walkabout Posted September 6, 2018 Report Share Posted September 6, 2018 I got a letter from a Ford contractor saying that they wanted to "borrow" my vehicle for 10 days for emissions tests of some kind. The letter include an offer of $200 and loaner vehicle (along with a free tank of gas at each end). I'm going to ignore the letter because I am dependent on my SUV for weekend activities (need a SUV for the cycling and hiking). Also, the dealers out here in LA have a history of keeping my car a lot longer than needed for every little issue. Just curious if anybody else received the same notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisguy159 Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Negative seems interesting though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos36 Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Did the letter make any mention of MKX, engine displacement, or VIN? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 (edited) Call me suspicious, but I smell a con. Unless the letter was from a EPA lap, i.e. Jacobs Technology. Edited September 7, 2018 by enigma-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmer Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 I agree with Enigma. Seems a little bit strange... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 (edited) It's from "automotive testing and development systems." I Googled and it is attached to this https://www.contechresearch.com/mechanical-testing-services.html There's also an attached letter from Ford with my vin on it. I don't think it is a con. Edited September 7, 2018 by walkabout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Could also be some independent company fishing for a lawsuit. It's easy to get VIN numbers and contact info. I would think Ford would just take some lease returns if they wanted to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks Akirby. Maybe I'm call lincoln and ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks Akirby. Maybe I'm call lincoln and ask. As with most unsolicited offers, that's always the best option. We got a call from an unknown number about possible fraud on our credit/debit cards. We just moved to a new city and I did have some issues with my debit card not working so it's plausible this was legit. But when they asked for card information that they should have already had we got suspcicious and hung up. Next business day we called our credit union directly. In the meantime I googled the phone number and it did match up with the fraud center, however it's easy to spoof caller id these days. When in doubt contact the company directly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos36 Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 When personal information is so widespread and available that it's known whether you have an innie or outie, I question everything received by mail or phone, trusting nothing until the intent & veracity is confirmed. I'm amazed at acquaintances who regularly respond to mail & online questionnaires posing as polls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisguy159 Posted September 8, 2018 Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 I'm looking to sell a bridge...anybody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 Yeah, I checked it out and it's real. The letter was from a testing lab that Ford contracts to in the LA area. I called and confirmed. I got the letter mainly because of where I live. Moot point because I declined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted September 8, 2018 Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 If it were me, I believe I would do the same. $200 isn't worth handing the keys over to someone you don't know and letting them do whatever they want to for two weeks. Even if they transport it by truck to their lab, you still have no control over what the can do to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 Totally agree with you Enigma. I don't understand weight they didn't just do what akirby suggested - use lease return vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos36 Posted September 8, 2018 Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 If it were me, I believe I would do the same. $200 isn't worth handing the keys over to someone you don't know and letting them do whatever they want to for two weeks. Even if they transport it by truck to their lab, you still have no control over what the can do to it. Back in the day, I owned an early Toyota Crown that was likely rare in the US. It had a sweet inline six engine (you could literally balance a nickel on an idling engine) and was highly regarded for its 'luxury' and impeccable fit-finish-workmanship. Road & Track mag was lamenting that they were unable to obtain one to road test. Being a magnanimous (and extremely naïve) subscriber, I offered to lend the vehicle to R&T for testing. Somewhat later, I received a reply from R&T offering their appreciation for the generous offer, but politely stating that the rigors of testing often resulted in premature wear, possible damage, and blah, blah, blah, etc....but, thank you very much. They must have figured from my address (northern Indiana) that I was some barefoot boy with cheek of tan living in a corn field and eating raw soybeans for sustenance. It took me a few years of recollection to wrap some perspective around the experience. LOL. Timmer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 I remember the Crown! That was a nice car. Cosmos36 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) They must have figured from my address (northern Indiana) that I was some barefoot boy with cheek of tan living in a corn field and eating raw soybeans for sustenance. It took me a few years of recollection to wrap some perspective around the experience. LOL. And just what's wrong with being a Northern Indiana, barefoot boy with cheek of tan living in a corn field and eating raw soybeans for sustenance? I'm quite happy I'll have you know! :spiteful: Edited September 9, 2018 by enigma-2 Cosmos36 and Timmer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos36 Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 When I attended the 1967 Purdue-USC Rose Bowl game, there were huge banners disparaging Purdue quarterback Bob Griese as "Barefoot boy with cheek of tan." The USC smack was all for naught...Purdue won 14-13. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 Lol. I work for USC. I worked at Purdue for a while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos36 Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 Lol. I work for USC. I worked at Purdue for a while though. Where were you born-raised? What years at PU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkabout Posted September 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 Born in NY. I was at IUPUI (the med school) for a year in the mid nineties. I was a clinical psychologist in the children's hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.