Worth paying for Total Protection Package?

[mremeikis]

Hi - I just purchased a new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid with 502A package (leather, navigation, moonroof, etc., but without a starter kit because they didn't have one in stock). I got a good deal for my trade-in and bought the car at invoice pricing. Then came the gorgeous service manager that only sold extra packages (she was good at her job). I am wondering how much this package is really worth:

 

1) Exterior Paint Protection (Auto Butler Premier Paint Protection) for $499 (they say regularly $599) - 5 year, $0 deductible plan where they spray a clear polymer over the factory paint to keep the car looking new every 6 months

 

2) Interior Protection (Auto Butler Leather Protection) for $399 (they say regularly $499) - 5 years, $0 deductible plan to treat the leather and warranty against any cracking or peeling or spills

 

3) Undercoat / Sound Protection (Auto Butler) for $299 (they say regularly $399) - lifetime guarantee, $0 deductible undercoat spray that protects against corrosion and deadens road noise

 

4) Ding M.D. Premium for $699 (they say regularly $999) - 6 years, $0 deductible fixes for dings, scratches, paint chips, windshield stars, interior rips/tears/burns, wheel scuffs

 

5) Remote Starter for "free" (they say regularly $599) - this was something I wanted added anyway to be able to cool down the leather in the car remotely

 

TOTAL PACKAGE COST - $1,895 (individually would be $3,095)

 

Auto Butler has a website without pricing info - http://autobutler.com/

Ding M.D. also has a website without pricing info - http://www.dingmd.net/

 

Does anyone have thoughts on whether this seems fair? If I did get ripped on this, do you think it is possible to get a refund from the dealership since these haven't been installed yet and I bought my car on Sunday (2 days ago)? They added this package into my Ford Credit financing already. From looking at the Kelly Blue Book values for cars that are a couple years old, the difference between "Fair" and "Excellent" condition seemed to be a little over $2,000, so if I trade this in several years from now, I may get my money's worth and still have a new looking car in the meantime.

 

Thank you!

[MJB3]

This is just one man's opinion but I doubt that there is any added benefit to these add-ons. I hope that you enjoyed your time with the lovely young lady as that is about all that you got of value.

[bbf2530]

Hi - I just purchased a new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid with 502A package (leather, navigation, moonroof, etc., but without a starter kit because they didn't have one in stock). I got a good deal for my trade-in and bought the car at invoice pricing. Then came the gorgeous service manager that only sold extra packages (she was good at her job). I am wondering how much this package is really worth:

 

1) Exterior Paint Protection (Auto Butler Premier Paint Protection) for $499 (they say regularly $599) - 5 year, $0 deductible plan where they spray a clear polymer over the factory paint to keep the car looking new every 6 months

 

2) Interior Protection (Auto Butler Leather Protection) for $399 (they say regularly $499) - 5 years, $0 deductible plan to treat the leather and warranty against any cracking or peeling or spills

 

3) Undercoat / Sound Protection (Auto Butler) for $299 (they say regularly $399) - lifetime guarantee, $0 deductible undercoat spray that protects against corrosion and deadens road noise

 

4) Ding M.D. Premium for $699 (they say regularly $999) - 6 years, $0 deductible fixes for dings, scratches, paint chips, windshield stars, interior rips/tears/burns, wheel scuffs

 

5) Remote Starter for "free" (they say regularly $599) - this was something I wanted added anyway to be able to cool down the leather in the car remotely

 

TOTAL PACKAGE COST - $1,895 (individually would be $3,095)

 

Auto Butler has a website without pricing info - http://autobutler.com/

Ding M.D. also has a website without pricing info - http://www.dingmd.net/

 

Does anyone have thoughts on whether this seems fair? If I did get ripped on this, do you think it is possible to get a refund from the dealership since these haven't been installed yet and I bought my car on Sunday (2 days ago)? They added this package into my Ford Credit financing already. From looking at the Kelly Blue Book values for cars that are a couple years old, the difference between "Fair" and "Excellent" condition seemed to be a little over $2,000, so if I trade this in several years from now, I may get my money's worth and still have a new looking car in the meantime.

 

Thank you!

 

Hi mremeikis. :D I pretty much agree with MJB3.

 

To add a bit more detail (my opinions of course):

 

1 - You are paying $499 for a wax job. Buy good quality car care products, polishes, waxes, polymers etc. for less than $50 and get the satisfaction of detailing your own car a few time a year. I prefer Meguiar's brand, but there are many other good names out there.

 

2 - Interior defects in material and workmanship covered for 3 years/36,000 miles anyway. Spend $20 for a good quality leather cleaner and conditioner and save a lot of money. Again, I prefer Meguiar's, but...

 

3 - Not necessary and can lead to more probelms than it is worth.

 

4 - Not a bad idea, but $699 far too expensive, unless you live in a war zone. Also, read the contract carefully for exclusions and limitations. I have a feeling there are some impressive ones hidden there.

 

5 - Remote starter should cost no more than $300-$400. It is only $345 from the factory.

 

In the end, it is your decision. However, those familiar with car buying know that these "add-on's" are only profit generators for the Dealership. And those things will not keep your car looking new, unless you also take the time to take care of the car yourself. So you can save the unnecessary upfront costs by simply taking care of the car yourself in the first place.

 

Again, this is just the educated opinion of one more individual.

 

There is no reason that you should not be able to have them removed from the purchase contract. If you wish to remove them, contact the Dealership as soon as possible.

 

Whatever you decide to do good luck. :beerchug:

Edited June 30, 2010 by bbf2530

[UniversalD]

First of all, congratulations on the purchase. It's a great car!

 

This also happened to me after buying the car. I also didn't know to research these items before-hand and went ahead and got options 1, 2, and 3 for a package price of $899 after they took off $100.

 

1. I would add that I wouldn't have time to wax the car consistently anyway. And I've used Meguiar's and Mothers and other waxes, and they generally wear down and fade within 3-4 months. So it seems like a good idea if you don't plan to or aren't able to wax consistently. I'm sure it won't last forever, but it seems to offer good bead protection for 6 to 7 years based on reviews I could find on-line. I know I wouldn't have the time to wax anyway so I don't regret getting it.

 

**Also, we may be talking about a different product here. My dealer used "Auto Armour" materials and not "Auto Butler". According to my information, it was suppose to be a one-time treatment that was suppose to provide lifetime protection for the car, making it to where it never needed to be waxed and the car was warrantied from rust on the exterior body.

 

2. If you have a dog or kid, the second option was helpful in that it repaired replaced any tears or stains. But I don't have any reason to believe the stuff is better than a leather cleaner/conditioner or scotch guard for cloth seats.

 

3. It seemed helpful if you live in an area with a lot of rain or especially snow where the roads get salted. I've not heard of any problems arising from it in my research.

 

I did not go for Ding MD or Remote starter. Ding MD also struck me as overpriced for what you get. The dings/chips can be repaired for a price, so that's basically like an insurance policy. And the remote starter seemed nice, but nothing I would have unless it was standard on the car.

 

Just my opinions on the options after I tried to look up some information after getting them.

Edited June 30, 2010 by UniversalD