14 days of mystery. I feel like charlie and when I get that golden ticket, i'm goin' to that chocolate factory, grabbing as many ever-lasting gobstoppers I can. Oh yeah, I'll sell'em to Slugworth...he pays up front, with no attachments necessary.
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What is Cash for Clunkers (C.A.R.S.) Doing for YOU?
- Thread starter Alex Snyder
- Start date
Deb - the rules are actually some of the most clearly defined pieces of government language I've ever read. Some things have been amended, but they've remained fairly constant since July 29th. And I have to say that for the short amount of time the NHTSA has had to put this together they've actually done a fairly decent job.
It is purely American to lash out against the government (that's what made us America in the first place), but our government doesn't do everything wrong. Yes, the CARS Program has been hell for all of us. The fact that only a few have seen a dime is disheartening. But this is all the cost of doing business under the program. If you can't stomach the costs, then don't do the program - it is really that simple.
It is purely American to lash out against the government (that's what made us America in the first place), but our government doesn't do everything wrong. Yes, the CARS Program has been hell for all of us. The fact that only a few have seen a dime is disheartening. But this is all the cost of doing business under the program. If you can't stomach the costs, then don't do the program - it is really that simple.
@ Alex Snyder - VERY well said Alex. I was surprised at how clear the government language was too! If you don't feel comfortable doing the deals, then do not participate. It is only fair for everyone involved in this game. Very well said!
Alex-
First and foremost this is not a political blog, I was only trying to convey the dealerships loss potential. The 3 billion dollars available doesn't mean anything unless it's paid out. Many consumers are only aware there has been more money allocated, not the fact that none of it has been gauranteed.
Consumers need to know - IT IS NOT THE DEALERSHIP - creating the havoc. We are trying to do business and keep our customers loyalty and trust.
First and foremost this is not a political blog, I was only trying to convey the dealerships loss potential. The 3 billion dollars available doesn't mean anything unless it's paid out. Many consumers are only aware there has been more money allocated, not the fact that none of it has been gauranteed.
Consumers need to know - IT IS NOT THE DEALERSHIP - creating the havoc. We are trying to do business and keep our customers loyalty and trust.
@deb
and that's tough to do when the buyers are only aware of the fact that they are compliant with the program, and that this money was in danger of running out once, why not again? oh well, though. we wouldn't have the business without the program, and it sure is nice having something to do again....
and that's tough to do when the buyers are only aware of the fact that they are compliant with the program, and that this money was in danger of running out once, why not again? oh well, though. we wouldn't have the business without the program, and it sure is nice having something to do again....
Because this program was completely voluntary for the dealership to participate, I agree with Alex.
This was posted today at the CARS.GOV consumer website :
We’ve also heard that dealers are asking consumers are asking consumers to keep their “clunker” until the deal is approved by NHTSA.
IF THE DEALER HAS THE NEW CAR IN STOCK, THE DEALER MUST ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NEW CAR BEFORE THE DEALER MAY SUBMIT THE CREDIT APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE REPORT ANY DEALER TO NHTSA THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF A NEW CAR PURCHASED UNDER THE CARS PROGRAM. PLEASE CALL THE CARS HOTLINE AT (866) CAR-7861.
This was posted today at the CARS.GOV consumer website :
We’ve also heard that dealers are asking consumers are asking consumers to keep their “clunker” until the deal is approved by NHTSA.
IF THE DEALER HAS THE NEW CAR IN STOCK, THE DEALER MUST ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NEW CAR BEFORE THE DEALER MAY SUBMIT THE CREDIT APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE REPORT ANY DEALER TO NHTSA THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF A NEW CAR PURCHASED UNDER THE CARS PROGRAM. PLEASE CALL THE CARS HOTLINE AT (866) CAR-7861.
Deb - I've got a pretty good understanding of what Dealer Refresh is about, and that statement wasn't political.
I know I come across as a hard-ass sometimes, but that is because I try to speak to the readership as a whole and whomever I am responding to.
I can tell you're very frustrated by the program and I feel for you. We can all help each other by posting our experiences (as dealers) but I get upset when I see customers not being treated fairly. The VADA (Virginia Automobile Dealers Association) provided VA dealers with addendum statements for customers to sign that stated the dealer was not liable for the rebate money - the customer is. With this contractual agreement VA dealers have been able to conduct sales as usual without taking away from the customer experience.
Now I'm going to get political: The original bill was for $10 Billion. It was proposed by the democrats who have a majority in each legislative house along with the executive branch. Other countries with less citizens have funded these same programs with more money. This is being toted as the most successful piece of the economic recovery plan yet and is 100% attributable to the democrats - do you really think they're going to let this thing back fire?
I know I come across as a hard-ass sometimes, but that is because I try to speak to the readership as a whole and whomever I am responding to.
I can tell you're very frustrated by the program and I feel for you. We can all help each other by posting our experiences (as dealers) but I get upset when I see customers not being treated fairly. The VADA (Virginia Automobile Dealers Association) provided VA dealers with addendum statements for customers to sign that stated the dealer was not liable for the rebate money - the customer is. With this contractual agreement VA dealers have been able to conduct sales as usual without taking away from the customer experience.
Now I'm going to get political: The original bill was for $10 Billion. It was proposed by the democrats who have a majority in each legislative house along with the executive branch. Other countries with less citizens have funded these same programs with more money. This is being toted as the most successful piece of the economic recovery plan yet and is 100% attributable to the democrats - do you really think they're going to let this thing back fire?
It's my understanding that the "addendum statement for customers to sign that stated the dealer was not liable for the rebate money" – the customer is required to provide the dealer with a check for the CARS rebate which the dealer will cash until the govt money comes. NOTHING said about how the customer gets the CARS $$$ back. I'm buying NEW only because of the CARS program. I'm not writing another check.
Hey 2 weeks...looks like they cannot do that to you, per the program. Read the FAQ on the cars.gov site...just posted today 
well, doesn't this little snafu with contigiency forms create a little havoc wit hthe dealers that use them. this is AWESOME.
✨ AI Highlights
Dealers and consumers collide in this Cash for Clunkers (C.A.R.S.) program thread, covering payment delays from NHTSA, document submission headaches, and the financial risk dealers absorbed by fronting rebate money. A key tension emerges between frustrated consumers who felt misled by dealerships and dealers defending the operational complexity of processing nearly 700,000 government-backed transactions while waiting months for reimbursement.
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