Issue with Dealership: Opinions Wanted

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I'd say time passed is critically relevant, what can they do with one single, used rim.

I think its factual to say they screwed up, it's also factual to say that you did as well. Sorry, if I was a 3rd party moderator here I'd probably say you aren't entitled to a free replacement given the time passed.

Unless you can show that they promised you one thing and gave you something else I don't see that the dealership has to do anything here.

They offered you a service and for several months you accepted the offer ... just a tough one i think.

Well, I would say that the moment they mounted the tire on the wheel, the wheel was used. Bolting it to the car makes it more used. Sure, it might be able to be dishonestly passed off as new to another unsuspecting customer, but it was used the moment they messed up and installed the wrong rim. They should punish you because it is more used.

Like others have said, escalate it up the management chain. I bet they cave when you explain you are going to post this story on beyond.ca.

And, no matter what happens, I wouldnt ever take my car there again. Honestly, you'd have to be very dim witted to install the wrong the wheel on a car when the other wheel on that side is 3 ft away. You dont want people of that intellect ever touching anything you own.

[Swarly]

what's a tire? tire or tyre?

[lucky1]

so 7 months ago, you bought a part which was wrong, and now you want complete compensation? come on man, give your head a shake......7 months is a long time! I agree, the parts guy screwed up, but rightly I dont think that they should be expected to take the rim back.....a poster mentioned before that they should just give you cost on the right rim and eat the labour to install it...this is fair.

as far as Draugs comment...well, considering dealerships usually employ young kids to work the tire/lube racks, its really no surprise that they would install the wrong rim...he was just doing as he was told

[3 Justin 3]

I had something similar, but I was driving down an off-ramp during a white-out blizzard and I smashed into the curb, busted the rim. Next day I phone the dealer and they want $650 for the rim. I laughed and hung up. I phoned a few Car Wrecker's and eventually someone was kind enough to check the entire Car Wrecker's database and found someone who had my rim. Suffice to say, I got it with the tire for $150, and it is in basically new condition.

As for your particular situation. 7 months is a damn long time. I don't know how you wouldn't have noticed it right there. When I brought my car into the dealer, I didn't leave until I checked over everything myself.

[Shazam]

Impact wrench and a jack... Go to dealership after hours... Just sayin'...

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by lucky1

so 7 months ago, you bought a part which was wrong, and now you want complete compensation? come on man, give your head a shake......7 months is a long time!

You make it sound like the part was HOT pink and I was driving on it for 7 straight months, and should have noticed it immediately. The dealership, who sells how many tires a year didn't even notice it.

The rim was very similar to my other 3, was installed on the back passenger side (where I didn't see it regularly entering/exiting the vehicle), and was only on my car for a couple weeks before I installed my winter tires and stored these in my basement all winter.

[burnin_vernon]

What if they installed an incorrect brake pad that wasn't caught till 7 months later when it tears up your rotor? Some people don't care about what a rim looks like, as long as it's on there and it gets you to work. Suppose you are color blind (like me) and they put the wrong color on which you don't notice until 7 months later when a friend points it out. It's their mistake; the onus should not be on the unqualified consumer to have the knowledge of the professional, regardless of the part.

[BlackArcher101]

Any chance you told them you needed the car quickly and this rim was the only variety that they could get in short amount of time?

Usually new rims take a while to order in.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Draug

Well, I would say that the moment they mounted the tire on the wheel, the wheel was used. Bolting it to the car makes it more used. Sure, it might be able to be dishonestly passed off as new to another unsuspecting customer, but it was used the moment they messed up and installed the wrong rim. They should punish you because it is more used.

Like others have said, escalate it up the management chain. I bet they cave when you explain you are going to post this story on beyond.ca.

And, no matter what happens, I wouldnt ever take my car there again. Honestly, you'd have to be very dim witted to install the wrong the wheel on a car when the other wheel on that side is 3 ft away. You dont want people of that intellect ever touching anything you own.

I agree with finding a new place, but what does the moment after bolting on to a car have to do with anything?

It's been 7 months. Not 2 minutes. It's a tough spot but expecting full compensation after 7 months is simply too much. Both the buyer and seller were not paying attention, and neglect exists on both sides.

If I was the dealership and it can be proven that I ordered the wrong part I'd probably try to figure something out, but it definitely would not be a full refund.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

What if they installed an incorrect brake pad that wasn't caught till 7 months later when it tears up your rotor? Some people don't care about what a rim looks like, as long as it's on there and it gets you to work. Suppose you are color blind (like me) and they put the wrong color on which you don't notice until 7 months later when a friend points it out. It's their mistake; the onus should not be on the unqualified consumer to have the knowledge of the professional, regardless of the part.

A broad sweeping statement like that is very problematic.

I once bought a house that about a year later I decided I didn't like the price ... do I get to go back and get a refund? Consumers have responsibility, and it's lazy and irresponsible to just think businesses or any kind of seller has to completely hold a buyers hand through everything.

The fact that in any case if a buyer is 'unqualified' is the buyers problem and fault, not the sellers.

[Pinner]

If you traded the car in at that dealership, I'd bet they could make it work with little or no cost to the dealership...

[JustAnotherGuy]

Unfortunately in this day and age we have to do a walk around to confirm something is done properly. It can be as simple as checking what you ordered from the drive through at the fast food place before you drive away.

A few years back the girlfriend had an accident with my van. It was all covered. She picked up the van and when I saw it I immediately noticed a couple small dents in the hood. I immediately took the van back. It was probably 3 hours. They denied knowing anything about the hood. They said how did they know it didn't happen in the 3 hours since I picked it up. I phoned my insurance company, who made me go to their preferred list of body shops to fix the original damage. All they said was. You could file another insurance claim.

Moral of that story? Do a walk around and check before you accept your merchandise.

[mykalberta]

Have you checked your bill. If they charged you for a 6 spoke and not a 4 then they owe you a 6 spoke no matter what IMO.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Have you checked your bill. If they charged you for a 6 spoke and not a 4 then they owe you a 6 spoke no matter what IMO.

This is the key.

[MikeN]

http://www.amvic.org/

you have more rights then you know.

[algernon]

Originally Posted by MikeN

http://www.amvic.org/

you have more rights then you know.

I'm not sure where on that site the OP's problem is addressed specifically.
I do notice that they hate Curbers, though, which may be helpful for my situation. Thanks.

[thatguy]

Ask them If you need to check every part or even they if they put the right oil into your vehicle every time you get it serviced there(which obviously shouldn't have to be done). It worked for my cousin with wrong pieces of trim that were installed on his truck and used for a few weeks.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I agree with finding a new place, but what does the moment after bolting on to a car have to do with anything?

It's been 7 months. Not 2 minutes. It's a tough spot but expecting full compensation after 7 months is simply too much. Both the buyer and seller were not paying attention, and neglect exists on both sides.

If I was the dealership and it can be proven that I ordered the wrong part I'd probably try to figure something out, but it definitely would not be a full refund.

Because as soon as that rim is bolted to the car, it is scratched up and the metal is groved by the lug nuts. It is used at that point. They couldnt honestly sell it as new.

Because the rim was instantly used, the dealership used the fact that the wheel is used as an excuse not to correct their mistake is hogwash.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by lucky1

as far as Draugs comment...well, considering dealerships usually employ young kids to work the tire/lube racks, its really no surprise that they would install the wrong rim...he was just doing as he was told

Well then, whoever told him to install the wrong rim is an idiot. Regardless, the dealership has at least one complete idiot working there, and those people you dont want working on your car, ever!

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

A broad sweeping statement like that is very problematic.

I once bought a house that about a year later I decided I didn't like the price ... do I get to go back and get a refund? Consumers have responsibility, and it's lazy and irresponsible to just think businesses or any kind of seller has to completely hold a buyers hand through everything.

The fact that in any case if a buyer is 'unqualified' is the buyers problem and fault, not the sellers.

I'm not sure how your housing example fits into this argument. Of course you cannot dispute the price of something after it has been mutually agreed upon. Now if you discovered foundation cracks after getting a perfect report from your home inspector, that would make for a better example.

In the case of things like auto repair, lawyers, or even doctors there is a trust you have to have for the service as most consumers can't be expected to know the specifics of the job. It is likely you have to believe whatever it is that they tell you. While this may not be as black and white with a mostly cosmetic problem, I think the seller should still have some responsibility.

George: Well, of course they're trying to screw you. What do you think? That's what they do. They can make up anything. Nobody knows. "By the
way, you need a new Johnson rod in there." "Oh, a Johnson rod. Yeah, well,
you better put one of those on."