Hello...any suggestions on how to file a complaint against my dealer to Volvo Corp.?

If you have time, here is my story:

Purchased new s70 from dealer in '99. Purchased extended warranty (Pro-guard) from same dealer, same person in '01 while in volvo warranty...dealer solicitation...happy camper.

jan '03, out-of-volvo-warranty repair ($500) covered by extended warranty...everything is fine.

may '03, problem w/ engine cylinder, warranty company cancels contract...says my warranty must be sold at the time of sale of the car. it says it on the contract.

my dealer sold me a contract that was NULLED as soon as I signed it. The first claim went unnoticed to this problem. Isn't it illegal to sell bum contracts?

I guess I should of read every detail on the contract but my dealer made me believe it was all ok. Right now, the dealer and warranty company are talking but I have a feeling I might get screwed in all this.

Can anyone give me suggestions on what I should do?

How about the Attorney General's office in your state?

It's not true that you have to buy an extended warranty when you buy the car.
I bought an extended warranty on my '94 Jeep, which I bought new, 12 months later. Extended warranty are sold all the time after the car sale, the more miles it has when you buy it, the more it costs.
You definitely have a strong case, but Volvo of North America won't help you with this. Get a lawyer or take them to small claims court.
--
'88 240, '92 740, '98 v70 GLT John in Tampa Bay

Sounds like you're in the US. Your state has consumer protection offices. For example, I used my state's Commissioner of Insurance to get my agent and insurance company to recognize the error of their ways (they had dropped collision coverage from my policy by mistake, and of course without telling me, and then told me I was SOL when I had an accident). I'm not so sure that the Insurance Commissioner would be the correct resource in this instance, but I'm confident you'll find that your state fields car dealer complaints. Check the Internet.

If you even suspect you won't get this latest repair covered, file a complaint. It's free, and will probably get you quicker resolution than a lawyer would, to boot.

Another thought: I bet one or more of your local news stations has department that fields consumer complaints. They'd love a story with universal appeal like this one.

And some reassurance: in the case of my insurance problem, I was repeatedly told that their side was legally defensible. It was, and in your case their side probably is too. Nevertheless, you have a counterargument that is at least as compelling. And the bottom line is that neither the dealer nor the warranty underwriter wants this kind of negative publicity, whether it's a black mark on their record with the state or some embarrassing encounters with the local news reporter. You will win.

thanks for the tips...i live in illinois and i'll check up on that. i'm also looking into a lawyer but i know that is the expensive route so i'll use that as the very last option.

shouldn't volvo corp. know about the dealer's behavior? how would i let them know?

If the dealer is in Illinois, take a look at the consumer fraud statutes.
It is unlikely that the Illinois Department of Insurance will find that they have any jurisdiction, unless they somehow find that the "warranty" is really an insurance policy within the meaniung of the Illinois Insurance Code (Chapter 215, Illinois Compiled Statutes )--but give them a shot anyway! The way most of these so-called "warranties" are written by third parties, they seem to meet most of the definitions of insurance, and damned few definitions of a "warranty". If the Department of Insurance does say that this falls under their area, please post that fact here--there are a lot of people in similar boats.
Re lawyers--don't believe everything you read in the media. If you have your facts straight and have a proveable case worth investing the time, you may find a competent attorney willing to take the case on a contingency basis. If as suggested in another post you don't turn out to have a good case legally, but are trying a shakedown with the threat of adverse publicity, you will deserve the lawyer you get--a sleaze, after being politely shown out of the office of any reputable lawyers you've seen.
Good luck.

Interesting points bru, particularly that some attorneys will work on contingency, but just in case there's any misunderstanding let me point out that I never suggested getting a lawyer. (I'm sure you're not calling me sleazy, either.) My point is simply that even though the complainant himself stated in writing that he understands an intepretation exists that the policy is no good, there are authorities out there that won't let this kind of consumer abuse fly. Whether it's a state agency, a local TV reporter, or -- God help us all ;) -- an attorney that fixes his problem, what difference does it make?

Some of the best lawyers I know own Volvos.

CUSTOMER AFFAIRS PHONE NUMBER IS : 1-800-458-1552
this is the only number that you can call. I have heard that some extended warranty companies are tax exempt and that might make your repairs non taxable. You could also call the extended wty co. consumer relations dept. and see if you could get any help from them. Write down everything and everyone you talk to in case you have to seek a lawyer.

good luck.

it may be the waranty company screwed with the dealer.

I'd suggest investigating on your own and on the sly - just what kind of contracts they ofer and how they're sold.
seriously

it could be that they offer two kinds of contracts and someone just grabbed the wrong one from the stack, or that they lied to the dealer, or that you had a sales person who was desperate to make his or her quota.

Was the price too good ot be true?

(yeah they sell them for used cars all the time)