It all started when Hyundai launched its Assurance Program in January, letting customers return any new vehicle if they lost their job, and freeing them of any remaining car payments up to $7500. Now travel and clothing companies are cashing in on the trend. We read the fine print to see if these deals are all they're cracked up to be. Syracuse University marketing professor Kyu Lee says for the most part, these deals are legitimate. "So far, there haven't been any major complaints about companies not honoring or deceiving consumers," Lee said.
After Hyundai started the trend, seeing a 14% increase in sales in the first 2 months, other car companies like Ford and GM, then airlines, cell phone and clothing companies followed suit, like JoS. A Bank, which offers "The Risk-Free Suit." If you bought one, and lose your job, they'll refund your suit up to $200, and you get to keep it. But make sure you read the fine print. You are ineligible if you quit your job "voluntarily, through death or disability," or if your employment is terminated because of "acts of declared or undeclared war."
"Once you lose your job, you'll have to prove that you lost your job," Lee said. "There could be a lot of fine print customers will have to pay attention to before relying on a promotion like this."
Jet Blue's Promise Program allows customers to get a full refund on their flights if they lose their job. BTI Travel just did it for one customer, and they say it works. "It's a good deal," said Lou Lemos, President of BTI Travel. "It's a great security for people working that may be on a tighter budget."
Before you go canceling your plans, you have to be certain you qualify. Jet Blue makes it very clear that once you apply for a refund, your flight will be immediately cancelled. Then, it will evaluate whether or not you are eligible.
The important details all in the fine print. Take Hyundai for example - buyers need to have made 2 payments on their car to be eligible for the refund. The same goes for Virgin Mobile's Pink Slip Protection Plan. For all of these, you have to prove you've been laid off. If you try to cheat the system, you could end up losing money rather than saving it.
