Pics of what my dealer did to my car (and a couple Qs)

lordkelvin · 11-05-01, 12:17

(I thought I posted this last night, but....)

Anyway, I took some pictures of my car at the gas station last night at 11PM. It was dark, and the car was really dusty, but the swirls still came through bright and clear. Read all about it here:

http://www.kingwoodcable.com/lordkel...nightmare.html

Some teasers:

Yes, the ENTIRE car looks like that. I showed the car to my service advisor today. As expected, they want me to bring my car in again for the fuel sensors, and they want to put my car in their body shop to have it "fixed." I've had a run-in with their body shop previously, and I don't trust them. Still, I figure I'll play the game and let them put it in, with the understanding that I want to be contacted before they do anything. I am considering legal action, or asking them to buy back my car...

To make matters worse, I took my car in for a fuel sensor recall, even though I wasn't having any problems. Well, now that the fuel sensors have been replaced...my fuel guage isn't working right. Frickin' morons!

What do you guys think I should do?

Thanks,

Gary

Guess My Name · 11-05-01, 12:21

Document everything and maintain all written reecords if you decide to make them buy it back. Research Lemon laws in your state concerning the fuel sensor problem.

As to the swirls GOOD LUCK. I do not believe there is a law written about swirls yet.

DETAILKING · 11-05-01, 12:28

Check your state laws. Usually it has to be in the shop for XX amount of days or back X times for the same repair.

I, personally would not let them touch it. I would ask them for an estimate on how much time it would take them to buff out those swirls, and have them cut me a check for that amount x's an hourly rate. Then you could do it yourself, or sub it out to a trusted detailer. Also put in some cash for the time spent on prepping the car and the coats of wax you have on it currently, for this will have to be stripped now and be redone.

If they do it, watch them. See what they are using and how they are doing it. Make sure they don't spray the car down with some spray wax rich in oils that will hide their mistakes. (like they did to mine!) When they are done, go home and wash the car in DAWN.....and then EVALUTE in multiple light sources: sun, shop lights,etc,etc.

Good luck!

BradE · 11-05-01, 12:30

Legally I don't think you can force them to buy your car back because of the swirls, you can only force them to fix the damage that they caused.

The marring may only be in the sealant. Try stripping a portion of the car down to the clear and see if the swirls are still there. If they are stil there, you will need to do some work with abrasives. I don't think I would let them fix it. If they use a rotary with an abrasive compound chances are they will do more harm than good. Report what happened to everyone you can find in the dealership including the General Manager and the owner if you can contact him/her. And if they give you crap, contact Volkswagen of North America and make them aware of the problem. Sometimes they will contact the dealer and really rip them a new one.

I know what you are going through. I had the same thing happen to me with my Jaguar about a year ago. When I got the car back I was so pissed I could not even talk. The Jag dealer tried to blow me off, and told me it was "no big deal". I contacted Jaguar of North America and the problem was fixed ASAP. The service manager had to call me and say how sorry they were for the way I was treated. My only guess was that the people at Jaguar really let them have it.

Lowejackson · 11-05-01, 12:38

Just a couple of thoughts

1. Guess my name is correct, the way to win is by research, you can never do enough research in these matters.

2. Do you have any pictures of the car before taking it to the dealer.

3. Two weeks to fix a car? They are kidding you

4. Put in writing your complaint and send a copy to Volkswagen USA (I bought an Alfa from a Ford dealer years ago, after a lot of problems I sent copies to Ford UK, within the week things were fixed)

5. From a legal view it does not matter if they damaged the paintwork or dented a panel or broke a headlight. They damaged your car!

Good luck - remember do the research, this really is 90% of the battle.

Steven
Alfa 164

lordkelvin · 11-14-01, 09:32

Thanks for all the advice and support guys...

The dealer ended up buying the car back from me today...they basically agreed to pay off my loan with VW credit. Less than the car is worth, but much more than I expected to get from them...and I didn't even have to buy another car!

So, I am without a vehicle right now...but I'm going 'old skool' this weekend:

Gary

FLONI · 11-14-01, 09:49

less than u wanted but to get a nickel out of a dealer is a miracle.....nice ride....what yr is that and what do u use on the tires.....

ps...i hate doing windows and that car looks about 75% windows...

YoSteve · 11-15-01, 07:28

okay gary, how'd you smurf that one? is it because their guys could put a couple of coats of wax and fix the car and sell it for more? any tips or incite about the speech you told them. I can't even get my dealer to give me a loaner.

BradE · 11-15-01, 07:56

Get proof that the dealer paid off the loan with VW. Since the loan is in your name, if they don't pay it off, or not in time it will be your credit that will be blemished.

And if you have proof, then you can't be held responsible for any late fees, charges etc. that may incur because of the loan.

Better to play it safe than have your credit screwed up

SJ · 11-15-01, 11:35

Kelvin,

I would do this. Ask the dealership to give you a full contract in writing of what they are paying for your car, price including all options etc. Also ask for a written contract showing the amount of payment they are paying to VW credit.

I have dealt with both Ford and crooked HVAC(Home AC) folks this year. I have had a buy back for my old 1999 Ford Mustang, and received a 2001 to replace it.

Twice this year I have had the runaround with folks, and I made my mind up it would be the last. Here is what I do, and it has helped me greatly.

1. I fax a letter explaining my concerns to the party, and ask for a written reply next business day.

I then call offending parties at night, leave them a message asking for what I want(buy backs, extended labor warranties etc)
When the party calls back, I let them leave me a message.

I then have their own words, recorded(I am not actually taping them, they are leaving me a message) for "proof" of what they actually are doing/saying. I then save the voicemails on my phone for later usage if necessary. I saved over 17 messages from Ford Motor Company reps to use against them if they tried to stiff me in my buyback in addition to all written correspondence.

2. I always conduct all demands for satisfaction in writing. I fax copies to CEO of company/regional dealer rep, president/dealership manager, and copy in the other folks involved. This normally gets me quick action.

3. I keep notes of who I speak to and when, including time/date, and just of what is said.

If you have to go to court for anything at all, this really helps.

Anyway, sounds like your situation is solved(I hope). Keep this in mind for future reference.

Remember, you can NEVER have too many notes/faxes/contracts to back you up in front of an arbitrator or a court.

SJ