Your vehicle warranty is about to expire...

pdxkevin · 09-30-2008, 04:14 PM

I got that call again... you know the one about my vehicle warranty is about to expire and they can save me money on an extended warranty.

Instead of just hanging up on the automated system I decided to play...

I pressed 1 to be connected to a live person.

The guy comes on the line straight away and asks "What is the year, make and model of your car?"

I told him it was a 1992 Mazda Navajo. Before I finished there was a 'click' and the line went dead.

I was curious to see what kind of deal they could have got for that old truck!

Smoked Salmon · 09-30-2008, 05:02 PM

I get those a lot. Is this a well known aftermarket company, or just boiler room type stuff?

Smoked Salmon · 09-30-2008, 11:32 PM

Alrighty then. Boiler room stuff. Time to use caller ID, and call 'em back. I believe it is a FCC violation if they post a false callback number in the Caller ID screen, so maybe we can ramp it up a notch...

Geemo · 10-01-2008, 08:23 AM

I tried the *69 to find out the calling number. The system could not identify the number.

Rank Amateur · 10-01-2008, 08:31 AM

Yes! Talk real soft so they are listening real close and then blast them!!! H ONNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:applause :

Reel_Big_Fish · 10-01-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geemo

I finally came up with a plan of my own. I went to the garage and got a boat can of �Signal Horn��. I keep it right by the phone. Just waiting for them to call�. Now that I have the Signal Horn right here by the phone, I have not had them call again. But I�m ready if they do.

They're watching you...

CATCH AND EAT · 10-01-2008, 08:40 AM

Caller id is a wonderful thing. If it is "UNK Number" we let it go to the anwering machine.

Chrome Bumper · 10-01-2008, 08:41 AM

Listen carefully, you can usually hear the other 100 operators in the background. These guys probably work for less than minimum wage.

Jennie@ifish · 10-01-2008, 09:43 AM

I get these alot, too.
So, what are they all about?

I thought it was for the one I really did buy and let expire.

So, it's not, huh?

Do you buy extended warranties on new or used cars at all?

I was always told not to, but some places say it's a good thing. Should I, or shouldn't I?

I'm thinking of buying a new or used car, soon.

Chrome Bumper · 10-01-2008, 10:28 AM

Jenny I'd just say no after the factory one expires, do a search and I think you will agree.

Just got the call, they hung up when I asked them their name, shy I guess.
Name, address, company.

Reel Obsession · 10-01-2008, 10:44 AM

I think I've done just about all of the above. Oddly enough, the phone still rings.

However, it struck me one day that I'm taking my angst out on some poor sap who probably took a job titled "Assistant Manager Training Position". I suspect they are just as sick about being stuck in a job like that as we are of getting their calls, except they may have fewer options than I do. I decided that as I wasn't going to buy from these tactics, I was doing us both a favor by quickly hanging up, and letting them make the next call. No hesitation, no response, no "go jump off a cliff", no "thank you, have a nice day".

Who knows, perhaps they will find someone who may in fact sleep easier at night just knowing that they have an extended warranty on their car, a clean chimney with associated 21 point inspection, a state of the art home security system, and an improved phone service......

motocykill · 10-01-2008, 11:49 AM

I always ask them to please hold for a moment and set the phone down .. when it starts beeping I know they are gone and I wasted some of THERE time

makes me smile..

Moto

12pulls · 10-01-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geemo

....I finally came up with a plan of my own. I went to the garage and got a boat can of �Signal Horn��. I keep it right by the phone. Just waiting for them to call�. Now that I have the Signal Horn right here by the phone, I have not had them call again. But I�m ready if they do.

Sounds funny but really uncool. No matter how annoying these calls are (yes I get them several times a week) the actual people you are talking about blasting are just working for the money, not the "brains" behind the outfit. Damaging someones ear drums (could be your neighbor's college student making some bucks on the side) does nothing to end the calls. Better to hang up and be done with it. At least these people are doing something other than stealing metals or other crimes. I understand that it is hard to show graciousness under such annoyances but the ones who really benefit is ourselves when we rise above such things.

Charlie Storey · 10-01-2008, 09:09 PM

I finally got rid of the answering machine because it was getting loaded every day with solicitations and I had to listen to them, just in case, to see if there was something important from someone I knew. I had seven calls and a knock at the door yesterday, three calls and a knock at the door today. Its just not right that someone can use my phone, my home and my time to try to sell me something that there is no reason for them to suspect I need/want. I guess wasting their time is the only real way to get even, but I don't have time.

Paid4 · 10-02-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Storey

I finally got rid of the answering machine because it was getting loaded every day with solicitations and I had to listen to them, just in case, to see if there was something important from someone I knew. I had seven calls and a knock at the door yesterday, three calls and a knock at the door today. Its just not right that someone can use my phone, my home and my time to try to sell me something that there is no reason for them to suspect I need/want. I guess wasting their time is the only real way to get even, but I don't have time.

It's called the National Do Not Call Registry. It works. I just moved to Ore a couple of months ago and when I got my new home phone #, I immediately added my number to the database. I've gotten some calls but not near as many as I used to. It takes a while to take affect so my annoyance call rate has dramatically decreased. The ones that do get through, I tell to put me on their do not call list. Once you tell them that, you can sue them in small claims court if they call back. I totally agree with you. If I'm in the market for something, I certainly don't need anyone calling me or knocking on my door selling something. I'll just go out when I'm ready and get it.

StickFish · 10-02-2008, 05:02 AM

Whatever you do, don't ever put your home phone on your business license application

every 6 weeks or so I come to the top of the credit card machine peoples list, or the internet yellow pages, or this or that. I'm on the DNC list and they say were not calling your residence were calling your business.

I usually stop them short, tell them if I want something I'll shop for it myself and hang up. Think next time I'll just put them on the speaker phone and tell them I'll be with them in a minute and start typing

Angus · 10-02-2008, 08:34 AM

My 3 year old son really enjoys talking to telemarketers, he can talk for hours.

Keeper · 10-02-2008, 08:35 AM

Interesting...I just had one of these except it was for lowering my credit card rate. I don't carry a balance and figured what the heck...I pressed one and sat the phone on my desk. I could hear the woman saying hello, hello...but then she said "Mr or Mrs.....?". WHOA!! She knew my last name! Now, why is it the last time I pressed one she wanted my name?

I am on the do not call list, the don't send me junk mail list, have my name blocked through the credit agencies and still get at least 2-3 calls a week.

Angus · 10-02-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12pulls

At least these people are doing something other than stealing metals or other crimes.

Yeah, something much more productive, like trying to sell/con your parents or grandparents into buying a worthless warranty they probably can't afford. Losers need to get a real job, just my

worth.

Turk_E_Killer · 10-02-2008, 11:30 AM

As for the Extended warranties, this is the point at which you as the car buyer eat up all of the equity or money you just put down on the new rig. These extended warranties are only good if you know a mechanic and can swindle the warranty company. This is not ethical and I am not suggesting anyone go do this.

It may only raise your payment by $20 but over 60months thats $1200 without interest accrued on the additional principle. The companies seem to always be virtually impossible to deal with and if you do get money from them or get some coverage it is usually on stuff that never breaks. The small print shows what is not covered or what is actually covered, like a/c brackets would be covered but not the pump or the hoses, Etc.

I recommend doing your own research, but in my honest opinion I would never buy an extended warranty. I speak from experience, sold cars in Portland for 2 years. YUCK!! I was a college student at the time, thats my excuse.

I usually hit on the chicks that call me for these phone selling things. Usually ends in a dial tone.

Bloom · 10-02-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennie@ifish

Do you buy extended warranties on new or used cars at all?

I was always told not to, but some places say it's a good thing. Should I, or shouldn't I?

I'm thinking of buying a new or used car, soon.

As a former cardog(salesman)I can tell you for certain that extended warranties for the most part are not a good investment.There are too many exclusions to make them a worthwhile investment.The chances of a casastrophic failure during the time you own a car are slim to none on most modern cars.I believe in taking care through routine maintenance, not abusing the car and be self-insuring.

I would rather take the $1,500 or whatever they charge for a warranty and put it aside in a money market account to handle any problems down the road. Yes, you are gambling, but the house(warranty co.) has the house advantage.

jfa686 · 10-02-2008, 02:24 PM

there are ALLOT of loopholes in these. for instance seals and gaskets are not covered. Also they will grind you, refuse you, deny you, drag it out longer than you ever thought they could just to make you fold. I finally settled one for my cousin about a year ago. The company accused my business (save your emails) of falsifying documents and fraud before I sent the wrath of my legal counsel on'em and walked away with his fee's and the warranty being honored. do yourself a favor and avoid it like the plague. MY .02

retaliate · 10-02-2008, 02:40 PM

I get these at work at various locations often, they obviuolsly randomly select numbers, cause they don't ask for any person, & any number of people can answer the phone, I just hang up, if you are annoyed, & if you ask them to stop & they don't & *69 dosn't work, you can have their number traced thru the local phone company, they will need to know the exact time of the call.

OK Deal Let\'s Fish · 10-02-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

Yeah, something much more productive, like trying to sell/con your parents or grandparents into buying a worthless warranty they probably can't afford. Losers need to get a real job, just my

worth.

I hope that you do something that is awfully nobel to put them down like that...... my

Angus · 10-02-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK Deal Let\'s Fish

I hope that you do something that is awfully nobel to put them down like that...... my

As a matter of fact, I do

Reel Obsession · 10-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Always plenty of self adoration to go around here. I'm humbled just to be allowed to participate........

No Fences · 10-02-2008, 07:34 PM

As far as extended warranty goes, listen to the guys in the business. I have one on my rig and wish I didn't. Lesson learned.

As far as the telemarketers go, I used to mess with them and be real rude, but I've overcome that, I think. Now I just ask them to take me off their call list and hang up. No need to spoil someones day who is just doing there job and no need to judge the person on the other end of the line when you have absolutely no idea of what their story is. My

.

Reel Obsession · 10-02-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Kaiser

As far as extended warranty goes, listen to the guys in the business. I have one on my rig and wish I didn't. Lesson learned.

As far as the telemarketers go, I used to mess with them and be real rude, but I've overcome that, I think. Now I just ask them to take me off their call list and hang up. No need to spoil someones day who is just doing there job and no need to judge the person on the other end of the line when you have absolutely no idea of what their story is. My

.

Well said and a great perspective.

DogZilla15 · 10-02-2008, 08:09 PM

What about all the folks asking for political contributions??? They're certainly not making a living at this activity.....or are they???

SwellRider · 10-02-2008, 08:28 PM

I get these calls all the time,when they ask about my vehicle I tell them it's a 72 ford pinto!

Jimfisher · 10-03-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motocykill

I always ask them to please hold for a moment and set the phone down .. when it starts beeping I know they are gone and I wasted some of THERE time

makes me smile..

Moto

This is a good one. I will try it next time

Chrome Bumper · 10-03-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

My 3 year old son really enjoys talking to telemarketers, he can talk for hours.

Hmmm, free baby sitters, that can't be all bad.

retaliate · 10-03-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motocykill

I always ask them to please hold for a moment and set the phone down .. when it starts beeping I know they are gone and I wasted some of THERE time

makes me smile..

Moto

Yeah, Iv'e done that too, they usually call when you get home from work, one time I was listening to Music, & singing along, told them to hang on, set the Phone down as I continued, all in good fun. I was surprised they were still on the phone over 10 minutes later.

I have caller ID & usually know if it's a telemarketer or not, they don't usually upset me as I have the choice of picking up the phone or not, one guy kept calling day after day even when I told him I was not interested, I finally told him to quit calling, he said he would keep calling anyway, I got upset, & told him I will take it to the police if he didn't stop, he stopped.

jfa686 · 10-03-2008, 09:51 AM

it was out of control the amount of solicitation calls I would recieve. 20+ a day

I have cell coverage at the house so now my landline is dedicated to the alarm sysytem.

maybe if I didn't have cell coverage at the house I wouldn't need a landline at all??? kinda wierd how they are tied together

retaliate · 10-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Another thing you can do, but you might get in trouble for is, forward all calls to 911 or the local police about the time you know your gonna receive the unwanted telemarketing calls.

Reel Obsession · 10-03-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retaliate

Another thing you can do, but you might get in trouble for is, forward all calls to 911 or the local police about the time you know your gonna receive the unwanted telemarketing calls.

Yeah, there's a good plan. We certianly don't want our emergency services available for, say, an emergency....

Maybe you could forward you land line to your cell, and visa versa.