What Would You Do?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
You cannot simply "return" the car. In most states, you have three days to cancel a purchase agreement and get your money back. I'm guessing you signed the paperwork some time ago, and the three days has long since lapsed. Plus, you actually took delivery of the car - you say that you "just took delivery," but if you actually drove off the lot with the car, you didn't "just" anything - you took delivery. Therefore, you cannot now claim the car was "defective" before you took delivery.
Here's your choice - the dealer is agreeable to repairing the damage that, obviously, occurred at some point before you had the car. Fine. He is owning up to the problem and offering a solution. That is all he is legally required to do. Moral obligations are a different issue. You will never get him to agree to a "new" car. He is not obligated to "give you money" so you can go elsewhere for a repair (GM probably wouldn't like him doing that too much). So, you can either let him do the repair and accept the fact that it might have to be done again and again, or you can drop the issue entirely and get the car fixed on your dime. Certainly demand a proper repair. Short of that, you took delivery of the car, so it is now your problem.
I feel your pain.
Here's your choice - the dealer is agreeable to repairing the damage that, obviously, occurred at some point before you had the car. Fine. He is owning up to the problem and offering a solution. That is all he is legally required to do. Moral obligations are a different issue. You will never get him to agree to a "new" car. He is not obligated to "give you money" so you can go elsewhere for a repair (GM probably wouldn't like him doing that too much). So, you can either let him do the repair and accept the fact that it might have to be done again and again, or you can drop the issue entirely and get the car fixed on your dime. Certainly demand a proper repair. Short of that, you took delivery of the car, so it is now your problem.
I feel your pain.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound Texas
It is a myth that you have 3 days to cancel the purchase of car. There is no "buyer's remorse" out in most states, so once you sign that contract and drive away that car is yours. Some sympathetic dealers might have a money-back guarantee for a period of time, but they are not legally required to unwind a deal at any time after the contract is signed.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton California
It is a myth that you have 3 days to cancel the purchase of car. There is no "buyer's remorse" out in most states, so once you sign that contract and drive away that car is yours. Some sympathetic dealers might have a money-back guarantee for a period of time, but they are not legally required to unwind a deal at any time after the contract is signed.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Update to what is happening - When I took the car, I pointed out the flaws and the service manager said they would "Make it good". Now I have contacted the Sales manager who really is not easy to deal with. He Said that since I did not buy the car from him that he is not responsible for any thing. I told him that I think his dealership caused the damage, and he should look at that. He said their pre delivery inspection team does not put a new car on a rack. Well I wonder how they check fluid levels on rear ends and trannys without putting it up in the air???? Any way I contacted GM Customer service and reported everything, Their reply was very profesional and said they will get back with me on Monday morning and have a representative to look at the situation. Will Keep every one posted, including those emailing me and sending PM's/
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Well here is another possible solution that just came up. I showed the car to a friend of mine who owns a body shop that specializes in Corvettes. He pointed out that it would take a large amount of work to replace that panel since it is one of the first parts to be glued onto the frame, and chances of getting a new one glued into the exact same position would be kinda slim. He also stated that if he were giving a repair estimate for that job it would range somewhere above $2500. His suggestion was to ask The GM people to pay me for the repair costs and for me to live with the damage rather than tear the whole thing apart. I would condider that if GM would offer some goodwill incentives with it for my trouble and time. Any Thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Well here is another possible solution that just came up. I showed the car to a friend of mine who owns a body shop that specializes in Corvettes. He pointed out that it would take a large amount of work to replace that panel since it is one of the first parts to be glued onto the frame, and chances of getting a new one glued into the exact same position would be kinda slim. He also stated that if he were giving a repair estimate for that job it would range somewhere above $2500. His suggestion was to ask The GM people to pay me for the repair costs and for me to live with the damage rather than tear the whole thing apart. I would condider that if GM would offer some goodwill incentives with it for my trouble and time. Any Thoughts?
**** and moan, but just enough to get some nice freebies. But $2500 sounds absurd. (to me) Others will have you demand a new car!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
But of course a situation like this is not a "buyers remorse" situation. This appears to be a situation where a significantly damaged product was sold to someone that purchased what was expected to be new & in perfect condition car. If it were me, I'd want a replacement vehicle or take up the legal battle to get all my money back if the dealer was unwilling to replace the car.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
Take it to a Corvette dealer, get it fixed by the book, document everything with pictures. Store this info and when you trade, demand the party responsible for your original damage reimburse you the difference in market value.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 1
I feel your pain, but sometimes sh** happens. As long as the damage is cosmetic, let them fix it. Then go drive it like crazy!! Don't lose any sleep over it.
Besides, this will toughen you up a bit for when someone "keys" your beautiful car or you get your first rock chips.
Congratulations on the new ride!
Besides, this will toughen you up a bit for when someone "keys" your beautiful car or you get your first rock chips.
Congratulations on the new ride!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Shopdog, are you suggesting that since a dealer only gets $300 for a courtesy delivery, he doesn't need to exercise very much responsibility in working with a new car? Sorry, I don't agree with that logic at all. I also understand that they have to install the side front spoilers on a new car which just about requires a lift to do. I wasn't there to observe the PDI so I am just speculating on that. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 1
I have thought a bit about this and I have a question for the "legal eagles" on the forum if they are listening. The responses for this link seem to support the fact that if you or I buy a new car, we MUST be sure that there is no hidden damage before accepting delivery.
This just don't make sense to me. Most of us do not look THAT closely and I find it hard to believe that the dealer can sell any vehicle without reporting the damage. If the damage is found later (a week or so let's say) is there not some legal responsibility on the seller?
This just don't make sense to me. Most of us do not look THAT closely and I find it hard to believe that the dealer can sell any vehicle without reporting the damage. If the damage is found later (a week or so let's say) is there not some legal responsibility on the seller?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 559
the problem with that it is a courtesy delivery I was told when I did the courtesy delivery that if I refused delivery I would be responsible for shipping it to the ordering dealer. It makes sense as the courtesy delivery is just that they did not order the car. It does suck but get it fixed and move on.... part of the risk you take when you order a car. At least they stepped up to the plate and did not try to deny responsibility
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,450
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
For 10 years Corvettes have required jacking pucks and STILL most Chevrolet dealers damage these cars when they put them on a lift.
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Shopdog, are you suggesting that since a dealer only gets $300 for a courtesy delivery, he doesn't need to exercise very much responsibility in working with a new car? Sorry, I don't agree with that logic at all. I also understand that they have to install the side front spoilers on a new car which just about requires a lift to do. I wasn't there to observe the PDI so I am just speculating on that. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
Now if the selling dealer had damaged the car prior to the buyer finalizing the sale, that would be a different matter. It might be reasonable to ask that a new car be ordered rather than accepting a damaged one. But that's not what happened here. The purchase had already been consumated, the dealer providing the courtesy delivery service was doing nothing fundamentally different than any shipping agent at a shipping terminal. If they drop a package off a fork lift, they have to pay for the damage, but they don't have to pay replacement cost unless the damage makes the item a total loss. That's obviously not the case here.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 68
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I know you are unset about your new car being damaged but it is really a pretty easy repair. Doubtful you will be able to tell the difference from new once it's done. I would however be real uneasy about future service with this dealer....Good Luck...it's gonna get better
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Temecula California
I was very upset when my rocker was cracked too. I just got my car back from the body shop 3 days ago. They did not replace the peice but instead repaired the crack.
It is very well done and i cant see any difference from the factory driver side and repaired right side.
(this is comming from a guy that counts clear coat marks in the paint after zanio'ing it)
Yes it is just a car but it is your car. you should be 100% happy with it and not settle with anything as you spent your money on it.
Repair to me went well, seemless...and maybe you can get them to add a extended warranty for the trouble.
Edit (buy some jacking pucks, best couple of $$$'s I have spent on the car to date...dealer SHOULD known better but you take the error side out of the picture by buying them yourself)
It is very well done and i cant see any difference from the factory driver side and repaired right side.
(this is comming from a guy that counts clear coat marks in the paint after zanio'ing it)
Yes it is just a car but it is your car. you should be 100% happy with it and not settle with anything as you spent your money on it.
Repair to me went well, seemless...and maybe you can get them to add a extended warranty for the trouble.
Edit (buy some jacking pucks, best couple of $$$'s I have spent on the car to date...dealer SHOULD known better but you take the error side out of the picture by buying them yourself)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Well I talked to the GM Customer Assistance person again this morning and told them how I felt. He had been speaking to the local service manager where the damage was probably done, and they told him the repair was likely to be a $200 - $300 job. I still wasn't happy with the idea that this would be entered into GM's DEalerworld data base as a body repair, so I told him that I would be willing to live with the underside damage if he would make me a a goodwill offer of an extended GMPP warranty or a plastic top or something. He sounded all too happy to hear that and said he would check into his options and call me back in 2 days. Let's see where this goes now.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Ellwood City PA
My main problem is that the only repairs that get entered into dealerworld are ones covered under GM warranty. How is this warranty? We all know that as unfortunate as this is, it had to have been picked up incorrectly on a lift. A dealer concern, but definately not warranty.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
The service manager at the local dealership told me that it would definately be entered into Dealerworld if they did the repair. Where did you get the info that only warranty work goes into there? My dealer told me that all maintenance performed by a dealer goes into it, so they would be able to track any problems that might arise later. Seems like there are a lot of opinions that are stated as facts. I just dunno.