Dear BBB,
I've heard a number of advertisements on the radio about "Cash for Clunkers," "Retire Your Ride," and "Recycle Your Ride," now being available in Canada. Are there really multiple programs in Canada that give you a rebate for retiring your vehicle? I heard about a number of scams related to this in the United States over the summer? How come each of these programs seems to offer something completely different? Which programs are legitimate and which ones are a scam?
~Clunker Crazy
A: Clunker Crazy,
You are RIGHT to be asking such questions about these programs. Yes there is a cash for clunkers type program now available in Canada, and yes in B.C. the program is confusingly operating under a number of different names. In Canada the rebate program for putting old cars to rest iscalled "Retire Your Ride." Retire Your Ride is an initiative of The Government of Canada, Clean Air Foundation. Vehicles eligible for the program must be of a 1995 model year or older and have been registered and insured for the last six months. In B.C. there are actually two different incentive programs operating in partnership with this program, of which vehicle owners may only apply to one: The National Vehicle Manufactures Incentive Program (NVMIP) and the B.C. Incentive Program (BCIP). With NVMIP a number of vehicle manufacturers are offering incentives of up to $3000 on the purchase or lease of new model vehicles. With BCIP incentives valued at up to $1,250 are offered for the choices with the highest greenhouse benefit. These incentives include rebates towards the purchase of very low emission vehicles, transit passes, or bikes. As with nearly everything these days you should watch for scam artists looking to take advantage of people that are confused about this program. Watch for scammers looking to collect your personal and financial information under the guise of the program. Also watch for unscrupulous auto dealers that are not part of the NVMIP who promise fake rebates. To get educated on the specifics of the Retire Your Ride program and how it works in B.C. visit scrapit.ca.