Bad Dealer Experiences

[xpditor]

The good news? My ordered TL arrived yesterday at Rick Case Acura.



The bad news? Contrary to my written instruction ON THE FACE OF THE ORDER, and confirmed by several emails to the sales person, the dealer removed the plastic shipping film, ran the car through an automated wash, then used long-handled brushes (apparently) to wash the car. They then polished it. ALL contrary to my instruction to call me when the car came in and to leave it alone. I was going to detail it myself.



When I went to see the car, I found fine scratches marring the new black paint that would not rub out with a soft rag. I was sick- literally.



I also told them NOT to put the sticky dealer's name on the trunk. They did it anyway. For a short time, I was able to feel a little of the violation that a rape victim must experience.



Is that too much to ask when you're spending almost $40,000?? Do you think I should refuse this car?

 

[Mindflux]

I would.



I (Luckily) had a good dealer, I said no wash, no touchie. No badges.



They listened.

 

[armoredsaint]

YES, ask for another...did you know Rick Case use to be in Columbus, Ohio selling motorcycles when I was in elementary school and it seems like they still suck after 20 years!

 

[TN9thSi]

I would inform the delaership that you cannot and will not accept a car that they were given proper instructions NOT to touch. I'd also mention that you feel uncomfortable doing business with a dealer that can't handles a simple request from a customer. They screwed it up and it's totally their fault. Good luck!

 

[xpditor]

TnM6i: That's the real problem. I have lost my trust and confidence in the dealer. "Uncomfortable" is an understatement. If that's an example of their pre-delivery service, what can I expect post-delivery?



Do you think my Z5 can handle those fine scratches in the clear coat?

 

[Mindflux]

Z5 will only mask them, it has no actual abrasiveness to it.

 

[reevis]

I would! Especially if you had written documentation about it!

 

[stevet]

Tell them to shove the car up their a$$. This was no mistake. They told you what you wanted to hear to make a sale and then ignored your instructions. I would refuse the car and I would go to another dealer.:angry

 

[JustinR32]

I would think that the reason you put all that stuff in writing was so that everyone understood beforehand that you would refuse delivery if your instructions weren't carried out. So, what part about it doesn't anyone understand? You were very clear and up front about your wishes, everyone knew the requirements, and they were not followed. I don't see a problem here. You refuse the car and get your money back.



Next.





Tom

 

[tetz]

It sure does seem like car dealers' PDI (pre delivery inspection) and prep happens on autopilot. Whoever accepted your "I'll do my own prep please" paperwork needed to have communicated better (obviously).

You can refuse delivery but that leaves you without a car. Whatever you do don't let them try to 'fix' it; they'll make it worse.



JonT

 

[reevis]

Whatever you do don't let them try to 'fix' it; they'll make it worse.

If you decide to keep with the same dealer...makesure you get the VIN number of the one they already goofed on. That way, they don't try to pull the ol'switcheroo...

 

[Accumulator]

xpditor- You're well covered on this one. Refuse the car, threaten to take it to an attorney if need be to get back any deposit, and then do it, if you have to. As you said, what are you to expect with FUTURE business with them? Run away.



Nah, the Z5 won't fix it, and *I* just refuse to accept delivery of damaged new vehicles. That's NOT what you're paying for.



FWIW, I travel a LONG way, past three other Audi dealers, to patronize a dealer I trust.

 

[xpditor]

Thanks, guys. I wrote Rick Case personally (the dealer) and the GM responded to me this morning saying RC was out of town and offering to return my deposit or replace the car. They have an identical car (without swirls) being made in two days and it will be here in about 2 weeks.



Following your collective advice (to which I give great weight), I wrote back (I put everything in writing) and cancelled out on this car and said I would wait for the next as long as they could follow simple instructions this time.



I half expected them to make up for their mistake by offering some free oil change coupons or such. So far, no. I told them that, for them, this is no big deal. They deliver cars several times a day.



For me, it is a once in a lifetime experience and now it's a bad one. I am spending more for this car than I spent for my house when I bought it 26 years ago!



The extra time I have will be well utilized in cleaning out my garage, building new shelves for all my detail supplies, and painting the floor.

 

[andriver]

Glad things worked out for you xpditor.

 

[groebuck]

It took me 4 hours to fight to get a nationally advertised lease price - negotiate down a 290 dollar "doc" fee (in NC there is no limit on what a dealer can charge you as a documentation fee only that their cost be posted)....So when I took delivery (it was almost 9 at night) - I drove it home, put in in the garage and when I walked up the stairs - there I saw it all over the hood, roof and trunk of my new TL-S acid rain damage - ugh LSS - it took me months of fighting with corporate and the dealer to get it repaired and it's still not right (the mucked up the repaint too).



So man I feel for you

 

[xpditor]

Need a fresh bump.

 

[xpditor]

To bring you up to date, the replacement for the mucked up Acura TL is being made tomorrow 4-11-2004. I expect the new one to come in the week following.



We'll see if they learned to follow instructions with this one. There won't be a third.:nono