Press Release - For Immediate Release
ACCDIRECT IS VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE ITS FIRST LOCATION TO THE OTTAWA MARKET.
MONTREAL,QC, NOVEMBER 3, 2008 - AccDirect NA has entered the Ottawa market and is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Minute Car Wash at 270 Catherine St. "We have found a very well run organization to compliment our existing locations. Again, we are very fortunate to acquire such a tremendous location for branding exposure, consumer visability, as well as growth potential." said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of AccDirect NA
For more information, please contact :
Mr. Ken Selcer
President - AccDirect North America
Telephone : 514-839-7358
email :
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
About AccDirect NorthAmerica
AccDirect North America is a Montreal based company offering lease return inspections with over 15 years of experience in the automobile industry.
Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE NAME CHANGE.
MONTREAL, QC, FEBRUARY 19 ,2008 - Auto Check Canada is excited to announce that it has changed the company name to AccDirect NA. "We are going in a different direction and will be branding our logo along with our web site and felt this would be the perfect time to make the name change ," said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of AccDirect NorthAmerica. “We are still a third party working in the interest of the consumer with no dealer involvement. We are very aware of excess wear charges and we help the lessee with alternative solutions and save them money.” ACC Direct is comprised of lease return specialists who understand the guidelines set forth by the manufacturers, but are working for the end consumer.
About AccDirect North America
AccDirect North America is a Montreal based company offering lease return inspections with over 15 years of experience in the automobile industry.
An inspection before a lease ends can save money
JORDAN W. CHARNESS, The Gazette August 2007
"I'm going to save you a lot of money," were Ken Selcer's first words to me when he took a look at my wife's van. She had leased it four years previously and was about to return it in about a month. Selcer owns a company called Auto Check Canada, which exists for the sole purpose of conducting vehicle inspections prior to the end of a lease for consumers. This is a relatively new industry that is starting to take hold in Canada and Selcer is one of the pioneers.
Deciding whether to purchase or lease a vehicle is always a complex decision. The major difference, at least from a legal point of view, is that although in both cases, you drive your new vehicle off the dealer's lot, you are the owner only if you purchase it. On the other hand, leasing is basically a long-term rental.
Most people choose to make monthly payments on their new vehicle. Those payments can either be directed toward buying the car in a purchase contract or are simply a form of rent in a leasing contract. If you buy the car, you have the right to maintain it in any condition you desire. As long as you make your finance payments and do not drastically reduce your vehicle's value until you pay off a finance company, the car is yours to do with as you please. This can include choosing to ignore or postpone repairing collision damage.
People who lease their cars, on the other hand, are essentially driving someone else's vehicle. Although you might have your name on the registration, you'll note that you are only listed as a long-term lessee. The finance company is listed as the true owner of the car. It is this legality that created a need for a company like Selcer's. Hidden deep within the leasing contract is a clause that requires you to return the vehicle in the same condition it was when you picked it up from the dealer, with the exception of normal wear and tear. In most cases, normal wear and tear is not defined in the contract. This leaves it open to the finance company to decide whether your car has been returned with excess wear. If so, they have a right to charge you to repair the excess wear and tear.
Different car companies have different guidelines for what they will accept as normal wear and tear. For some, a small scratch is acceptable, while for others, that same scratch might be something they will decide to charge you for. In most cases, you can obtain a copy of the guidelines from the manufacturer or finance company, but the details can often be confusing for an amateur. Selcer used to be hired by the car companies to verify vehicles being returned to see whether a charge could be made for excess wear and tear. Now, he has established his own company and has switched sides. He now advises consumers what to expect when returning their vehicle.
How can this type of inspection save you money? Your contract and the law only require you to return the car in good condition. Nowhere in the law does it say you must have the dealer or the car company repair the scratches, dings and dents.
When a car is returned, the car company will charge you according to the book value of the repair. Taking the car to a private body shop to get it fixed can often save you hundreds of dollars over the book value. Having someone like Selcer tell you what damage needs to be repaired and what can be ignored will also save you some extra bucks when going to the body shop.
However, the body shop still has to do a decent job on a repair so the car really is returned in the condition you promised to return it in under the contract. The car company also is satisfied because it is receiving the car in the condition provided for under the terms of the contract.
Montreal lawyer Jordan Charness is a partner in the firm Charness, Charness & Charness.
©The Gazette (Montreal) 2007
Avoiding dealer excess wear charges
Auto Check Canada inspection helps car leasers escape being lighter in the wallet
by Chris Barry Montreal Mirror
Name: Ken Selcer
Age: 49
Occupation: President of Auto Check Canada
Bio: This feisty Dollard resident had been working in the glamorous autobody industry for 18 years before starting up Auto Check Canada (www.accdirect.ca) in 2005. The former owner of the L&R auto body shop in scenic downtown Ahuntsic, after selling his business he began working for an American-based company doing inspections on end-of-lease vehicles for the big auto manufacturers, soon noticing that, “We were writing an awful lot of invoices. People were getting hit with a lot of costly dealer repairs when they returned their vehicles.” Sensing opportunity, he birthed Auto Check Canada, a company that will inspect your leased junker and inform you of what does and doesn’t need to be done to it repair-wise before you return it to the dealer. “We save people a lot of money.” He drives a sensible 2004 Volvo S80.
So how will Auto Check save you money? “We give the consumer options. Once you know what you have to repair, you can arrange your own repairs and do not have to pay dealer pricing and labour rates. Once you’ve returned the car to the dealer, that’s it, you’re done. And even if you are present for the inspection, how do you know what’s normal wear and tear and what’s repairable according to that particular auto manufacturer’s guidelines and they all have quite different guidelines. We’ll tell you exactly what you’re required to repair and direct you to garages that’ll do great work at a great price for you. Not having these repairs done at the dealer, paying for original parts and the dealer labour rate, well, that will save you a lot of money.”
How aware are most consumers of these guidelines when they first lease their vehicles? Blissfully unaware. “They’re mailed to you later in an information pack, so you generally only know what’s expected once you’re returning the vehicle, not at the beginning of your lease.”
Isn’t this practice kind of a scam? Don’t the dealers always find a way to hit consumers up with expensive “repairs” when they return their vehicles? “Well, it is a way for them to get extra income, but I can’t say it’s a scam because the vehicles might have to be repaired. But I do believe that yes, some dealers take advantage of the consumer, absolutely no question about it. Dealers in general have bad reputations and some for good reason. Our aim is to really inform the public and give them options before returning their lease. If we feel there are repairs to be done, it is because they have to be done. We are aware of all end of lease guidelines and the consumer will know exactly where they stand after they have our report in hand"
Chroniques consommation
de Nancie Ferron
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location: dans quel état remettre l'auto?
Les locateurs jettent un coup d'oeil plus attentif sur les véhicules qui leur reviennent à la fin de la location. Pourquoi? Parce qu'il est souvent facile de faire quelques dollars en insistant pour que le locataire paie certaines réparations. Comment ne pas se faire avoir? En faisant faire une inspection indépendante. Pour une centaine de dollars, un inspecteur examinera entièrement le véhicule, remplira une fiche exhaustive de tous les dommages petits et grands et vous conseillera de faire réparer ou non ce qui pourrait soulever un litige lors de la remise de la voiture. Des photos de votre véhicule et de tous les dommages seront prises. Si le locateur conteste votre évaluation, c'est l'évaluateur qui argumentera et non vous. Dans tous les cas, il est préférable de faire faire les réparations chez un carrossier ou rembourreur avant de remettre l'auto parce que le locateur a tendance à surévaluer les coûts des réparations. Chaque manufacturier automobile a ses propres critères. Les longueurs des éraflures, la grosseur des renfoncements et le nombre de dommages par partie de véhicule sont prises en compte et variables d'un fabricant à l'autre. Au Québec une seule entreprise offre le service d'inspection aux particuliers: Auto Check Canada, 3939 rue Jean-Talon Ouest, Montréal, 514.237.4477, www.accdirect.ca
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La Presse - June 2007
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Ken Selcer, d'Auto Check Canada, inspecte une Nissan Altima 2003. Son évaluation est garantie et ne sera pas contestée par les locateurs, puisqu'il s'appuie sur les mêmes critères d'inspection.
Photo David Boily. La Presse
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Avant de rendre votre véhicule de location, prenez vos précautions!
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La Presse
Le contrat de location de votre voiture arrive bientôt à échéance et vous songez à remettre tout simplement les clés au concessionnaire?
Eh bien! sachez que la grande majorité des constructeurs automobiles sont désormais plus pointilleux quant à l'état du véhicule qui leur revient. Vous pourriez devoir payer pour certains dommages.
C'est ici que les locateurs (filiales des constructeurs automobiles) font intervenir les notions d'usure «normale» et d'usure «excessive». Mais qu'entendent-ils exactement par là?
Selon la Loi sur la protection du consommateur, le locateur ne peut vous tenir responsable de dommages résultant d'une usure normale. Par ailleurs, si les dommages témoignent d'un usure anormale ou excessive, les coûts de réparation vous seront facturés. Il en va de même si vous avez excédé le nombre de kilomètres maximal prévu dans votre contrat de location. Habituellement, vous serez facturé pour chaque kilomètre parcouru en plus.
L'Association pour la protection des automobilistes (APA), ainsi que la majorité des institutions qui financent les véhicules de location, recommandent au consommateur, un mois avant la fin du bail, de procéder à un nettoyage du véhicule et à une inspection minutieuse, tant de l'intérieur que de l'extérieur.
Par la suite, il est important de prendre rendez-vous avec le locateur pour une inspection, laquelle peut habituellement se faire à l'endroit de votre choix. Il est alors important d'exiger de ce dernier un rapport écrit sur l'état du véhicule.
L'avantage de demander une inspection 30 jours avant le retour du véhicule est que vous avez le temps de voir aux réparations vous-même s'il y a lieu, et que vous évitez de payer le gros prix chez le concessionnaire.
Si des dommages «d'usure excessive» sont constatés à la suite de l'inspection et que des frais de réparations vous sont demandés, vous pouvez toujours demander une évaluation indépendante.
Au Québec, une seule entreprise offre ce service. Il s'agit d'Auto Check Canada, dont le siège social est situé au 3939, rue Jean-Talon Ouest, à Montréal. Ken Selcer, inspecteur en véhicules qui travaillait jadis pour le compte de locateurs, fait le même travail, mais pour vous.
De plus, son évaluation est garantie, et l'inspecteur vous assure que son évaluation ne sera pas contestée par les locateurs, puisqu'il s'appuie sur les mêmes critères d'inspection. À la suite d'une inspection, un rapport détaillé de l'état de toutes les pièces extérieures de votre véhicule, incluant les vitres, les pneus, les roues ainsi que l'intérieur vous est remis.
M. Selcer vous indiquera également ce qui est acceptable par les fabricants et ce qui ne l'est pas. Par exemple, si vous avez fait installer un régulateur de vitesse qui n'est pas d'origine, un système antivol ou un démarreur à distance, vous devrez les enlever et réparer les perforations sur le tableau de bord. M. Selcer précise que, de façon générale, les fabricants japonais sont beaucoup plus pointilleux que les américains sur l'apparence intérieure des véhicules.
Honda Canada Finance a préparé une brochure à l'intention de ses clients intitulée Votre guide d'échéance de location, dans laquelle le locateur précise ce qu'il entend par usure «normale» et «excessive».
Usure normale
La majorité des locateurs entendent par usure normale les bosses ou perforations mineures, les petites égratignures de moins de 5 cm et des éclats faits par des pierres sur la peinture. S'il y a plus de trois bosses sur un panneau de carrosserie donné, ce n'est plus acceptable.
Usure excessive
On entend généralement par une usure excessive les bosses, les perforations, les égratignures ou les éclats excessifs sur la peinture ou la carrosserie du véhicule; les vitres et pare-brises écaillés, craquelés ou brisés; les défaillance mécaniques, les réparations de qualité inférieure à la norme; les déchirures, les trous ou les brûlures dans le tissu.
Afin de guider l'automobiliste, Honda a conçu le Guide de mesure de l'usure. Ce gabarit translucide permet de mesurer l'étendue des dommages sur le véhicule et de déterminer vous-même à quelle catégorie ils appartiennent.
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| Great tip for lease returns |
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If you have ever leased a new or used car, you have probably faced the music upon returning the car to dealer at the end of the lease. I am talking about "reasonable wear and tear". These four words are extremely vague and are often interpreted in favour of the dealership. Stories of dealers overcharging for minor repairs are not so uncommon and can be a source of stress for consumers, especially if they have no intention on re-leasing with the same company.
Many consumers have asked themselves: "What is reasonable wear and tear?" "Is the dent on the driver's side door reasonable?" "What about my tires? Are they too worn down?" Ken Selcer used to answer those questions for two car manufacturers. He worked for a company that was contracted to evaluate lease returns and to determine whether or not the car had "reasonable wear and tear". In a period spanning nearly two years, Mr Selcer inspected over 8,000 cars. Needless to say, he has seen it all.
Mr Selcer has now decided to put his experience to good use. He and his team of experts have recently opened 3 service points in the greater Montreal area that will inspect your leased vehicle prior to its return. Auto Check Canada does not perform any repairs and therefore has no interest in "creating" unnecessary findings. In the event that something needs to be done, a cigarette burn on a seat for example, they will be able to recommend a shop where the repair can be completed.
They are recommended by the Automobile Protection Association (APA).
For more information, you can visit Auto Check Canada's website at www.accdirect.ca.
| Conseils pour les retours de location |
Si vous avez déjà loué un véhicule neuf ou usagé, vous avez sûrement entendu la même rengaine en retournant le véhicule au concessionnaire au terme du contrat. Je parle évidemment de «l'usure raisonnable». Ces mots résument un concept extrêmement vague qui est souvent interprété à la faveur du concessionnaire. On entend souvent des histoires de clients qui se font charger en trop pour des réparations mineures. Ça peut donc devenir stressant pour n'importe quel consommateur, surtout si celui-ci n'a pas l'intention de renouveler sa location avec la compagnie en question.
Plusieurs se demandent ce qu'on entend généralement par «usure raisonnable». La bosse sur la porte du côté conducteur est-elle raisonnable? Qu'en est-il des pneus: sont-ils trop usés?
Ken Selcer avait l'habitude de répondre à ce genre de questions lorsqu'il travaillait pour une compagnie engagée par deux manufacturiers pour évaluer les retours de location. En un peu moins de deux ans, il a inspecté plus de 8000 véhicules. Il va sans dire que M. Selcer en a vu de toutes les couleurs.
Aujourd'hui, cet homme a décidé d'utiliser son expérience à bon escient. Lui et son équipe d'experts ont récemment ouvert six points de service dans la grande région de Montréal pour inspecter votre véhicule avant que vous ne le retourniez chez le concessionnaire. La bannière s'appelle Auto Check Canada et n'offre aucunes réparations; vous êtes donc assuré qu'ils n'essaieront pas de trouver des bobos inutiles. Si jamais une réparation doit être effectuée, comme pour faire disparaître une brûlure de cigarette sur un siège, ils vous dirigeront vers un atelier de confiance où le tout pourra être réglé.
Ils sont recommandés par l'Association pour la Protection des Automobilistes (APA).
Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site Internet d'Auto Check Canada au www.accdirect.ca.
Photos : Mathieu St-Pierre
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA HAS SECURED IT'S THIRD
VEHICLE INSPECTION LOCATION.
MONTREAL, QC, FEBRUARY 2, 2007 - Auto Check Canada is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Dura Tech Corp, St-Léonard location, 5040 Blvd. Métropolitain E., and will be operating it's third outlet from this east end location. "Again we are very fortunate to acquire such a tremendous location for branding exposure, consumer visability, as well as growth potential." said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of Auto Check Canada.
For more information, please contact :
Mr. Ken Selcer
President - Auto Check Canada
Telephone : 514-839-7358
email :
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA SIGNS DEAL WITH QUEBEC'S
LEASE TRANSFER LEADER, ByeByeLease.ca .
MONTREAL, QC, JANUARY 29, 2007 - Auto Check Canada is very excited to announce that ByeByeLease.ca, the Québec leader in lease transfers since 2003, has chosen them to handle all lease transfer inspections . "We pride ourselves on the quality and accuracy of our lease transfer
inspections. We totally take care of the consumer." said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of Auto Check Canada." We are very proud to be associated with AutoIntel and Mr. Roberto Sangiovanni."
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ken Selcer
President - Auto Check Canada
Telephone : 514-839-7358
email:
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA FEATURED ON 940 NEWS
MONTREAL.
MONTREAL, QC, JANUARY 23, 2007 - Mr. Ken Selcer, President of Auto Check Canada, was the featured guest on the popular phone-in car show "Car Sense", Monday evening. He was asked to be on the show by APA president, Mr.George Iny. Mr.Iny and host Jeremy Saffren were very impressed with the inspection service that ONLY ACC provides to the end consumer. "We protect the consumer against over charging when returning a leased vehcile. We give the consumer knowledge and options when they have repairs to do.. That's what the Consumer Protection Association (APA) likes about our service. We take care of the consumer." said Mr. Ken Selcer.
Auto Check Canada is a Montreal based company offering lease return and lease transfer inspections for the consumer.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ken Selcer
President - Auto Check Canada
Telephone: 514-839-7358
email:
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA HAS SECURED ITS SECOND LOCATION
MONTREAL, QC, OCTOBER 5, 2006 - Auto Check Canada is pleased to announce that it has opened its second location on the west island of Montreal in Dollard des Ormeaux.
“We are developing and growing our business due to the demand of our service. The need is out there. The west island is a huge market for us and we have a great new location to serve this growing community." said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of Auto Check Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Mr.Ken Selcer
President - Auto Check Canada
Telephone : 514-839-7358
email:
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
AUTO CHECK CANADA IS EXCITED TO LAUNCH ITS UNIQUE SERVICES IN MONTREAL
MONTREAL, QC, AUGUST 28, 2005 - Auto Check Canada has officially launched its auto lease return inspection services in the Montreal area with its flagship location at 3939 Jean Talon W. Offering a 100+ point inspection of vehicles. Auto Check Canada provides its customers a detailed report outlining what they are and aren’t responsible for upon the return of their car to the dealer. This service is targeted to consumers reaching the end of their lease. Price for this service is $149.95 and includes a written report, contacts for body shops and upholstery repair and even includes a free car wash.
“We are very excited to offer these services,” said Mr. Ken Selcer, President of Auto Check Canada. “We are a third party working in the interest of the consumer with no dealer involvement. We are very aware of excess wear charges and we feel we can help the lessee with alternative solutions and save them money.” Auto Check Canada is comprised of lease return specialists who understand the guidelines set forth by the manufacturers, but are working for the end consumer.
About Auto Check Canada
Auto Check Canada is a Montreal based company offering lease return inspections with over 15 years of experience in the automobile industry.
For more information, please contact:
Mr.Ken Selcer
President - Auto Check Canada
Telephone : 514-839-7358
email:
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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