Written by Remar Sutton, StreetWise National Spokesperson
Exclusively for DCU
Exclusively for DCU
Introduction
“Just click here, and this beautiful convertible can be yours for $1 under invoice. Unbelievable! And we've got Zero Percent financing. Even more unbelievable! And we'll bring this beauty to your home today! And we guarantee the value of your trade-in! Just click here!”
Listen to the hype – whether its online, on TV, or in print – and you'd think high technology and the web make saving money on a vehicle as easy and fast as a click on the mouse. Wrong!
- Did you know a dealer or on-line auto service can sell or lease you a new set of wheels for exactly what the seller paid the manufacturer and still make $500 to $1,500 on just the car itself?
- Did you know that "Zero Percent" financing may cost you more than financing at a bank or credit union – even if the bank or credit union's rate is 6 percent?
- Do you hate dealing with dealers and look forward to buying or leasing a vehicle on-line – or from a buying service – just so you won't have to deal with the dealer yourself? Guess what: you have to deal with a dealer, even if you use a buying service! All new vehicle sales-repeat all-have to involve a dealer.
- Do you think the web has made it safer for you to research and/or acquire a new vehicle? Think again! In just the past three years, the entire auto business has been ripped apart, reinvented, and re-launched. “ In an instant, your privacy, your money, and your good credit can be stripped away-and that's if you're dealing with the 'good' car guys!” That quote, from the new edition of my book Don't Get Taken Every Time, sums it up. You can read portions of the book by clicking below, if you're really into auto industry detail.
Message from Remar Sutton | A Day in The Life of Killer Monsoon | Chapter 1
That's why I've written this special on-line buying guide for DCU's StreetWise for Auto Buyers
program – and for you. For over twenty years, I've tracked the inner workings of the auto industry. As President and co-founder with Ralph Nader of the non-profit Consumer Task Force For Automotive Issues, I've pretty much seen it all when it comes to wacky sales gimmicks, deception, and consumer abuse. And, as national spokesperson for DCU's StreetWise for Auto Buyers program, its my sworn duty to keep those things from happening to you!
And this program works! If you follow this guide, you can keep up to $2,000 or so of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket rather than the dealer's.
StreetWise is about education – not hype. This program provides you an oasis from the pressure, confusion, and deception that is rampant in the auto industry and on the web. And it gives you straight answers. For instance, if you come to us with a financing offer and we can't beat it. We'll tell you so.
We can make that promise because our goals are different than the other players in the auto industry. A dealer and their finance sources have two objectives – sell you their product or service (whether or not it's the right product for you), and sell it to you at the maximum price you will pay. Our job, on the other hand, is to make sure you buy what's best for you, and to make sure you pay the least for it.
Our credit union vision is that All members achieve their financial goals. You own your credit union. We exist to serve you and make your financial life better. If we achieve our vision with you, we believe you will bring more of your financial business to us. When you do, not only do you benefit, it brings us more resources to help even more members and bring new and improved services to everyone. The long-standing credit union principle of people helping people is alive
and well at DCU.
Okay, let's get started.
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Digital Federal Credit Union 220 Donald Lynch Boulevard PO Box 9130 Marlborough, MA 01752-9130 508.263.6700 • 800.328.8797 |
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© 2008. Digital Federal Credit Union