Dealership Incompetency

Omega Woods · Jul 8, 2018

Call a local lawyer and use your free consultation to get their opinion as to whether you have a case or not. I don't like your chances given your description. As jaxs said, small claims isn't expensive and will get the dealership's attention at a minimum.

thepumpguysc · Jul 9, 2018

If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem, even so far as getting you another vehicle..
BUT, you have to SET -UP an appointment.. Service mngr, you, the bills & possibly the mechanic.
I know of several people that went that route.. & came out smellin like a rose..
The OWNER has no idea about YOUR problem.. but if its brought to his attention he'll know..
The service mngr is an expendable commodity.. a dime a dozen & they know that..
I'd be willing to bet if you threatened him with, "I wanna speak w/ the owner of this francize".. or "I'd like to set up an appt. w/ the owner"..
you'd get some results..

wjmst · Jul 9, 2018

If you paid by credit card, maybe they can assist or at least hold their payment until you get the problem resolved.

plowhog · Jul 9, 2018

thepumpguysc said:
If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem,

My next door neighbor owns a car dealership. I hear many stories of how customers who complain reach his desk, and how he does everything he can to ensure the customer is satisfied.

Ritothebull · Jul 9, 2018

My wife's car had intermittent computer issues and the dealer could not figure out how to repair it, they just wanted to install a new transmission for $6,000.00 on a car with 50,000 miles and a perfectly good transmission. My daughter had a Dodge with any warranty issues and every time she brought it into the dealer they would screw something else up.

TractorGuy · Jul 9, 2018

thepumpguysc said:
If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem, even so far as getting you another vehicle..
BUT, you have to SET -UP an appointment.. Service mngr, you, the bills & possibly the mechanic.
I know of several people that went that route.. & came out smellin like a rose..
The OWNER has no idea about YOUR problem.. but if its brought to his attention he'll know..
The service mngr is an expendable commodity.. a dime a dozen & they know that..
I'd be willing to bet if you threatened him with, "I wanna speak w/ the owner of this francize".. or "I'd like to set up an appt. w/ the owner"..
you'd get some results..

plowhog said:
My next door neighbor owns a car dealership. I hear many stories of how customers who complain reach his desk, and how he does everything he can to ensure the customer is satisfied.

These are your best suggestions. I imagine if you talk to the service manager and follow up with the owner you will get better results.

JPRambo · Jul 9, 2018

My son had a Saturn and it came up with an electrical/electronic problem. The in-laws are all mechanics and they tried to find what the problem was. Checked the 2 on-board computers and nothing. He took it to chevy dealer service department. they had it for 2 weeks. nothing repaired. district service manager was notified and he asked if they checked the third on-board computer. None of the local mechanics knew of such a computer. It was the problem and it was replaced. All the repair bills were nullified except the last one and the car worked great after.

Beltzington · Jul 9, 2018

Appreciate everyone's thoughts, misery shared is easier to bear.

My son fortunately is less of a hot-head than his dad and is waiting to hear their final recommendations. Hopefully they will do the right thing but if not we will likely involve the owner before we look for a legal solution. Him living 200 miles away and being extremely busy at work increases the stress level.

Howling · Jul 9, 2018

Electronic diagnostic tools are great at times. But are not the magic cure for all problems. These tools tend to remove the critical thought from the mechanic during the troubleshooting.

Maybe time to find the school mechanic, missing teeth, greasy hand, grey hair, happy with new fangled flip phone.

Decade ago bought a cheap used car for kids. Odd electrical issues. Honda dealer had stated need new full electrical harness. I looked in wheel well with missing liner. Rock damage to wire harness. Repaired a few wires, added protection. Kids drove car until rust got it.