Manufacturer Buy-back "Approved"... What happens now?

[intentsrig]

Thanks for the info and feedback so far. I'm still waiting to get anything in writing from Jeep, but it sounds as though most people have gotten through their buy-back situations okay.

Older post here but I have received the same repurchase approval. Have been contacted by the specialist and after he has the paperwork they want the process takes 4-5 weeks.

They havnt mentioned anything about my parts/mods I have put on it.

Anyone else go through this or have any input?

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[Escape.idiocracy]

Older post here but I have received the same repurchase approval. Have been contacted by the specialist and after he has the paperwork they want the process takes 4-5 weeks.

They havnt mentioned anything about my parts/mods I have put on it.

Anyone else go through this or have any input?

First hand- the process is easy. The dealer transferred all parts across to the new Jeep. The tricky bit has been a road master brake controller…. Dealer subbed this out to camping world, and they performed a terrible job… dealer came out and paid $2k for the install.

I will say that all of this took place in writing though- before leaving the dealer to ensure transfer was apart of the deal.

 

[intentsrig]

First hand- the process is easy. The dealer transferred all parts across to the new Jeep. The tricky bit has been a road master brake controller…. Dealer subbed this out to camping world, and they performed a terrible job… dealer came out and paid $2k for the install.

I will say that all of this took place in writing though- before leaving the dealer to ensure transfer was apart of the deal.

I won’t be buying or replacing with another Jeep, just a repurchase.

I think it varies by state too. Some repay you if you have receipts and others give you anything.

 

[911brad]

I won’t be buying or replacing with another Jeep, just a repurchase.

I think it varies by state too. Some repay you if you have receipts and others give you anything.

Sent you a reply via PM as well, but for future reference I guess I can safely add my experience below via answers I made to others:

In order to get a buy-back from FCA, or Stellantis, or whatever they are today, you need to be within the parameters of your state's lemon law. They will 100% use that as their guidance regarding buying back your vehicle. If you're good there, then you start advocating hard for yourself. Tell Jeep Cares you want to purse the buy-back. Put it in writing to them because as you noted they will NEVER give you in writing anything they tell you on the phone. What you can do is take detailed notes: who you spoke to, when you spoke to them. what they said, etc. My detailed notes worked out $3000 in my favor. Once they get the idea you are serious about a buy-back, they'll move you on to a Customer Retention Specialist and then a Reacquisition Specialist.

Here is the response I sent another member who asked the same questions. My replies to him are in orange below and I think a lot of them probably apply without me re-typing everything:

1- how many times have you taken your car to the dealership for repair? I see that every state lemon is different, my state (NC) is 4 times for lemon law prerequisites. I have taken my vehicle 2 times.

- Technically I took my vehicle twice. In Wisconsin it's either three failed attempts to fix, or a cumulative 30 days. My second time at the dealership was at the 35 day mark when I initiated the buyback. By the time I signed the paperwork it had been at the dealership October 15 through March 3rd. You are correct that every state is different and whatever your state law states is what FCA will follow.

2-did they consider paying more because prices have gone up since January? also, did you get a new vehicle from Jeep again? Did they let you hold on to your car until the new vehicle was manufactured and delivered to you?

-My vehicle was in a lease. FCA paid out the lease balance and then used a formula in Wisconsin state law to calculate reimbursement for lease payments made since the first occurrence of a problem. I don't recall the actual formula, but it doesn't really come out to be that much. My vehicle was not drivable while under repair, so I was in a rental vehicle (paid for by FCA from October 15th until I leased a new vehicle in late January. I made payments on two jeeps for three months, but got that money back from my lease company.

3-did your incentives and discount transfer to the new vehicle if you opted to order a new one?

- No. The buyback means you start over. What they did provide was a 5% discount off invoice for a new FCA vehicle. I did have other incentives as a first responder & veteran that were still available to me.

4-how long did it take for them to pay you since the time they approved your buyback, and what grace period were you given to return the car back?

- I asked for and was approved for buyback in mid-November. In between October 15th and March 3rd I had my Jeep for three days until it broke again, otherwise I didn't need any "grace period" because my Gladiator was broken on the lot. March 3rd I met with an FCA representative at the dealership where they did an inspection and turned over my check.

5-did they also refund your taxes, insurance, and reg fees, and also did they subtract some
money from the total price based on the mileage you had on your car?

- The refund I received back was based on my down-payment, trade-in, and a pro-rated return of lease payments made based on vehicle mileage. For me it ended up being around $5000, but will obviously be different for everyone based on their situation.

5-did you have any modifications (larger tires, etc) on your car, and did you have to remove them before turning the vehicle?

- I did have tires/wheels installed, a GMRS radio, and a few other things. I removed it all myself and turned the vehicle in as bone stock as the day it rolled off the line. I knew I was going to try for another Gladiator, so I wanted to put as much as I could onto the new truck. I had kept all the OEM equipment (including wheels/tires) that I took off. I cringe when I see people selling off their stock parts knowing that I was SO glad to have them available to put back on. Like a lot of us, I have over $3000 in wheels/tires alone that I didn't want to give to FCA. If you do have un-removable accessories like a spray in bed liner I believe you can get some reimbursement for that, but it might vary by state.

6-Any other insights are appreciated.

- With the used car market being what it is right now I imagine it's just as easy for them to buyback and resell a vehicle than to try and go through the repair process. I was obviously quite frustrated to have my brand new vehicle broken, but in the end I never hit roadblocks anywhere other than my poor choice of dealership. Jeep/FCA was never confrontational about my decision to request a buyback and things went fairly smooth, albeit super slow. Document the crap out of everything you do with them. Take notes of every conversation; who you're talking to, dates and time, what they "promise" you... everything. My documentation made the difference between getting a $2000 reimbursement and the $5000 I got since I had made written record of everything. Continue to be polite and advocate for yourself and hopefully you'll have the same experience I had.

In the end, I made out. Between the repayment, and the discount, I came out with a better equipped Freedom Edition rather than my original Sport S. I paid less and have a better truck, even though the total MSRP was higher. I had 9000 miles on my first Jeep when it broke, and 18000 on it when it went back, so I won't feel "good" about getting my replacement until I've had it a few years.

With the buyback, don't think of it as them getting you a replacement. They don't care about your replacement. You basically are absolved of your current vehicle and given the money to do with as you please. They don't work for you at all to help find or obtain your replacement; it's all on you as though you're shopping for a new vehicle. The most they do is give you the FCA employee discount, roughly 5% off invoice toward a new FCA product.

In the end, It all worked out for me. My new Gladiator is now (knocks on every piece of wood I can find) 9 months and 17,000 miles in with no worries. I got a better vehicle than my first one and hopefully one that'll be mostly reliable while I own it.

 

[kevman65]

Just a side note, you CAN record all phone calls. Depending on what State you are in you may be required to notify them up front. You can then make a written transcript of said conversations and keep the recordings as back up.

You'd be surprised how fast a bad situation can turn around when you remind them you have recordings along with written transcripts of the calls.

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