"Warranty Gold" Claims

njlexus

Just checked the WebAssured site myself, and I only see 36 complaints. What I don't see is my complaint even though I still have my email confirmation of the complaint dated October 7, 2003. The last date I saw was something like August 25th.

They must not be posting any new complaints b/c you know there has to be hundreds of more complaints since the end of August.

quigonjohn

I think with the Web Assured you have to go through the various steps of Second Notice, Third Notice, Fourth Notice and Final Notice, then you have to authorize them to post it on their website. So it takes awhile. And just a guess here, but maybe a lot of people who complained didn't follow through with letting WA know the complaint had still not been resolved, at each of the steps, so therefore their complaint dropped off, and that could be why the number has gone down.

jennyk4

An October 7 complaint will take about 6-7 weeks to be posted. The complaint process is structured such that you must respond 3-4 times and tell them that resolution has not happened. Then, you also need to reply and give them permission to make your complaint public.

It is unfortunate if some of these landed in the "Resolved" category. I know I did not receive a single response from WG during this process.

jennyk4

___________________________________________
Resolved Complaints: 89
WebAssured has participated in the resolution of these complaints to the consumer's satisfaction.
___________________________________________

The number dropped. The statement makes one believe that WG actually PARTICIPATED in resolution, which if John is correct, is not truly what this number reflects. Kinda sad.

The good news is that awhile back Web Assured received pressure from WG and actually deleted the complaints all together. Fortunately they responded to inquiries and re-posted the complaints.

q45man

If you read the 20 page report by the liquidator you will see that there was $22 million CASH in June and the current monthly burn rate [salaries /rent, IT,etc........there were 1500 employees now 200 at NWIC] is now $500,000 plus $300,000 has been spent [as of June analysing the situation].......my guess is there is $18 million left TODAY to divide among 150,000 policy owners and the new acuaries estimate liabilities are at $170 million.

Recovery might be $100 per policy TODAY if the lawyers and employees don't eat it up?

My simple MBA take on things.

quigonjohn

Each time, as I read the various notices, it certainly seemed that if you did not respond to Web Assured and check the box that your complaint HAS NOT BEEN resolved, after the grace period, WA would assume it was resolved.

openyd

I purchased the WG Diamond policy for $2300 in June 2002. Paid installments with AMEX. Should I cancel the contract or stick it out? Do I have any recourse through AMEX? Please help!!

lena10

Hi, this is absolutely making me sick. I purchased a diamond policy from w-gold and filed my first claim ever in late June. They told me about this insolvency mess then and had me file a claim anyway in case this gets solved...Sometime in July they told me. It is now almost November and it's looking like the WG policy isn't evenworth the paper it's written on. What now??? Any ideas??? I am sick about this and feel like I have been duped big time by this so called "A" rated company. I think they put the screws to us in the end. What can we do...??? please help

rayt2

Your in the same boat as many, file "dispute of charge" claim with your credit card company and hope for the best.
I filed with Discover Card for purchases made 9/02 & 12/02 (2 seperate policies) and crossing my fingers they agree and charge back the account. It is (as they so told me) beyond the 180 day allowed dispute period, but will process undeer good will?.

Ray T.

lena10

Class action suit?????? Count me in....Irish539@juno.com These scammers shouldn't be allowed to get away with this! My policy has been paid up for over a year so I cannot collect from my credit card like others who bought policies more recently. I highly doubt we will get a penney from Warranty Gold. This will have to be settled in the courts against THEM by the policy holders who thought they were buying from a reliable company. Rated A from Bests rating company...what a joke. You can't even trust the ratings anymore...how sad

farley439

Hi I would be very interested in joining a class action suit also, I also found out that Warranty Gold is not even Licensed in the state of florida, and should never have been selling contracts in Florida to begin with. My email is farley439@juno.com

cstrom1

If one read up on the Warranty USA fiasco that occurred in March 2002 it almost reads like a probable outcome for WG. Warranty USA fraudulently sold contracts then refused or never refunded customer's money when they cancelled their contracts. Charges were file by a couple of AG's offices and Warranty USA promptly filed chapter 11. The customer's that were ripped off never got their money back and the fat cats that ran the business probably hid a tidy sum for their retirement. Sour grapes, probably, but this seems to be the game plan that all of these companies that conduct business this way seem to follow. If these criminals do get prison time it is probably in one of those nice country club prisons where they get to play tennis and get passes into town to see movies. Makes you wonder if the system works for the honest person any more. Enough P.A.M. on my part, I just needed to vent about this situation.

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76ta1

Just got an letter from the Accounts Receivable at Warranty Gold. Here is what the letter said:

" Our records indicate your account is 12 days past due. Please remit payment immediately to avoid possible cancellation of coverage under your Warranty Gold contract.

If your account was set up for automatic payment from your credit card or bank account, please call us immediately at the number below." Yada, Yada Yada!!!

Let me get this straight Warranty Gold, you did not contact your customers immediately when you learned NWIG was in trouble, in fact you waited over four months to let most of your customers know, but you continued to charge our credit cards or bank accounts with out even a hint of what you were doing was wrong. Now you want me to keep sending you money. What drugs are you on, as I would like to try them out.

This is my response to them via email:

"I have just received your notice of a payment that is past due, I will be more than happy to continue to pay on this contract if I receive the following from you:

1. A statement that my contract is fully intact and in good standing.
2. That should I need any repairs I will not have to worry about being denied the claim due to a an issue with Warranty Gold
3. That my policy is still honored in the same state and under the same pretense that I purchased it from you in it's original form and purpose..

After I receive your confirmation, I would be more than happy to send you the funds due. "

Get me once, shame on you, getting me twice would be my own stupidity.

Remember everyone, you paid WG your money, not NWIG. NWIG has WG's money, not yours. WG is still responsible to you. These funds are not one in the same as WG would like for you to believe.

njlexus

You are right on that. NWIG has WG's money, not mine.

Say I take my mortgage money and put it in a safe investment with the intention of paying my monthly mortgage payment. Say that investment shuts its doors and claims bankruptcy. Can I tell the mortgage company that while I know you loaned me money, I took that money and put it in an investment with the full intention of paying my mortgage payment each month. Unfortunately, that investment went belly up, but if the courts ever release the assets of the investment, I will be happy to pay you.

So how would that sit with the mortgage company? The big difference, of course, is that the mortgage company can just take your house because they have all the power. We, on the other hand, are pretty much helpless. Sure, we can dispute charges with our credit card companies if we purchased a WG contact recently, and we can get involved in a class action suit. But at the end of the day, we are essentially powerless.

Just a cr@ppy situation. Has anyone heard of any other posting sites worth checking out?

quigonjohn

So if someone wants in on the class action suit, (I take it from your post and from which posts you deleted and which ones you did not), that they can post their email address and that they are interested in information. Then one of us who has contact information can quietly email that information to the party who asked for it.

mrhonest21

I was never informed of the liquidation of National Warranty Company by Warranty Gold. My only knowledge of a problem came when I took my car in for service and was told the warranty company was not paying and claims!
I have done my own investigating, and still have not heard from Warranty Gold. I've called them twice, and they have no answers. Does anyone?
Its amazing, but they are still selling policies, and they are still a recommended partner with MSN. I even contacted MSN and advised them of the problems over a month ago, and they are still recommending Warranty Gold!
I would be interested in participating in litigation.
mrhonest21@hotmail.com

2crnot2c

No, only that the tunnel gets longer. Being a realist, I see only 1 solution. Try to recuperate the money from your credit card companies. If that fails, then just take this as a horrible loss and NOT TRUST any other 3rd party company again. The way this "extended warranty" currently works, we will always be in the hands of companies that say that they will handle claims AFTER our manufacturer factory warranty expires. There is no guarantee.

I don't see any way that WG is going to give us back our money. They were not refined enough to let us know of a problem. They keep asking their customers to pay their monthly installments. And we expect them to honor their end (by returning our money)? What a joke! I can see WG folks laughing all the way to the bank(s). In the end they will go scott free. I just feel sorry for anybody buying extended warranty from them.

We can use this forum to fret, but remember, unless laws change in this land, nothing will ever change.

KCRam

Since we don't control what members email to each other, we don't hold a position on that. However, we strongly advise against the posting of email addresses (and this is also mentioned in the Member Agreement) because Town Hall pages are searchable via Google and other search engines - putting an email address in a post leaves that person very susceptible to data mining and spamming. We prefer/recommend that members use their profiles for email contact information instead of discussion posts.

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rayt2

Well spoken, I feel better already having you get that off your chest !
I wish I had not paid in full, but that's now hindsite !
Your right and I am hoping that Discover Card sees thru WG's mascarade and returns my money. I too bought 2 polocies and within 6 months and 9 months they were rendered useless WITHOUT notification to the contract holder ME. This in turn caused a later dispute to Discover Card, then had I known beforehand. The words I would like to express however are not allowed on this site unfortunately.
We all just have to vent together, if DC does not come thru for me then I will join those of us who learned a very expensive lesson about 3rd party warranties, no matter what that "Best Company" rates them ! I wonder how much WG paid to get that rating in print!

OK, time for a deep breath............and a drink!

Ray T.

76ta1

I sent two seperate emails with the details posted in an earlier post. Here are the responses I got:

"Unfortunately, the claim will not be paid for until their is a resolution to
the issue. If we do not recieve payment within 30 days we will cancel your
contract and you will not be entitled to a refund. If you cancel the right
way you may be entitled to a pro rated refund. I have sent you a
cancellation form have this form notarized and sent back through postal mail
for proper cancellation."

and this one, which really took some thought.....

"The information you require is at www.warrantynews.com. I would urge you to
read the section that speaks to your options at this point."

ronmorgan

WG is a bunch of crooks and liars. I purchased TWO contracts in March 2003 for both my cars (boy, am I a sucker or what?). In July, when I first tried to use the warranty, I was told by the dealership that WG was bankrupt, and unable to pay claims. This was the FIRST time I had heard of this, nothing whatsoever had come from WG -- and I had just purchased my contracts less than 4 months earlier! Now they are "hiding" behind some other company, and it galls me that WG is still conducting "business as usual" and still signing up other suckers like me! How can they get away with this? And now you can't even cancel for a pro-rata refund. They do not care, I have not yet as of 10-28-03 received anything from them at all. Liars and crooks if you ask me! I just don't understand how companies like this get away with it, and STAY in business like nothing has happened! Unbelievable.

mikefm58

Another thought I have is for all of us to post on as many internet fraud sites as possible. And also on other fraud sites set up by any federal, state, or local govt. We need to get the word out so WG either pays up or they are shut down. Here's a start:

www.consumeraffairs.com

Moderator, My apologies if this is a violation. If it is, feel free to delete this post.

illini4

As I have noted before, credit card companies are not going to foot the bill for WG. Any credit you get is temporary, until the CC company either obtains a refund from WG or learns that WG isn't going to pay. Guess which response the CC company will receive?

mikefm58

Not exactly sure how it works between WG and the credit card company, but my understanding is that as long as WG accepts a particular credit card, then that money is recoverable as long as the credit card company agrees with the customer.

rayt2

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

We all need to file complaints to put an end to Warranty Gold's deception and fraud. May not get your money back but you'll put an end to a dirty company. FTC cannot get your money back either but they can put WG out of business.

Ray T.

djk2442

I say if you get a bill from WG, send them Monopoly money as payment, because their policy is basically in the land of make believe. BTW the cc companies have the authority to reverse all charges if they see fit (or you make the case). They are not paying it on your behalf, just un-crediting WG.

illini4

Uncrediting WG means money is flowing back from WG to the cc company, and untimately into your account. If WG can't pay us directly, how can they pay the cc company?

cstrom1

Usually when you dispute a charge, if the company you are disputing the charge with does not pay then the credit card company gets re-imbursed by their insurance company. The insurance company then starts proceedings against the disputed party to recover these charges. I looked at my MasterCard agreement and it looks like CitiBank is actually covered by Prudential Insurance for disputed charges. So in the end all of our rates for insurance and/or your credit card go up.

jennyk4

As long as Warranty Gold is still in business, the CC company does a chargeback against their current account. The CC provider is NOT out of money as long as WG keeps selling policies and unsuspecting consumers pay for these via their credit cards. It's not technically YOUR money being returned, it's the bank taking the money out of the Warranty Gold's account. Hence, the credit card company doesn't go into their own pocket to refund your money.

Regulation E covers credit card disputes for services not rendered, and is not limited to the 60 days from when it appears on your bill rule. (Regulation Z - truth in lending - dictates the 60 day rule.) If you have a visa card, the reason code is 30. Once the CCC contacts them, WG has 45 days to issue their own credit to your account, or show proof that a refund was already given, OR that services you paid for are still provided.

cstrom1

Thanks for the info. It was real helpful. My question is there a time limit on Regulation E and does this also apply to MasterCard?

This was a good start, do you think you could post more info about Regulation E and the procedures and wording a customer should go thru to request a chargeback to their card?

This would be very helpful to all participants in this townhall that paid by credit card and are wondering how to go about getting the charges refunded on their cards. Also it would be helpful if you might have ideas on what to do or say if WG disputes the chargeback in the 45 days with your CCC.

Thanks.

jennyk4

I gathered some of my info from posts back in the mid 900's. Somewhere there is a sample letter of dispute.

Reg E talks about a timeframe of up to 120 days after you expect services to be rendered. I think that the more common examples are travel packages, fitness clubs, et all. Use those analogies if you phone.

Reg E also says that if the merchant disputes the chargeback, the bank can go back to the merchant a second time.

My experience was not an easy one. Everyone I spoke with said something different. More than once they told me I could not dispute it. As of now, they gave me pro-rated credits, subtracting the 6 months I would have had coverage, over the life of the contract. My form letter says that if WG declines, then they can't help me and I should take it up with them. My conversation (when I keep mentioning Reg E) said that one of 2 things will happen. If WG issues a credit, B of A will reverse theirs. If WG doesn't, the bank's will remain.

I have little knowledge of Reg E. I just did google search and picked up some language to include. It may help you to read back through prior posts. Oh, and Mastercard works the same. Their code is different, but I did not write it down, sorry.

rayt2

More questions..........
Are regulation "E" & "Z" federal regulations that apply to All credit card companies or just specific? Obviously I'm wondering if what you just stated about "E" applies to my purchase since Discover Card says it has a 180 dispute limit. WG NEVER notified me of the loss of coverage of my policy when all this crap started (as they should have)or I would have filed my dispute much earlier with DC than I did. I much rather prefer the charge back against them then filing for refund thru WG for obvious reasons. What you stated has more merit since WG , IS still selling policies.

Ray T.

openyd

Does anyone know the reputation of a company called Warranty Wizard? I am a casualty of WG and am looking into another company for coverage. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

jennyk4

These are federal regulations which apply to all banks, mortgage companies, and institutions which lend you money. Reg Z is the Truth in Lending one... which has been around since early on. Reg E is newer than Z I think. All credit card companies must abide by these rules. Some banks treat a bank card which debits the funds automatically from your checking account differently than a credit card, and claim that this consumer protection does not apply.

The phone number on your card and statement is for the 60 day disputes. They can not handle these, as their statements only go back 60 days. They try to get you to give up there. You must locate the 'other' dispute calling center. If you are lucky they will give you that number, but expect a long wait time and then request where to mail/fax your documentation and request for refund.

Hope this helps. I may try to request a check and close my account. I stopped using this card when I began my dispute process. The smaller banks are much easier to deal with.

quigonjohn

See my post #1095 in this thread. It is info on aawarranty.com. Gives some background info and also points you to info on Warranty Wizard. Also see #1156 in this thread.

Also, I just got some money from WG, yippee. Not much, $100, but better than nothing.

redline65

I am a casualty of WG and am looking into another company for coverage.

Battered consumer syndrome?

jennyk4

How did you get $$$ from WG? An old claim? A cancellation refund? I have yet to receive anything from them. I did not even get the mass email in early October *sigh*

quigonjohn

I think it was for referrals. Prior to their collapse, I had posted about how good they seemed and the good service I got when purchasing. Little did I know what was in store for me, (and everyone else).

rayt2

Quig,
Maybe, just maybe the people you referred waited until after June 6th to finally decide to buy the policy, if that be the case your out of hot water with them for the referral and thus your reward for selling 2 policies for WG. LOL !

Jenny,
I did get a fax number from DC and faxed my letter of dispute stating the facts and other documentation from this site as well as complaint to FTC & WebAssured. If they deny maybe I can throw Reg. Z & E back at them. I'll have to check fed regulations on those two regs to know what the heck I'm talking about though, more time consuming research for the cause ! Or do you have it at hand to copy and paste so it can be posted on this board ?

Ray T.

gregb882

I haven't been able to read back far enough yet. But why will quiqonjohn be OK if his WG referrals waited until after June 6th to buy? Thanks

jennyk4

The Regulation E reference was given to me by a supervisor at B of A. She mumbled it and I ran with it in my documentation. Most of what I gathered to 'appear' confident in my 'consumer rights', I found from information to assist the merchant to fight a chargeback. Sounds backwards, I know, but this is how I educated myself. Lots of the language is in here.

This is a good link:
http://www.wellsfargosecure.com/customer/chargebacks/3.htm

Another one:
http://www.cctransact.com/FAQ/Chargebacks.htm

 I also faxed more stuff to them everyday. News articles, websites, complaints... Once I secured a claim #, I referenced that. They probably got tired of filing my paperwork

jratcliffe

Contracts purchased after June 6th are insured and administered by a new provider, who, unlike NWIG (the provider prior to 6/6/03) is solvent (for the moment at least).

mrswans

I filed a dispute with my CC Company last month and a few days ago I was received a letter and was credited a prorated amount, $985 (don't know how they came up with this amount, but I'm happy with it). I had purchased the 7 yr 100,000 mile policy in March of 2002 for $1,245. I'll be very happy if the credit is still there in 45 days. The letter from my CC Company said, "all necessary adjustments have been made and at this time we consider this matter resolved". "However, if any charges are later found to be valid because of additional information presented by the merchant, your account will be recharged". All I did was send a letter explaining what happened and a copy of my contract. I basically sent the letter roadrascal posted, message 933 (Thanks roadrascal).

Mike

jennyk4

Don't you think that the merchant would have to provide evidence that they are still providing you the service that you paid for to reverse this credit? IMHO that would be their only valid additional information. However, there has been little logic in all that has transpired to date.

Crossing fingers for all of us on the 45 day waiting it out period, lol.

openyd

I think we would all be an a better position if we just self insured ourselves. Just take the money that we are paying these thieves and place it in a bank account designated for repairs. Instead of taking another risk, I am just going to set up and auto debit account with ING and have them debit $100 a month. If I don't neeed repairs or sell the car, I am way ahead of the game. If we all did this we would put all these #$#@# out of business. Just my $.02.

wolvesdaddy

Yes....... I too was DUPED by Warranty Gold in the state of Florida.......No recourse.....And THEY are still selling policys (not in Florida).I paid $1149.00 for a worthless policy for my '98 hombre in August 2001 for 7 years /100,000 mile protection....They did pay a $352.00 repair for an alternator repair in June 2003, but STUCK ME for $169.00 wiper repair in July 2003......I guess I should feel lucky, as I've heard of others with thousands of $$$$ in repairs that they would not honor..........The thing that IRKS me about all of this is NO COMMUNICATION or warning that this was going to happen, when WARRANTY GOLD knew what was going on and chose to hide it from their customers.......Now my '98 Hombre is too old and has 43,000 miles.....And cannot get another extended warranty at a fair price..........My only option is to Pray that my vehicle does not break down.......or Trade it....Next time I will only purchase a extended warranty directly from the "factory"....Got me once, but NEVER AGAIN.....I sure hope they enjoy my $$$$......LEGAL ROBBERY!.......BUT........WHAT GOES AROUND.....COMES AROUND!!!!!!

cstrom1

I am still waiting to hear from my CC company if they are willing to refund the money I spent on my WG policy. I am crossing my fingers and hoping since reading the "Fair Credit Billing Act" that governs refunds on credit card charges. This "Act" basically says you have to make a claim within 60 days and the merchant must be within 100 miles of your residence and the charge must be greater than $50 if you intend to get refunded due to "services not rendered". I did find other web sites that do state that alot of credit card companies still do give refunds if you do not meet these rules, by law they do not have to give you a refund if the above requirements are not met. So the sooner you file a dispute with your credit card company the better. Also, just to be safe I am waiting until I hear from my CCC before I cancel my WG contract or they could come back and say they don't have to render services since you cancelled your contract. Just one less avenue I want to make sure they don't have to dispute my chargeback.

quigonjohn

At least you can look at your cost, less the one claim you paid, so now your only out $797, and of course, no warranty. I went with another company, aawarrant.com. But I think, once my car is paid off, (Feb. 2004), I'm gonna start a repairs fund as well, openyd suggested. But probably just $50 a month, heck after the first year, that's 600 plus any interest, and more affordable for me.

xpfshost

A repair fund is OK if you've just started your factory warranty and have 3 or more years to accumulate the money necessary to cover a major repair...or two. Then again, if you get a reputable warranty and save the money that you would've used for car repairs, you'll be able to keep most of that money after your car is long gone. One major repair could wipe out that fund and leave you with a situation where you now have NO money saved for repairs at all. $600 a year probably won't cover a major repair until the 3rd year is done and you'll have about $1800. I've read many posts on this site where people have had bills much higher than that. Those of us who are now outside of our factory warranty and can't afford a major repair (and can't afford to take a few years to save enough to cover a major repair) have few options other than getting a new 3rd party warranty from a more reputable company, or buying a new car. I can't afford a new car and I can't afford a major repair, so the only valid option is to buy a new warranty from a different company. It's a shame that so many people are bashing ALL 3rd party warranty companies. It's simply not true that all of these companies are crooks and thieves. One company goes south and all-of-a-sudden the whole 3rd party warranty industry is lumped in with them. I'm as ticked-off as the next guy with the whole WG thing...but I'm trying to keep my head. Self-insuring yourself is OK if you have the time and money. I don't have the money or TIME to cover a major repair...or two. My 2cents.

xpfshost