What have/would you do?

[CDegner]

I've had my truck now for almost 2 weeks. This past weekend, after having it for jsut over a week, I was going to crawl underneath to check a couple vents on the fuel tank. When I crawled under, I discovered that the truck had been damaged some time back. There is a long scrape, a dent, and the metal is rusted where the paint has chipped off. This is under the bottom of the rocker panel just in front of the rear wheel. Unless you are really looking for damage from a distance, you would not see it. The attached picture was taken looking almost straight up.



I took it back to the dealer and of course the sales guy was not in. Spoke with service and they put it up on the rack. They were furious. They say they do not even get to do inspections on dealer trades. They went and grabbed the sales manager. The sales manager did not even want to talk to me. The service manager said I can take it to their body shop and have it repaired at their expense (no kidding).



Today, the salesman calls me up saying that they are going to fix it and I won't even know it is there. I told him I am not OK with that. I paid a new truck price and have a damaged truck. Sales guy was saying that is all they can do. I told him that I don't think that is acceptable.



What are your thoughts? What would you do? What actual recourse do I have?



I'm remembering why I despise dealing with car sales men.



Carl

 

[OHale]

It is good you found the damage so soon after getting the truck. I also believe it is illegal for a dealer to sell you a truck with damage without notifying you (if they were aware of it. ) It sounds like the service department has now documented the damage.



What would I do? Lawyer-up and insist on a new truck.

 

[JSchutz]

I think the dealership is being more than fair. Not to sound harsh but you bought the truck. It is your responsibility to inspect it before taking delivery. Besides, now your truck is ready to go to work without you fretting about the infamous "first ding".



My truck is strictly for work and gets it's share scrapes and "bruises". Best way to hide them is not to wash the truck! (That's really just my excuse for not wanting to part with $5) Last time I got it washed there were five cars in front of me and not one of them had so much as a dust coat. What are people thinking? Jeff

 

[silverram03]

I would definitely talk to the dealer about repairing it or maybe talk them into installing fender flares of your liking.

 

[CStockton]

Get as much as you can out of the dealer and then don't worry about it anymore.



My truck had to be ordered and it is my first new vehicle. When I went to pick it up I went over it just like every other vehicle I've ever bought.

 

[DPKetchum]

Let them fix it and be done. looks very minor. Only OVER a certain amount of damage has to be disclosed (lot more then that) after having it two weeks they could have said SORRY you might have done it. Let them give you a rental and let them fix it and thank them for the good treatment and service.

 

[p-Bar]

DPKetchum said it right the dealer said you could have done it . At least they stepped up to the plate. Have them throw you a "bone" . Good luck

 

[jjohnson1177]

How many miles were on the truck when you picked it up? If the dealer is going to fix the damage and do it right he's trying to make things right with you. As far as the sales manager not talking to you go find the owner and make sure he knows that fact. You never know that sales manager or salesman might have used that truck, did the damage and hoped it would get off the lot before it was spotted.

 

[jelag]

JSchutz has got a very valid point... . if it was damaged on the lot..... and they found it... it would be repaired and the sales staff would have no clue that it had been damaged... . let them fix the truck and go on your way... .



I just took delivery of a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was like 7 or 8 at night... in the dark... the salesman was very happy to let me run it in the shop and do the final inspection... he found some scratches... offered to buff them out... . I said hey... no problem... . it will be worse than that on the 100 mile drive home.....



Just my thoughts on this. .

 

[101st ABN]

I think the dealership is being more than fair. Not to sound harsh but you bought the truck. It is your responsibility to inspect it before taking delivery. Besides, now your truck is ready to go to work without you fretting about the infamous "first ding".



My truck is strictly for work and gets it's share scrapes and "bruises". Best way to hide them is not to wash the truck! (That's really just my excuse for not wanting to part with $5) Last time I got it washed there were five cars in front of me and not one of them had so much as a dust coat. What are people thinking? Jeff

Give me a break.

You paid for a new truck with no damage. YOU should be the one to make the first ding. I would ask for them to fix and throw you some kind of bone. You also did not buy a neon you got the top of the line truck, the owner should be made aware of this and he should respond if they value you as customer.

 

[DMcPherson]

like said, if they had found it first they woul dhave fixed it and yo uwould not have known about it. they do not have to disclose up to a certain amount. and most dealers would tell yo uthey werent going to do anything because they diddnt see it when it left. I would be very happy that they are willing to fix it. and if yo upush to far I think you may not like the results.

 

[JThiessen]

Sounds like a good dealer to me. They are stepping up and making it right.

 

[DZink24]

I think the dealership is being more than fair. Not to sound harsh but you bought the truck. It is your responsibility to inspect it before taking delivery. Besides, now your truck is ready to go to work without you fretting about the infamous "first ding".



Absolutely. The very fact that they are willing to fix it for you speaks volumes about this dealer. The very night I got my truck home I noticed a decent sized dent on the front bumper (steel part). I didn't say anything, I figured there was no point after I drove it off the lot. (I know its there, you wouldn't) All it would have taken was for me to crawl under the truck before I bought it, then I could have used it to my advantage. . FWIW, a few days after I had it, I noticed a rattling noise from under the back seat. When I looked, I found the tow hooks and hardware. Their collision shop wouldn't put them on for me at no charge. Get your truck fixed, drop the mechanics a dozen donuts, thank the sales mgr. , and don't look back.

 

[DPKetchum]

I had a NEW Caddy owner come in one day. Had car several days. Gas tank bent in. He noticed that when he filled up it held far less then it should. Demanded WE fix it. Higher up said DO IT. We put him in a "Loaner" ordered a fuel tank and fix it. Week later he and she came in and went stomping UP FRONT. Found a fuel leak WE created installing gas tank. Started demanding. Well gas tank was SMASHED like the first one but a tad more to have a pinhole. This was on HIS DIME NOW. Then he gingerly asked What about the FIRST one? We said we could put BOTH on his charge card and HE could talk to his insurance company. We DID take care of another "LOANER"as well as the first one.

 

[DZink24]

Its obnoxious, dishonest people like that, that ruin it for the rest of us.

 

[DPKetchum]

They had a home up a big incline,gravel or what not. That and two sets of golf clubs and probably going to FAST. They never came in with a smashed fuel tank again. In dealerships over the years saw lots of that same kinda thing. thats why I said let them fix it and thank them. After it being on the road a week they really could say SORRY CHARLIE.

 

[CDegner]

Having been on the road for a week there is absolutely no way that there would be that extensive of rust on the metal. What you don't see is the scratch goes 2 feet in front of that as well.



I agree, dishonest people disgust me. Until I crawled under the truck, which you should not have to do with a NEW vehicle, you cannot see this damage. The only way you can see this damage is to be down at or under it's level.



I'm going today to see what we can get worked out.



For those that say fix it and be happy they did, I say let it happen to you. You pay new truck price and have a truck that is already damaged and be happy about it. Yeah right.



Carl

 

[DPKetchum]

Just what do YOU want?

 

[DMcPherson]

I understand where yo uare coming from, I would not be happy whatsoever, but you are fortunate that they are going to fix it, my dealer would say i did it and tell me not to come back. have them fix it, and see if you can get an acessory or some floor mats for inconvinience.

 

[Suprmn]

For those that say fix it and be happy they did, I say let it happen to you. You pay new truck price and have a truck that is already damaged and be happy about it. Yeah right.



Carl

I agree. I would expect a new truck as well. Since you found the damage and it is obvious that it is old, the dealer should put you into a new truck, fix that one and sell it as used. They can retail it at invoice and not lose any money. They are screwing up in my opinion by not taking care of you. Car dealerships everywhere have thrown customer service out the door. That is BS and it is hurting them. I will give you an example. I know of a dealer that wont allow an unhappy customer and will refund your money for any reason within the first 30 days. This is a used car dealer, smaller lot, that also buys almost new cars for resale. The word got out about his excellent customer service and this guy started selling more cars every month than the neighboring chevy or dodge dealer. And the guy almost never has to buy a car back. The word is out that you have no worries there and customers are beating down his door. The neighboring dealers are hopping mad but just wont match his customer service, so they are losing out. Stupid suckers.