Realizing
the high level of frustration with car dealerships regarding the slow payments
from the Federal government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program, a nationwide effort
has been initiated by local Better Business Bureaus to support automobile
dealers.
The
Better Business Bureau has long worked with businesses and consumers to resolve
marketplace problems. Currently, the BBB has been made aware that auto dealers
across the country are having significant difficulty getting paid for the sales
made under the “Cash for Clunkers” program. Dealer claims often range from the
payments being slow to arrive to the procedure being tedious and difficult to
complete. Awaiting these rebate payments
could cause a huge hardship if not a crushing blow to some auto dealerships,
especially smaller dealers or those that are not well-capitalized.
The
Council of Better Business Bureaus along with many local BBBs have presented a letter
to the Secretary of Transportation in an effort to encourage progress in this
matter. Coupled with the efforts of the Auto Dealers Association around
the nation, the letter expresses the collective concerns of the BBB system and
will hopefully encourage efforts to expedite payments. The BBB serving Southeast Louisiana as well
as many other local BBBs have lent their support to this effort.