Imagine spending $25,000 for a new car and then having buyer’s remorse. To give customers more peace of mind, Chrysler has begun offering a 30 day return program. TV commercials promise “if not satisfied, simply return it within 30 days.”

The truth is, it is not quite so painless a process, particularly to your pocketbook.

*MOUSE PRINT: “Customer responsible for 5% MSRP restocking fee, 50 cents per mile driven, and all financing, insurance and tax charges.” [TV commericial airing July 10, 2006.]

One might reasonably expect to have to return the car in good condition (additional fine print requires that), and to have to pay a usage fee for every mile driven. In this case, if one were to drive an average amount of 1,000 miles during the first month, that means there will be a $500 charge for use.

The real bite comes from the restocking fee, which on a $25,000 list price car (even if you paid $20,000), would amount to $1250. It is unclear how much the taxes, financing and insurance charges would add to this, but the total charge to change your mind about buying this car could easily be over $2000.

If you paid cash for the car, or used other than Chrysler Financial to finance it, you don’t have any refund rights under this program.

So, if you “just return it in 30 days,” expect to lose approximately 8 – 10% of the purchase price, or get no refund at all.