Fatally Disappointed--The Thread I never wanted to write.

A lot of people, making a lot of assumptions.

I've taken this vehicle to numerous body shops, detailers and paint experts. I now I have also had an insurance adjuster look at it.

The most common refrain is " I've never seen anything like this".

I appreciate the advice, but it's REAL easy if you aren't the person with the vehicle, to say you could fix it easily.

I've admitted all along, I don't own "pads", orbital buffers, or the equipment of a professional detailer, which is why I've taken this vehicle to people who DO own these things....and use them to make their living.

I've gotten absolutely ZERO feedback from ANYONE that this problem could be solved "easily" or by simply using compounds, buffers, or chemicals.

AND I REPEAT: These methods have been tried.

The feedback I get from everyone, who has actually seen the vehicle in person....is basically live with it...or repaint.

Is EVERYONE I take it to wrong? - I don't think so.

As stated above, I've contacted my insurance. I'm going to see what can be done through them. Trust me, they don't want to repaint it...if it can be solved by easier, less intrusive methods. And again...so far, except for the internet contingent...nobody who has seen the vehicle- in person, believes these spots can be removed easily.

If my communication about the issue has died down.....it's because I have a life. This problem is important to me, but hardly THE most important thing in my existence.

However, I care about the outcome and I am continuing to try to find a resolution. This resolution will NOT include me investing into an orbital buffer, pads and detailing supplies. Why should I believe that if professional detailers themselves are telling me they can't remove the spots....that suddenly inexperienced "myself" would do anything but damage with any attempt I would make?

I really do appreciate the advice.....I'm sorry I can't agree with everyone.

Eventually I will reach some resolution on the matter...when I do, I'll update and let you know how it turned out.

 

HOPEFULLY FINAL UPDATE:

POSITIVE SIDE.

Well first of all I appreciate all the feedback I received from everyone. Whether you thought my reaction and handling was proper or whether you thought I was an idiot and handling it all wrong.

Today, my Prius once again looks brand new and is spot free.

When I had finally reached the point where I was about to give up, that is I thought I'd have to repaint OR simply live with the spots, I thought I'd see what my Insurance might cover. It was kind of my last gasp attempt at resolution.

Long story short. My Insurance sent an appraiser. He more or less admitted he wasn't sure what had happened or what was happening. But much kudos, he referred me to J&M Body Shop in Milwaukie Oregon. They evaluated the spots and felt they could remove them through a process of careful wet sanding and polishing.

Much Kudos to J&M, as I had taken the vehicle to numerous body shops and detailers none of which had the willingness or confidence to even attempt to fix the problem. J&M evaluated the spots, determined they weren't rust, or coming from the metal up....and did believe they could remedy it without a total repaint.

Well the best of end results is that it appears they were able to remove the spots. The vehicle looks great. My comprehensive insurance covered the cost minus a $200 deductible. Again Thanks to J&M bodyshop in Milwaukie Oregon. Given this experience with them, I'd highly recommend them if you need work done on your vehicle in Oregon.

I know many of you said all along that you thought the spots should be removable through wet sanding/polishing. I'm okay with admitting you guys were right. I was wrong, but in my defense I was wrong only because the many, many "experts" I took the vehicle to, were evidently wrong.

At least one moral of this story is that it's important to find the "right" people for the job. Finding a bodyshop or anyone willing to do this job right- proved to be the hardest part of this problem. Had I not been steered to J&M, I probably would of just given up and lived with the spots. And the devaluation of the vehicles the spots would of represented.

So finally....spots gone. I can now once again FULLY enjoy my almost new Prius. Happy Holidays!

NOT TO DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE:

I still would say through this whole process I was still very disappointed in Toyota Customer Experience, and the Toyota dealership. Their definition of the problem was flawed, their "good will" attempt at resolution, simply the wrong answer to the problem, and their ultimate abandonment of the issue, I think unprofessional.

I'm obviously a fan of Prius. I still think Toyota makes great products. But my confidence in at least one dealership is gone, and where I use to default to the idea that Toyota was likely to go above and beyond for their customers, I have to say I know longer can think of Toyota as being that type of company.

Toyota IMO makes some of the best readily available vehicles in the world. But my personal experience was that there support of me as a customer and owner was superficial. They showed no interest in actually helping me find the CORRECT resolution to the problem. The people that ultimately helped me, were people within this thread, My auto insurance company, Amica, The appraiser sent to evaluate the problem, and bullet to the bone, J&M Autobody.

I'll continue to respect Toyota products, and even I would say, Toyota as a company. Could this of unfolded in a better way, perhaps with a different dealership involved, and different initial bodyshop involved? Perhaps. While the passage of time and finally getting resolution to the problem has changed my disappointment in Toyota from being fatal to simply being disappointed, I would say I'm looking for a different Toyota dealership for future service needs, and maybe some of my blind confidence in Toyota as a "Customer First" company has been dimmed considerably.

But thankfully, it looks like this issue has finally been resolved.

Super Thanks to my Amica Insurance Appraiser....for doing what Toyota did not do...that is go above and beyond to help me find proper definition of the problem and resolution. And Super thanks to J&M body shop for evidently being one of the few body shops with the skill and experience and willingness to tackle this problem.

And thanks to everyone who offered an opinion in this thread. When I was really depressed about what had happened and seemed to be happening, the feed back helped keep me going in looking for an answer. The positive, the negative, all helped me keep a perspective.

Hopefully, this is the end of this story.