So. . . you work for 30 years for an employer and part of the benefits in doing this is an "employee discount" on the products that company makes; in this particular case, automobiles.
We've all envied the workers at the American Big 3 for decades over this one, and in some cases we have enjoyed this benefit thanks to an immediate family member that afforded us their discount; all not only sponsored but encouraged by the company as part of the benefits of dedicating your working life to them.
And the time to retire comes, and this is one of the benefits you do not lose; in fact your spouse continues to receive it even after you lay down for the long dirt nap. . . That is until now apparently. . .
One of my co-workers drives a 1980 Ford F-150 truck back and forth to work every day. He bought it brand new back then, much to the chagrin of his father-in-law, who as a life-long GM employee had generously offered up his employee discount if he would purchase a GM product. But he didn't. (He's that way though, if you know what I mean).
So in the transpiring 33 years since his last new vehicle purchase, his father-in-law died and the mother-in-law retained the employee discount; which she has used 3 times since the death, last time in 2007. Now finally, 33 years later, my co-worker gets tired of breathing the exhaust fumes that come up through the rusted through floor boards of his truck. He's tired of the rickety vehicle that even Fred Sanford would be embarrassed to be seen in.
So, he says he's going to look at getting a new truck, and after spending several weeks walking through the various car lots, he finds a GMC work truck that he likes. He shares that with his wife, who tells her mom, and she generously offers up the GM employee discount her late husband had worked 30 years for and that she retained. (She even had recently received several mailings from GM encouraging her to share her discount with family and friends).
So he takes the number she gave him to the dealer and they come to an agreement on things. He got a nice price on paper, and he dutifully delivered a cashier's check for the agreed upon price. (Same as cash). The truck was sent out for rustproofing and the addition of a trailer hitch; all part of the deal. He even got a call mid-day Tuesday to come and get his truck, that it was ready. . .
He arrives at the dealership and they say there is a problem. GM says they have no record of the employee discount eligibility of the mother-in-law. In fact, they say she never had it.
So MIL calls GM herself, supplies them with the information on the forms she last obtained the discount with in 2007, and even faxed them copies.
Today they informed her that this was one of the benefits retirees lost in the cost reductions during the bankruptcy proceedings. . .
I have a father-in-law that is a GM retiree, and benefitted from it myself in 2003 when I bought my own truck. He used it himself in 2003 to buy his own Silverado 1500. In fact, his discount was also last used in 2007 when his son purchased a brand new Silverado 1500, and it hasn't been used since. (I will hate to be around him if this turns out to be in fact true and he finds out about it).
So I ask, is this right? Thoughts?
While it may be wrong, it's not illegal.............. Anyone eligible should have been notified in writing. Like every other benefit these companies offer, none are set in stone.
I was eligible, and used the program when my son bought his truck a few years back, 06-07 range, thanks to Lilly who was a large fleet buyer. When I checked a couple of years ago, the program was not available. I assumed it was a GM/Lilly thing so I didn't worry about it. I still got the employee price last fall on my Ford, thanks to Lilly.
Your co-worker needs to go get another Ford and let GM know they missed out on the sale. For that matter, the GM dealer could easily sell him the truck for the same price as he was going to pay, and still make money. They make it through hold back money, and month end bonuses from GM.
Well, I did some research and discovered that whomever the dealership was talking to at GM was lying through their teeth. My brother in law is a GM retiree (Hummer), and he dug into it for me. Retiree's still maintain their discounts and the very same number of "friends and family" discounts they are able to extend as they always have.
As it turned out, the dealership honored the original agreement, and on Friday they ended up validating his discount via a second telephone call from the dealership to GM. . .
My coworker has a brand new Silverado 1500 sitting in his driveway. . .
Still, had that been me, I'd have been gone and into a new vehicle elsewhere, as Mr 442 suggests. :yes:
Glad it worked out.