Just had my 15k mile oil change at the dealer. Not too good of an experience. Everything seems to be fine in the beginning. I gave them my own filter and 3 qt of Moil 1 syn oil and the service writer deducts it on the bill to $19.95. I asked him how much it would be for tire rotation. He said it would be something like $100 including balancing. I was like, hm... I can do that myself. About an hr later, my car's done. It was washed also! So I happily drove away. After I drove it about a block, I stopped and check the oil level. It was a bit over the full mark! I changed oil twice before, and I know 3 qt will put the level half way between the marks. So I went back and asked to talk to the tech. They directed me to the service writer. He bs me with something like after you drive it a little, the oil level will drop down to normal. So when I got home, parked the car and check the level again. Still a bit more than full. I walked around the car, I also notice this long scratch mark!!! I know if I go back, they'll bs me with something like the sratch is already there when I bring in the car. Next time I won't give them my own material and will ask them not to wash it. I don't even know if they will get my next business! :angry: By the way, this is Bay Ridge Toyota in Brooklyn, NY. I will reflect everything on the follow up survey.
You ought to at least give them a chance by bringing it up with them. If they have a problem that's causing them to scratch cars, they won't know if you just go away mad. Who knows? Maybe they won't even be dix about it. Let us know. B)
Gave them a call, the service writer asked me to go in next week to see the serivce manager. I'll let you guys know what's gonna happen.
Stay on top of this, the only way to keep dealers staight is to keep us informed and name Dealers when they do a Dis- Service. They are so bloated with buraucracy and mis-communication that screw-ups are almost always inevitable. A Metal beltbuckle will scatch a fender easily, with the mechanic not even knowing it. Make them fix that scatch, politely, diplomatically and softly, but determined.
also talk to the customer service manager. they're the ones that get the surveys, so you can discuss this with him too.
Ok, to follow up. I went to the dealership today about the long scratch. First they try to find the condition report. They said it's a walk around report they do when the car comes in. After a LONG while, they still didn't find it. So the service manager took at look at the scratch. He said looks like someone key my car. And that never happened at their dealership. I suggested it might be a customer that did it. He said that the cars are either being service or locked up in a secure lot. All the damages he saw before are like dents and small scratches. Never saw such a long scratch. But the fact that they can't find the condition report doesn't make me feel good about this. Even if they find it, they could've just add the scratch onto the report. I've been parking my car around the same area since June and never had a problem. So I don't know if the scratch happened at the dealership or not. Then I went to couple of auto body shops and ask for an estimate on the repair cost. They all said if you want to fix it completely, it'll be ~$900 to repaint the panels, since the scratch is deep. One of the shops suggested just do a touch up and buff out for ~$50. But the scratch will still be there. I think the $50 touch up is probably the better choice. Any suggestion? TIA!
I HATE to say it, but lesson learned, always check out your car after its been in someone else's hands. The chances of a dealership actually assuming the responsibility for something like that is pretty low, but it's good you brought it to their attention, as you had nothing to lose. ...and remember, in the absence of physical representation of the law, there is only deterrence... h34r:
Vandalism damage is generally covered by your comprehensive coverage and most insurance companies do not penalize you for such claims.
My comprehensive has a $1k deductable. So I'll have to pay everything if I go with the repaint. Yes, lesson learned indeed... the hard way!
