Bad buying experience at AutoNation Austin & need advice on best way to deal with scratch

Lol at the pic and related commentary... I needed that laugh today, so thanks!! To be clear, it's a *small* scratch. I didn't get into specifics about it over the phone with my spouse, as the larger problem to me is when the sales manager says it will be taken care of, then I expect it to be taken care of properly - no matter the size. Will get a clear photo for the gang tomorrow when it's here. Right now, these are the ones I was sent this morning of the overall truck. I'm not sure if the scratch was driver's side or passenger, so if passenger, then based on this pic it meets hiPSI's 10/10 rule, so at least there's that!

Wasn't going to mention the other personal lesson learned... but since several have brought it up in comments, we've already both said that we'll never buy a new vehicle again without both of us present.

The better pic for Tacoma lovers will be 3-4 weeks from now when it's fully registered and permitted to drive on our local beach. Bought her for the crawl control as we've been stuck before in our other 4x4, that first sunset will be sweet... scratch and all.

 

The paint chips and scratches on the Tacoma on a whim anyway, I have already resorted to the fact that this will probably be the only vehicle I have owned new that I will eventually have have repainted. Enjoy your new truck

 

That is my other half's contention... We'd waited this long, and the same thing could have happened in a gas station parking lot on the way home. Our '05 has several chips and scratches after 13 years, just part of it.
For me, the customer service issue of how it was handled was/is the issue that would have made the difference for me today.

 

Nice legs by the way

 

Is the scratch just the clear coat? Take a spray bottle with water only and spray it on the scratch, if the scratch "disappears" then it's just the clear coat.

I used this method and it worked great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYF46P7B2c

Good luck and congrats on the new Tacoma.

 

110% agree dealer handled it terribly. But also 110% guarantee you'll have at least one stone chip from the 12 hour drive home.

Don't sweat it... just enjoy.

 

Exactly. I would have flown back on principal and then filed a complaint.

 

Lol I traded my 13 tacoma 4x4 for a 2015 wrx limited that I special ordered kept it about a year and a half and came right back. I had another full size dodge to take care of my truck needs(sold it) but here I am right back .

 

once you boarded, they had you. I would want to ensure others know this sales manager is a snake. Civic duty and all.

 

Yup

Taco for life

 

You wrote an essay on a small scratch! I know it's a disappointment that the truck wasn't *perfect*, and you're upset on principle, but a dealership moving volumes won't ever notice a small scratch. They took care of you with the $200 and were reasonable -- I wouldn't consider that a bad experience. You could have walked at any time and chose not to. You weren't trapped, and the payment they gave you will cover that repair at a body shop.

Getting a scratch repaired will never affect your resale value. Find a good independent body shop and get it fixed if it's that big a deal.


I'd pocket the $200 and enjoy the truck!! It's a truck, if you take it offroads, you'll get a lot more. If you park in a parking lot, you'll get more from shopping carts or doors and children. You might have someone back into it, or you might have any other numerous sources of small damage. My truck is clean, but it gets used, so it has scratches. I doubt anyone but me would notice them without examining it from a foot away closely. The scratch is probably the same way.

It's never worth stressing over the small things. Enjoy it and stress less.