Complaint Review: Continental Warranty -- MCG Enterprises -- Mepco- - Malibu California

Continental Warranty Continental Warranty TRUE to their word. Fair and Kind As Promised K. Hilton and M Jackson Excellent Lynwood Washington I purchased a good, well explained warranty from K Hilton at Continental Warranty for my Land Rover LR3. Yes they take a proactive approach to the sales position, but I am an educated and adult consumer. It was a great deal, and K Hilton even told me to wait on buying the option that gave me my money back if I did not use the warranty. He said call in a couple of weeks after I thought about it more, very fair suggestion. I asked if there would be any difficulty with a refund if I did not want the product once I read it, and he said no. He was right. Alright, well within 8 business days I had my contract. 97% of what we discussed was right there. Obviously, even in our 1 1/2 hour conversation we could not cover it all, but overall dead on. Well I choose to sell the LR3 instead of keeping it for seveal reasons. I contacted Continental Warranty, M Jackson, and they HAPPILY assisted me, and because it was within the 30 day gaurantee period I had all my money back with 3 weeks. Next used car, I will shop here first. I am sure they have some issues with clients as ALL service based industry does. Please ask all kinds of questions, I did, and I even forgot some, even though I kept him on the line fo 1 1/2 hours. Then read your contract. It seemed equal to the others I received. In fairness I received other offers with about the same price and features. But Continental Warranty served me exactly as the website said it would Tom sioux falls, South Dakota

No matter who sends out the postcard, the company's name is ALWAYS on it and the customer service representative that answers the phone always makes it clear that they work for "X Company." No one is getting fooled into thinking that they HAVE to buy the warranty and that it came directly from the manufacturer. The reality is that these notifications get sent out to people and notify them that there warranty will expire soon. There's no lie in that!

When your company sends out your postcard, do they make it look like an "official" warranty notification from the manufacturer? If so, that is dirty pool to scare people into making the call to the phone number listed. Maybe if some of these companies would not operate in such an underhanded manner, they would get more business and have more happy customers. Just my 2 cents

My experience with CW has been good. They were civil and clear, answering many questions when I setup the policy I wanted. I signed up for a Freedom Plus plan for my '03 BMW 540i with 47k miles. Because of their cancellation policy and knowing my rights to cancel a bad CC transaction, I waited for the contract to arrive to review. I felt I didn't need to go over the fine print of the contract until I had it physically. The contract was concise and I believe fair. Comparing the contracts exclusions to other competitors, it seemed above average. Since then I have had to use the warranty twice with one item being quite costly. My dealership made one call and in 15 minutes he was ready to go. This is what I paid for and this is what I've received, an extended warranty that doesn't question or delay repairs that you need. I would recommend CW.

I work as Customer Service Manager for an Extended Warranty Company, and we have used Mepco as our Finance Company in the past. So I want to provide a little bit of clarification, because I know that all of the company names get confusing, and there are a hundred phone numbers to reach people. Here's the procedure: The consumer receives a letter or postcard telling them that their warranty has expired or is about to expire. Once customer calls and purchases, the company they called takes down payment. Once down payment is received, the consumers file goes to Mepco (or whichever other finance company the company is using). Mepco has no other purpose but to take monthly payments. They do not print contracts, issue refunds, provide customer service, etc. The actual warranty company (ie. Marathon, Continental, Ultimate, etc) is there for claims. Not to issue refunds, provide customer service, print contracts, etc. So you have to figure out what it is you need in order to know who you need to contact. This coverage is a great product. For the money you pay, consider all of the coverage you are getting. It's easy to jump to the negative, but if you follow the contract, you will know exactly what to do. The company that you initially call to buy the program. They aren't the warranty company. They are a broker. They will provide your contract, and if you ever need it reprinted, call them. Their address and phone number will be on your contract. If you need customer service, ie. your vehicle is totaled, you're on the side of the road and need Roadside Assistance, you call them as well. This company will also handle cancellations and refunds. The only time you will call the actual warranty company is if you have a breakdown...then you call the claims number listed on your contract. Hope I have been of some help and provided some clarification.

I read all the above reports and I still purchased the warrenty after an exhausting search. They seem to be the best deal going. I looked them up at the BBB and they are rated as a "B" company. See report below: Better Business Bureau 315 North La Cadena Drive Colton, CA 92324 Phone: (909) 825-7280 Fax: (909) 825-6246 www.labbb.org Company Report Continental Warranty 24955 Pacific Coast Highway Suite C303 Malibu, CA 90265 Contact: Misty Jackson Phone: (800) 929-2694 Company Rating B Rating Explanation: The rating the Better Business Bureau assigns a business is determined by our composite score of such factors as its type of business, length of time in business, compliance ... Company Profile DBA: Continental Warranty Address: 24955 Pacific Coast Highway Suite C303 Malibu, CA 90265 Primary Phone: (800) 929-2694 Primary Fax: (425) 776-0173 Primary Contact: Misty Jackson Director of Operations E-Mail Address: [email protected] Website: http://www.continentalwarranty.com Company ID: 13128932 Business Start Date: 1/1/1988 BBB Created Record on: 1/20/2000 Nature of Business: This company's business is offering extended warranties for both new and used cars. Warranties claims are adminstered by Royal Administration in Norwell, Massachusetts. Bureau Membership Join Date: 2/29/2000 This company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and has agreed to uphold our membership standards, which include a commitment to act in accordance with ethical business practices and to respond to customer complaints. The company has been a member since 2/29/2000, and we are satisfied that it honors its commitment. This company participates in the BBBOnLine program and has agreed to use special procedures including arbitration, if necessary, to resolve disputes. California law may preclude the Bureau from compelling the company to arbitrate disputes. Licensing and Bonding Information We know of no licensing or registration requirement for companies engaged in this company's stated type of business. BBB Comments and Analysis We routinely advise you read and understand all aspects of coverage terms and conditions before making a buying decision. If solicitied by phone, your cancellation period should not commence until you have received and reviewed your policy. In California, service contracts must be backed by an insurance company. You should have 60 days to cancel on a new vehicle, and 30 days on a used vehicle contract, without penalty if no claims have been submitted or processed. The company has up to 60 days to send a copy of your policy. This could extend your cancellation period up to 120 days. Past the 60/30 day period, you may cancel at any time and receive a pro-rated refund for unused coverage time. California Law requires the company to issue refunds within 30 days of receipt of cancellation requests. The customer is entitled to interest on the refund amount at 10% per annum for each additional 30 days or fraction thereof. The law pertaining to service contracts vary from state to state. Verify with your local authorities which laws pertain to your state. Complaint Closing Statistics The following grid displays the number and responses to complaints over the last 36 months: No. of Cmpl Type of Response 56 Making a full refund, as the consumer requested 9 Making a partial refund 81 Agreeing to perform according to their contract 3 Refusing to make an adjustment 9 Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement 0 Unanswered 14 Unassigned Complaint Experience Complainants allege difficulty obtaining refunds after canceling warranties in a timely manner, or dissatisfaction with receiving a direct mail solicitation. Mailers prompt customers to call a toll free number, which results in an auto warranty sales presentation. Others allege inadequate disclosure of coverage by salespeople at the time of purchase; the scope of coverage extends beyond components actually covered, or difficulty submitting claims. The company responds by issuing refunds and canceling warranties. They address solicitation complaints by offering information about how to contact the Direct Marketing Association for removal from mailing lists nationwide, and by removing consumers from their mailing lists. The company responds to claim complaints by giving explanations that include detailed lists of parts covered and not covered, or by paying the claim. Government Actions We know of no government action taken against this company. Advertising Review No question about the truth of this company's advertising has come to our attention. Other Considerations We know of no other matter or practice relating to this company that may assist you in your consideration of this company. Other Company Profiles Other DBAs M C G Enterprises, Inc. M C G Marketing Premierewarranty.com Other Addresses 10850 Riverside Drive 6th Floor North Hollywood, CA 91602 19401 40th Avenue West Suite 410 Lynnwood, WA 98074 Other Phone Numbers Other Fax Numbers Other Contacts Other Websites

I ended up buying this policy with the extended payment plan. The plan was about 3000 and some change for 3 years of coverage. It is high because the car had about 60K miles on it and the car is a Corvette. When time came to need the warrenty, the crap warranty didn't cover diddly squat! This is the most useless company my service consultant ever heard about. Another shop guy also tried with these people and also said the same thing. I got hooked up with Premier Warranty company through Continental. Basically what they do is depending on the plan and your car's mileage, I think, you're hooked up with a different company and different plan. From the get-go, there was a mileage discrepency mistake made on their part which I had to suffer for. I just wasted so much time with these people, and had to pay $2500 for my own repairs. Seriously angry, I called them and cancelled and requested my money back. To my amazement, they actually paid my prorated amount back to me. Super surprised with a company so shady with their coverage policy. I ended up buying a policy (around $2500) through my local Chevy dealer and I'm already at $3800 of work. The car is at the dealership right now and I have a rental at their expense in my garage. The company is CNA. I just basically took a list of EVERYTHING that was wrong with my car (except trim issues) and went to the dealer. The dealer also found 2 other problems that I was not aware of (oil leak and a faulty water pump). The adjuster came out and approved everything, including a rental car. Just awesome, I tell you. THAT is how a company should operate.

I am madder than a hornet's nest. These minor league punk think that they can threaten me and get me to give in? They have got another think coming. Furthermore, I am even more upset by the collusion of the Better Business Bureau. I'll explain: I want to point out that the BBB claims that they share information of unethical business practices, when in actuality these companies below are affiliated and the BBB turns a blind eye, and of course they get their fee for the consideration. They lie faster than a vindictive woman in divorce proceedings. I was contacted by Bill McIntyre and threatened to destroy my credit and my life if I didn't remove my complaint. At first I tried, then I realized this is a scam that needs dismantling. Here are the people Bill McIntyre claims will join in on their retaliatory attack on me because I dared speak out. Richard McCabe (800) 871-0467 ROYAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES, INC. (Member, BBB) 51 Mill Street, Building F HANOVER, MA David Nusbaum (312) 853-2777 MEPCO INSURANCE PREMIUM FINANCING INC (Non-member, BBB) 174 N Michigan Ave CHICAGO, IL Misty Jackson (866) 989-9100 CONTINENTAL WARRANTY (Member, BBB) 19401 40th Ave W Ste 410 LYNNWOOD, WA Dorothy Volpe (302) 375-0401 CONTINENTAL WARRANTY LTD. (Member, BBB) 1711 Philadelphia Pike WILMINGTON, DE Bill McIntyre (800) 929-2694 CONTINENTAL WARRANTY (Member, BBB) 24955 Pacific Coast Highway, C303 MALIBU, CA

If you got a call from them after receiving an email SUE THEM! They are breaking the law. I have received multiple unlawful commercial email advertising extended automobile warranties. As an ISP in Oklahoma I am sick to death of companies that obtain leads in this fashion. Determined to find out who was behind the spam I went ahead, clicked the link in the spam, filled in my details and waited to see who called me. Sure enough, its Continental Warranty. When confronted about the fact that the email I received touting their services was ILLEGAL SPAM they ran straight to their lawyers. I was astounded to find out that the spammer they used to generate their leads is also involved with their lawyer! This loser sends me a scary letter accusing me of a Federal Crime to scare me into submission. DIDN'T WORK. Getting letters like this from lawyers only pisses me off and makes me want to sue them all the more. I am cooperating with www.SUEaSpammer.com to get these bastards to pay up. I would suggest that anyone here do the same. Most states have a spam law now. Only a handful still do not. At present the states that still do not have a spam law are as follows: Alabama Florida Georgia Hawaii Kentucky Massachusetts Mississippi Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York S. Carolina Vermont Washington DC Sue them until they stop spamming! That's what I am going to do. So far they owe me $475,000.00 USD in statutory damages under Oklahoma Statutes Title 15 776.

I signed up for the plan. I'll tell you first hand wheter it works or not. I'll post on this specific topic thread if I ever have a problem...or, I'll post whether they fill claims out well or not. Hopefully, I won't have to post anything. I don't want my car to break down either way.

Well, I apologize about the blanket statement that the company is not a member of the BBB. However, here is how I arrived at that statement: Went to BBB.Org and typed in Continental Warranty, and clicked on the link for the WA office, and here are the results: (you can see that membership status is "no" however one of the other links for CA states they are a member). BBB Reliability Report Continental Warranty 19401 40th Ave W Ste 410 Lynnwood, WA 98036 General Information Principal: Ms Misty Jackson, Customer Service Phone Number: (866) 989-9100 Membership Status: No Type-of-Business Classification: Service Contracts/Extended Warranty (Exc. auto svc contract) Customer Experience Complaints have been processed by the bureau in its three year reporting period. Although the customer disputed the company's response, based on BBB experience the company properly addressed all the issues of the complaints. In addition, other complaints processed by the bureau in its three year reporting period were closed as resolved. The number and type of complaints are not unusual for a company in this industry.

First off, I'd like to say that I'm impressed that you actually read these forums and respond. I'm sure that you're going to get some questions regarding your business' practices. However, I have not seen anyone complain about any problems when it comes to paying out a claim. You will be getting a call from me in the very near future in search of more information. Thank you.

I work for this company and there are a couple of things I would like to address. 1) The plan is good and very competetive! Claims are prepetuantly beeing paid. I'd be interested to see (with proof) what plan those of you who cancelled with went with. 2) Refund: I understand and sympethise with you on the delay of your refunds, but some times they just take time. You can't deposit a check in a bank, then stand in line again 10 min. later and get the money out of your account. We live in an electronic/digital and imperfect world. It's happened to me when I undertook a promotion with my AMEX card (it took six months!!) The rep that said it took "two days" to get a refund lied to you, and I hope you addressed that to a superviser at the company, and then immediately contacted your credit card company to submit a dispute. They would have reversed the charge and contacted Continental directly alleviating your $195 dilema. Your risk is limited by the "Consumer Credit Protection Act". 3)The names Depending on your plan, vehicle, and location your may have a different underwritter and insurer such as Marathon financial, Great American, Swiss Re, or Lyndon prop. MEPCO is the finanace company that got you ZERO percent without a credit check! These are legitimate companies that work with us as a team to create the best warranty. Just about anything you own is contracted when created (eg: your computer hard drive by toshiba, The monitor by panasonic, your keyboard by....) Then you buy it from Apple or Dell. You get my point. "Continental Warranty" does not finance the plan, insure it, underwrite it......etc. and speaking of Dell let me get to my next point. 3) Complaints: Any major company has TONS and TONS of complaints. Click on these links dealing with Dell ( in my opinion not a macintosh, but a great computer never the less:) ) and compare with this page: http://www.my3cents.com/search. cgi?criteria=Dell http://www.consumeraffairs.com/ computers/dell_svc.html http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/ d/dellcomputer_toc.htm By the do a search for "Coninental Warranty" or "MCG Enterprises". You'll pull a ton of stuff for "Continental Airlines" another great company!!! And nothing on us. 4) BBB: We were accused of not beeing with the Better Business Bureau http://www.labbb.org/scripts/cgiip. exe/WService=wsbroker1/C%3A/Inetpub/wwwroot/SouthlandReport /default.htm?hCompID=13128932&hAKA ID=2&hAddrID=2 Here is a quote from this page: ......"Oh, I did check the BBB and it states that they are not a member, which conflicts with what the guy told me also."........ Need I say more? The plan is great. don't dislike something because you can't understand it, that translates to ignorance. I SINCERELY DO NOT MEAN ANY DISRESPECT to any one, but imagine if you were accused of beeing the equivelant of a fraud. How would you feel? Possibly a bit defensive. If you have any questions about the plan or the company before you enroll or need any help feel free to call me toll free.....We do answer the phone. 888-244-0925 ext. 2615 You must call between 1-7 pm (PST) M-F or you will get a voicemail. Please forgive me for any bad grammar I have not proof read this. Sincerely,

I called and called Sanjay. There's an 800 loop of eternity. My bank tried to confirm the mailing address also - but no way to contact them. I called my Ohio provider law firm (that legal policy that I love so much). They have tons of lawyers and when you call they take a brief outline of what's going on and give you to a lawyer who works in that kind of field. I had a Ms. Martin and I had to explain it a couple of times, and she seemed surprised a bit - and she works in this field. So, she was able to make contact with them, she sent a very matter of fact letter. I got a call FROM them. :-) After a couple of weeks, I received a check for the whole amount, minus the weeks that I would have been 'covered'. I deposited the check, kissed my legal policy card and counted myself really lucky. (Or blessed?) Then I saw this whole thing on here. Shady companies, the whole bunch I think. Thanks

Kate, that is some very good info you just posted up. I can't believe that they would try and do something like that. If that's not blatantly trying to take your money and leaving you out to dry, I don't know what is. What did you do after that? What in the world did they have to say about this rediculously obvious scheme? Did they just say that it was a "mistake?" I'm just curious how they would explain such a thing? Man, that's just scary.

Sanjay - I've seen alot of postings that they paid claims. That part is tightly regulated as an insurance product. In my opinion they seem to pay claims appropriately - unless someone says otherwise? My concern is that when I had my difficulty I found the same company operating under many names. I also found that it looks like a standard procedure to take payments for a majority of the time and then refuse to accept them, canceling the policy - intending to keep the premiums. That, canceling for nonpayment, is not illegal. It is a punishable offense to cancel when you knowingly refuse appropriate and timely payment. In my case, they were caught doing that. My bank has a function where you enter in your creditors, the account number and mailing address. You schedule the payments and the bank actually produces a physical check and mails it. The billing company accepted many of these payments and then wrote 'refused' across the last one and it was returned. To the bank. Not to me. This is undeniable proof of this scheme. I would have been out more than $800.00 with no coverage. That is the problem Sanjay. Thanks for posting

I see that many of you have complaints about how they would not give you the money back, but has anyone actually tried the warranty? I really like the quote and their policies over the phone sounded good. But what exactly did you all see in the contract that turned you off? Is it possible for me to see one of the contracts? Does anyone have it scanned? Is it even legal to show me the contract? I'm most curious if they would pay out in the event of a warranty claim.

I just wanted to chime in that I have a Continental Warranty on my '97 Chevy 1 ton truck and they've already paid for $2,800 in repairs over and above the cost of the entire service contract. In addition, I still have 14 months remaining on my contract. It works for me.

I am the one from Springfield, Ohio.. Today, in the mail, I received billing from MEPCO in Chicago instructing me to send them the "payment". Since I cancelled the credit card and got the credit back to my account for the "down payment", I have no further problems with this concern, however, I suggest that anyone dealing with one of these companies utilize a credit card and NEVER a check or cash. This gives you the opportunity to cancel the transaction after you have seen what they have to offer. You know... I just wonder how many different NAMES these people operate under?? Makes me afraid to try to purchase an extended warranty of any kind from anyone!! g.

I got a solicitaion e mail from this company (actually I did not know what company it was when I replied, found out when they called me). I have a truck in good shape with 87k and since they offer extended warranty I figure I might was well get a price, since big repairs do cost a lot. I got a phone call from a gentleman (threw out the name already and don't remember, think it started with an "A"). Anyhow, after many questions he finally gave me a quote of 1500 bucks (approx) for coverage of 25 months or 25k. OK, well that is about what a good warranty costs for a new car, except this one only covers major items, which I understood. I asked if he could e mail me a copy of their contract, and what web site to go to also. After much hesitation he told me the web site was www.contintentalwarranty.net but stated that I could not look at any contract until I signed up. He stated, "well we don't want to send you copy of the contract because you could keep it and then if it changes before you sign up you would have outdated information". BIG red flag there and I hung up after the guy would not stop talking after I told him he was not getting any money today. Same thing as the others, only good for today, we will waive the inspection fee of $95 yada yada yada. Overall it did sound like a pretty good deal but like one of the other posters, I am not about to spend 1500 bucks out of the blue without thinking about it first. Just wanted to add my experience and glad I did not sign up for anything today. Oh, I did check the BBB and it states that they are not a member, which conflicts with what the guy told me also.

I was the lawyer one :-) in this post. I'm really glad that someone avoided getting into a relationship with the company. I see alot of companies doing things that are just plain old-fashioned bad. And that makes me feel pretty helpless. But I feel better - will send out links to the RipOff Report to my contacts. The more users, the more informed consumers.

I really appreciate your postings. This company tried the same tactic with me today. They called my on my cell, and they were asking me for the $195 for the down payment on the warranty, and telling me that I could get my money back within 30 days if I decided that I didn't want the plan. First of all, I've never even heard of the company. Secondly, I felt that I needed to do some research before making such a huge purchase. They didn't hardly want to let me get off the phone. They were insisting on getting the sale, however I eventually let them go, and told them that I would call them back later today, because it did sound like a "very good deal." However, after what I have seen you guys post, I am NOT, going to contact them. I am so glad that I waited to do some research about this, and saw your postings. Thank you guys for helping to keep me alert with the unscrupulous practices of this company.

I purchased one of these RIP OFFS from Continental via telephone. When I received my booklet/contract, after looking it over decided I didnot want to continue with them.. there were several items that gave me cause to question their reliability/honesty!!.. So, on the following Monday morning, I called them. the good old 800#..And guess what? I was #12 in line to have my call answered. I am somewhat "hard headed" and I waited 42 minutes to have my call answered. When I told the woman who answered that I wanted to cancel, she immediately transferred my call to a sales person. I was pressured to keep the contract and was told that my expectations were "to high". I told them, that regardless of what he had to say that I was cancelling. He switched me to another man who was also insistent that I keep the contract. I told him NO. They got somewhat nasty with me and I ended up hanging up on them. I called my Credit card company and had payment to them stopped. Just in case that wasn't enough, I cancelled the Credit Card, had a new account issued to my name and gave the CC company instructions that NO CHARGES from this company were to be applied to my account!! I am in high hopes that this will be of some help to anyone else who comes into contact with Continental, MEPCO or whatever other company name they decide to use. I also sent the copy of their "contract" back to them via registered mail, keeping a copy for myself. They are not going to get one thin dime out of me!!

Two weeks ago I received and deposited my refund check from Continental/Mepco-(Marathon Insurance? - this was on one of the statements instead of Continental. This is likely another company behaving the same way and mistakenly noted on my statement but I haven't checked it out yet). I send automated payments through my bank account. I bought a policy (over the phone, hurry up and buy for 195.00 down on your credit card - same old, same old I'm reading here). Then after SIX MONTHS I received a notice from my bank that the check had been returned to them as 'refused' and a statement from Mepco canceling my policy effective on such and such a date. (Mailed to the same place as always - just suddenly 'refused'). I smelled a rat. I looked on this website and sure enough - the whole thing's a scam. I have a legal policy which I LOVE. (not to advertise for them, but it rhymes with Lee Laid Legal :-) So I called them and an attorney took all the info and wrote a very nasty letter to them. I got my money back. With the exception of the months that I was 'covered'. Darn near all of it. So, if you want to negotiate in corporate America, get yourself a lawyer. You can do it for 24 bucks a month. (Kind of like the old philosophy of getting a bigger stick).