Comments on: GM Military Discount Program http://themilitarywallet.com/gm-military-discount-program/ Personal finance for military, veterans, and their families Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:56:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Ryan http://themilitarywallet.com/gm-military-discount-program/comment-page-1/#comment-3876 Ryan Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:50:26 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=241#comment-3876 Thank you for taking the time to comment, jn. You left a similar comment a few weeks ago when I wrote about the USAA car buying service. I understand your views on buying used cars and I agree with them. But I also realize that no matter how well you, I, or anyone else presents the case, not everyone will buy a used car. My goal is simply to present options, and the GM offer can be a way to minimize hassles and save money if one is planning on buying a new car. It doesn't make sense to let people go to a dealer who will completely rip them off when I can tell them about a reputable company that will give them a pre-negotiated price and a fair interest rate. You can't stop some people from acting once they make up their mind, but you may still be able to help them make better choices. I wish I could have help an E-2 in my squadron make a better car buying decision, but he <a href="http://themilitarywallet.com/military-new-used-car-sales/" rel="nofollow">bought a new car at sticker price and at 19% interest</a>, without seeking counsel from anyone. Had he known about a program like the GM/USAA offer, he at least may have been able to save a couple thousand dollars on the purchase price and interest rate. Luckily he didn't have to file for bankruptcy, but it was very close. And it took a lot of hands on work from myself and a SNCO to help him get his financial affairs in order. Today he is debt free and saving and investing. I am proud of him. I don't encourage people to buy, buy, buy, but to make informed financial decisions. As always, one should research their options, and this could be a beneficial option for some people. Thank you for taking the time to comment, jn.

You left a similar comment a few weeks ago when I wrote about the USAA car buying service. I understand your views on buying used cars and I agree with them. But I also realize that no matter how well you, I, or anyone else presents the case, not everyone will buy a used car. My goal is simply to present options, and the GM offer can be a way to minimize hassles and save money if one is planning on buying a new car.

It doesn’t make sense to let people go to a dealer who will completely rip them off when I can tell them about a reputable company that will give them a pre-negotiated price and a fair interest rate. You can’t stop some people from acting once they make up their mind, but you may still be able to help them make better choices. I wish I could have help an E-2 in my squadron make a better car buying decision, but he bought a new car at sticker price and at 19% interest, without seeking counsel from anyone. Had he known about a program like the GM/USAA offer, he at least may have been able to save a couple thousand dollars on the purchase price and interest rate. Luckily he didn’t have to file for bankruptcy, but it was very close. And it took a lot of hands on work from myself and a SNCO to help him get his financial affairs in order. Today he is debt free and saving and investing. I am proud of him.

I don’t encourage people to buy, buy, buy, but to make informed financial decisions. As always, one should research their options, and this could be a beneficial option for some people.

]]> By: jn http://themilitarywallet.com/gm-military-discount-program/comment-page-1/#comment-3855 jn Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:58:03 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=241#comment-3855 Dear Military Wallet - I know you think you are writing this blog on behalf of military service members, but I have to say.... it seems to me that you really work for USAA, GM and Discover Card. You have bought into the idea that buying a new car (using USAA's new app - which encourages service members to go in debt), using Discover Card (because of it's Double Cash Back offer - which encourages soldiers to use credit rather than paying cash), and buying a new car from GM (which keeps service members in debt) are all good things. Rather than encouraging service members to do things that keep them in debt, maybe you should focus on advising service members on how to not go further in debt by encouraging them to find great used cars until they are out of debt and have an emergency fund, not using credit, and saving. Stick to the advice you give out about TSPs and retirement and get away from encouraging service members to buy, buy, buy! Signed a Retired Personnel Officer and Military Financial Coach Dear Military Wallet – I know you think you are writing this blog on behalf of military service members, but I have to say…. it seems to me that you really work for USAA, GM and Discover Card. You have bought into the idea that buying a new car (using USAA’s new app – which encourages service members to go in debt), using Discover Card (because of it’s Double Cash Back offer – which encourages soldiers to use credit rather than paying cash), and buying a new car from GM (which keeps service members in debt) are all good things. Rather than encouraging service members to do things that keep them in debt, maybe you should focus on advising service members on how to not go further in debt by encouraging them to find great used cars until they are out of debt and have an emergency fund, not using credit, and saving. Stick to the advice you give out about TSPs and retirement and get away from encouraging service members to buy, buy, buy!

Signed a Retired Personnel Officer and Military Financial Coach

]]> By: Ryan http://themilitarywallet.com/gm-military-discount-program/comment-page-1/#comment-3721 Ryan Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:23:18 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=241#comment-3721 Maurice, I don't have their official answer, as I don't work for GM, but my guess is that it is a cost saving measure. However, if you are a USAA member, you can get pre-negotiated new car deals through USAA, featuring a no hassle fixed price. The prices are often several thousand lower than MSRP, and some manufacturer's also offer additional cash bonuses or discounts to USAA members, similar to the GM military discount. You can read more about it at <a href="http://themilitarywallet.com/usaa-auto-circle-car-buying/" rel="nofollow">USAA Auto Circle</a>. Best of luck with your new car purchase, and thanks for your service. Maurice, I don’t have their official answer, as I don’t work for GM, but my guess is that it is a cost saving measure. However, if you are a USAA member, you can get pre-negotiated new car deals through USAA, featuring a no hassle fixed price. The prices are often several thousand lower than MSRP, and some manufacturer’s also offer additional cash bonuses or discounts to USAA members, similar to the GM military discount. You can read more about it at USAA Auto Circle.

Best of luck with your new car purchase, and thanks for your service.

]]> By: Maurice McCreary http://themilitarywallet.com/gm-military-discount-program/comment-page-1/#comment-3709 Maurice McCreary Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:16:48 +0000 http://themilitarywallet.com/?p=241#comment-3709 Why does GM not offer the military discount to Retired Military? I served 26 years in the Army and other have served close to 40 years. Additionally up to age 65 I carried "hip pocket orders" to return to active duty after retirement. So what do you say? Why does GM not offer the military discount to Retired Military? I served 26 years in the Army and other have served close to 40 years. Additionally up to age 65 I carried “hip pocket orders” to return to active duty after retirement. So what do you say?

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