Another Dealership Mishap
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Why did they put it on a lift for AC service follow-up?
You should always
Do a complete inspection of the car with the service writer when you drop the car off. Particularly the rockers if the car is going to be on a lift for any reason.
Note on the work order "NO Damage" and have the guy sign it and date it.
Next. When you pick the car up do another inspection BEFORE you leave the premises.
Once you leave the property it's your word against theirs.
btw. Do you know that sometimes owners try to stick the shop for damage that was there before they brought the car in for work?
Not saying you are doing this but it does happen and that will be the shops argument.
You should always
Do a complete inspection of the car with the service writer when you drop the car off. Particularly the rockers if the car is going to be on a lift for any reason.
Note on the work order "NO Damage" and have the guy sign it and date it.
Next. When you pick the car up do another inspection BEFORE you leave the premises.
Once you leave the property it's your word against theirs.
btw. Do you know that sometimes owners try to stick the shop for damage that was there before they brought the car in for work?
Not saying you are doing this but it does happen and that will be the shops argument.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the BBB - they're basically just a 3rd party for passing complaints to a business when other communication has broken down. They track resolution or lack thereof - and that's it. They're not going to help you get satisfaction - the best they can do is mark as "not satisfactorily resolved", which shows up for everyone that checks them afterwards.
I had an issue with a landscape firm that I took to the BBB. Didn't get satisfaction, but the business owner called me about 2 months later and asked me to "work something out" as he was losing business due to the complaint. I chose not to resolve...and it's still costing him business.
I agree that you're not likely to see anything here, but it's worth filing the complaint and taking a shot at small claims court.
I had an issue with a landscape firm that I took to the BBB. Didn't get satisfaction, but the business owner called me about 2 months later and asked me to "work something out" as he was losing business due to the complaint. I chose not to resolve...and it's still costing him business.
I agree that you're not likely to see anything here, but it's worth filing the complaint and taking a shot at small claims court.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the BBB - they're basically just a 3rd party for passing complaints to a business when other communication has broken down. They track resolution or lack thereof - and that's it. They're not going to help you get satisfaction - the best they can do is mark as "not satisfactorily resolved", which shows up for everyone that checks them afterwards.
I had an issue with a landscape firm that I took to the BBB. Didn't get satisfaction, but the business owner called me about 2 months later and asked me to "work something out" as he was losing business due to the complaint. I chose not to resolve...and it's still costing him business.
I agree that you're not likely to see anything here, but it's worth filing the complaint and taking a shot at small claims court.
I had an issue with a landscape firm that I took to the BBB. Didn't get satisfaction, but the business owner called me about 2 months later and asked me to "work something out" as he was losing business due to the complaint. I chose not to resolve...and it's still costing him business.
I agree that you're not likely to see anything here, but it's worth filing the complaint and taking a shot at small claims court.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Vegas vette is completely right.I am sorry your vette got damaged but you are pretty much out of luck once you drove off the property.How is the dealership to know you didnt hit a curb or a muffler lying in the road? You learned an hard lesson,inspect your vette wth your service advisor,have him sign for condition and inspect it when you pick it up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
We understand that, at least I do. But the point I was making is that they give businesses RATINGS. Even though the dealership I complained about lied and even used words like "this customer is just lying to get blah blah blah" and I said I had e-mails to prove they are lying, BBB does not take that into account. They simply put "not satisfactorily resolved". Their rating didn't get damaged a bit. I checked their past record, and found a few complaints. NOTHING happens to their rating, regardless of what the business does. The dealership NEVER bothered to e-mail me or call me. I e-mailed owner and got a reply from a manager saying there's nothing to talk about(basically ignored me).
Being blunt, without starting a thread to get the whole story it's kind of hard to get a feel for what happened. But the business owner basically figures a few open cases isn't hurting his business. I suspect he's wrong
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
There has been some excellent discussion on this forum as a result of my post and I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. My intention for this post was to share my experience with others as well as the lessons learned so you may possibly avoid a similar incident. For those of you considering Marathon Chevrolet in N. Charleston for your Corvette service...think twice! There are many more honest dealerships then not, but take the necessary precautions and protect your interests.
Chris G.
Chris G.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Getting a lawyer is a waste of time and money spent for no reason.... I would contact your insurance company. I would put a claim in under collision, and since they had made the mistake it will count as a none chargeable accident. The insurance will than subrogate the dealership. I would never take your car back to them..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Probably OT - but anyone that checks a business and sees "not satisfactorily resolved" has to think twice about doing business with them. It's also not correct that it doesn't affect their rating, as I've seen this happen. I can't speak to this particular business - how about providing the name and let's have a look at the BBB site? Being clear, I don't doubt you had a sucky experience, but my BBB experience has been different than yours.
Being blunt, without starting a thread to get the whole story it's kind of hard to get a feel for what happened. But the business owner basically figures a few open cases isn't hurting his business. I suspect he's wrong
Being blunt, without starting a thread to get the whole story it's kind of hard to get a feel for what happened. But the business owner basically figures a few open cases isn't hurting his business. I suspect he's wrong
Notice that A+ despite MORE complaints than the OP's dealership (which only got a B). Also, BBB clearly sided multiple times with the dealership, and the complaints are mostly about "sales practice".
Just normally speaking, what pisses a consumer enough that they waste time making a BBB complaint about sales practice? Clearly, their sales practice must have some issue.
As I said, I tried contacting their owner BEFORE I sent a complaint to BBB. They ignored me.. basically cut me off at "sales manager" level (Not even their general manager). I think they deserve that complaint very much. They didn't try to work it out with me at all, along with bad attitudes.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I agree, see if your insurance will go after them..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
http://www.bbb.org/chicago/business-...nry-il-1003461
Notice that A+ despite MORE complaints than the OP's dealership (which only got a B). Also, BBB clearly sided multiple times with the dealership, and the complaints are mostly about "sales practice".
Notice that A+ despite MORE complaints than the OP's dealership (which only got a B). Also, BBB clearly sided multiple times with the dealership, and the complaints are mostly about "sales practice".
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Oh well. I'm not that mad about it now, I have my C5
(And yes I bought from a private seller, a MUCH better experience)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
I've had my vette a short time. I can not bring myself to drop it off for servive. I'm lucky that I have developed a good trusting relationship with a service shop. I got mine serviced the other day, and I'm allowed to walk around the car and watch everything (like a hawk) while being serviced. In life you just have to developed good relationships with a good/great lawyer, accountant, and mechanic. These are most important in life, in the USA.
Sorry to read about your troubles.
Sorry to read about your troubles.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: vernon hills il
That's what I'm talking about
Where is your dealership located?
It's really not that hard to understand customer service. I recall one vender on the forum pointing out that "everyone is a customer at some point, when you go to a restaurant to eat, you wouldn't want to be treated badly." I thought that really captures it.
I think it's a great rule for shops and their cilents to do pre and after walk around car so everyone is on the same page. That way there is no arguments and blaming each other for any damage.
Where is your dealership located?
It's really not that hard to understand customer service. I recall one vender on the forum pointing out that "everyone is a customer at some point, when you go to a restaurant to eat, you wouldn't want to be treated badly." I thought that really captures it.
I think it's a great rule for shops and their cilents to do pre and after walk around car so everyone is on the same page. That way there is no arguments and blaming each other for any damage.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
