American Auto Shield Blog

Being Called by an Auto-Dialer Machine?

March 28th, 2009 Posted in News / General Information

Join American Auto Shield in our Effort to end Voice Blasting

Consumers across the nation have recently been solicited by various companies using voice blasting and other high pressure sales tactics. It’s incredibly annoying, agreed – and it is not American Auto Shield. American Auto Shield does not contact consumers directly and does not condone these practices. As a nation, it’s important that we join together to end illegal telemarketing sales methods. But don’t fall victim to the belief that a vehicle protection program is not a wise purchase. In fact, it can be the smartest investment you make.

Did you know that you are more likely to use a Vehicle Service Contract than other forms of protection? More than 1/3 of all vehicles experience one or more failures in a given year; and with the complexity of today’s vehicles combined with today’s labor rates – one repair can often cost more than the Vehicle Service Contract itself. Additionally, the risk of component failure and associated repair costs increases with your vehicle’s age and mileage.

Knowledge is power; and it’s important to understand that there are good companies and there are bad companies. Don’t miss out on vehicle protection coverage because you’re afraid to purchase anything over the phone or Internet. Instead, research the right company and coverage for you before making such an important purchase. American Auto Shield suggests the following:

• Never give personal information, including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers, over the phone to an unknown telemarketer without researching the product, company and services first. Be sure to ask who the provider, administrator and insurer of the contract are. If a company is unwilling to give you this information, do not give them yours.
• When considering a vehicle service contract or any other type of telephone solicitation, review the contract and/or be sure its terms and conditions are clearly explained before providing payment information. Please feel free to visit American Auto Shield’s website to view our Standard Auto Coverage Pages Terms and Conditions and to learn more about our other programs and services.
• Before purchasing service contract coverage, consumers should always check the company out first with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Feel free to check out American Auto Shield’s BBB Report.
• Consumers can place their phone number on the federal do not call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov. If the consumer is already on the list but continues to receive telemarketing calls, he or she can use the same website to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

While American Auto Shield develops and administers safe and secure vehicle protection programs, we do not sell service contracts directly; we do not contact consumers by any form of telephone solicitation, nor do we condone high pressure sales tactics. However, our comprehensive programs are designed to meet the needs of reputable franchise and independent dealers, direct marketing companies, membership organizations and financial institutions. American Auto Shield vendors sign strict agreements clearly outlining our policy regarding telephone solicitation, including our no tolerance policy concerning voice blasting. To ensure customer service satisfaction, American Auto Shield also proactively conducts its own compliance regulation inquiries into its vendor services.

American Auto Shield is a member of the Automotive Warranty Service Contract Association (AWSCA) and has teamed with them to help protect consumers from marketers selling service contracts illegally. If you feel you’re a victim of illegal marketing tactics or if you have any additional information that you feel could help our nation’s effort to end voice blasting, please visit our website www.americanautoshield.com or contact us at info@americanautoshield.com.  Please also feel free to contact AWSCA at www.warrantybestpractices.com. They will launch an investigation into the matter.

Together we can make a difference.

Tags: auto, autodialer, calls, car, claims, contract, coverage, dealership, manufacturer, repair, robocall, sales, service, solicitation, telemarketing, telephone, vehicle, warranty