A New Cash For Clunkers Deadline

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- When Cash for Clunkers hit the automotive dealers showrooms, they did not know what to expect.

Dale Murray is General Manager of Duval Ford.

"Of all the stimulus packages out there, this one you can measure it certainly reached main street," says Murray.

Murray says the program was clearly a success, but for dealers filing the paper work, it has been a exercise in frustration. Murray says, "We have 66 contracts pending. We have done 76 deals and so far we have been paid for three."

Murray says now that the program is over dealers are waiting to be paid. "It seems like there was more wiggle room on their side than on this side," he says.

He says once the deals are confirmed, the government issues a check within ten days. Some dealers around the country complain that the process has been so cumbersome, the delayed payments has impacted their cash flow.

Even so, everyone says the program was a success.

Cash for Clunkers was introduced to stimulate the economy and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil by putting more fuel efficient vehicles on the road.

The program sold nearly 700,000 vehicles and depleted the $3 billion earmarked for Cash for Clunkers.

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