NationStates Jolt Archive


Oprah car giveaway....

Biff Pileon
24-09-2004, 10:44
This is hilarious....

Oprah Winfrey "gave" away over 200 new cars to people who had written to her stating that they needed a new car but were unable to afford one. Pontiac donated the cars and it was a big deal a week or so ago.....

Now the people we saw jumping for joy with the keys to their new cars are being told they have to ante up $7,000 for the taxes and fees for the cars or they have to return them. So much for the "grand" gesture.
Refused Party Program
24-09-2004, 10:45
Still, $7,000 must be pretty cheap for one of those cars?
Lunatic Goofballs
24-09-2004, 10:46
That's not Oprah's fault. That's the system. Taxes cannot be exempted for free stuff. Stupid, but true.
Biff Pileon
24-09-2004, 10:48
That's not Oprah's fault. That's the system. Taxes cannot be exempted for free stuff. Stupid, but true.

Thats true....but at first it was made to look like Oprah herself had given the cars....2 days later it was revealed that they were donated by Pontiac. I doubt many if any of those who got the cars can afford the $7,000 and will have to give up the cars.
Refused Party Program
24-09-2004, 10:49
Ah, nothing is ever really free...unless you steal it. :D
THE LOST PLANET
24-09-2004, 10:49
I saw that one coming, uncle sam always wants his and registration isn't free. 7K for a new car is still a hell of a bargain.
Tiqwah Ha Am
24-09-2004, 10:54
i love to have a new car for 7000 dollars, but well i am dutch,, hhahaha.
:p
Cannot think of a name
24-09-2004, 11:12
Even I could get a 7000 loan on a new car like those.

Still sucks, but sucks less then not having a car they need.
Sageanistan
24-09-2004, 11:16
Ah, only a few more years til I can get a car... Oh, darling commodores... Luckily, my parentals will contribute about 4,000 bucks. The cars I want are between 3,000 and 10,000...
The Captain
24-09-2004, 11:22
Oprah should just go ahead and pay the taxes herself for all the cars. Now that everybody has realized that there's no free lunch (why didn't Oprah's lawyers or GM inform her of this?), she can really save face by shelling out the $1.4M or so in taxes.
Lunatic Goofballs
24-09-2004, 11:23
Oprah should just go ahead and pay the taxes herself for all the cars. Now that everybody has realized that there's no free lunch (why didn't Oprah's lawyers or GM inform her of this?), she can really save face by shelling out the $1.4M or so in taxes.

That would be $7,000 of taxable income to each of the car recipients. *chuckles*
Biff Pileon
24-09-2004, 11:26
That would be $7,000 of taxable income to each of the car recipients. *chuckles*

Yep....the tax man is a bitch isn't he? ;)
Refused Party Program
24-09-2004, 11:26
I think we're all missing the point here...Biff hasn't given us a source for this gem. :D
The Captain
24-09-2004, 11:26
That would be $7,000 of taxable income to each of the car recipients. *chuckles*

True, but taxes on $7,000 at the marginal rate are less than the $7,000 to pay the car's taxes.
Biff Pileon
24-09-2004, 11:32
I think we're all missing the point here...Biff hasn't given us a source for this gem. :D

It was on the morning TV news. No link....
THE LOST PLANET
24-09-2004, 11:33
Ah, I don't think it's really that big a deal, I bet Pontiac doesn't get a single vehicle returned to them.
Refused Party Program
24-09-2004, 11:34
It was on the morning TV news. No link....

So you source is an imaginary news story. Interesting.
Biff Pileon
24-09-2004, 12:29
So you source is an imaginary news story. Interesting.

Ok, how is this then?

http://www.nbc13.com/entertainment/3751675/detail.html
1248B
24-09-2004, 13:03
Just pay the tax, borrow the cash if needed. Next sell the car. I bet you can make a nice profit that way.