Aftermarket warranties - watch those labour rates

[developer]

This isn't a post about the rights and wrongs of aftermarket warranties......


As part of the deal on my recent purchase I negotiated a 6 month additional warranty from the Sytner dealer, called Warrantywise.

The salesman told me it was Sytner's preferred product and they are one of the biggest motor groups in the country.

It's endorsed by Quentin Wilson, including an email address (in the event of "unfairness") that he claims is direct to him.

It also has an Auto Express 4 star rating (not 5?).

Mine is the top spec Platinum version.

However, when the documents arrived they showed the product only covers a garage labour rate of £45.00/hr including VAT, less than half of any MB main dealer I've been to.

During my purchase discussions the car salesman (it was a Volvo main dealer, not a MB dealer) confirmed that if I had any problems I could go to any MB main dealer if I chose to, but he didn't mention a labour at £45 and I didn't ask because I'd never had a non MB warranty before so labour rates weren't on my radar.

Follwing a brief exchange of emails between me and the salesman I received the following:

"Hi John,

I have been in touch with Warrantywise and I have asked them to up the labour rate coverage to £110 inc. VAT. You will receive the relevant documentation shortly".

So, check that small print guys.

I hope this is useful to someone.

 

[MOCAŠ]

It's odd that it should be set so low in the first place, but how refreshing to hear you had such as positive, no-quibble response. Just trying to work out whether Warrantywise just agreed to increase it on request or Sytner stumped up a further payment to secure this.

 

[developer]

It's odd that it should be set so low in the first place, but how refreshing to hear you had such as positive, no-quibble response. Just trying to work out whether Warrantywise just agreed to increase it on request or Sytner stumped up a further payment to secure this.

I understand the Warrantywise labour rates are available from £35 to £200/hr so I suspect either it was a mistake, or the dealer was trying to save a few quid.
I'd like to think it was the former, but on the basis it was free to me (as a deal sweeter) I suspect the latter.

"Busted", I believe, is the appropriate term

 

[salfordmerc]

Cheers mate, Im waiting on my warranty paperwork,so thanks for the heads up.

 

[Buffers]

Very useful piece of info. Thanks.

Buffers