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ReprintsFor some, C4C lease program was a clunker
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Last year's federal Cash for Clunkers program -- which paid consumers $3,500 or $4,500 rebates for trading in their old gas guzzlers for new, more fuel-efficient vehicle -- successfully stimulated new-vehicle sales.
Where it wasn't so successful was boosting the auto lease business. Few of the consumers who took advantage of the federal rebate plan opted to lease. But a year later, many of those who did are now clamoring to get out of those contracts, says Sergio Stiberman, CEO of LeaseTrader.com. Stiberman's company allows people to get out of an auto lease by swapping it with another one.
Here's the problem: To qualify for a lease under the clunkers program the customer had to sign a minimum five-year contract. For many of these people, their cars were long paid off. So after getting used to having no car payment they now have a monthly obligation for at least five years.
Who could blame them for having lessee's remorse?
