssure a viable aftermarket extended vehicle warranty? In a word: fuck no. Ok, that's two words.
AutoAssure, LLC !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from the Better Business Bureau. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! include lots of shady sales tactics in addition to the fake-official letters they send out, particularly taking advantage of the elderly. Then when people actually try to file claims against their ridiculously overpriced warranty—one person mentioned paying !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! —AutoAssure habitually refuses to actually pay those claims.
Here are some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! talking about how the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
So basically, if you get a fake-official looking warranty notice in the mail, that didn't come from your vehicle manufacturer, promptly throw it in the trash. Or recycle it, if you want to be earth friendly. If you do want an extended warranty for your car, shop around.
BaconSandwich is tasty.
> Textured Soy Protein
08/23/2014 at 16:49 |
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That kind of crap must be illegal somehow.
mazda616
> Textured Soy Protein
08/23/2014 at 16:51 |
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My grandmother gets these for my car in the mail at her house all the time (I grew up there and lived there until college). They always act like it's this huge emergency that my warranty "might" run out. I'm like...the car was built in September 2007. No more warranty? No shit, Sherlock.
m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
> Textured Soy Protein
08/23/2014 at 17:00 |
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My mom still gets those for her 2009 Ford Flex that she sold last year.
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Textured Soy Protein
> BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/23/2014 at 17:01 |
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It's definitely shady, but I think the tiny-print disclaimer (it's in the box at the bottom right above MUST RESPOND BY:) keeps it just this side of illegal.
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Textured Soy Protein
> m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
08/23/2014 at 17:02 |
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"If you no longer own this vehicle and have purchased a replacement vehicle — please call us to ensure coverage on your new vehicle."
They certainly cover all their bases.
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m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
> Textured Soy Protein
08/23/2014 at 17:35 |
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She just throws the shit away.
gkwilly
> BaconSandwich is tasty.
08/23/2014 at 19:33 |
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Probably not. They do not appear to be making any false claim.
I get stuff like this all the time made to look like it comes from Social Security office, or bank, or other agency.
If I was ambitious I'd take them up for a quote on my 89 Jeep or my wife's 88 Mercedes.
Snooder87
> Textured Soy Protein
08/24/2014 at 01:00 |
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Ugh I used to get those calls once every few months. Really freaked me out at first cause I was 17 and I'd just gotten my car as a hand me down from my dad and never asked him any questions about the paperwork. I was afraid I'd forgotten to renew something.
Car lasted another 6 years without a single oil change. And no, I didn't get the warranty.
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Sean
> Textured Soy Protein
08/24/2014 at 23:01 |
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Mortgage refi companies do the same sh!t. Send official looking crap, that at appears to be from a federal agencey. Scumbags. They resort to this tactic because their product is rubbish and they wouldn't be able to market it honestly.
Mark from Southern Illinois
> Textured Soy Protein
08/25/2014 at 06:58 |
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My dad was constantly getting calls from a warranty company after the factory warranty was up on his Yukon.
My dad grew up in the car business as have I so he figured he knew how to get them to stop.
He told my mom that the next time they called she should tell them that her husband was very interested in a warranty. She should tell them that it was because of a knocking sound in the engine.
When she did this, the telemarketer became very flustered. He said he would have to ask his supervisor if that was ccovered. They never called back.
As Du Volant
> Sean
08/25/2014 at 16:39 |
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I get these mortgage ones all the time. Total crap. Especially their "super low" payment they advertise. Wow, sounds great! Except it doesn't include any of the escrow. Adding in the escrow the sum would be exactly what I'm paying now, with an actual legit company...
Coty
> Textured Soy Protein
08/26/2014 at 13:30 |
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I call bullshit. You'll get one a week until you die.
BKosher84
> Textured Soy Protein
08/27/2014 at 08:09 |
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My wife and I just bought a Subaru XV Crosstrek a year and a half ago and we're already getting this garbage in the mail about it. Unless it has official Subaru letterhead (or Dealership letterhead) I immediately throw them out.
The Gray Adder
> Sean
08/27/2014 at 10:38 |
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And possibly because there really was a program for saving people from their stupidity buying homes on ridiculous credit terms at even more ridiculous prices. Since Congress had to approve it, naturally, it didn't actually do very much. This was all before the Democrats forgot how to vote in 2010 and everything came to an abrupt screeching halt.
crabdip
> Textured Soy Protein
08/28/2014 at 08:24 |
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These assholes not only send these notices, they call at least 4 times a week. I've threatened to report them and told them it's harassment and the guy had the nerve to hang up on me, lol.
thebigbossyboss
> Textured Soy Protein
08/28/2014 at 16:06 |
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Cannot recommend enough!! AN important PSA to put out there.
FirstBlood
> Textured Soy Protein
09/07/2014 at 19:16 |
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I got those exact same letters about my 335, just scamming ppl as you said, I'm starting to think they get list of bmw customers or something but I dunno