Bad dealership experience
03-08-2019, 03:22 PM
#201
Le Mans Master
The car is paid for by the dealer before the car ever leaves the factory. They own it. The transport company is responsible for any damage found between the time they inspect it when loading and when the dealer inspects it upon delivery. The manufacturer is responsible for any defects in workmanship both mechanically and appearance. The dealer is the authorized repair station for these defects contractually.
In most every state there is a threshold amount when damage must be reported to the purchasing customer. The dealer is under no obligation to disclose anything up to that amount or any cosmetic repairs that are warranty. In all reality, what would you do with the vehicles that have damage or need cosmetic warranty corrections? The cars are certainly not throw-away items and easily replaced. We are realistically talking about thousands of cars yearly of every make and model...not just Corvettes. Obviously we would all be paying more for the merchandise if all damaged ones were just thrown away.
In most every state there is a threshold amount when damage must be reported to the purchasing customer. The dealer is under no obligation to disclose anything up to that amount or any cosmetic repairs that are warranty. In all reality, what would you do with the vehicles that have damage or need cosmetic warranty corrections? The cars are certainly not throw-away items and easily replaced. We are realistically talking about thousands of cars yearly of every make and model...not just Corvettes. Obviously we would all be paying more for the merchandise if all damaged ones were just thrown away.
Last edited by V Vette; 03-08-2019 at 03:27 PM.
03-08-2019, 03:26 PM
#202
Over the last fifty years I have often heard two entirely different and opposed claims regarding service departments:
1. Service departments are at best break-even propositions. They are there as a required convenience.
2. Service departments are the real money-maker for dealers. It's car sales that don't make much money.
Perhaps both are true, depending on dealer.
1. Service departments are at best break-even propositions. They are there as a required convenience.
2. Service departments are the real money-maker for dealers. It's car sales that don't make much money.
Perhaps both are true, depending on dealer.
There are a number of areas in a dealership that have great potential and it depends on an operators talents as to where it works best. There have been folks in the past that did great with parts and did it very profitably. There are stores that are great in the F&I end and a number who are very good with used cars. It does make a great story to tell the buyer of a vehicle that we really make all our money servicing cars and just try to break even selling them. How can you argue with that?
03-08-2019, 03:41 PM
#203
..and the potential buyer has the right of rejection and as in most States gets his deposit back. I would not take a new car that was damaged that is the dealers problem as to what he does with it, I walk away, period, You're right, they own the car so get me a new one. As I mentioned before, the folks on this forum are firm Vette owners and Ill be shocked if you or anyone else here takes a damaged car. Its the dealers problem.
The first new Corvette I ever bought was 1976 C3. When it came off the truck, it was terrible as most all of them in that era. It went straight to the body shop where it was stripped, all the bonding strip re-done, and completely painted. It was nearly perfect when finished. A year later I sold it when I bought a Ford store and there were Vette lovers lined up wanting it because it was so well done. The same treatment today and people on this forum would declare it worthless and it should be crushed!
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WKM (03-08-2019)
03-08-2019, 03:43 PM
#204
Pro
Semi true. Dealer does not technically own the vehicle until it's invoiced which happens once the vehicle is on ground not once it's built. This is done so dealer is not paying flooring charges on a vehicle that hasn't arrived yet and may be delayed due to weather, damage in transit, vehicle stop sales, etc. In the case of factory defects upon delivery it's not the dealers responsibility it's on the manufacturer to remedy or take the vehicle back. All manufacturers require a pre delivery inspection to be performed by the dealership prior to vehicle being available to the customer to find and address any concerns found during inspection. In most instances a manufacturer will not take the vehicle back for minor imperfections as most have specific guidelines as to what is considered acceptable condition
03-08-2019, 03:48 PM
#205
Le Mans Master
Semi true. Dealer does not technically own the vehicle until it's invoiced which happens once the vehicle is on ground not once it's built. This is done so dealer is not paying flooring charges on a vehicle that hasn't arrived yet and may be delayed due to weather, damage in transit, vehicle stop sales, etc. In the case of factory defects upon delivery it's not the dealers responsibility it's on the manufacturer to remedy or take the vehicle back. All manufacturers require a pre delivery inspection to be performed by the dealership prior to vehicle being available to the customer to find and address any concerns found during inspection. In most instances a manufacturer will not take the vehicle back for minor imperfections as most have specific guidelines as to what is considered acceptable condition
Last edited by V Vette; 03-08-2019 at 03:51 PM.
03-08-2019, 04:00 PM
#206
Pro
You are absolutely correct. I'm just trying to correct the record that everyone seems to think it's the dealers fault when in fact it's the manufacturers responsibility to remedy any imperfections and vehicle issues upon delivery to the dealer. We can only do what the manufacturer approves and if they don't feel it's warranted they will not approve the claim or repair. Nothing we can do at that point accept try to remedy the situation as best we can which usually means letting the customer walk or try to get them a different car. One thing I've learned over the past 20 years working in dealerships is that there are certain customers who are never satisfied no matter what you do and sometimes it's better to let them go elsewhere
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V Vette (03-08-2019)
03-08-2019, 04:31 PM
#207
Semi true. Dealer does not technically own the vehicle until it's invoiced which happens once the vehicle is on ground not once it's built. This is done so dealer is not paying flooring charges on a vehicle that hasn't arrived yet and may be delayed due to weather, damage in transit, vehicle stop sales, etc. In the case of factory defects upon delivery it's not the dealers responsibility it's on the manufacturer to remedy or take the vehicle back. All manufacturers require a pre delivery inspection to be performed by the dealership prior to vehicle being available to the customer to find and address any concerns found during inspection. In most instances a manufacturer will not take the vehicle back for minor imperfections as most have specific guidelines as to what is considered acceptable condition
I am curious about your scenario on factory defects found on the car and saying it is the manufacturers responsibility to cure. Those defect possibilities are the basic reason for the factory paid PDI. Those and certain adjustments, clean-up, and installation of some accessories. By the Sales and Service Agreement the dealer is the authorized servicing agent and while the factory's responsibility is to pay, the dealer is responsible to manage the work. Are you saying something has changed?
03-08-2019, 05:10 PM
#208
Pro
The dealers account or the floorpan source is drafted for the vehicle before loading on transportation. There is a provision in the process where the dealer is not charged interest on the vehicle for the time of delivery which was 10 days. If the vehicle is delivered late, the dealer can file for the charges. As you know, every car comes with a floorpan credit from the factory to begin with.
I am curious about your scenario on factory defects found on the car and saying it is the manufacturers responsibility to cure. Those defect possibilities are the basic reason for the factory paid PDI. Those and certain adjustments, clean-up, and installation of some accessories. By the Sales and Service Agreement the dealer is the authorized servicing agent and while the factory's responsibility is to pay, the dealer is responsible to manage the work. Are you saying something has changed?
I am curious about your scenario on factory defects found on the car and saying it is the manufacturers responsibility to cure. Those defect possibilities are the basic reason for the factory paid PDI. Those and certain adjustments, clean-up, and installation of some accessories. By the Sales and Service Agreement the dealer is the authorized servicing agent and while the factory's responsibility is to pay, the dealer is responsible to manage the work. Are you saying something has changed?
03-08-2019, 05:46 PM
#209
You are correct we do facilitate the repair but only what's covered under the pdi inspection. If a problem is found during inspection we will fix it and manufacturer does pay however fit and finish and paint issues are on a case by case basis requiring pictures and sometimes an inspection by a manufacturer rep before any repair is done. We once had a grill that had partially melted and when the rep came out he said it was because of the way the truck was parked that the sun reflected off the showroom window and acted like a magnifying glass and melted it. Did not pay for it lol
03-08-2019, 07:00 PM
#210
You are absolutely correct. I'm just trying to correct the record that everyone seems to think it's the dealers fault when in fact it's the manufacturers responsibility to remedy any imperfections and vehicle issues upon delivery to the dealer. We can only do what the manufacturer approves and if they don't feel it's warranted they will not approve the claim or repair. Nothing we can do at that point accept try to remedy the situation as best we can which usually means letting the customer walk or try to get them a different car. One thing I've learned over the past 20 years working in dealerships is that there are certain customers who are never satisfied no matter what you do and sometimes it's better to let them go elsewhere
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V Vette (03-08-2019)
03-08-2019, 08:57 PM
#211
Pro
Thread Starter
Your right. 2nd car went to Callaway first. Doubt the bubble in decal and sand like grains and runs in paint happened there.
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Jmhornz71 (03-08-2019)
03-08-2019, 09:01 PM
#212
Drifting
03-09-2019, 08:59 AM
#213
Pro
The dealer offered to fix the problem which was to repaint the door but the OP refused the repair instead he wanted ANOTHER new special order vette. I love how gm employees who build and design these cars are considered American hero's (they even have their own national holiday) yet those of us on the ground who have to deal with the all headaches and problems associated with the product they designed and built and the sale of their product are considered liars and thieves and "bubba"s.
03-09-2019, 09:05 AM
#214
The dealer offered to fix the problem which was to repaint the door but the OP refused the repair instead he wanted ANOTHER new special order vette. I love how gm employees who build and design these cars are considered American hero's (they even have their own national holiday) yet those of us on the ground who have to deal with the all headaches and problems associated with the product they designed and built and the sale of their product are considered liars and thieves and "bubba"s.
03-09-2019, 09:49 AM
#215
Pro
Thread Starter
I accepted two defective products fixed improperly and wasn’t accepting a third. Anyone that orders a car today has the right to turn it down and get there deposit back. It’s been done millions of times. If I’m a bad guy than millions of people are bad also. If more people do this maybe some of the auto companies would get ther act together, do better quality work and inspections and fix them at the factory before they leave. I feel bad for the dealers having to accept these cars with things wrong with them and dealing with customers not willing to accep them. But that’s our right. They aren’t
eval persons. The cars I accepted and the last one had very obvious paint problems that should of been caught and fixed at the factory. Dont blaim the customer for a deceive product. It’s not our fault. Some say the Corvette is a bargan. So we should overlook obvious defects. I don’t care how much of a bargain it is it should be done right. Or don’t send it out.
eval persons. The cars I accepted and the last one had very obvious paint problems that should of been caught and fixed at the factory. Dont blaim the customer for a deceive product. It’s not our fault. Some say the Corvette is a bargan. So we should overlook obvious defects. I don’t care how much of a bargain it is it should be done right. Or don’t send it out.
Last edited by Bondojohn; 03-09-2019 at 11:11 AM.
03-09-2019, 10:15 AM
#217
Pro
Thread Starter
