Dealer scratched my car, didn't see it until I got home - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eddie Bronze · 11-23-2010, 08:59 PM

Had my car in this morning to get the winters put on. Considering it was -30c when I went out to get in it, I wasn't thinking too much about looking it over when I got in it. Was just taking the tires out of the back this evening and noticed a nasty scratch/skid mark right on the nose of it, looks like they ran it into a wall.

Problem is, I've got it home now and they could just say, it could have happened after I left. I know vehicle dealers can be slimy, how do I handle it?

Mike F · 11-23-2010, 09:09 PM

Have sex with his wife.

Pinner · 11-23-2010, 09:19 PM

That sucks, I feel for you. All you can do is approach the shop and say so. They won't want to compensate you even if they know they are responsible.

It happened to me before and it just wasn't worth the fight. Lesson learned, do a walk around !

burn_this_city · 11-23-2010, 09:21 PM

Just take it back first thing tomorrow. Explain the situation like you did here and I think they will be reasonable.

theonlywhiteout · 11-23-2010, 09:28 PM

ROFL

the naivety nature of that statement is adorable. once while going down 16th i was behind a big old gravel truck. the stupid mouth breathing SOB had a bunch of little rocks on the wheel well, and once flew into my car and put a huge crack in it. i flagged him down and got him to pull over. he gave me the card to his business, and the owner basically laughed at me and told me "prove it jagoff" and hung up. true story (except the jagoff, im about to watch casino lol..)

burn_this_city · 11-23-2010, 09:34 PM

Its really not that naive. My buddy works at a dealership and they went through a huge deal there recently because a customer claimed he had money in the glovebox that disappeared. I thought they would have laughed him out of there since it wasnt until a day later he called about it. If he's a regular customer of the dealership they'll fix it.

Pinner · 11-23-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonlywhiteout

had a bunch of little rocks on the wheel well, and once flew into my car and put a huge crack in it.)

Your talking windshield right ? Mine was cracked within the first week off the lot

Eddie Bronze · 11-23-2010, 09:37 PM

It's Mitsubishi. I bought the car at Platinum but starting going to Hyatt this year because of crappy service at Platinum. Apparently they both suck.

Eddie Bronze · 11-23-2010, 09:45 PM

Why would I waste my time posting about it on the internet if I did it myself?

Dion · 11-23-2010, 09:51 PM

If you can't get any satisfaction from the dealership I would contact Lea Williams Doherty of CFCN and see if she will have a look at your case.

DuffMan · 11-23-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Its really not that naive. My buddy works at a dealership and they went through a huge deal there recently because a customer claimed he had money in the glovebox that disappeared. I thought they would have laughed him out of there since it wasnt until a day later he called about it. If he's a regular customer of the dealership they'll fix it.

how did this end up? I might try it also, or I would guess that there is something in the small print on the form I sign that says I am responsible for any valuables in the car.

Eddie Bronze · 11-23-2010, 09:55 PM

Nice thought Dion but this looks to me to be no different then that damn hit and run I had to pay a $500 deductible to get fixed.

burn_this_city · 11-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuffMan

how did this end up? I might try it also, or I would guess that there is something in the small print on the form I sign that says I am responsible for any valuables in the car.

The cops got involved because it was a fairly decent sum of money. The guy couldnt substantiate his claim through bank statements ect, so the dealership didnt have to do anything. My buddy had worked on the car and so had another guy, they both almost were fired. I think it was bogus, neither of them had work on the car that would require opening the glovebox.

Eddie Bronze · 11-23-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

To guage your potential of getting away with it.

You sound like a

guy from the dealership.

DuffMan · 11-23-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The cops got involved because it was a fairly decent sum of money. The guy couldnt substantiate his claim through bank statements ect, so the dealership didnt have to do anything. My buddy had worked on the car and so had another guy, they both almost were fired. I think it was bogus, neither of them had work on the car that would require opening the glovebox.

that's crazy. I just had mine in for an oil change etc. and I initialled a form in 2 places before I left. I'd bet for sure on that form it says something to the effect of I am responsible to remove all valuables etc. I didn't really look at it. Who the hell leaves substantial amounts of money in the glovebox and then take it into a garage. I'd have a hard time believing his story also.

puckluck · 11-23-2010, 10:18 PM

They will do nothing and you'll be SOL especially now that the roads are crap and the chance of a fender bender is up exponentially. Not saying you did it, but it could have been one of their employees who didn't say anything. They will not compensate you and I can gaurantee that.

Dion · 11-23-2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Nice thought Dion but this looks to me to be no different then that damn hit and run I had to pay a $500 deductible to get fixed.

It could very well come down to that. When talking to the Service manager i'd go in asking him to help you with a problem you have. Tell him you believe (don't accuse as he will defensive and all) the front bumper of your car was scratched during the time your vehicle in thier possesion to get the winter tires put on. Ask if he would question the technician or anyone else in the shop to see if they know anything about it. The question might spook the technician or someone else in the shop to point out the guilty person. Then again he might still deny it. You won't know until you ask.

JustAnotherGuy · 11-23-2010, 11:03 PM

I bet the end result is that you have to file an insurance claim.

A few years back the girlfriend picked up the van after it had been in the shop to get fixed up after she had an accident. She didn't look over the van before accepting it. As soon as I saw the van I noticed the hood had a couple medium dents in it.

This was about 4 hours after she picked it up. We took the van back immediately. The shop said those dents happened after we picked up the van.

I phoned the insurance company, who insisted that I take the van to that company in the first place. I asked them what my options were. They said. File another insurance claim to get it fixed.

Moral of the story. Never accept a vehicle before doing a walk around of it. But then you still might be effed. They will just deny it anyway.

Pinner · 11-23-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Nice thought Dion but this looks to me to be no different then that damn hit and run I had to pay a $500 deductible to get fixed.

$750 in BC now for hit & run damage, wife's car has 40k on it, 3 times now... only the last time was a hit & run, the others admited it. A tall truck turned too sharp (couldn't see her car) and scrubbed the paint off the front bumper with the tire/rim. Less than $750, you eat it. Sucks, I park way over there

DuffMan · 11-24-2010, 07:59 AM

what would happen if you took an already previously damaged car into a shop and then blamed them afterwards for the damage? It's not like a rental where you do a walkaround before and after with an employee.
I just don't see a shop taking much responsibility at all for most things unless a mech. admits to it.