|
I own a 1998 V70 AWD, leased in 8/97, bought 8/2000. I decided to call VIP three weeks ago to inquire about the VIP extended warranty, since the car had 36,200 miles on it and I had never heard from VIP at all during the three years that I leased it. The original warranty runs out this coming August, 2001, or at 50K miles.
VIP said that as of 11/1/2000, they had changed their policy and you can no longer buy the VIP if you have more than 36 months on the car or 36,000 miles. "We're sorry, but that's the policy". The availability of this warranty factored into my decision to buy the vehicle after lease this past summer.
I called my local dealer who also was totally in the dark about this and agreed it was absurd. He has been unable to get anywhere with his phone calls and so far, after ten days, has not gotten back to me.
My bother-in-law works as a service manager for Toyota and has previoulsy worked for Nissan, Honda, Subaru, and Pontiac. He also thinks this is absurd considering that the car has been serviced at a Volvo dealer for its entire life, has no problems, and is still under the original factory warranty. He can get me an aftermarket warranty that will cover everything the original does for the next several years, but suggested that I call Volvo customer service first and discuss it with them. He suggested that Volvo could put pressure on its subsidiary, VIP, to write the policy.
I called Volvo customer service in New Jersey today. The person answering the phone was pleasant and seemed to understand my position. She was also oblivious to the new policy, put me on hold, checked on it, and came back and said "I'm sorry. You're right. That's the new policy and we can't change it." She took my name and number and saidf she would forward my concerns up to "higher management".
This change by VIP relects very poorly upon Volvo. They apparently think that their product is too high a risk to insure. I'm sure there are many thousands of Volvo owners who will be very surprised to find out that they can not extend their warranties as the originals run out.
If you are in this predicament, call your Volvo dealer and Volvo customer service, 1 800 458 1552. Give them a piece of your mind. Consider calling your state consumer affairs office. When you bought your car, you were offered an extended warranty and told you could buy it in the future too. Now you can't. Perhaps we should be 'grandfathered'. The rules shouldn't change mid-game. Even Volvo dealers and their own customer service were unaware of this change!
Lastly, before your original warranty runs out, get every little thing checked on your car. Look under your car. Check for any signs of leaks. Read the Brickboard. There are common things that are problems on these cars and if you haven't had a problem yet, you may.
Caveat emptor.
|
