Another Update on ProSonic

I have yet to rename the engine as I've been planning to because they survey I performed will cost $20 to see the results. I question if the results are really that important, especially since I have preliminary results. Also, the money must be paid by credit card. I haven't had a credit card in several months, and I'm not too interested in getting one right now.

I would like to say I've been working on the engine, experimenting with a lot of code. I'm playing with some very complex code, and it's giving me a headache. I don't even know if what I'm doing with it currently is going to work out, but I'm definitely going to do my best to see that it does work! Again I wish I could be more specific, but I'm not ready to get specific just yet for various reasons. I do feel it's important I at least keep people updated and let them know things are happening. Hopefully I'll have more to say in the weeks ahead. Please continue to check back!

Scam from Dealer Services

I found another scam in the mail. This one is from "Dealer Services", also known as "National Auto Warranty Services". The top of the letter reads as follows:

Dealer Services
100 Mall Parkway
St. Louis, MO 63385

The letter then reads:

Our records indicate that the factory warranty on your 2003 Ford has expired or may be expiring soon. As a loyal Ford owner, you qualify for extended vehicle coverage of up to six additional years or 140,000 miles. Only your vehicle qualifies for this program. Please refer to your customer ID# 334-636-097 when you call.

Call immediately, 1-866-847-6655. It is important for you to take advantage of this direct purchase program to protect your investment. This program was designed to save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary repair bills.

With labor rates as high as $100 per hour, mechanical repair costs continue to climb. The average cost just to replace a transmission is $4800 and an average engine replacement is $3800. Without extended vehicle coverage you will be responsible for these costs.

Due to the nature of this program, we can only authorize your vehicle for 72 hours from the receipt of this notice. This program is in conjunction with top rated nationwide insurance companies.

We will be taking calls for this program Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Central Time).

Our coverage specialists can be reached at 1-866-847-6655. Please have current mileage, (VIN) vehicle identification number, and your customer ID number when you call.

Sincerely,

Kent Finley
Senior V.P.

P.S. Call toll free 1-866-847-6655 and refer to customer ID 334-636-097 to discuss options on your vehicle and receive free roadside assistance, value $600, and interest free same as cash financing on your purchase.

There's a couple things wrong with this. First, I don't have a 2003 Ford. Second, it looks like something you'd get from a Ford dealership, but why would a company called "Dealer Services" be commissioned to send these letters (the answer -- they wouldn't!) I showed it to my mom to see if she'd be fooled. To my surprise, she thought it was legitimate. I can only imagine what an elderly person would think after seeing this letter.

There have been claims that they've violated "Do Not Call" rules with the Better Business Bureau reporting 401 complaints filed over the past three years. The Attorney General of Missouri is suing. I also found the following paragraph interesting. It comes from a Ford dealership:

I actually just received a call from one of our customers who had recently purchased an extended warranty directly from us for her 2002 Ford product. Her extended warranty was about to lapse and she wanted to continue with the same amount of protection as she has had for the past six years. I took care of her needs and she was very appreciative until this morning when she received a letter from this company and a number to call. During her conversation with them, they told her that I had scammed her and that they do not require any inspection prior to placing a warranty on her car and that my 100 point inspection required by Ford was an outright lie on my behalf. They also said they could extend coverage above and beyond my abilities for a much cheaper price. I did a little homework on these guys. Their website is see through and the fine print will astonish you. Glad to see you folks are taking a stand. Warranties are great but only trust the people who made the car to stand behind it. Thanks again.

Do not give out any personal information. Do not call the number. This is definitly a scam. Unless it came directly from your dealership (read carefully to find out where the letter is from), ignore it. Also, a reputable company would give you more than 72 hours to respond. Keep all of that in mind.

I'm Sick

I was in bed all day Sunday, and I've been in bed all day today. I did manage to get up and move around at 7:30 tonight, and I thought I was getting better. But about 10 minutes ago I started feeling bad again. I don't know what the heck is wrong with me. It feels like a migrain, but it doesn't seem to want to go away. I can't eat much because food seems to only make me feel worse. A couple times I felt like I had to puke.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been on lately. My homework for one of my classes is late thanks to this crap. I tried to finish it by 7:00 (when it was due), but I just felt too bad. It's almost done, but this professor seems to have some very strict word requirements. So I need to make my answers more lengthy. I have yet to meet his requirements even though I have provided what I think are really good and detailed answers. It doesn't help my head any. I hope I feel better tomorrow because I can't take much more of this.

Interesting Stuff in ProSonic

I've been working behind the scenes lately on ProSonic. I'm doing some interesting things with it. If I can pull off these secret "things" I'm doing, I will likely release a demo to those who have advertised my project on SSRG and/or Sonic Retro (see my new strategy document for details). The demo will be exclusive to those people. I am not ready to reveal what I'm doing because there's a chance I might not be able to pull it off. So far however, the results I have produced are very promising to say the least.

Keep checking back here for updates on my progress.

Final Warranty Notice

I got a card in the mail today with "Final Warranty Notice" in big bold letters. Above these letters is a customer number (10 digits long), the vehicle, year and manufacturer, and a deadline date (May 30, 2008 -- wow, that gives me one day to take care of this, oh no!)

Anyone with a little bit of common sense knows it's a scam. There's not even a return address, although the area code of the phone number is in Michigan.

On the back, it reads as follows:

Call and Activate Now: 1-866-442-5552

Dear Valued Customer,

This card is to notify you that this is your FINAL NOTICE to extend or reinstate your warranty on your vehicle. Please call us immediately with you exact mileage. This is your FINAL chance to renew your warranty and requires your prompt attention.

- Coverages Available Up to 200,000 Miles
- Low Monthly Installments Available

Call Toll-Free Today: 1-866-442-5552
Monday-Saturday

With some research, I also discovered their website -- www.endurancewarrantyservices.com. Don't even bother with these people. First of all, vehicle information can be sold. Second, there's a very good chance the cost of this warranty is very high. The state of Nevada has also issued a consumer advisory to alert people of this.

I'm posting this on here because after all the trouble I had with those stupid phone calls warning me about my warranty, getting this card annoyed me further. I hate dishonest business practices like this. These are the kind of people that give business such a bad reputation. Don't give these people the time of day. They're greedy. Throw away or recycle your card.