Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee

**JoeT** · 07-12-2007, 11:45 PM

Return To Sender

Jaedene Hudson
13 July 2007
www.drive.com.au

Holden's money-back guarantee offer on its Korean-built Epica has been used twice.

Two people who bought Holden's new Epica sedan have taken the company up on its unique money-back guarantee and handed back their cars.

Holden has a shopping channel-style deal for Epica buyers: if you buy one and don't like it, return it in good condition within 30 days (or 1500km) and you will get your money back.

It is the first deal of its kind in Australia and there is only one condition - you must buy another car.

One buyer swapped the Epica for a Holden Commodore, while the other - a woman from Wingham, near Taree - bought herself a Mazda6. Holden will not reveal the identity of either customer for "privacy reasons" but Drive spoke to the Mazda dealership in Taree that handled the changeover.

It says the woman bought the Epica from McGrath Holden at Liverpool when she was in Sydney on holidays. She then drove the 310km back to Wingham without incident but the car later broke down on a trip to nearby Tinonee and had to be towed to the Holden dealer in Taree to be fixed.

While it was being repaired the woman walked to the Mazda dealership across the road, Manning Valley Motors. Salesman Steve Pascoe says the woman did not initially tell him about the Epica.

"I knew nothing about the other vehicle at the time," he says.

"It was not until the transaction was done and I took the deposit that she told me about the other car.

"So I gave her a copy of the order and Holden contacted me to get our banking details and then put the money straight into our account."

Pascoe says the woman bought a Mazda6 Classic hatch, with a recommended retail price of $32,980. The Epica range sells for between $25,990 and $30,990.

Click here to continue article

Holden Offers Money-Back Guarantee On Epica Range
First Drive: New Holden Epica Range
Review: New Holden Epica vs Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata & Kia Magentis

jbernie · 07-13-2007, 02:07 AM

good to know only two have gone back, be interesting to know what went wrong with the one that got swapped for a Mazda. Since they did the return i guess it was a warranty item.

asim · 07-13-2007, 02:28 AM

This is pretty cool, looks like that pretty much everyone that took the gamble liked the car and kept it. This doesn't tell us how many people actually kept the car though. I like the execution of this program better than the previous Chrysler and Saturn ones. The main (and better difference) is how Holden forced the person to buy a competitor car. lol

AndrewGS · 07-13-2007, 06:28 AM

It's funny that one of them bought-up to a Commodore. They might have bought the Epica just to try it out for a few hundred ks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbernie

good to know only two have gone back, be interesting to know what went wrong with the one that got swapped for a Mazda. Since they did the return i guess it was a warranty item.

I'm also quite curious as to what went wrong. Probably something simple.

Two out of over 917 ain't bad I guess.

Masospaghetti · 07-13-2007, 07:18 AM

Gawd that Epica looks gross. The lights are just revolting

mrfunji · 07-13-2007, 07:37 AM

She probably ran out of gas

Free-loaded off that complimentary tank

JonathanRohr · 07-13-2007, 08:14 AM

AUSSIE CARS ARE SO UGLY!!!!

1998 called, they want their curves back!

On a side note, I think a company is better off if it lets its unhappy customers return the car instead of driving around hating for mile after mile, and whining to everyone along the way. If they can just return it, that leaves them with a pretty happy feeling, and they may still come back in the future. The return idea is especially good if they can keep 50% of them buying ANOTHER Holden.

Butz · 07-13-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonathanRohr

AUSSIE CARS ARE SO UGLY!!!!

1998 called, they want their curves back!

On a side note, I think a company is better off if it lets its unhappy customers return the car instead of driving around hating for mile after mile, and whining to everyone along the way. If they can just return it, that leaves them with a pretty happy feeling, and they may still come back in the future. The return idea is especially good if they can keep 50% of them buying ANOTHER Holden.

It's actually Korean.

**nadepalma** · 07-13-2007, 09:01 AM

Outstanding --- this is good news for Holden and speaks to the product itself. Excellent.

SUPERBADD75 · 07-13-2007, 10:40 AM

i wonder what would happen if GM did that stateside. that's a very interesting promo, and it doesn't appear to be biting them in the arse.

RWD60 · 07-13-2007, 10:58 AM

i think this would be a great program to have here in the states for all GM brands. i think alot more people would give Chevy/Caddy/etc an honest try if they knew that if they didn't like it they could get all their money back and go get a Camry/BMW/etc three weeks later.

coaster.n3rd · 07-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPERBADD75

i wonder what would happen if GM did that stateside. that's a very interesting promo, and it doesn't appear to be biting them in the arse.

The Saturn vehicle exchange program. Return the vehicle within 30 days or 1,500 miles with less than $300 in non warranty damage. been going on since I have been here...

SUPERBADD75 · 07-13-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

The Saturn vehicle exchange program. Return the vehicle within 30 days or 1,500 miles with less than $300 in non warranty damage. been going on since I have been here...

is this well known? i've never heard of that before. just proof that they don't market it very well i guess.

Bravada · 07-13-2007, 12:30 PM

This only goes to prove the Tosca is a really good car, and GM is missing out big time not selling it in the US, where midsize cars are the all-important segment of the market. If people are so satisfied with the Epicas they have now, there is a huge chance they will return to Holden for their next vehicle(s), and loyalty is just what GM needs in the US!

fan · 07-13-2007, 12:40 PM

Maybe this program should be tried in US too with Aura or the 2008 Malibu.

07-12-2007, 11:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
JoeT GMI's Holden Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wollongong, Australia Drives: 2003 Holden Monaro CV8 Posts: 4,854	Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee Return To Sender Jaedene Hudson 13 July 2007 www.drive.com.au Holden's money-back guarantee offer on its Korean-built Epica has been used twice. Two people who bought Holden's new Epica sedan have taken the company up on its unique money-back guarantee and handed back their cars. Holden has a shopping channel-style deal for Epica buyers: if you buy one and don't like it, return it in good condition within 30 days (or 1500km) and you will get your money back. It is the first deal of its kind in Australia and there is only one condition - you must buy another car. One buyer swapped the Epica for a Holden Commodore, while the other - a woman from Wingham, near Taree - bought herself a Mazda6. Holden will not reveal the identity of either customer for "privacy reasons" but Drive spoke to the Mazda dealership in Taree that handled the changeover. It says the woman bought the Epica from McGrath Holden at Liverpool when she was in Sydney on holidays. She then drove the 310km back to Wingham without incident but the car later broke down on a trip to nearby Tinonee and had to be towed to the Holden dealer in Taree to be fixed. While it was being repaired the woman walked to the Mazda dealership across the road, Manning Valley Motors. Salesman Steve Pascoe says the woman did not initially tell him about the Epica. "I knew nothing about the other vehicle at the time," he says. "It was not until the transaction was done and I took the deposit that she told me about the other car. "So I gave her a copy of the order and Holden contacted me to get our banking details and then put the money straight into our account." Pascoe says the woman bought a Mazda6 Classic hatch, with a recommended retail price of $32,980. The Epica range sells for between $25,990 and $30,990. Click here to continue article Holden Offers Money-Back Guarantee On Epica Range First Drive: New Holden Epica Range Review: New Holden Epica vs Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata & Kia Magentis

07-13-2007, 02:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
jbernie 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado, USA Drives: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Posts: 1,412	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee good to know only two have gone back, be interesting to know what went wrong with the one that got swapped for a Mazda. Since they did the return i guess it was a warranty item. __________________ Talk is cheap, sometimes it is on sale!

07-13-2007, 02:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,271	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee This is pretty cool, looks like that pretty much everyone that took the gamble liked the car and kept it. This doesn't tell us how many people actually kept the car though. I like the execution of this program better than the previous Chrysler and Saturn ones. The main (and better difference) is how Holden forced the person to buy a competitor car. lol __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

07-13-2007, 07:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Masospaghetti 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2006 Drives: 1984 Kawasaki KZ700 Posts: 293	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee Gawd that Epica looks gross. The lights are just revolting

07-13-2007, 07:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
mrfunji 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Red Sox Nation Drives: '05 GTO Posts: 730	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee She probably ran out of gas Free-loaded off that complimentary tank __________________ There is no replacement for displacement - except for the turbo in my basement 2005 GTO

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07-13-2007, 08:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
JonathanRohr 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Drives: 2000 Pontiac Firebird Posts: 431	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee AUSSIE CARS ARE SO UGLY!!!! 1998 called, they want their curves back! On a side note, I think a company is better off if it lets its unhappy customers return the car instead of driving around hating for mile after mile, and whining to everyone along the way. If they can just return it, that leaves them with a pretty happy feeling, and they may still come back in the future. The return idea is especially good if they can keep 50% of them buying ANOTHER Holden. __________________ TMC v GM: (8-3) Subcompact: Toyota (Yaris) Compact: Toyota (Corolla) Midsize: GM (Aura) Hybrid/Alt Fuel: Toyota (Prius) X-Over: GM (Outlook/Acadia/Enclave) Minivan: Toyota (Sienna) Compact SUV: Toyota (Rav4) Midsize SUV: Toyota (Highlander) Fullsize SUV: GM (Tahoe) Midsize Truck: Toyota (Tacoma) 1/2 Ton Truck: Tie (but it counts as a loss, it should be no contest) As of 2/7/07 Please note that 2 catagories were reclaimed as of this year. Will keep updating, hopefully adding more blue! Last edited by JonathanRohr : 07-13-2007 at 08:17 AM.

07-13-2007, 09:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,646	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee Outstanding --- this is good news for Holden and speaks to the product itself. Excellent. __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried" -Winston Churchill "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress" -John Adams

07-13-2007, 10:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
SUPERBADD75 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: at the corner of walk and don't walk Drives: 2008 Trailblazer LT3 2009 Mustang Posts: 2,899	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee i wonder what would happen if GM did that stateside. that's a very interesting promo, and it doesn't appear to be biting them in the arse. __________________ Acura: Because if you want a really nice Honda, there's only one choice. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein - 2008 Trailblazer LT3 - 2009 Mustang SUPPORT AMERICA: BOYCOTT WAL-MART

07-13-2007, 10:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
RWD60 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clemson SC or Irmo SC Drives: 2 legs and feet... sometimes the bus... Posts: 1,682	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee i think this would be a great program to have here in the states for all GM brands. i think alot more people would give Chevy/Caddy/etc an honest try if they knew that if they didn't like it they could get all their money back and go get a Camry/BMW/etc three weeks later. __________________ Push, dont pull.... cars are only better than carriages if the horses are in the rear!

07-13-2007, 12:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bravada 70 MPG Two Mode Saturn Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 10,871	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee This only goes to prove the Tosca is a really good car, and GM is missing out big time not selling it in the US, where midsize cars are the all-important segment of the market. If people are so satisfied with the Epicas they have now, there is a huge chance they will return to Holden for their next vehicle(s), and loyalty is just what GM needs in the US!

07-13-2007, 12:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
fan 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 395	Re: Only Two Customers Return Holden Epica For Money-Back Guarantee Maybe this program should be tried in US too with Aura or the 2008 Malibu.

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