Microsoft should sponsor PC clunkers for cash program

[Robearl2x]

Just sitting here thinking about how successful this auto clunkers for cash program has been. In just four days 250,000 old auto clunkers were traded in for new higher mileage cars. This new government program which originally had 1 billion dollars allocated for traded in clunkers had to be suspended temporarily due to unexpected demand. They have since voted to add 2 billion dollars more to handle demand. I guess people will buy if given the right incentives. What if Microsoft sponsored a similar program. Give maybe two or three hundred dollars for your PC clunker to be use toward the purchase of a brand new computer with Windows Seven pre-installed. The computer would have to be at least 5 years old. I'm sure Microsoft will benefit in the long term. It would definitely boost PC sales just car sale have improved recently.

Just thinking...

 

[Nero]

Nice thinking!!!
and you see what they get for not giving the consumers the cash or an incentive in the first place. They should have not given the banks and auto industry straight up cash and given us these huge incentives to buy big ticket items that actually produces jobs and stimulates the economy.

I guess if you had an old Mac they might have just given you 3 or 4 laptops with Windows 7 loaded...

 

[DataMan47]

This would be too easily abused, and the overhead to process each one would be so high that it won't make much economic sense (you can reduce that overhead, but that'll make it even easier to abuse).

 

[Everlong]

I guess they could only do this with pre-built systems, though.

 

[Robearl2x]

This would be too easily abused, and the overhead to process each one would be so high that it won't make much economic sense (you can reduce that overhead, but that'll make it even easier to abuse).

You're probably right in terms of abuse but there is definitely a lot of pent up sales demand that can be tapped into with the right strategy and incentives.

 

[Antman]

You're probably right in terms of abuse but there is definitely a lot of pent up sales demand that can be tapped into with the right strategy and incentives.

Netbooks.

 

[AlexT2889]

The whole idea of the cash for clunkers program is a huge mistake.

First let me get this out of the way, I am not only a huge computer geek but also a "worldwide" car fanatic and I'm member of world's largest automobile forums VWVortex.com/TheCarLounge.net (Same Group).

People are throwing away PERFECTLY GOOD CARS like 1999 Jeep Cherokees etc. THAT ARE ALREADY PAID OFF and RUNNING. The Government is either crushing them or shipping them off to eastern Europe and China OR the people who manage the crushed vehicles are taking them and flipping a coin selling them back on their property.

WHY trade in GOOD RUNNING cars for NEW CARS that they CAN'T afford?! Their credit is going to get worse now, cars cost $22K or more now just for basic transportation, the majority of people aren't even buying Deisels or Hybrids anyway, they're buying Camaros and Mustangs for the likes (and even then, those 2 cars can get better mileage than many Hybrids and Gas cars on the road today).

All this is doing is just trying to score a sale TODAY in a bad economic time and NOT a FUTURE sale in GOOD economic times.

This is in reality, HURTING the America economy, and removing cars that COULD be affordable for "auto startups" like kids graduating or worked hard enough to find a good reliable ALREADY RUNNING VEHICLE! why not offer something for people who already have cars but are NOT RUNNING AT ALL?!

 

[Robearl2x]

The whole idea of the cash for clunkers program is a huge mistake.


People are throwing away PERFECTLY GOOD CARS like 1999 Jeep Cherokees etc. THAT ARE ALREADY PAID OFF and RUNNING. The Government is either crushing them or shipping them off to eastern Europe and China OR the people who manage the crushed vehicles are taking them and flipping a coin selling them back on their property.

WHY trade in GOOD RUNNING cars for NEW CARS that they CAN'T afford?! Their credit is going to get worse now, cars cost $22K or more now just for basic transportation, the majority of people aren't even buying Deisels or Hybrids anyway, they're buying Camaros and Mustangs for the likes (and even then, those 2 cars can get better mileage than many Hybrids and Gas cars on the road today).

Wow! You are quick to assume the financial status and credit worthiness of 250,000 people who decided to trade in the older cars for more fuel efficient vehicles. In my view, which is not THE view, maybe you just haven't thought it through:

The average rebate is $4K, while the average new vehicle is around $20K. That basically means that half of the rebate covers the sales, excise and other taxes, which all go into state and local coffers.

If you use the program to buy a US built car, it gets even better.

Consider as well that the sales staff earn commissions, the dealer makes money, the service department remains staffed, etc. That all translates into tax revenues, money spent in the local economy, fewer people on the public dole, etc.

Finally, people that buy new cars drive them. They travel, go out and recreate. Those things also spur local economies.

Multiply that by 250K new cars, and at the end of the day, that $1B winds up coming back to us, and then some.

It's a win-win.

 

[AlexT2889]

Wow! You are quick to assume the financial status and credit worthiness of 250,000 people who decided to trade in the older cars for more fuel efficient vehicles. In my view, which is not THE view, maybe you just haven't thought it through:

The average rebate is $4K, while the average new vehicle is around $20K. That basically means that half of the rebate covers the sales, excise and other taxes, which all go into state and local coffers.

If you use the program to buy a US built car, it gets even better.

Consider as well that the sales staff earn commissions, the dealer makes money, the service department remains staffed, etc. That all translates into tax revenues, money spent in the local economy, fewer people on the public dole, etc.

Finally, people that buy new cars drive them. They travel, go out and recreate. Those things also spur local economies.

Multiply that by 250K new cars, and at the end of the day, that $1B winds up coming back to us, and then some.

It's a win-win.

Yes, but THE CARS ARE PAID OFF, that is what matters, the cars are RUNNING, why throw away a paid off running vehicle for a new car that you're now in debt AGAIN, paying off the car every month with low resale value once the car leaves the lot.

If the Guvmint had a BRAIN, they would've stated AMERICAN CARS ONLY! How does buying a foreign car help the US Economy? except the dealers?

People have more important things than satisfying their "status" of driving a leased new vehicle in debt all over again for couple of years, when they could use that money they earned to pay for rent, house, food, you know...more important stuff in life.

 

[Robearl2x]

Yes, but THE CARS ARE PAID OFF, that is what matters, the cars are RUNNING, why throw away a paid off running vehicle for a new car that you're now in debt AGAIN, paying off the car every month with low resale value once the car leaves the lot.

If the Guvmint had a BRAIN, they would've stated AMERICAN CARS ONLY! How does buying a foreign car help the US Economy? except the dealers?

People have more important things than satisfying their "status" of driving a leased new vehicle in debt all over again for couple of years, when they could use that money they earned to pay for rent, house, food, you know...more important stuff in life.

With all due respect big fella, I think you are missing the point. with your logic, if everybody chose not to shop/spend because whatever they had at home was paid off, very few people would buy anything. What makes you think everybody that bought a car had to go in debt. People still do pay cash for items. Most people handle debt pretty well. What it sounds like is your view may be a little clouded by your own personal financial situation.

In addition, there are now American workers producing foreign brand vehicles in the US. You'd be surprised at how many people have to travel by car over 50 miles to work, each way, and need dependable fuel efficient vehicles to get hem there.

 

[AlexT2889]

With all due respect big fella, I think you are missing the point. with your logic, if everybody chose not to shop/spend because whatever they had at home was paid off, very few people would buy anything. What makes you think everybody that bought a car had to go in debt. People still do pay cash for items. Most people handle debt pretty well. What it sounds like is your view may be a little clouded by your own personal financial situation.

In addition, there are now American workers producing foreign brand vehicles in the US. You'd be surprised at how many people have to travel by car over 50 miles to work, each way, and need dependable fuel efficient vehicles to get hem there.

It's just common sense really. If people handled debt pretty well, credit card companies wouldn't be in this blackhole they're in right now.

I am well aware of foreign makers making cars in America now, but the majority of money still goes to Japan or elsewhere, it helps the foreign countries economy more than it helps American economy. Why throw our tax money to GM and Chrysler when at virtually the same time, they start a clunker program to benefit BOTH foreign/domestic makers? shouldn't it ONLY benefit the domestic maker?

By the way, I do live in the middle of nowhere, and travel 40 miles combined both ways to work.

 

[Antman]

It's just common sense really. If people handled debt pretty well, credit card companies wouldn't be in this blackhole they're in right now. ...

I beg your pardon.

If credit card companies and other financial institutions handled debt better, they would not have created the blackhole.

BTW - Cash flow is the economy.

 

[ChrisNYC]

It's just common sense really. If people handled debt pretty well, credit card companies wouldn't be in this blackhole they're in right now.

I am well aware of foreign makers making cars in America now, but the majority of money still goes to Japan or elsewhere, it helps the foreign countries economy more than it helps American economy. Why throw our tax money to GM and Chrysler when at virtually the same time, they start a clunker program to benefit BOTH foreign/domestic makers? shouldn't it ONLY benefit the domestic maker?

By the way, I do live in the middle of nowhere, and travel 40 miles combined both ways to work.

Actually, it is the half the people insured in the United States who, because they were sick and hospitalized, got rejected by the insurance companies which under hidden agenda would not finance their bills and finalized/terminated their contract. Yes, it is bad, but when they pay for expensive hospital bills, they lose money and God forbid AIG's CEO would drive a BMW 7 series instead of a ferrari among other insurance companies of insurers.
As a result, you get credit default and people not being able to pay their bills. That will cause them not to pay their mortgage and guess what? they are forced to sell or foreclose their homes.
And since you're so pro-fox, here is an article Fox news never bothered to discuss, and when they did, they called it socialism/communism going on

Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Mortgage Aid Bill To Help Americans Facing Foreclosure - wcco.com

I beg your pardon.

If credit card companies and other financial institutions handled debt better, they would not have created the blackhole.

BTW - Cash flow is the economy.

He watches Bill O'reilly, Sean Hannity and Glenn beck, what do you expect?

 

[AlexT2889]

Actually, it is the half the people insured in the United States who, because they were sick and hospitalized, got rejected by the insurance companies which under hidden agenda would not finance their bills and finalized/terminated their contract. Yes, it is bad, but when they pay for expensive hospital bills, they lose money and God forbid AIG's CEO would drive a BMW 7 series instead of a ferrari among other insurance companies of insurers.
As a result, you get credit default and people not being able to pay their bills. That will cause them not to pay their mortgage and guess what? they are forced to sell or foreclose their homes.
And since you're so pro-fox, here is an article Fox news never bothered to discuss, and when they did, they called it socialism/communism going on

Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Mortgage Aid Bill To Help Americans Facing Foreclosure - wcco.com


He watches Bill O'reilly, Sean Hannity and Glenn beck, what do you expect?

Since when did I ever say I'm pro-FOX? or even watch them? stop assuming? you'll make an ASS-outta-U-and-ME.

 

[AlexT2889]

You know what, F*** this S***, I'm just wanting to have a discussion, but no, liberal a**wipes jump in and put me down like I'm the Devil or something just because I watch or listen to a certain someone with a different point-of-view..*GASP!* now I wouldn't wanna spoil you're little honeymoon with The Won.

 

[Static]

I think either way. Long as the Computers for cash program doesn't turn out like the cars one, itll be ok.

For a nice 4minutes summary, go to the bottom of page 1 or 2 and watch the Glenn beck youtube video. its 4minutes.

http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/18975-warning-do-not-log-cars-gov.html

 

[pparks1]

People are throwing away PERFECTLY GOOD CARS like 1999 Jeep Cherokees etc. THAT ARE ALREADY PAID OFF and RUNNING.

Well, maybe these same individuals were already planning on buying a new car and with the price of gas, the 14mpg Jeep that they were driving was costing them an arm-and-a-leg to keep filled up. Maybe that Jeep on the average sale is only worth $2000...but if they use this program they get $4,500 as long as the new car gets at least 24mpg.

My wife and I used to have a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was paid off..but the damn thing kept braking down left and right. Was costing me more to maintain then the lease payment on the Chrysler Town and Country minivan we are now driving. The van gets better gas mileage and it fits our family with 2 kids and some pets much better. Fortunately, at the time we were able to trade it in for $5,000...but if the situation were different and it was only worth $2,000...this program would have been much nicer.

If the Guvmint had a BRAIN, they would've stated AMERICAN CARS ONLY! How does buying a foreign car help the US Economy? except the dealers?

I currently have 3 cars, 2 of which are American (Dodge and Chrysler) and 1 which is German (Volkswagen). My VW is a 2002 Passat GLX. When I was buying this car in 2002, I wanted a 5 speed manually tranny, 4 door family sedan. The American car market had 1 option for me. The Lincoln LS with the V6. Best part was it only cost about $10k more than my VW.

I simply cannot get behind the "always buy American" bandwagon. I'm not anti-American car...but if they don't offer what I want at the time, or have the fuel mileage that I need, or the clean burning diesel options that I might want...well then maybe they need to consider broadening their offerings.

 

[garysgold]

Don't want to get into the whole credit thing. I think there is enough blame to spread it far and wide. One thing AlexT is correct about is that it has made finding an old beater much more difficult. A few months ago they were everywhere. And now I'm having a hard time finding one.

Gary

 

[ChrisNYC]

Since when did I ever say I'm pro-FOX? or even watch them? stop assuming? you'll make an ASS-outta-U-and-ME.

lol The cars.gov thread was closed because of your assumptions and bashing of what you didn't believe in. And you hinted at how u love fox news political talking points :sarc:

You know what, F*** this S***, I'm just wanting to have a discussion, but no, liberal a**wipes jump in and put me down like I'm the Devil or something just because I watch or listen to a certain someone with a different point-of-view..*GASP!* now I wouldn't wanna spoil you're little honeymoon with The Won.

So, because I don't agree with you and because I don't watch Fox News, that automatically makes me a liberal?
Some people really shouldn't voice their opinions when they state fantasies as facts. Or even twisting fiction to make it a fact.
Really sad

Don't want to get into the whole credit thing. I think there is enough blame to spread it far and wide. One thing AlexT is correct about is that it has made finding an old beater much more difficult. A few months ago they were everywhere. And now I'm having a hard time finding one.

Gary

Not even. Clunkers for caash for cars is for cars with mpgs that are 19 or below. You can get plenty of beaters. And with the economy as it is right now, you can have them for pretty darn cheap(not at dealerships of course, they will always rip you off, ALWAYS).

 

[l337]

I like the idea but microsoft can only do that to their software or hardware, manufacturing companies should have programs that you trade your old computer and they give your money off your new ones. microsoft can do it with older software like windows 95 and 98 trade them and you get 50 dollars off windows xp vista or even 7.