Greensheet (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 202, Ed. 1 Friday, June 1, 2007 Page: 49 of 52
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June 1-7, 2007
Page 49
Better Business
BBB
Informed
Q: I was looking at a pre-owned car,
but a little worried about not having a
warranty. The sales guy said I could
purchase an extended warranty that
would provide me the same protection.
Is this true, or just another sales
gimmick?
A: Whether you are shopping for a
used or new car, you may be
encouraged to buy an auto service
contract. Auto service contracts have
become increasingly popular as a way
to provide consumers a means to deal
with unforeseen vehicle repair
problems. Before signing on the dotted
line, the Better Business Bureau urges
consumers to be sure they understand
the terms of the contract and know
who is responsible for providing the
coverage.
According to the Federal Trade
Commission, an auto service contract
is a promise to perform (or pay for)
certain repairs or service. Sometimes
called an “extended warranty,” a
service contract is not a warranty as
defined by federal law. A service
contract may be arranged at any time
and always costs extra; a warranty
comes with a new car and is included
in the original price. This separate and
additional cost distinguishes a service
contract from a warranty.
Before deciding whether to buy an
auto services contract, the BBB
suggests you ask the following
questions.
* Who backs the service contract? It
may be the manufacturer, dealer, or
an independent company. Many
service contracts sold by dealers
are handled by independent
companies called administrators.
Administrators act as claims
adjusters, authorizing the payment
of claims to any dealers under the
contract.
* What’s the cost of the auto service
contract? Usually, the price of the
service contract is based on the car
make, model, condition (new or
used), depth of coverage and length
of contract. The cost of the service
contract can range from several
hundred dollars to more than
$2,000. In addition, you may need
to pay a deductible each time your
car is serviced or repaired.
* What is covered and not covered?
Few auto service contracts cover
all repairs. Watch out for absolute
exclusions that deny coverage for
any reasons. For instance, if the
contract specifies that only
“mechanical breakdowns” will be
covered, problems caused by
“normal wear and tear” may be
excluded.
* How are claims handled? When
your car needs to be repaired or
serviced, some service contracts
permit you to choose among
several service dealers or
authorized repair centers. Others
require the car owner to return the
vehicle to the selling dealer for
service. Find out if you will need
prior authorization from the
contract provider for any repair
work or towing services. Ask how
long it will take to obtain
authorization and whether you can
get authorization outside of normal
business hours.
* What are your responsibilities?
Under the contract, you may have
to follow all the manufacturer’s
recommendations for routine
maintenance, such as oil and spark
plug changes. Failure to do so
could void the contract. To prove
you have maintained the car
properly, keep detailed records,
including receipts. Find out if the
contract prohibits you from taking
the car to an independent station
for routine maintenance or
performing the work yourself. The
contract may specify that the
selling dealer is the only authorized
facility for servicing the car.
* What is the length of the service
contract? If the service contract
lasts longer than you expect to own
the car, find out if it can be
transferred when you sell the car,
whether there’s a fee, or if a
shorter contract is available.
Consumers should check with the
BBB for a reliability report on the
business offering the contract, and
with any regulatory agencies that
oversee this type of company. Make
sure you read and thoroughly
understand the agreement and check
that all verbal promises have been
included. Do not sign a contract with
blank spaces that could be altered or
changed. Finally, once the contract is
signed, keep a copy of it for your
records.
Please send your questions to:
Brent Rogers
The Better Business Bureau
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
Fax: 713-867-4947,
E-mail: brogers@bbbhou.org
Web site: http://www.bbbhou.org
Be sure to include your mailing
address and phone number with all
letters and e-mail questions.
RVs/Motorhomes/Campers
Classics
Trailers
Transportation
1974 CHEVELLE: All new engine
upgrades, new carpet, bucket
seats. Great unfinished project car.
Runs great. $1400 obo. (281)683-
4031. INDIVIDUAL
1966 CHEVY V2 ton Fleetside pick-
up. Long bed. Ideal for restoration.
$3750. (281)342-3598. INDIVID-
UAL-Web#352717
1967 FORD Mustang 289: Asking
$17,500. Fully restored inside/ out.
New paint, interior, chrome.
(832)385-6314. INDIVIDUAL
1968 FORD Mustang: 87K actual
miles, red, coupe, 3 speed, 6 cylin-
der, a/c. $12,500. (713)966-0884.
INDIVIDUAL
1950 FORD Coupe: flathead and
C4, auto, nice car! $13,500.
(281)827-7490. INDIVIDUAL
1985 GMC Suburban 2500 with
454, 151K miles, great tow vehicle.
(713)320-3860. INDIVIDUAL
1995 MAXIMA: 143K, loaded,
$4500, excellent condition,
(214)606-1319. INDIVIDUAL
1979 MERCURY Ranchero: Truck
Rare 1 of a kind custom, $6500 Obo
(832)722-2284. INDIVIDUAL
1979 CHEVY Shortbed, $1200 proj-
ect. (832)722-2284. INDIVIDUAL
2006 5-TH Wheel,
Insbruck by
Gulfstream: 1 slide,
mint condition with gooseneck
adaptor, 7 year extended warrant-
ly. $22,500. (281)797-1959. INDI-
VIDUAL
CAMPER FOR full-size truck, $200.
(713)261-3123. INDIVIDUAL
CAR DOLLIES: $799. (832)704-
2744.
2005 DREAM: 44' 3 slides, 2 bed-
rooms, w/d, $24,500. (281)351-
4965. INDIVIDUAL
1995 DUTCHMAN 5th-wheel, 2
bedroom, 2 bath, $9000. (713)478-
2314. INDIVIDUAL
EXCELLENT 2005 26' Jag camper
trailer. $13,950, make offer.
(281)482-5837. INDIVIDUAL
1987 FLEETWOOD
Travel trailer: 22 feet long, a/c,
sleeps 6, very clean, hitch linens,
kitchen wares included. $3000.
(281)498-3549. INDIVIDUAL
2002 HONDA 400EX: Low hours,
clean. $3300, obo. (281)536-6428;
(281)855-0108. INDIVIDUAL
1993 TERRY Travel
Trailer: Excellent con-
dition. $5000 obo.
(832)860-9099. INDIVIDUAL
17' FULLY self-contained cook
trailer. Must sell. Medical rea-
sons. Call (281)451-4396. INDI-
VIDUAL
40' GOOSENECK flatbed trailer: 10
months, excellent, $8500 firm.
(281)682-1750. INDIVIDUAL
24' GOOSENECK livestock trailer
$2200. (713)899-3127 INDIVIDUAL
2004 40' Gooseneck trailer:
Surepull, electric over hydraulic
brakes, excellent shape, $7500.
(713)703-0907. INDIVIDUAL
2006 40' gooseneck trailer. PJ
Model $6000. (281)360-8519;
(832)527-8057. INDIVIDUAL
12' STAKE bed trailer, $450.
(713)703-0907. INDIVIDUAL
16' TRAILER, tilt, excellent condi-
tion, $1100 obo. Call (281)923-
1391. INDIVIDUAL
16' TRAILER: Tandem axle, wrap
tongue, new. $770. (281)380-4167.
BOAT TRAILER, 18' galvanized,
tandem, $550. (281)459-3622.
INDIVIDUAL
NO LEFT turns! Sell your car right
with Greensheet. (713)371-3600.
FOR
SALE
n
14' ALUMINIUM boat/ trailer, deck,
seats, 25/hp Mercury. $2100. Bass
tracker, seats, troll. $150. (713)299-
5659.
16' ALUMINUM boat, extra wide,
$550. 5618 Arancliffe, 77088.
(713)299-4765. INDIVIDUAL
19' BOAT: V-bottom, 115/hp, low
mileage, $2700. (281)561-6798.
INDIVIDUAL
14' JOHN Boat with trailer, 5/hp
engine. $800 obo. (832)715-6195.
INDIVIDUAL
Motorcycles/ATVs
110CC GAS powered 4-wheeler
with helmet. $450. (281)690-0919.
INDIVIDUAL
ADULT OFF-ROAD Go-carts: New
250cc $1950, 150cc $1700,
110cc $999, 90cc $799.(281)489-
9010.
DIRT BIKES- NEW: 50cc, 4 stroke,
4 speed. Also, 1 speed automatic
with training wheels available,
kick and electric start. $299.
(281)489-9010.
I BUY motorcycles. $0-10,000.
Top dollar! Pick-up. (713)818-6458.
2006 KX 450 f: runs great, bought
Feb 2007, priced to sell $4000
davidsbackyard@ yahoo.com
(832)298-7895 INDIVIDUAL-
Web#351810
LIKE NEW Sportster carburetor
with hyper charger, $425.
Evenings. (832)687-3166. INDIVID-
UAL
[MOBILE MECHANIC 1
Free House Call w/Repairs
’General Repairs
VHfKV*1*- ■ • Computer Diagnostics
•No Start/Elec. Short
^__ •Timing Belts -A/C
I 24 Hrs. 7 Days ’Fuel Systems -Transmissions
^
L 281-679-0000 -
#H.V. JOINTS-ttWi
& C.V. AXLES Replaced
Directly By Rebuilder
Parts & Labor
ea. Most Cars
713-334-AXLE
9503 Richmond Avenue
(Between car wash & psychic)
ISSIONS
'■FRE
I TOWINGw/,
J ■ FREE EXT. DIAGNOSIS
MM INTEREST FREE FINANCING
■ 1 DAY SERVICE MOST CASES
| 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILE
l WARRANTY AVAILABLE
■ AUTOMATIC ■ FOREIGN ■ DOMESTIC
■ STANDARD ■ 4x4 ■ OVERDRIVE
TANDARD AS LOW AS
TRANSMISSl
$99
95 &UP
-694-14
4710 BRIT
JEMONT)
PJ!
LOW
" __
mm
PRICE
"All Work Guaranteed"
NEW & USED AUTO GLASS
Windshield From $79i.s.aiied
Door Gloss From $49 installed
• Cars & Trucks
(281-448-80801
1020 Northville
V Next to Pick a Part j
f 281-355-7777^
4650 FM 2920
l Houston North 7
lustom Plexi-Glass
f 713-678-7311^1
9314 Wallisville Rd.
t Next to Pick a Part j
$5 off w/ad
2000 SUZUKI DS80. Very good
condition. Helmet and boots avail-
able $795. (281)395-0435 INDIVID-
UALWeb#352888
2006 RAPTOR 700: $5500 obo.
After market parts and acces-
sories. (281)642-4160. INDIVIDUAL
TREC 1200 Aluminum: Excellent
condition. $300. (281)531-7901.
INDIVIDUAL
Find
Your
next
.CAR
In The
Gretnshcrt
Auto
Section
TODAY*
FREE TOWING With Completed Job
18 Months * 18,000 Mile Warranty Available
281-224-9728 • 713-699-8917 • 713-699-1881 J)
Section continues
Business 713-371 -3500 Personal 713-371 -3600
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Greensheet (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 202, Ed. 1 Friday, June 1, 2007, newspaper, June 1, 2007; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth517246/m1/49/: accessed June 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .