Conference 7.286::dcu

       Doesn't the person who does respond for DCU have her number listed
    somewhere? Try giving her a call. Keep us posted.
                                                   Denny

    Hmmm, I just passed up DCU for an Auto loan because
    the rates and conditions on their Auto program(s)
    were not the best for me.  If what is said is true,
    this is most disturbing.
    
    There may be an even larger issue here.  Recent topics
    in this conference have discussed communication difficulties,
    and ideas for getting DCU access to the Easynet.  It has been
    stressed that Digital Employees Federal Credit Union is
    completely independent of Digital Equipment Corporation.
    Despite this, the policies of these two institutions,
    at least in this instance, are intersecting in a way that
    is in no way coincidental.  As a DCU member, I'd like to know
    why.
    
    Brian

This is a document I found in DIGITAL.NOTE.  I edited out large sections of
text not referring to DCU.  While these guys loosing their cars may need *help*,
there are others of us who use our cars for digital that get nothing from the
company [they get $200/mo+milage].  WE COULD USE A BREAK TOO, MR DCU!
ed



          <<< HUMAN::DISK$HUMAN_WRKD:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DIGITAL.NOTE;1 >>>
                          -< The DEC way of working >-
================================================================================
Note 565.423                Official So Long, Plan A                  423 of 428
DPDMAI::RESENDE "Life is not a dress rehearsal"     705 lines  26-SEP-1988 11:38
                 -< Fleet Transition Assistance Programs memo >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just received the following "update" on the fleet plan changes.
        
     ATTACHMENT - INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date:      23-Sep-1988 20:03 CDT
                                         From:      RICK CATINO 
                                                    CATINO.RICK AT A1 AT FDCV13 AT PKO 
                                         Dept:      US FLEET ADMIN
                                         Tel No:    223-5000
     Subject: FLEET TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

      ********************************************************
      *                                                      *
      *    THIS MEMO IS FROM THE US FIELD MANAGEMENT TEAM    *
      *                                                      *
      ********************************************************


{SOME TEXT DELETED TO SAVE SPACE FOR ALL WORDS PLEASE GOTO DIGITAL NOTESFILE}

                               
		 FLEET TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

During the past few months, several programs have been developed 
that utilize Digital's purchasing leverage to assist our employees 
with the transition to personal vehicles.  All of the programs 
listed below are being introduced to current car plan employees 
during the last week of September, 1988.

EMPLOYEE USED VEHICLE PURCHASE PROGRAM

Historically, employees have had the option of purchasing their Fleet 
vehicle at the time it reaches the replacement criteria of 36 months 
or 60,000 miles.  As part of the transition plan, employees are now 
able to purchase their assigned vehicle at any time, regardless of age 
or mileage.

The Digital Credit Union has agreed to assist employees in buying 
their assigned Fleet vehicles at a reduced finance rate and with 
little or no down payment.

The variable rates and terms are:

    RATE:    11.50%       11.75%       12.00%       12.25% *

    TERM:    12 MO.       24 MO.       36 MO.       48 MO.

    * For a four-year term the loan must be at least $5,000.

These rates are 1% below the current DCU used car loan rates and 
guaranteed for loans closed before December 31, 1988.

Downpayment is dependent upon the car's value in relation to the NADA 
BLUE BOOK average retail price.  In general, the DCU will require some 
downpayment on newer vehicles.

The DCU is preparing a direct mail piece for all employees affected by 
the change which is scheduled for mailing during the last week of 
September, 1988.


{SOME TEXT DELETED TO SAVE SPACE FOR ALL WORDS PLEASE GOTO DIGITAL NOTESFILE}
TEXT REFLECTED OTHER DIGITAL SPONCERED PROGRAMS.

    I think it is admirable of the DCU to help, in any way, DEC employees
    who make up the membership. Since there would be no DCU without
    Digital it stands to reason that the DCU is hearing a plea for help
    and is responding.
    
    However, I think it *STINKS* that certain employees are getting
    special treatment. As a member who is currently paying off a new
    car loan to DCU I think it is outrageous to show this blatant
    favoritism.
    
    Hey, I happen to feel for those in the Field. It's a rough situation.
    But, I'm stuck with 2 car payments, now and I pay auto insurance
    premiums on 2 cars now and I need a break....NOW!!!!!
    
    If there is not some measure of helping current members not in the
    field, this will be the last loan I ever get from DCU!
    
    Rich
     

    I wonder if there's something at work behind the scenes.  It's possible
    that Digital and DCU made a deal where Digital underwrites the special
    rates provided to the people who are coming off of Plan A.  Such costs
    could well be less than the continuing cost of supporting Plan A. 
    
    If (and I'm only speculating) that's the case, then DCU hasn't done
    anything out of line beyond offering an unannounced loan product.  I
    suspect the by-laws (here we go again 8^) give DCU management enough
    latitude in their product offerings that the membership doesn't need to
    be consulted before making such a deal. 
    
    The bottom line is that we don't know all the facts.  We should
    probably defer judgement until we know more.  A DCU response to the
    questions asked by earlier replies to this note would be helpful. 

>    The Digital Credit Union has agreed to assist employees in buying 
>    their assigned Fleet vehicles at a reduced finance rate and with 
>    little or no down payment.
    
    Note that this plan is only to buy the current cars already on the
    plan.  Granted, some might be interested in their good old Ford
    sedan but now that DEC is forcing people to buy a car, most in the
    field are looking at something they would REALLY want to own, not
    just what used to be the most sensible to drive financially.  Have
    you ever seen a USED plan A car that YOU wanted to buy?  We in the
    field are looking at cars that either:
    
    	1. Are exciting to own and drive (sport models, mini vans etc)
    
    	2. Well built, low maintenance autos (lots of foreign cars showing
    	up in the parking lots, Chryslers with 7 year protection plans
    	seem popular too)
    
   
    Also, the rates still AREN'T competitive, at least down here in
    the greater Philly area.
    
    What was chopped out of the field announcement which is much more
    important (I feel) is a program to get a corporate arrangement though
    a leasing company.  It would benefit everyone to have ALL of US Country
    available for that plan since we should be able to lobby for lower
    rates with a grater number or participation.

    Does this represent special treatment on the behalf of DCU?  I guess
    so.  Is it something most people want?  I fail to see how, but
    if you want to see if you can get this rate to buy a used plan A
    car, talk to fleet administration.
    
    Just a field perspective from someone on plan B now.

    Hello everybody,
    
    I was just talking to DCU customer relations on this matter. They
    said, this is true. I asked the person,"why this is happening".
    He said, "committee has right to offer promotion to few selected
    people". Well floks, that is it. Until today I borrowed twice from
    DCU, for car loan. I am not going to borrow again from DCU. I may
    close my account with them also.
    
    BS

    Finding myself in need of calling DCU, I asked about this one myself
    The first lady I talked to said she'd recieved a number of calls
    on this one.  She couldn'\t talk about it so she passed me onto
    another person, Mary?.  Mary said this is the very first call she
    ever got on the matter.
    Boiled down, she basicilly said tough luck.
    This is the responce I expected.
    
    What boils me the most is that she didn't understand HOW this was
    costing us [other DCU members] money.  We put that person and like
    people in charge of our money?
    
    [do I really have to explain why we are paying for this program?}
    {reduced savings %, increased loan%]
    
    ed [just talking to the wind when I call that number]
    
 

    But remember!  Field members of DCU usually have no access to a
    DCU branch office.  Loan paperwork takes much longer by mail to
    Massachusetts.  In fact, there are notes in this very conference
    complaining about DCU's service to the field.
    
    I think these same field people deserve a break, and I support the
    arrangement to let them buy used fleet vehicles at special rates.
    Considering the financial bind that some field people are now in,
    I think this is the very least that DEC can do.
    
    (Yeah, I know, this is going to start a bunch of flames...)

    Bob Leigh
    ex-NY Area Software Support

    I wouldn't flame at you Bob.  But you are getting DCU and DEC confussed
    in your reply when you say that its the least DEC could do.
    possible GMA has the greater bulk of depositors and thats why there's
    window service.
    
    Quite frankly, I can't think of one reason why a field person would
    want DCU!  The single reason I belong is that the window is a few
    feet away from my desk and I'd have to drive to the nearest bank.
    The rates are discusting, service is poor.
    
    Now if I walked up to the DCU window and asked for a used car load
    with $0. down and wanted a cheaper interest rate, they'd kick me
    out.  *EVERY* depositor should be able to get the same service/benifit
    from the window!.  Period.
    ed
    

    This is an official response by Mary Madden of the DCU. The portion of
    that response, dated 02-NOV-1988, that applies to this note topic is
    included below. See note 2.22 for more information. 
    
    Whether you agree or disagree with the response from the DCU, please
    either direct your comments to the DCU directly (dtn-223-6735) or
    post your comments as a REPLY to this entry in this conference.
    
    Carl Leeber
******************************************************************************
    DCU creates various loan programs depending on our members' needs.
    Recently, we were approached by DEC that their Fleet Car Program was
    changing.  As a result of these changes, DEC believed there would be a
    number of Assigned Fleet Car Drivers wanting to purchase their Fleet
    Cars.  To assist in this transition, DCU believed this was an excellent
    opportunity to help our members as well as expand our car loan program. 

    Therefore, DCU created a specific loan program for Assigned Fleet Car
    Drivers who wish to purchase their Fleet Car.  This new program not
    only satisfies many of our member's needs, but also makes sound
    business sense to target this specific market.
******************************************************************************

    I can tell you that as far as the DCU responding on E-net, forget
    it. They are not on the E-net. They are in a LARGE grey area as
    to whether they're part of DEC or not. Offically they aren't,but
    they do enjoy most or all of the benefits of being internal. As
    to difficulty dealing with them....they are a bank after all.
    
    
                              Jim C

    One suggestion!  when it's time to vote for the people that run
    DCU this forum could be used to help vote these folks out of office.
    I don't know if it's legal, but if it is then lets utilize it.
    
    
    
    		Bernie