Z7911-2 WAY SHUTTLE

[Michael White]

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, ROB WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT USING Z7911 (2 WAY SHUTTLE) WOULD WORK. BEING GMC,PONTIAC, AND BUICK, I TRIED A TEST Z7911 UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER FOR EACH FRANCHISE. IT DID NOT WORK ON ANYTHING BUT A GMPP CLAIM. I AM CONFUSED IN ROB'S NOV NEWS LETTER HE STATES THAT SOME DEALERS ARE ABLE TO DO IT. HOW CAN SOME DEALERS DO IT AND NOT US? IT GREATLY AFFECTS US. WE DO APPROX 40-60 2 WAY SHUTTLES ON A DAILY BASIS. I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT. ROB, CAN YOU GIVE US MORE INFO ON THIS?? CAN OTHER DEALERS USING IT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT. I DO KNOW THAT HAVING 2 WAY SHUTTLE IS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DEALER COUNSEL. I DO NOT KNOW WHY GM IS SO APPREHENSIVE, UNLESS THEY FIGURE ALL DEALERS ARE THIEVES. I KNOW THEY ARE OVERBUDGET ON RENTALS AND A $30 RENTAL IN OUR AREA WILL GET YOU A GEO OR FORD ESCORT FROM ENTERPRISE.
THANKS
MIKE

[robc]

One quick question and then we'll move on to the rest of the topic - when the operations rejects what is the return code? Operation incompatible to vehicle? Op Prohibited? I am just trying to get a handle on this a bit.

Since that article a year ago I still get feedback on it. I siad at the time that it may not work 100% of the time for 100% of the dealers. Since it was designed for Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile, I assume those franchises have no problems using it, others it just seems hit or miss.

I kind of hinted at this during that old article, but really the #1 reason why I wrote it was hopefully to stir-up enough trouble to cause GM to act on it - one way or the other. Either cut it off or open it up. Of course as Michael says, current considered changes to Courtesy Transportation do include a two-way, so I am looking more towards it happening - it's just a question of when.

Depending on how much you want to push the system, I know a way to get paid and one that normally escapes attention for a while. Use Z7909 for multiple services. The op will hold up to $50.

I know ... it's not really right. The operation is intended for is to reimburse friends/co-workers for gas for driving them back and forth or public transportation. The way I look at it (in my own twisted sense of rationalization) is I am acting as that friend. If Buddy Bob deserves $10 a day for lugging Mr. Customer around then I really should to. I strongly imagine that many inside GM would have a different opinion and using this operation for anything outside the bulletin is at your own risk!

Another option, and I am not sure anyone has ever attempted this, is what would it take to be a licensed as either a shuttle service or a taxi in your community. Could a dealer become a taxi service and then claim the $30 taxi ride per day? Maybe it would be too cost prohibitive to do this, but I think it certainly would make things interesting and add back a little to the dealership for maintaining the promise GM made to the customer of Courtesy Transportation.

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** Rob, Editor WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[This message has been edited by robc (edited 12-09-2000).]

[warr_wiz]

We are a Pontiac/GMC store in SE Mass. I have used both Z7910 and Z7911 and have had no problem at all. We don't claim it on 100% of the warranty claims but do use it quite often. The only time I have had any rejects is on a vehicle out of the factory warranty but in for a recall. It then usually rejects for VIN beyond warranty. Even though the recall letter clearly states that alternate transportation will be provided. Other than that, I have had no problem claiming Z7901/Z7911.