Complaint Review: Tysons Ford - Easy Care Gold AKA Automotive Protection Corporation ACPO

I purchased a used 2001 Ford Focus from Kip Killmon's Tysons Ford dealership in July 2003. I have been very happy with my decision to purchase this car, and up until recently, I was very happy with that dealership. I recently found out that the Ford car that I purchased through Ford Motor Credit at this dealership was not covered under a Ford warranty! I found this especially interesting given the fact that when Jerry, the salesman, presented me with my papers to sign at the time of purchase, he referred to the extended warranty as the extended Ford warranty.

I have recently moved to South Carolina, and I need to have my electrical system repaired, so I took my Focus to the nearest Ford dealer. I was informed by the mechanic that my car was not covered under Ford ESP -- the only warranty they accept.

I called Easy Care Gold to find out why my warranty was not being honored at a Ford dealer, and I was told by Jennifer Maichryc of Easy Care Gold that it didn't matter that my car wasn't being honored - because my car was over 75,000 miles, and therefore, no longer under warranty.

I tried to explain to Ms. Maichryc that when I purchased the used car at 24,691 miles, I also purchased an extended warranty from the dealership for an additional 60 months or additional 75,000 miles. I am well under 99,691 miles on my car, and as plainly stated in Section F, Paragraph 2 of the warranty regarding Add On Mileage for Used Cars, this warranty is still valid and in full force.

Ms. Maichryc then informed me that there is a special contract between Easy Care Gold and the dealership that basically turns my used car into a new car purchase and negates the extended warranty. I would never have purchased the extended warranty had I known about the special contract between Easy Care Gold and the dealership, or if I had known that this warranty would not be accepted at every Ford dealership.

I now have in my possession a $1,400 useless piece of paper purchased from the dealership. I have written a letter to Kip Killmon and have spoken to them on the phone several times. I've called Easy Care Gold numerous times and I've even called Ford Motor Company in Detroit and they were all unable to help me. I want my car fixed so that I can drive it again. I either want a Ford ESP warranty that will be honored everywhere, or I want my $1,400 back so I can use that money to have my car fixed. I know what I bought - I bought the Add-On Mileage Contract - NOT the Maximum Mileage Contract. I have it on my contract. The one that I signed - not the one between the dealership and APCO.

Beware of Easy Care Auto warranties and the dealerships that offer them!

Lisa
Georgetown, South Carolina
U.S.A.