Oct.04 2003

I just bought a '04 Corolla 'S', 5-speed. So far I love it. Has anyone
in this NG had experience with Toyota's ECP(extra care protection)
plan? If so what are your thoughts regarding its value? When you
needed it was it as easy to use as they suggest in the brochures? I'm
in Ontario, Canada just north of T.O. and I would be particularly
interested in hearing from anyone in this area. Regards,
--------------
Bill Murn

"bill murn" <billmurn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:acfcddc2.0310032036.5bc88707@posting.google.c om...
ECP is a bullshit moneygrab by Toyota. Unless you can con them into selling
it to you at NO MORE than 1/4 the original cost, it is not a good deal. The
other 3/4 are PURE PROFIT to Toyota.

I opted to purchase the ECP coverage with my 2002 Camry LE V6. I selected
the 4 year, 100,000 KM coverage option. The cost of the coverage was $700.
So far, I have recovered 1/2 that cost by way of getting a rental vehicle,
as well as flat repair, oil changes, etc.

Since you are in Ontario, I would suggest you become a member of the APA
(www.apa.ca). For $70, they offer dealer cost on many vehicles and allow
you to purchase your car for a nominal price above dealer cost. In Jan
2002, I became a member and at that time, the normal profit for the Camry LE
V6 was $2200 (MSRP - Dealer Cost). I purchased my Camry at $700 above
Dealer Cost and saved $1500. Also, they provide used car appraisals and
offer top dollar for used cars. Lastly, if you buy ECP thru them, they save
you $200 over the stated cost. I wish I knew that since that is the only
place I paid retail. There are other companies that offer similar services
like www.carcostcanada.com. City Pulse 24 usually have the people from here
on their show called "Car Talk" every weekend. I would stick with the APA
as they are one of the oldest companies in the business and their "sting"
operations have been prominently featured on CTV's W5.




"bill murn" <billmurn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:acfcddc2.0310032036.5bc88707@posting.google.c om...

On 3 Oct 2003 21:36:45 -0700, someone who calls themselves
billmurn@hotmail.com (bill murn) wrote:

ExtraCare is the only solid plan out there, since it's backed by
Toyota corporate and they want to keep you satisfied - that way you'll
come back for another Toyota when you finally wear this one out...
But there's tons of haggle room in the price, at least 50% of the
retail policy price is pure profit to the dealer - So start by
offering them half of what they originally quoted you as an opening
bid, and see where they go from there.

I had one on my Cruiser, and they bought me an alternator and a few
other small things that broke within the term, so I'm happy.

Avoid the third-party policies. The aftermarket warranty companies
are in the business of keeping as much of your money as they can, so
they have a whole list of Not Covered Items (that is sometimes larger
than the list of things that are) and a raft of tricks to keep from
paying out on claims. Up to and including "going out of business"
every few years when they start getting hit by big claims on older
cars. "Go Bust" on a Friday, and starting up under a new corporate
charter and a different name, fresh stationary, in the same offices,
same staff, bright and early on Monday morning. Crooks.

--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, POB 394, Woodland Hills CA 91365, USA
Electrician, Westend Electric (#726700) Agoura, CA

WARNING: UCE Spam E-mail is not welcome here. I report violators.
SpamBlock In Use - Remove the "Python" with a "net" to E-Mail.

"Car Guy" <nothing@something.com> wrote in message
news:ntyfb.20565$ab5.568656@news20.bellglobal.com. ..
Another sucker, sucked in on the ECP. My dealer supplies FREE loaners, on
request, to ALL people having vehicles serviced there. Flat repairs are only
a few bucks.

"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.INVALID> wrote in message
news:kmotnvk2kukju7raulknmv05b3i5qdoadg@4ax.com...
Extended warranties for new Toyotas are a profit item for the dealer. No
more. No less. If you can afford a Toyota, you can afford the occasional
repair. Budget for it. Ever heard of having an EMERGENCY FUND? What a
concept? Be your own insurer and keep the profit for yourself.

On Sat, 04 Oct 2003 20:50:24 GMT, someone who calls themselves "The #1
Sharxster" <sharxster@thesharxmanor.com> wrote:
That's fine for most little things, but some people don't have a big
financial reserve and live "paycheck to paycheck". And if their car
pukes out the transmission (or something else über-expensive), they
don't have the scratch on hand to pay the bill.

Toyota's are pretty good about not breaking, but it does happen - it
just takes a lot more miles to get to that point. And I covered that
profit point already, if you want the ExtraCare coverage you can
haggle pretty hard to get the price down to realistic.

Just remember that "Emergency Fund" crack the next time you call a
plumber, HVAC repairman or other service company from a large company
out to your house - that's the kind of logic they count on to get
$1,500 or $2,000 out of you for a $400 job like installing a new water
heater or simple furnace repair. They figure most homeowners are
responsible enough to have between one and five grand stashed away as
a "rainy day fund", and they want to get their mitts on as much of it
as they can - and they don't really care how they get it, since the
less-than-honest serviceman usually gets a large hunk of it (30% to
50%) as a "commission".

And they don't care much about developing a bad reputation, it's a
big world now. There's a lot of other new suckers out there to
replace the customers that figure out they've been robbed with a pen.
And the people who don't realize they've been reamed will call back
the next time they get cold.

--<< Bruce >>--
--
Bruce L. Bergman, POB 394, Woodland Hills CA 91365, USA
Electrician, Westend Electric (#726700) Agoura, CA

WARNING: UCE Spam E-mail is not welcome here. I report violators.
SpamBlock In Use - Remove the "Python" with a "net" to E-Mail.

"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.INVALID> wrote in message
news:2dk0ovsucgc4jfq9vfd3e3p1lsa5jkqgnk@4ax.com...
Better to invest that money instead of paying Toyota or other party for an
extended warranty. That way, you can't lose. You end up with a pile of
scratch OR you'll have the funds for the repair..with NO warranty profit
going to someone else. You think they sell these warranties out of the
goodness of their hearts? There is a word for people who believe that--it
is, "suckahs".

"Sharxster" <sharxster1@thesharxmanor1.com> wrote in message
news:W90gb.21418$da3.2528@edtnps84...
Yeah - kind of like your Circuit City and Bust Buy stores trying to sell you
the extended warranty plans on everything they sell. $5 warranty on a $25
telephone.... Warranty on their stereos, etc... Cash cow for the store and
company. If they're trying to tell me I should buy the warranty because the
product won't last beyond the mfg warranty, the I DON'T WANT IT! The threat
of them losing the entire sale usually makes them shut up.

-Dave

"David L" <davelieu@REMOVE-MEyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:YBudneiUgqpjUx2iXTWJhQ@comcast.com...
Good post. Similar to what I told the closer at the Toyota dealership.

David L wrote:

Hey, that's exactly what I said when the "Business Manager" tried to
sell me rustproofing and extended warranty.

BM: "Would you like rustproofing sir?"

Me: "Are you saying you didn't build a vehicle for this climate Ma'am?"

BM: "Would you like one of our extended warranty plans sir?"

Me: "Perhaps I should tear up my cheque and find a vehicle that will
outlast the warranty period, Ma'am"

She mumbled something about it being of the highest quality, etc, etc.

Checked off the sheets to show that she had offered and I had declined.

I drove my vehicle away.

Dan

If these are the exact words, they should fire the "Business Manager" in a
second as she can't create an intelligent conversation, leave alone any
business. The following would be things that I would say (and they are facts
too).

"Dan Gates" <dgates@kellerengineering.com> wrote in message
news:wrmdnQTHIog6OByiU-KYuA@magma.ca...
Nothing, not even the best grade stainless steel will be rust free forever.
Rust proofing, like the name implies, prevents rust from occuring sooner.
Try soak a bolt in salt water and leave it out for a few days. Then use the
same kind of bolt, apply grease all over it, soak it in salt water and put
it out for the same period. You will see the difference. Whether or not the
car will rust out before you get rid of the it is another story.

Extended Warranty is a form of insurance. No one can guarantee, even the
best brands, that it will be problem free for a certain period. You can say
statistically this brand is relatively problem free but there is always a
few unlucky people out there end up spending a few extra bucks than the
average users. Statistically these incidents are even a dent to the overall
statistics. But whether or not you want to be insured or you want to take a
chance, it's your call.

I have the extended warranty on my car. The way I look at it is I will make
sure I get my money worth by having them to make sure the mechanical parts
of the car will be the best conditions at the end of the warranty period.
Given how much the labour cost is, it's not hard at all to make the money
worth.

"Dan Gates" <dgates@kellerengineering.com> wrote in message
news:wrmdnQTHIog6OByiU-KYuA@magma.ca...
Egads. I have to admit that I love the way you dealt with her.

"Kennis Lee" <kmclee@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:pZlgb.125753$3r1.22216@news02.bloor.is.net.ca ble.rogers.com...
You suffer from purchaser's remorse--you are now trying to
justify/rationalize the poor judgment you showed by wasting your money. Of
course, it is your RIGHT to waste YOUR money. Hee, hee.

"Sharxster" <sharxster1@thesharxmanor1.com> wrote in message
news:8_qgb.28567$da3.24645@edtnps84...
It's ok to be obnoxious. But give some close-to-valid reasons along with
your false statement.

Remorse? In fact, I purchased the ECP plan because I'm confident in their
service that they can solve all my problems, more than mechanical failures -
I'm usually pretty picky.

"Kennis Lee" <kmclee@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:H4Dgb.44484$ko%.35003@news04.bloor.is.net.cab le.rogers.com...
You wasted your money. Plain and simple.

I look at an extended warranty as an insurance policy. On average,
every buyer loses money. Most people will lose money. But
occasionally, a car will have big problem, and a few people will win.

If you have the money to cover repairs, skip the extended warranty
and self insure.

"Sharxster" <sharxster1@thesharxmanor1.com> writes:

Agree.
Toyota/Honda - forget about the extended warranty. Invest the money in
something and take the risk (low) that you will have something go wrong.
Even if you do, what is the liklihood that something will go wrong that
costs more than you paid for the extended warranty. PLUS, read the damn
thing - it is very comprehensive on non-moving parts but look at the fine
print - doesn't usually cover 'wear and tear' items like seat heaters.
.... my thoughts.

"kgold" <kgold@watson.ibm.com> wrote in message
news:bnbrua$5nc$1@news.btv.ibm.com...

"kgold" <kgold@watson.ibm.com> wrote in message
news:bnbrua$5nc$1@news.btv.ibm.com...
Which is why I still have car insurance BUT with large deductibles. That way
I am protected against humongous claims but look after small fender benders
myself.