advise
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
advise
What can I do about this. I bought a 2009 GM Certified corvette from a dealership(Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet) in Florida. I live in Louisiana. So I got many pictures of the car and every thing looked good. When the car arrives it has a large scratch over the right fender to the passenger door. The person who transported the car had it documented that it was on the car before being shipped and the person who sold me the car signed off on it. So I called her and asked what happened to the car? She didn't know when it happened. She didn't know what to do about it and shipped it . So the dealership said go get a estimate on fixing it. The estimate was $1645. from a Chevrolet dealership here in Louisiana. Once Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet received the estimate I was told no way would it cost that much to fix it. I asked if they wanted me to get another estimate. The response was no and that they would give me a $150. towards fixing the car. So I asked what about the 3-day/150-mile customer satisfaction guarantee? She said it does not work like that. So how does it work?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
I would call back and ask to speak to the general manager and see where that gets you. This should be fixed with no questions asked. If that doesn't work get a lawyer. I would be very unhappy. I hope you get this all worked out.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
The estimate does sound high without seeing the scratch. I would get an estimate from another shop and handle it from there. Maybe with lower estimate they will be a little more responsive. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: MONTGOMERY ALABAMA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
First of all, If I had another car to drive I would drive it and not put another mile on that car. Then I would go to www.saveyourcall.com and buy some minutes. Check the laws in the state where the stealership is located and if it's a one notification state that's great because you don't have to inform them that the call is being recorded. If it's a two notification state inform them and then proceed with your conversation about your car. Even if the say "I don't authorize you to record this call" keep recording. According to the law, if they keep talking then it is admissable. Turn the tapes over to a lawyer. If they gave me too much of a hassle I would demand another car to return the favor.
EDIT Florida is a two notification state so you would have to inform them that the call is being recorded. This avoids the "my word against your word" debacle.
EDIT Florida is a two notification state so you would have to inform them that the call is being recorded. This avoids the "my word against your word" debacle.
Last edited by Blaq Ops; Dec 9, 2010 at 06:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 3
From: Dyer IN
I would first talk to the general manager and simply let him know that if a resolution is not made in a timely matter you will simply turn things over to your attorney to handle. Especially since they knew about the scratch beforehand and didn't bother to notify you. Or you can tell them that you expect the car to be fixed and give them the name of the dealership you want it done at and allow them to make all of the arrangements (including a rental car for yourself). You can also throw in there that if thngs aren't made right you will report the incident to GM headquarters (GM & Ford take these matters very seriously and will come down hard on the dealership...believe me, the dealership doesn't want that kind of trouble). GOOD LUCK!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 7
From: North Stonington Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '11-'12, '14
Why not trying to ask both the dealer you bought the car from and the dealer that gave you an estimate to work with each other to see if they can agree on a price, providing of course the repair shop reputation, etc., is acceptable to you. When dealers work among themselves they negotiate a little differently than if you deal with them. My .02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,490
Likes: 716
From: Sausalito CA
Un wind the deal......I'd return the Vette.
Fraud...misrepresentation. Vehicle not road (show) worth; the UCC compliance of fit for sale.
Have your insurance pay and repair and collect from dealer....utilizing insurance estimate.
Above are some ideas.
Labor rates may differ, but I can not believe a panel be painted for $150.
Fraud...misrepresentation. Vehicle not road (show) worth; the UCC compliance of fit for sale.
Have your insurance pay and repair and collect from dealer....utilizing insurance estimate.
Above are some ideas.
Labor rates may differ, but I can not believe a panel be painted for $150.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 80
From: Florida
WOW, your kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Without seeing the scratch, it's hard to imagine that it would cost $1,600+ I would get a couple more estimates from GM repair facilities. If they are as high as the first one and the dealership is still unwilling to settle, you may have no other recourse than to hire an attorney, and hopefully their fee doesn't take to much of a chunk out of your settlement, unless attorney fee's are included. If you lived closer to the dealership, this would be a perfect small claims case. Little money out of your pocket vs. hiring an attorney.
I know that many long distant deals work out perfectly well and all parties are happy. But some of them don't. Personally, I would never buy a high ticket item without seeing it first and taking direct delivery.
Best of Luck, hope all turns out well
Without seeing the scratch, it's hard to imagine that it would cost $1,600+ I would get a couple more estimates from GM repair facilities. If they are as high as the first one and the dealership is still unwilling to settle, you may have no other recourse than to hire an attorney, and hopefully their fee doesn't take to much of a chunk out of your settlement, unless attorney fee's are included. If you lived closer to the dealership, this would be a perfect small claims case. Little money out of your pocket vs. hiring an attorney.
I know that many long distant deals work out perfectly well and all parties are happy. But some of them don't. Personally, I would never buy a high ticket item without seeing it first and taking direct delivery.
Best of Luck, hope all turns out well
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
That is the problem when you buy interstate. I always purchase from a local dealer, sometimes I pay more but with one instance like this the higher price could be a great deal. I think you will just have to repair it at your expense less whatever you can get from the selling dealer. "Don't stress"!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 1
WOW, your kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Without seeing the scratch, it's hard to imagine that it would cost $1,600+ I would get a couple more estimates from GM repair facilities. If they are as high as the first one and the dealership is still unwilling to settle, you may have no other recourse than to hire an attorney, and hopefully their fee doesn't take to much of a chunk out of your settlement, unless attorney fee's are included. If you lived closer to the dealership, this would be a perfect small claims case. Little money out of your pocket vs. hiring an attorney.
I know that many long distant deals work out perfectly well and all parties are happy. But some of them don't. Personally, I would never buy a high ticket item without seeing it first and taking direct delivery.
Best of Luck, hope all turns out well
Without seeing the scratch, it's hard to imagine that it would cost $1,600+ I would get a couple more estimates from GM repair facilities. If they are as high as the first one and the dealership is still unwilling to settle, you may have no other recourse than to hire an attorney, and hopefully their fee doesn't take to much of a chunk out of your settlement, unless attorney fee's are included. If you lived closer to the dealership, this would be a perfect small claims case. Little money out of your pocket vs. hiring an attorney.
I know that many long distant deals work out perfectly well and all parties are happy. But some of them don't. Personally, I would never buy a high ticket item without seeing it first and taking direct delivery.
Best of Luck, hope all turns out well
Both the $1600 & the $150 are ridiculous at best.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Clermont Florida
Forget about customer satisfaction guarantees. In Florida, you have 3 days to cancel a contract. So, with that, they could not enforce you to take the car, just cancel the contract for sale...done. It doesn't matter what it costs to fix, it would be cheaper than losing a customer AND having to ship the car back to their lot to try and sell to someone else. They will have to lay out some money to make it sale worthy on their lot also. Good luck.