I took my car in for some repair work. While it was there an employee backed into. Minor damage. I want by today to see if it was ready and they told me what had happened. The accident happened yesterday--no one notified me. When I got there today they had already replaced the tail light and I was told they were waiting in the paint on the new bumper to dry. I have a feeling that if I had not gone by today they would have just fixed it an never even told me. Shouldn't they have notified me when the accident happened and shouldn't I have had the choice of how and where it was repaired? I don't even know exactly what happened or how bad it was because they began fixing it before I saw the damage. What do you guys think?
Yes IMHO, they should have contacted you when it happened...fessed up...and let you go look at it before it was fixed. I'm not too sure what you can do now, though. What dealership was it?
Emma, now that you have given your full name on this board, I would be very cautious of posting the name of the Dealership. If you do you may be getting correspondence from a lawyer and probably having to contact your own.
Ah, but this her real name? And I am wondering how can she get in trouble if she is only stating what happened? No trashing that I can see in her post. If a car place does something that is not kosher, a customer should not be intimidated into not saying anything. I think it'll be ok if she is only asking questions about what happened. It is helpful to hear of others' opinions and similar experiences.:neutral:
I think that the dealership should have told you immediately after the incident and given you the opprotunity to examine the damage and offer to either fix it themselves or have it fixed by the shop of your choice. JMO Mike
I am fairly sure she would win, but who needs the hassel? It would be easy for the dealership to verify the name and send a sease & decist letter.
I'd take it somewhere else to be repaired - who knows they might not have even put the right color (you'll notice later) OR clear coat on it? I'd be up somebody's you know what. :boxing:
Or atleast take it somewhere else and have the dealerships repair evaluated. I'd be p.o.'d that they didn't call me when it happened and give me a chance to see the actual damage. Did you ask if they took any pictures??
I know....but it can't hurt to ask. I'd also put a call into the General Manager of the dealership. HE may not know about it either if the Service Dept. was trying to cover it up. At the very least, you should insist on on free oil changes for the life of your ownership of the car because of their lack of communication.
Yeah! That's the ticket! Sorry, the phone does not have a spell checker and obviously my brain at 6am doesn't either! :jester:
This happened to me a few years ago. I took my car in to get new tires, the manager actually called me and said one of her employees dropped some sort of arm on my car, but all she could say about it was "It would hurt your feelings". She said they fixed it. I picked it up the next day, my sideview mirror wouldn't work (thats where the arm dropped). I got an attitude and a half and I said either you fix it or I will start with the proceedings. They ended up fixing it, but it took twice as long to get back. If I was you, I would get something in writing. Also, (not sure if you knew this or not), its NOT illegal to audio record a conversation in NC. As long as one side of the party is consenting (you), I would put a tape recorder in my purse/pocket. Just make sure that after you hit record, you state your name, the date/time and what you are about to record. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
Thanks everyone for the advice. I stopped by when they were closed to look at the repair job. There is a noticeable difference in color between the bumper and hatch. I am going to ask for a meeting with the owner or GM today. I just still think they should have notified me at once. If I don't get satisfactory results I will post the dealership name.
This would absolutely make me livid. You have every right to rip them a new one and DEMAND they replace the car if it is new. Because now...It will be on Carfax right? If so the value of your car just dropped 8%.
I doubt it'll be on carfax. the reason they tried to cover it up was so that it wouldn't go on report, and so that they wouldn't have to worry about insurance.
Update The dealership has offered to pay to have the car fixed to my satisfaction and to pay diminished value (by the way--does anyone know how to get that value determined). They will also let me have a loner while the car is being fixed. I feel it is a positive outcome. My current questions is--should I file a police report before I move the car from the dealer lot. I am a little afraid that once I take it they may "forget" the deal.
I would just get everything in writing before you leave the lot, they have someone on hand that should be able to notorize(sp) it as well
It doesn't sound like a bad idea, then you would have legal recourse to fall back on if necessary. Maybe call your insurance company and ask them.
I agree about the cover up. BUT if you think about it a Dealership would know how to fix it right!!. I would make them make a list of exactly what they did to it so you would have it for your references and take a picture!! For having it an extra day did they offer you a rental??? You are due something! Even if it is an apology!!!
