Buyback Lessons Learned

[GoFaster]

You shouldn't have a problem, and if you do, contact the legal firm that is handling the case.

 

[Tigidal]

Recommendation for casting off...

Folks...Thanks for the discussion here and I've learned a lot about the process so far. We have a 2011 TDI Sportwagen here in the DC area, that we are looking to have bought back. Our rub is that we are planning to move aboard a sailboat around Oct 1, 2018, after selling our home and putting our stuff in storage.

I'd like to try and make this buyback transaction one of the last transactions we make before cutting the docklines, so that we have the car to get around as long as possible. Looking for recommendations to do this from folks that have completed the process. How far out could I schedule an appointment time?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Lightflyer1]

I would just do it now and get it over with. If something goes wrong it will hold you up for who knows how long. Turn it in as soon as possible and get a beater car to use until then. Sell or donate it to a charity when the time comes.

 

[TDIforDays]

Folks...Thanks for the discussion here and I've learned a lot about the process so far. We have a 2011 TDI Sportwagen here in the DC area, that we are looking to have bought back. Our rub is that we are planning to move aboard a sailboat around Oct 1, 2018, after selling our home and putting our stuff in storage.
I'd like to try and make this buyback transaction one of the last transactions we make before cutting the docklines, so that we have the car to get around as long as possible. Looking for recommendations to do this from folks that have completed the process. How far out could I schedule an appointment time?
Thanks for any assistance.

Submit all your documents now and get Offer Letter. Sign that and upload it. That will get you to "Schedule Appointment" step. There is no time limit on when you need to schedule the appointment. Appointments are scheduled minimum 2 weeks in advance from the day you are scheduling it. If you need to reschedule, it will be in two weeks. So schedule it about 3 weeks before you have to leave. This way you will have time to reschedule it in case something goes wrong.

 

[Lightflyer1]

and hope you aren't involved in a wreck or other totally disabling event. There are advantages to keeping it. A huge disadvantage if something happens. Weigh both and decide.

 

[wild03]

I agree with selling back now. In my case I was driving around on an 09 that was going to get me $16K. Huge risk if something happened since KBB value was much lower.

I sold mine back last week. all smooth.
Rep was available when i got to dealer 15mis early and he had a screwdriver to remove tag. I had already removed it myself. He took several pictures of the car.
1: the Dashboard with CAR running.
2: Front driver side
3: Back passenger side.
4: Front Interior
5: Rear Interior

All I remember. He also took picture of the two documents I signed maybe the Title too, and uploaded them to a site of some sort with slots for each of those pictures.

Done in 30mins. I had installed an old battery since I wanted to keep the few months old battery I had in the car. luckily the car started with a little stumble. I don't think it would have started twice. But I had taken a jumper cable with me to boost it just in case.

2 days later I had an email from the VW bank requesting info for the transfer.

I'm gonna miss it.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

Buyback Complete

Had a similar experience to the post right above mine. They also went through the car and found a few things (umbrella, change, etc.) and removed my Tolltag sticker and plates for me. I was almost an hour early, and it was not a problem. Took about 20 minutes overall.

One lesson: it wasn't worth printing and filling out the forms in advance---they reprinted them anyway.

Really hope they fix it and let someone else enjoy it!

 

[jfphelan]

VW not fixing Manual Trans cars

I got a letter form VW saying they are withdrawing their application to repair (reprogram) diesels that have manual transmissions. Anyone know why. As far as I know, it is the same engine as the automatics. Seems fishy to me. Thanks.

 

[GoFaster]

There's a whole thread dedicated to that topic on that specific vehicle (and it applies to 2012 - 2014 Passat with manual transmission only - NOT to other models)

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=482826

 

[jvance]

Hey all - I'm wondering about the typical timeline of the buyback. I received an email two days ago saying that my uploaded documents have been preliminarily approved. About how far out should I expect my turn-in appointment to be, and what has been the typical timeline for the Bosch payment?

 

[Rico567]

Hey all - I'm wondering about the typical timeline of the buyback. I received an email two days ago saying that my uploaded documents have been preliminarily approved. About how far out should I expect my turn-in appointment to be, and what has been the typical timeline for the Bosch payment?

Evidently the current lead time for a buyback appointment is two weeks. As far as the Bosch payment, from what I've read your guess is as likely to be right as anything.

 

[msantram]

One more tire question/conundrum.

I have two set of rims for my TDI. The summer tires are on 17" Goals and the winter tires are on the stock 17" rims (forgetting the name). The summer tires have a little tread left while the winters are still good. I just picked up a '13 GTI and want to keep put my winter tires on the 17" Goals. It will be a little bit of work to do the tire and rim swap.

The GTI looks to have a full size 16" steelie and I have my spare from the Wagen.

1. Can I put both spares on the Wagen and then put on two cheap steel wheels for the buyback?

2. I am not sure if it is better to keep a stock 17" as a spare for the GTI or just return the Wagen with the summer tires. Any thoughts?

 

[GoFaster]

Doesn't matter what wheels are on it as long as it has wheels on it.

 

[msantram]

thx GoFaster! Found a couple and will pick up/install this weekend. Thx!

 

[jvance]

Evidently the current lead time for a buyback appointment is two weeks. As far as the Bosch payment, from what I've read your guess is as likely to be right as anything.

Just to follow up - I uploaded my acceptance on the 4th. It was accepted on the 5th, and the earliest appointment in my area available was the 22nd, which I took.

Regarding the uploaded document, we have a fancy printer at work that double-side scans from a feeder into a single document. I set the resolution to 400 DPI, black and white, with background suppression. It produced a PDF of about 250k in size that was clear and legible. The notary public used an ink stamp and not an embosser and it showed up perfectly.

 

[Ripster]

Buyback 08JAN18
Email from Chase ref EFT 10JAN18
EFT in my savings account 11JAN18
VW Credit remaining balance & account closed 15JAN18
Bosch payment still waiting

Note: Maryland titled vehicles must bring title to buyback, regardless of lien status.

 

[jvance]

They paid me extra

I was paid the "base amount" with no modifiers. It wound up being $60 more than what I'd calculated using the diesel settlement calculator, because they didn't debit me for the manual transmission and credit me for the panoramic sunroof, I guess. If your car was loaded, doublecheck their offer:

https://agrahamg.github.io/VWBuybackCalculator/

That said, I am now TDI-less and highly unlikely to buy another diesel or VW. I should post a post-mortem and then GTFO.

 

[Mr.Go]

Yes, a chat rep. on the settlement website said that they would not include the $600 (California) credit would not be part of the offer. She insisted that the Panoramic Sunroof on our 2010 JSW TDI was not factory installed.

She noted the serial number noted other options on the car and said that it had the "big roof package" and that it is not the same as "sunroof". I sure as heck remember the cost on the window sticker when it was new. She said the offer is what it is and that there are no exceptions.

Anyone had any success correcting errors on their offer?

 

[2015vwgolfdiesel]

Yes, a chat rep. on the settlement website said that they would not include the $600 (California) credit would not be part of the offer. She insisted that the Panoramic Sunroof on our 2010 JSW TDI was not factory installed.

She noted the serial number noted other options on the car and said that it had the "big roof package" and that it is not the same as "sunroof". I sure as heck remember the cost on the window sticker when it was new. She said the offer is what it is and that there are no exceptions.

Anyone had any success correcting errors on their offer?

eh...

Do you still have the MONRONEY

 

[jvance]

She noted the serial number noted other options on the car and said that it had the "big roof package" and that it is not the same as "sunroof". I sure as heck remember the cost on the window sticker when it was new. She said the offer is what it is and that there are no exceptions.

There never was a plain "sunroof" option on the JSW. The only roof modification was the panoramic sunroof and it was only factory installed. What the hell did she think a "big roof package" was? A popup camper?

I think you need to escalate your complaint. The CSR was clearly poorly trained.

 

[Smashed Ixnay]

Sold our 2010 Jetta TDI back today. We took it off the insurance back in December when we purchased the replacement (2015 Passat TDI SEL) and had to take the tag off two weeks ago to put on the new car. VW gave us no hassles. They made us turn it on, move it 5', and then that was it. Sad to know it'll be crushed.

 

[msantram]

Completed the buyback this morning of my 2011 SportWagen TDI for the pre-determined amount. The same buyback specialist was there, and she is now handing the video walkthrough with the VW rep at corporate. She stated that in the past, they were taking back cars without much fuss, but things have changed a bit with the video review.

My wagen went back with four full size steelies, a generic base Jetta sedan radio, and a duct taped bumper. There were some other cosmetic issues which prompted the corporate rep to ask her to take several pictures of my bumper, the dashboard, and the other interior photos. I stood there sweating as snow fell. We walked back inside and chit chatted whilst the corp rep got approval on the bumpers. After that, he re-stated the previous agreed amount and it was all smooth sailing after that. The ETF will apparently be emailed within three business days, so fingers crossed until then.

My takeaway from today was is that they may not be as lenient as they once were with returned cars. If you are planning to sell back your TDI, but are waiting for one reason or another, my belief is that sooner than later is a significantly better course for ones that have some cosmetic issues. "Luck favors the prepared."

I will miss this wagen immensely, but it saved my bacon many times and gave me a thrilling ride and reignited a long dormant passion for automobiles and driving. Best of luck to everyone!

 

[msantram]

ETF Notice Received at 11.30 PM last night. ETF completed at 5.15 AM.

Current mood? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBDA--f5vsg

 

[jonferns]

Had my buyback appointment yesterday afternoon. Went pretty smoothly, done in about 20 mins. Sat with the rep who connected to someone remotely on an iPad. Went through some disclosures, then they walked around the car with the iPad taking video, said they were checking for dents and scratches. Not sure if that would've affected the buyback process in anyway, but I don't think it should have. Took photos of the gauges to confirm mileage and that it was running, and of the radio. Waiting for the EFT email from Chase now

Update: EFT email received from chase at ~11pm on 2/22. EFT completed by the following morning. All done!

 

[mbrunner]

Just thought I would update on my top-up situation. I turned my 2011 Treg in July 2017 and have been waiting for my 50% restitution top-up payment they withheld in error.

I was able to speak to counsel and they confirmed that I am in the group of members that they owe top-up payments to and that they brought the group up again to VW about a week ago and the response was that these would be getting paid out in "the next few weeks"

So hopefully myself and others that are still waiting will get some closure soon.

 

[JimJamie]

Did my buyback on Tuesday. The local salesgirl in charge could not get the audio/visual working on her Ipad, even with the help of an online IT person. She said it was a common situation. Pissed about 15 minutes of my time. Oddly there was a VW guy there 'just in case'. He took over. He did not drive the car. Did not ask about anything: broken rearview mirror, engine light on. Did not look in the trunk. Checked all the bins for refuse. The $$ arrived today via electronic payment so it took 3 days. He said only 2% of those returning TDI's said they would buy another another VW. Wow, yet I'm looking closely at a Camry Hybrid.

 

[baldbear]

Sold back my 2013 manual Passat. Guy was OK. No one in dealership, who I know, even said hello. Strange. 2018 Honda Accord manual is my replacement.

 

[Yankinwaoz]

Check seats

Add to punch list:

• Check under front seats
• Check gap between front seats and center console

 

[STRANGETDI]

Anybody keep their full size spare and tool kit? I was thinking about it. My buyback is on 4/18.

 

[TDIforDays]

Anybody keep their full size spare and tool kit? I was thinking about it. My buyback is on 4/18.

They definitely do NOT check that. Keep it