not sure if this is the right spot, but I need help. I dropped my car off at local dealership to have some repair work done last Friday(cd changer out of balance and a new shift boot) while wife and I went away for the weekend. My tech advised the parts were ordered and would be in the following week and they would keep the car til then. Well this morning I get a call telling me that someone had broken into the lot where my car was parked( along with several other corvettes). My car and 2 other Corvettes had tires and rims stolen, also as my vehicle was left unlocked by unknown employee WTF, the inside of my car was vandalized as well. The exterior is cracked or scratched pretty badly around all four fenderwells as well as each area they jacked vehicle up at. They then dropped my car on the asphalt lot and left. My vehicle is damaged considerably more than the other 2 vettes. The service manager tells me they will make everything right, my concern is that 2,4,6 months from now when something goes wrong with my car as a result of this WHO PAYS?
Also I want the entire car repainted so that its in the same condition as prior to the damage. I also asked if they had security at the dealership and was advised that "We did for several years, but never had a problem so we stopped the service". What can I do? Do I have any recourse as far as making the dealership buy the vehicle from me? The manager said there is over $30,000 in damage between the 3 cars and mine was by far the worst! I have no knowledge of Civil litigation and don't want to be left holding the proverbial bag!!Should I hire an attorney?
I know we have people from many occupations on the site, any lawyers with suggestions? Thanks for any help offered.
Real bummer, but why on earth did you leave your Z06 there? It should have been pretty easy to diagnose either of these incidents and determine whether they they had the parts in stock. Two Saturday morning waits, no more than about 2 total hours at the dealership, you would have been done. They must have put you in a nice loaner for your weekend trip?
While legally the dealer is responsible while they have possession of your car, s#it happens. Some lowlifes jumped the fence and broke in. As such, the dealer's ins co will cover immediate damages. As to speculation about what might happen in the future, you will need to address those issues on a by-case basis at that time. I don't know how far you'll get trying to sue the dealer on a hypothetical basis.
Jub-Jub, that was my 1st thought also since mine was the only 1 left unlocked.
ST1100- My tech is a really good guy and has taken great care of me in the past so I didn't have a problem leaving it with them over the weekend. They have a special lot next to the service area where they park the Vettes only which is enclosed by a chain link fence. They had to order the parts and send the cd changer out to be fixed adn my wife and i were going out of town for a weekend retreat so...... I didn't take a loaner car due to having too many cars at our house already. Also I don't want to sue(too many frivolous lawsuits nowadays) I just wanted to know what they are responsible for.
Chris310P- I will definately let everyone know, I've been working with them all day getting receipts for the items stolen.
This happened a long time ago, but my wifes car was stolen from the dealer lot, while there for service. They took no responsibility at all for the theft and we were left with our car insurance as the only coverage.
They had a clause in the service agreement that covered their ass.
Since they are willing to make it right, you might want to make a list of everything you see that you want fixed, including examing the underside of the car on a lift. These cars are very tought, suspension, frame wise, fenders are easy to remove and replace. Don't be in too much of a hurry to repaint the entire car. The less painting that needs to be done the better.
Good luck
2K3ZO6- I'd rather not say which dealership until I see what their response will be. I'll post info after it is resolved, don't want to praise or flame them until I have everything resolved.
Last edited by lonestarzo6 : 09-27-2004 at 02:59 PM.
Reason: grammar
Well the dealership's insurance company finally decided. They want me to file on my insurance and then they will reimburse my insurance company. I don't feel that this is fair due to the fact it will be a claim on my insurance(premiums may/may not go up, told differing opinions). Does this sound reasonable? Not sure which direction to go now with the car. Should i keep it or trade it in and probably get hammered on the trade in. Any suggestions? I am really getting frustrated with the whole deal.
I would take it to another dealer or shop that you really trust, and have them assess the damages. A good body shop will be able to tell you if there is any frame/internal damage to the car. If there is, they need to buy the car from you. If there is only body damage and needs paint or new panels, and new interior, that can usually be fixed, but you will probably have rattles now on the inside. Honestly, there's not much you can do unless theres significant frame damage, which probably isn't the case. I'd fight for as much $$ as you can, then ditch the car and get another if you can afford it. It's never going to be the same.
This happened to me about 20 years ago with my 1976 white vette.
The glass tops where stolen by breaking one of the windows and my car phone was also stolen. It rained and my interior got soaked.
My insurance paid to correct everything to my delight.
New carpets, new seats(glass from window scratched the leather red seats, phone replaced, new tops. Everything done. As I remember, the dealership had to deal with my insurance.
Why can't you fix it to your specs and have your insurance deal with the dealership?
BTW I did NOT do the repairs at this dealership. I took it to a private vette shop for all the repairs.
picked the car up on a monday afternoon. Everything looked good(except minor residue from buffing the car I THOUGHT). Went to have some minor mods done, while on the lift they find major body damage, not to mention the dealership forgot to bolt the drivers side and passenger side q/p back on all the way. three bolts on drivers sdie and 2 bolts on passenger side were missing!!( ATTENTION TO DETAIL )
Then when i am having computer re-programmed( dealer supposedly completed steering c/l recall) i find out THEY didn't do the recall repair. I specifically asked before i drove off in my car. Andy asked me which dealership did the work, when i told him he said they had done the same thing to 2 other vette owners in the last few weeks. To top it off my power steering is now making a high pitch whine at low speeds.
I immediately took the car back(2 hours later) and advised the Service dept. manager and asked for a extended warranty, which he told me previously he would throw in for my piece of mind. I get a call from him today telling me that "sorry, we can't do that because the car is fine!!!!!" Like Hel# the car is fine, they still have it trying to fix their screwups. I won't even mention how badly they scratched my paint up trying t fix it. Also they charged me for a repair that they did not do, and have since refunded my money without apology!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!
today i contatcted a friend who is a civil attorney and am going to pursue this in court, i am tired of trying to being understanding and getting screwed by this dealership. Am i being too hard on them or does this sound reasonable?
I also took digital photos of before and after repairs and saved them in case this happened.
Sorry to hear, that sucks. Go get them with a Lawyer. It seems they try to take they the cheap route any it ends up costing the dealer more in the long run and kills any goodwill.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
