Getting Something Back From A Company You Own

The GM Gamble Posted 9/11/2009 6:00:00 PM Mitsubishi did it with the kids. Why can't GM try it with adults? Of course it means you have to put a lot of faith on the concept that most people are honest. And I believe they are. But not when it comes to cars. Here's the situation. GM Canada has signed on to the idea that they will sell you a car and you will have 60 days to decide whether you like it or not. If you don't and there's no more than $200 damage to the body or 4,000 kilometres on the odometre, you can return it by day 60 and get your money back. There is a "usage fee" involved but it is so much smaller than the car rental option, it's almost funny. As a taxpayer who owns a piece of this, I like the idea. GM has some very good product. People should be able to try it out and decide. Of course, that should be a huge part of the shopping experience but it's 2009 and who's got the time? It's only the second largest purchase of your life but...hell, I've got to Twitter my thoughts of that movie and Facebook update my trip back from the gym. Mitsubishi thought it would be smart to offer a one year, no payment plan for its cars to the 18-22 year old demographic. Pick up a new Eclipse for zero down, drive the shit out of it for a year to and from the Pacific Mall and return it if you didn't like it. Guess what happened? Yeah, again...the age group 18-22. Mitsubishi almost went out of business and the funny thing is that the Eclipse, even for the Fast and Furious crowd, is an underpowered poseur that kind of looks cool if you cut a few springs and put neon lights in the windshield washers. For a car company to hand its product over to a demographic that is genetically incapable of responsibility, man...that's Darwin at the corporate level. GM may succeed with this. Most people are good people who wouldn't think of taking advantage of a company's marketing. But you also know a bunch of trash who wouldn't think twice of making GM their cheap car rental alternative. You know the type: couple of kids, underemployed dad who starts the day with a puff on the joint on the front step, mom with the "stress" claim she's fighting at OPSEU. This time it's personal. It's GM Canada. You own a big piece and it's unlikely you'll ever see a significant return. You okay with this?

Posted By: Mike Stafford