On 8/22/2007 my wife and I Purchased the "Choice Protection Plan" - sold as a 60 month 100,000 mile extended warranty on 2 vehicles -$1,808 on 2002 Dodge Ram and $1,867 on 1999 Lexus LS400.(Total $3,675) We were told we would have 30 days to review material and cancel with zero deductable. On 9/10/07, following review of the information, we determined the warranty would not work for us - too many restrictions and exclusions {ie: warranty invalidated if oil changes every 4 months or 4,000 miles were not completed at a commercial service facility} I often do my own oil changes and we are sometimes away from home for extended periods of time as we are retired. We contacted "Paul" at Access Warranty on 9/10/2007. He asked us to fax a request to cancel - we complied and he advised us the policies would be cancelled effective 9/13/2007 saying everything was taken care of and we did not need to do anything further. On 10/9/07 my wife noted that the charges were still posted to our American Express account. We again called Access Warranty and were told our policies were cancelled effective 9/13/07 however,the credit to our American Express account was not issued because we did not return the radiator additive "The Choice" which was sent to us - {our understanding was this was sent as a complimentary additive which we were told to immediately add to our radiators upon receipt.} We were never told to return their "product". We have filed 2 disputes with American Express and they have been unable to resolve this matter. Apparently the company is saying we purchased a product warranty - not an extended vehicle warranty - and we failed to return their "product". I disposed of the radiator additive 9/10/2007 after "Paul" with Access Warranty told us our "policies" would be cancelled 9/13/07 and said we did not need to do anything else. Anyone can walk into any automotive parts store and buy a bottle of radiator additive for $10.00 or less. This company is selling a radiator additive with a product warranty which they are marketing as an extended vehicle warranty. When you attempt to cancel - even within the 30 day time limit they keep your money and do not return calls.
On the internet I located a story posted by KOMO 4 Problem Solvers radio in Lakewood Washington regarding "The Choice" a California company doing business under half a dozen different names. A couple in Lakewood Washington purchased what they thought was an extended warranty through a car dealership under the name "Safe Choice" when they attempted to make a claim their policy was cancelled.
The State of Washington's Insurance Comissioner - Mr. Krider states hundreds of Washington consumers bought product warranties that "aren't worth the paper they are printed on". The article says that KOMO radio's interaction with the state insurance comissioner disclosed that - although the consumer believes he or she is purchasing an extended vehicle warranty what the consumer purchased is "not a warranty for their truck. [vehicle] They got a product warranty for an 8-ounce bottle of radiator additive." When the product was shown to Mr. Kinder and he was asked for his reaction "he laughed. And he didn't mince words. I think it's a license to steal." As a result the state of Washington has changed some of their consumer protection laws.
I believe this company to be involved in deceptive and fradulent business practices - no one in their right mind would knowingly pay $3,675 for 2 bottles of radiator additive regardless of their "product warranty".
PLEASE HELP, BEFORE OTHER CONSUMERS ARE VICTOMS OF THIS TYPE OF FRAUDULENT/DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICE.
In advance we appreciate your attention to this matter.
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