Definition of "Civilian" and a dilemma (non-PARF content)
 

My son is active duty (USMC) and wants to buy a Tahoe with the PPV package. We found one on ebay; however, the seller says the following:

2013 CHEVY TAHOE PPV 2WHEEL DRIVE POLICE PACKAGE,SPEED RATED TIRES, WHEELS,SUSPENSION.DUAL BATTERIES,LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL,AUTOMATIC TRANS, FRONT BUCKETS.VINYL REAR SEAT,POWERLOCKS,WINDOWS,SEATS,MIRRORS,TILT,CRUISE, KEYLESS ENTRY,DUAL A/C. MUST BE LAW ENFORCEMENT,FIRE FIGHTER,EMT,EMS, TO PURCHASE. NO CIVILIAN SALES!!

I find that interesting in that every group he listed is civilian. He told my son (who is NOT a civilian) that he is not eligible. By the seller's own definition, my son is the only one eligible to buy the Tahoe! How would you handle that?

I'd find another vehicle to buy

And then get the sellers mailing address and subscribe him to all sorts of postal junk mail...

Sometimes words have multiple meanings. They can be used correctly in more than one context. Civilian is one of those.

To a member of the armed services, anyone who is not a member of the armed services is a civilian. To a member of law enforcement, anyone who is not in law enforcement is a civilian. To someone who works in public safety, anyone who doesn't is a civilian. To a teacher, anyone who doesn't work in education is a civilian. When I'm at the courthouse, anyone who's not a judge or lawyer is a civilian.

Those are "First Responders" ..and civlians. Your son is the only one, like you said, that not a cilivilan IMO.
I can see though that the term can be relative.

Usually I put military in the same group as first responders but, not the others in the same group as military if that makes sense.

Might be something with the manufacturer only wanting this "police package" in the hands of law enforcement. Certain mods were made that makes it better suited for pursuit. There is also a cost component that the vehicle has to be made available at a certain price point. Usually most agencies have a deal with certain dealers to supply their vehicles though and they don't go shopping on ebay. Strange this is on ebay. Seems sketchy. I agree that the Seller should have used the phrase general public instead of "civilian."

Like was said above, find another vehicle to buy. You will save yourself the time and bother with having to deal with this seller. If your son is buying a new vehicle and paying a new vehicle price, it would be better to buy local from a reputable dealership then sight unseen on ebay. I have never seen anyone outside of law enforcement buying a police pursuit vehicle new from a dealership though.

There are government surplus auctions on-line that sell older fleet vehicles that have the police package installed at rather good prices.

I guess my issue was way the seller stated the terms. If he had stated "LEO only" for instance, I understand that. The "No civilian sales" is the part that is at issue in my opinion.

I don't even care about the semantics of the word "Civilian", that ad just screams PITA at me for some reason and as such I would walk quickly away. There's plenty of vehicles out there.

sounds like he wants to by an SUV police car?

why doesnt he just buy a regular one and do the mods? sounds like the PPV version is only available to a department, not an individual sale, no?

Make him an offer and his attitude might very well change.

I think he is misusing the term "civilian" and not much can be done about it, just trying to make the vehicle sound more exclusive.

Some define civilian as not in the armed services or police force. If it's a private sale and he doesn't want to sell you the vehicle there isn't much or anything you can do about it.

Too many fish in the sea to worry about this one, Bill. I'd punt this guy on second down.

Please thank your son for me for his willingness to serve. You must be very proud.

Best.

Is your son SHORE PATROL? that might work for him.

Vinny would qualify....;)

Why would you want a two-wheel drive tahoe with a vinyl rear seat, plus not even a bumper hitch at the rear (PPV)? Seriously? What a piece of ****.

angela

When you are as "uncivil" as I am...EVERY one else is a civillian by comparison (it's just semantics) :). Bill, you son doesn't need to deal with this "one"...he has earned and deserves better!!!

I don't know why he wants one of these. He's not a poser and he is not an MP. He just likes the looks of them.I have no idea why!. With kids there's no telling......

Bill, thank your son for me on his service to our country. I may be able to get him a GM Suppliers Discount code to get it below dealer cost. If I recall correctly there was a memo recently that we could extend it to one friend per year. PM me if he decides to go new and I'll look into it.

I can guarantee this is not the issue.

Turn the page Bill, you don't want to do business with those people. Tell your son another of the old codgers here said thank you for your service.

It's a manufacture requirement. I assume he wants to buy a new vehicle fom dealer. GM has it set up under a fleet management program. A government agency can only buy these vehicle. For example a LEO cannot buy one new for personal use...only agencies are allowed.

There are discounts and rebates only available to government organizatione. And GM gets all kinds of tax credits, etc for discounting their price. Plus they have different rev limiters, speed limiters, etc and are warranted differently.