topic Re: What would you do? Car dealership question. in Community Chat

What would you do? Car dealership question.

Seannie — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 00:54:12 GMT

Hi all,

I had my car's oil changed and tires rotated a couple of days ago. Besides the black

fingerprints all over (expected) there were a couple dirty streaks near rear passenger

tire. Well, they didn't wash off. One is an inch dent and scrape down to the metal and one is just a 3 inch black streak.

IWhat would you do if this happened to you and am I out of luck since I didn't notice

before I drove it home?

TIA, Seannie

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Ms X — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 00:59:28 GMT

I'd bring it back in and show them, at peak time if possible. I'd talk a little bit loudly so that other customers would hear to improve my chances of being taken seriously. If this will hurt the soundness of your tires, I'd insist that they make it right. If it's just cosmetic, they most likely have some kind of soap that would take the grease off in no time. I've seen mechanics clean their hands of grease with some kind of special cleanser.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Winkk — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:06:51 GMT

I would take it back and show. Then, I would find another mechanic.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

GCR18 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:07:58 GMT

My first thought is you are out of luck, but you will lose nothing by going there. Go down first thing Monday morning and talk with them. Hopefully they will make it right. If they don't, you'll know to look for some where else to take your car in the future. Hope you have a good outcome.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

kitty60 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:09:12 GMT

There is no way you should have any grease or oil on your car when you have the work done. They should be professional enough to leave your car as it was. I would bring this back and mention all the items. The scratch and dent may be questioned, but I would try, but there is no excuse for the oil or grease on your vehicle.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:23:50 GMT

That's a no-brainer. I'd take the car back in and tell them you found it difficult to remove it and it was done by their employees.

Most reputable dealers, repair shops would honor it and do what's necessary to fix the problem.

It doesn't sound like something that just anyone would put there. It sounds like it's obvious that it was put there by someone working on your car.

Just take it back in and speak to the owner or the manager of the maintenance shop.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

queendiva — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:44:55 GMT

What she said and find a new shop, maybe one approved by AAA.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Seannie — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 01:47:03 GMT

Thank you all for your replies. I am willing to live with the black streak since it looks

like a mark from rubber, but the dent down to the bare metal will need to be

repaired and painted so it doesn't rust. We will get a massive snowstorm soon

but at least I will call the service manager first thing Monday.

Seannie

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Tootie15 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 02:07:55 GMT

Like someone else mentioned, I would tell them that you tried and the marks wouldn't come out. What I do when we take our cars in, is take a walk around it before I leave .. if anything is wrong, you can take care of it then.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Citrine1 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 02:10:16 GMT

I have family members that work at a car dealership. Take it back. They will fix it for you.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

bonnielu — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 02:12:32 GMT

Take it back. Show them. Assume they are going to help you. Most likely they have a better way of removing it than you do.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

muttmom — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 02:14:32 GMT

Is this the dealership where you purchased your car? I would talk with the service manager first thing Monday morning. I'm sure they will clean your car to your satisfaction. As for the scratch, hopefully they will believe you. If necessary talk to the person who sold you your car.

Our dealership service, bends over backwards to keep repeat buyers coming back.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Nightowlz — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 02:41:38 GMT

Make them fix it. When I took in my Avalon to replace a tire they scratched up one of my wheels. I made them buy me a new one. They did not like it. I also made them replace the tire at no charge since my car was new. I told them I did not care if the tires had warranty on them or not. They said they could not warrant them because they did not sell them to me. I told them they sold me the car so they sold me the tires. I told them it's not my fault you would not let me purchase road hazard on the tires when we bought the car. Not paying for a new tire for a new car that I paid lots of money for. Since then they have also had to give me a free battery. LOL!!!

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Big Sister — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:17:17 GMT

Yes, take it back to the dealership and ask for the Service Manager, not just the service person. Call first and find out who the SM is.

When I bring my car for service at the dealership, they bring the cars back already washed. I would expect that.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

chrystaltree — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:38:29 GMT

Just take it back and show them, I'm more than sure they'll take care of it for you.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Plaid Pants2 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:46:16 GMT

I see cases like this all the time on, "The People's Court".

People claiming that their car was damaged by a car wah, tow company, etc.

Judge Marylin Millian will ask the Plaintiff, "Did you inspect the car, before you drove it home? Did you see them do the damage? Do you have a witness that saw them damage your car? No? Then you just have a theory that they damaged your car, but you can't PROOVE one way or the other that they actually did damage your car. Verdict for the Defendant."

Now, it would be nice if they did offer to fix it, but since you can't conclusively proove that they did damage your car, they are under NO legal obligations to do anything to fix the damage.

Sorry kid, but you are s.o.l.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Helen852 — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 03:46:59 GMT

Absolutely return to the dealership ASAP; and tell them you will not give them a good review when you get their survey. The service writers and service managers rely on good review from the surveys for their monthly 'bonuses'. And the manufacturer also scores the dealership on metrics set up on their service. They should have put down a paper mat on the inside of your vehicle and made sure it was not soiled when returned to you or had any type of 'grease' or finger prints on the inside.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Deb1010yetagain — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 06:23:27 GMT

@Citrine1 wrote:
I have family members that work at a car dealership. Take it back. They will fix it for you.

ITA they will fix it for you - especially something so minor. It's worth it to them in repeat business and word of mouth.

I'd approach it with the assumption that they're going to do the right thing. Don't start out being snarky with them (not that you would), just tell them the damage done and end with "when can I bring the car in and get this resolved?"

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

Deb1010yetagain — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 06:28:03 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
I see cases like this all the time on, "The People's Court".

People claiming that their car was damaged by a car wah, tow company, etc.

Judge Marylin Millian will ask the Plaintiff, "Did you inspect the car, before you drove it home? Did you see them do the damage? Do you have a witness that saw them damage your car? No? Then you just have a theory that they damaged your car, but you can't PROOVE one way or the other that they actually did damage your car. Verdict for the Defendant."

Now, it would be nice if they did offer to fix it, but since you can't conclusively proove that they did damage your car, they are under NO legal obligations to do anything to fix the damage.

Sorry kid, but you are s.o.l.

You watch too much TV. OP, don't let the above reply discourage you.

Re: What would you do? Car dealership question.

NYC Susan — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 07:48:52 GMT

@Deb1010yetagain wrote:
@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
I see cases like this all the time on, "The People's Court".

People claiming that their car was damaged by a car wah, tow company, etc.

Judge Marylin Millian will ask the Plaintiff, "Did you inspect the car, before you drove it home? Did you see them do the damage? Do you have a witness that saw them damage your car? No? Then you just have a theory that they damaged your car, but you can't PROOVE one way or the other that they actually did damage your car. Verdict for the Defendant."

Now, it would be nice if they did offer to fix it, but since you can't conclusively proove that they did damage your car, they are under NO legal obligations to do anything to fix the damage.

Sorry kid, but you are s.o.l.
You watch too much TV. OP, don't let the above reply discourage you.

I agree. And just because someone isn't legally obligated doesn't mean they won't take care of it. Good businesses often do exactly that because it usually results in a happy customer who will tell friends and then generate more business. Especially in cases for something pretty small, as this one is. Not everything comes down to legalities.

It absolutely is worth it to pursue this. What I would do would be to call them right away, and ask when I can come in so they can look at it. I wouldn't wait until I could actually go in since I would want it on record that I called early on.

The odds are good that they will take care of it. And if they don't, then the OP will know that she should go elsewhere in the future.