Opinions please
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale New York
Opinions please
I brought my car to the dealer to get something repaired and they gave it back to me with both rocker panels damaged....driver side is really bad...big hole ripped in it...passenger side scratched up... Should I replace them or try to get it repaired???? The dealer won't take responsibility (of course) and the autobody shop said its a big job and $$$ to replace them totally. Any feedback greatly appreciated
Thanks!
~Shannon
Thanks!
~Shannon
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I just had my driver's side replaced ... it is a lot of work since it's one of the only of the panels that's glue on. It was about 1K est. from the insu. co.
Patching might be a < $ option, but it's up to you.
Next thing you should consider is getting rocker rails. They've saved me countless times.
Good luck. I hope it gets fixed soon to your liking.
Patching might be a < $ option, but it's up to you.
Next thing you should consider is getting rocker rails. They've saved me countless times.
Good luck. I hope it gets fixed soon to your liking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: plymouth ma
apparently your "mechanics" do not know how to properly lift a 'vette!personally,i'd go right up the ladder to the service manager,general manger,owner;then,you might want to let them know that you'll be notifying the BBB,and/or the state attorney general's office of comsumer affairs.goo luck,shannon! 
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by VillainessC5
I brought my car to the dealer to get something repaired and they gave it back to me with both rocker panels damaged....driver side is really bad...big hole ripped in it...passenger side scratched up... Should I replace them or try to get it repaired???? The dealer won't take responsibility (of course) and the autobody shop said its a big job and $$$ to replace them totally. Any feedback greatly appreciated
Thanks!
~Shannon
Thanks!
~Shannon
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 19,496
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Personally, I'd be raising Hell! 
Those idiots messed up your car and don't want to admit it. Tell them that they need to replace the broken rocker panel and repaint the scratched one so that the car is exactly like it was when it came in. Otherwise, start talking to a lawyer. Good luck!
Those idiots messed up your car and don't want to admit it. Tell them that they need to replace the broken rocker panel and repaint the scratched one so that the car is exactly like it was when it came in. Otherwise, start talking to a lawyer. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale New York
Originally Posted by EZ99B5
Let me see if I am understanding correctly. You took your car to the dealership and it was not damaged. You picked it up, it was damaged, and they aren't taing responsibility?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale New York
Originally Posted by krabtree13
apparently your "mechanics" do not know how to properly lift a 'vette!personally,i'd go right up the ladder to the service manager,general manger,owner;then,you might want to let them know that you'll be notifying the BBB,and/or the state attorney general's office of comsumer affairs.goo luck,shannon!
Already went to the owner, and he didn't care in the least and said i couldn't prove anything. ...nice way to treat someone that just bought a car from him, but it probably has something to do with me being a girl.
but thanks I'll def. put a complaint into the BBB and and everything. Stuff like this is just sooo frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 0
From: Vilano Beach FL
Howdy!
You need to escalate this up to a GM regional rep - you can probably score the name/number from calling GM directly.
I'd get some pics asap too - my dealer (who does an outstanding job, and really takes care of the car) has an area on their work orders to indicate any existing damage. If your work order has something along those lines, and nothing was documented, that will be good leverage as well.
You need a 3rd party (like a GM rep) to determine how the damage occured. It certanly sounds like a lifting issue as someone mentioned. I might even be inclined to take it to another dealer and just run the story past them, get their $0.02 (in my experience dealers don't seem to "stick together").
I'm also posting to TTT this - hopefully another owner in your area will see this, maybe someone from a big local club who has good contacts in the area.
Hope it works out - if they damaged the car, THEY should pay everything it takes to make it like is was before you dropped it off.
You need to escalate this up to a GM regional rep - you can probably score the name/number from calling GM directly.
I'd get some pics asap too - my dealer (who does an outstanding job, and really takes care of the car) has an area on their work orders to indicate any existing damage. If your work order has something along those lines, and nothing was documented, that will be good leverage as well.
You need a 3rd party (like a GM rep) to determine how the damage occured. It certanly sounds like a lifting issue as someone mentioned. I might even be inclined to take it to another dealer and just run the story past them, get their $0.02 (in my experience dealers don't seem to "stick together").
I'm also posting to TTT this - hopefully another owner in your area will see this, maybe someone from a big local club who has good contacts in the area.
Hope it works out - if they damaged the car, THEY should pay everything it takes to make it like is was before you dropped it off.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hi Villainess 
That's so F'd up!!!
If I were you, I'd get Jason or your dad to go down there and raise hell about this!! They obviously didn't raise your FRC properly and crushed the rocker rails in the process. Hell, I'll go down there and get in their face for you! You'll have to talk to the general manager there or someone higher up and point out that the damage could have only been done by their lift. Threaten to take this to GM and to the BBB if you don't get any results.
The big problem with these a-holes is that they see a young female (or any female) and think they can get away with anything since they think females aren't car savvy and won't raise a stink if they screw up.
Someone posted up a GM complaint number before, I'll do a search for it but hopefully, someone will post it up if I can't find it.
That's so F'd up!!!
If I were you, I'd get Jason or your dad to go down there and raise hell about this!! They obviously didn't raise your FRC properly and crushed the rocker rails in the process. Hell, I'll go down there and get in their face for you! You'll have to talk to the general manager there or someone higher up and point out that the damage could have only been done by their lift. Threaten to take this to GM and to the BBB if you don't get any results.
The big problem with these a-holes is that they see a young female (or any female) and think they can get away with anything since they think females aren't car savvy and won't raise a stink if they screw up.
Someone posted up a GM complaint number before, I'll do a search for it but hopefully, someone will post it up if I can't find it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here's some important info I found including the number you can call to file a complaint through GM:
GM Contact Info:
Call the appropriate division's customer service phone number to register
a complaint or check recall information. Buick 800.521.7300;
Cadillac 800.458.8006; Chevrolet 800.222.1020; GMC 800.462.8782; Oldsmobile
800.442.6537; Pontiac 800.762.2737; Saturn 800.533.6000.
Better Business Bureau Info:
(BBB) Arbitration: GM contracts with BBB to arbitrate
requests for reimbursement of repairs, a GM "buy-back" of your vehicle,
or both. Call your local BBB or
800.955.5100 for arbitration hearing request forms or to file a complaint. For detailed advice,
the Lemon Book has a whole chapter on arbitration.
Small Claims Court:
Go to small claims for advice on
using small claims court to recover repair & other expenses. The Lemon
Book (Moyer-Bell 1990) by Ralph Nader has an entire chapter
on small claims court strategy, a state-by-state index & a chapter
on your legal rights to help you better argue your case in court. You
can order the book for $17.50 from CAS Publications.
GM Contact Info:
Call the appropriate division's customer service phone number to register
a complaint or check recall information. Buick 800.521.7300;
Cadillac 800.458.8006; Chevrolet 800.222.1020; GMC 800.462.8782; Oldsmobile
800.442.6537; Pontiac 800.762.2737; Saturn 800.533.6000.
Better Business Bureau Info:
(BBB) Arbitration: GM contracts with BBB to arbitrate
requests for reimbursement of repairs, a GM "buy-back" of your vehicle,
or both. Call your local BBB or
800.955.5100 for arbitration hearing request forms or to file a complaint. For detailed advice,
the Lemon Book has a whole chapter on arbitration.
Small Claims Court:
Go to small claims for advice on
using small claims court to recover repair & other expenses. The Lemon
Book (Moyer-Bell 1990) by Ralph Nader has an entire chapter
on small claims court strategy, a state-by-state index & a chapter
on your legal rights to help you better argue your case in court. You
can order the book for $17.50 from CAS Publications.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by VillainessC5
Already went to the owner, and he didn't care in the least and said i couldn't prove anything. ...nice way to treat someone that just bought a car from him, but it probably has something to do with me being a girl. but thanks I'll def. put a complaint into the BBB and and everything.
Stuff like this is just sooo frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows
but thanks I'll def. put a complaint into the BBB and and everything. Stuff like this is just sooo frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows
Richard
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by VillainessC5
I brought my car to the dealer to get something repaired and they gave it back to me with both rocker panels damaged....driver side is really bad...big hole ripped in it...passenger side scratched up... Should I replace them or try to get it repaired???? The dealer won't take responsibility (of course) and the autobody shop said its a big job and $$$ to replace them totally. Any feedback greatly appreciated
Thanks!
~Shannon
Thanks!
~Shannon
I've been there too. Your auto is an extension of yourself once it's "doo-dadded" to your likes. 
The dealer is responsible for damage done in their shop. A Corvette requires special lifting care and special lifting devices. The garage obviously did not have either in their service bay. If they couldn't service it properly you should have been told at the start, and you could have taken it elsewhere.
I would go to the dealer principal again and let him know that if he cannot resolve the issue, and the car is under warranty, that GM will be your next contact,.... and failing to have GM solve this issue, I'd weigh the cost of getting it repaired against the cost of hiring an attorney. If the repair is less, chalk it up to experience and get it fixed.
(From personal experience, I have found that the BBB doesn't do a whole lot when a complaint is filed with them.)
It pays to scout out the service area and the mechanics that will be working on your pride and joy long before you need them,... and that applies to tire shops too.
Good luck with the outcome !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Now this really makes me ANGRY!!
There are a lot of women (not all of them,as we most certainly know
)whom have wonderful dispositions,and do not enjoy contraversy.These types of women tend to just go with the flow...
These jerks thrive on this ,and the fact that your a woman( who doesn't know any better
)....and it's just a way for them to deny their responsibility
DO NOT let them get away with this!
I suggest the nearest, car savvy, alpha- male to help you out in this matter.....they will get a much better reaction than you did!
Do not hesitate to go over their heads, as this is sometimes the only thing they will respond to.
If I were anywhere close, I would not hesitate to join you in a meeting...surely there is a forum member nearby whom can"talk" some sense into these guys...
If you have any recent car pics which show the previous condition, that would most certainly help your case....but regardless,your word should be sufficient..also, the tip above about existing marks on your car is good too
Good Luck to you, and keep us posted!
There are a lot of women (not all of them,as we most certainly know
)whom have wonderful dispositions,and do not enjoy contraversy.These types of women tend to just go with the flow...These jerks thrive on this ,and the fact that your a woman( who doesn't know any better
)....and it's just a way for them to deny their responsibilityDO NOT let them get away with this!
I suggest the nearest, car savvy, alpha- male to help you out in this matter.....they will get a much better reaction than you did!
Do not hesitate to go over their heads, as this is sometimes the only thing they will respond to.
If I were anywhere close, I would not hesitate to join you in a meeting...surely there is a forum member nearby whom can"talk" some sense into these guys...
If you have any recent car pics which show the previous condition, that would most certainly help your case....but regardless,your word should be sufficient..also, the tip above about existing marks on your car is good too
Good Luck to you, and keep us posted!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
Taking pictures of the damage is a good call. The damage caused by incorrectly lifting as opposed to hitting something would be pretty evident. And what would a girl be doing trying to jack up a Corvette your honor? 
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by VillainessC5
Already went to the owner, and he didn't care in the least and said i couldn't prove anything. ...nice way to treat someone that just bought a car from him, but it probably has something to do with me being a girl. but thanks I'll def. put a complaint into the BBB and and everything.
Stuff like this is just sooo frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows
but thanks I'll def. put a complaint into the BBB and and everything. Stuff like this is just sooo frustrating as I'm sure everyone here knows
I would raise holy hell with these guys. Its bad enough they won't take responsibility, but damn, they are the selling dealership. File with the BBB, but thats not going to get your rockers fixed. I would let them know you're going to file an action in small claims court. May be a PIA and .....may not be successful but if they want to play hardball, then it doesn't hurt to threaten. I would also write a letter to the regional district manager for GM and let them know about the situation. Don;t 't let these guys off the hook.....
Good Luck