Out with the old, in with the new Kati O’Hare MONTROSE — Local dealerships say the “cash for clunkers” program has increased traffic — good news for the U.S. Senate as they just invested $2 billion more into the program. Good news, too, for local auto dealers and the scrap metal business. “Probably in the last two weeks, I would say about 65 percent of the people we talk to are cash for clunkers customers,” Ross Turner, general manager of Turner Automotive, said. Thursday, senators reached a deal on saving the dwindling program, adding money to the rebate plan. The result is that consumers can take advantage of rebates up to $4,500 until Labor Day. So far, more than $775 million of the beginning $1 billion fund has been spent, according to reports. The program allows consumers to trade in their “gas-guzzling” vehicles for something that qualifies for the program. The rules of the program — like any government-operated plan — can be cumbersome. “The details of the rules and what kind of vehicle you can turn in on a new vehicle, that is frustrating the customers,” Turner said. The details and rules of the program are outlined in more than 200 pages, he said. “It’s important for us to go through to make sure it qualifies,” Turner said. If a vehicle does qualify, the dealer gives the rebate and is later reimbursed, Flower Motor sales manager Chad Saunders said. All the information must be recorded to the government, which is done through a Web site. That process also has its glitches. Turner said the site’s traffic is so busy that his sales personnel have waited hours to upload information. But dealers are seeing some benefits. ——— The above is an excerpt from the story that appeared in today's print edition. The excerpts, usually the first few paragraphs, may not reflect all relevant information that was reported. We encourage readers to obtain the full story by reading the print edition or our e-edition, To subscribe, call (970) 252-7081 or click on the subscription link on the main page. |