Ok, so I've bought my Prius a little over 2 months. The dealer tells me to come back in when I get my plates and he'll put them on for me and give me a free tank of gas and a car wash. He takes my car to get it washed and runs into another prius entering the carwash at the same time. The bumper was destroyed. They said they would replace the bumper and make sure everything else was okay. I went to pick up my car the next day and noticed right away that the headlight was seriously scratched. The service manager said they would order the part so I would have to come back again. The dealer tried to tell me that the wreck couldn't have caused the scratch. Then, when I'm backing out to leave, I notice a sound when I cut the wheels to the right. Of course the dealer shrugs his shoulders like he doesn't hear anything and then drives away with my car leaving waiting in the parking lot not knowing what was going on. I get the car back and of course they don't find anything wrong with it. Of course, when I'm driving it away, I feel it pulling to the right. I take it back and it turns out it's out of alignment, I guess they didn't check everything. They keep trying to tell me that the only thing that was damaged was the bumper but I don't know anymore. Do you think I should try and get a new car? Thanks for letting me rant.
Sorry to hear about your new car. Would this show on carfax? It was their fault and you shouldn't pay for it later, so try to get a new car. I am not sure if it is possible though, someone else in PC probably has an answer for this.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kermie @ Aug 27 2007, 12:43 PM) [snapback]502875[/snapback]</div> In that situation, I would pay a lawyer $200-300 to write the dealer a strongly worded letter outlining what you expect the dealer to do for you. there is no excuse for this: they clearly are at fault and they clearly have an obligation to make you whole. I think all it would take is a letter from a lawyer. If you can't afford that, see if there is a legal aid society or a law school clinic that would intervene on your behalf. You also could get your insurance company involved, but I think a lawyer of your own is a better bet. Also: since you live in CA, report the dealer to the Bureau of Automotive Repair if they don't fix this so it's perfect. And tell them you are doing this. Don't tell them you're going to do it. Tell them you did it, in fact. And tell us who the dealer is so we can avoid him like the plague he obviously is!
Geez... sorry to hear that. What dealership are you referring to by the way so we can avoid it? Hehe. After the alignment, everything should be okay with your Prius, I hope. Don't come back to that dealership. Good luck. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kermie @ Aug 27 2007, 03:43 PM) [snapback]502875[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JunsGrayPria @ Aug 27 2007, 04:53 PM) [snapback]502898[/snapback]</div> Thanks for the advice everyone. BTW I went to Hollywood Toyota and my dealer's name was Bob Sotsky. I complained about him to the internet manager there but who knows if that did any good.
I would be pissed off if this happened. I would probably take the car to an independent mechanic to make sure they fixed everything before accepting the car. Perhaps an email or letter to Toyota Customer Care as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dogfriend @ Aug 27 2007, 08:04 PM) [snapback]502936[/snapback]</div> Exactly what I was going to say. Sure can't trust the dealer.
I agree, have the vehicle independently assessed, it would be reasonable to ask the dealer to pay this cost and a lawyer would most likely claim that cost back for you. If this happened to me I would have got my insurance company involved right from the onset, that's what I pay them for. I have protected no claim bonus and it would be a no fault accident for me as I wasn’t driving therefore no excess or what I believe you call deductible. Don't play all your cards at once, if you do and the dealer says no you have limited room to escalate. While your car is being repaired you need a loan car similar to your Prius, you should not be inconvenienced.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 27 2007, 08:45 PM) [snapback]502946[/snapback]</div> IMO have the at fault dealer fix the car and provide a no charge loaner. If they are not agreeable to that, file an insurance claim and take it wherever you want. Hope you got the driver's license & insurance info.
Don't accept the car. You need to make them take it back and give you one that's not wrecked. As soon as the accident happened, your car was not whole again. It's called diminished value. If you are not able, then hire a lawyer. This is an easy case that your dealer should make right. Because of the treatment you have received, I would not even bother asking for a new car. I would demand a full refund and do business elsewhere.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(alg @ Aug 28 2007, 01:10 PM) [snapback]503045[/snapback]</div> I'm not following this? Why engage a lawyer if you have already paid insurance? It's the insurance companies problem. Discuss your needs with your insurance company. Don't allow that dealer to do the repairs, they lied to you already.
I bet the same stinkin dealer goes over cars they take in trade with a fine tooth comb, and if they find any hint that there has been any body work, they lowball the customer with a claim that it is not worth as much. When I traded in my Honda Accord, I was demanding top dolar for my trade in, but it had had very similar front bumper cover repair. The sales guy made some remark about "I can see that the front end has been removed from that car at one time." I told him that the repairs had been made at the dealer's own body shop right there on site and were guarenteed. That shut him up, but dealers will definately try to play that diminished value card, so you might as well ask them to compensate you right now. On the other hand, this is not something that will ever show up in a Carfax report. Nothing will ever show up in a Carfax report unless the car has a salvage title. I still think Carfax is next to worthless.
I would definitely file a claim ASAP and get in touch with Toyota- their corporate headquarters. Good luck.
That is horrible, I'm sorry that happened to you Just remember that car dealers are in it to make money, which includes costs spent/saved on maintenance items. So they are going to try and shaft you in any way possible to make their budget for the month/year. I would get a lawyer and also call Toyota's customer service line. Don't let the dealer push you around, THEY destroyed your car, not you.
If the dealer doesn't straighten this out NOW, you may also threaten to get the media involved by putting a call into the local paper...they love printing "little guy" stories like this. I doubt the dealer would want bad publicity.
