| Recently I received a e-mail from a used car | | | | the hard selling. In order to get your business, they |
| warranty salesman who works for a broker. Seems | | | | will try a combination of reducing the price and |
| he wanted to share a rather elaborate scheme his | | | | offering better payment plans. Anything to get the |
| company uses to get you to pay the highest price | | | | sale. The second salesman who poses as a manager |
| they can extract from you. | | | | can offer a price discount, but only so much since he |
| The extended auto warranty company uses direct | | | | and the first salesman need to be paid. |
| mail. Those receiving the letter call a toll free number | | | | What happens if this more experienced salesman |
| and a salesman answers. Nothing wrong so far! The | | | | can't get the sale? He tells you there might be one |
| salesman will ask you a few questions and then tell | | | | last option and sends you to another salesman who |
| you that he needs to transfer you to a manager to | | | | offers some serious price reductions and even more |
| see if your vehicle qualifies for coverage. Hmmm? | | | | attractive payment plans. This last salesman makes |
| There's no reason to transfer you to another person. | | | | less money because he has an easier job, after all, |
| The same person can find out how old your vehicle is | | | | he's now offering the used car warranty at a fair |
| and how many miles it has to determine if it qualifies | | | | price. |
| for a car warranty. However, this manager will ask | | | | Brokers who have the nerve to extort the highest |
| more questions before saying he's made an | | | | price for a car warranty make a lot of money and |
| exception for you. But, you have to buy on this | | | | can live a life of luxury. Think about it. This first price |
| phone call since he's made an exception. Yeah, right! | | | | will be accepted by a good number of callers who |
| You guessed it, every vehicle qualifies. I'm told they | | | | just aren't familiar with warranty prices or who are in |
| consider this the most important part of the process | | | | a hurry. Cha-Ching. Some take the first price offered |
| and the manager can take several minutes to get | | | | on the first payment plan offered . Cha-Ching. Next, |
| you prepared for the salesman to take the phone call | | | | the manager lowers the price. Cha-Ching. If you're still |
| back. They've gained commitment from you. | | | | not buying, the manager sweetens the payment plan. |
| When the salesman takes the call back, he has a | | | | Cha-Ching. If you still haven't pulled out your credit |
| script to make you a warranty price offer. Some | | | | card, there's one last attempt to get you to buy. |
| people buy at this point and the salesmen call it a "lay | | | | They send you to a lower paid salesman to give you |
| down". The problem is they've paid as much as $800 | | | | the lowest price. Cha-Ching. |
| to $2000 too much. | | | | Talk about tricky sales tactics and putting consumers |
| But, what if the caller declines the warranty offer? | | | | through the hoops. Reputable companies are angry |
| Well, the salesman isn't going to give up. First, he will | | | | about such schemes because it gives the industry a |
| continue trying to get the sale by comparing the cost | | | | bad reputation. But, know their are very reputable |
| of the warranty to repair costs. Some more people | | | | companies to buy from. So, beware, if you call a |
| buy. Next, he'll offer a payment plan and this closes | | | | company and start getting the run-around, you'll |
| more people. They've still paid too much, but they | | | | know what's going on and you'll run as fast as you |
| are unaware of the fair price for a warranty and just | | | | can. Now you understand why I recommend avoiding |
| want to pay for it in installments rather than all at | | | | middlemen like brokers. They just don't add any value |
| once. | | | | and occasionally you run into one that operates a |
| If the salesman can't get the sale, guess what? Now | | | | pricing scheme. |
| a more experienced salesman gets on the phone for | | | | |