Need advice:Dealership damaged my truck

So, took my two-month-old Tacoma into the dealership for it's first service. The genius who rotated and balanced the tires forgot to tighten the lug nuts on one of the wheels. Wheel came off on test drive damaging wheel mount, fender flare and edge of driver door.

Dealership said all the right things and is taking care of repairs and body work. My question is whether this is all they should have to do. Everybody I tell this story to tells me that the dealership should give me the extended warranty or something equivalent for my trouble. That, just fixing the repairs they caused, isn't enough for what they've done to my new truck. What do you think, Tacoma World?

 

That really sucks, sorry to hear. I'd suggest an extended warranty as well.

Got pics?

 

They aren't going to give you anything they don't feel you can force them to give.

They've apparently made good on the immediate damage - which would indisputably be their obligation. Looks good for them in event of a lawsuit. Now...I don't know about extended warranties, how you go from damage of a wheel coming off to an extended warranty...but I suppose you could put some pressure on them.

I'm not sure how, though. If you threaten them with court, you're not going to have much to stand on. The damage done, would typically relegate it to Small Claims court - where you cannot, in most states, sue for punitive damages, only property claims.

If you ask them, they'll probably tell you no, nothing more. You could spend about $300 to a lawyer to have him draft up a Demand Before Suit...but, will you get enough out of it to recover the cost of the lawyer? I would think not.

That's my take. Others may have more creative ways of leveraging value out of this.

 

Whats with the court/suit talk???

They're fixing the vehicle. He'd like to ask for a few more oil changes or maybe an extended warranty of sorts.... and of course this incident not be seen by Carfax.

 

diminished value.... make em pay it.

 

I would not suggest any lawyer talk. It was human error and they're trying to make it right. Ask for additional oil changes and a discount on some of the OEM upgrades/ services you want to make to your truck. You want a good relationship with these guys, so be nice about it until they act like pricks first.

 

I know he was just illustrating, but as most know, a lawsuit like that wouldn't last more than 2 seconds in a small claims court.

As suggested earlier, a decent discount on OEM accessories would be a nice gift.

 

They damaged your truck and voluntarily made you whole by returning it to the predamaged condition. Used OEM parts and trained factory technicians. And you want something more? To compensate for hurt feelings? Imaginary undiscovered damage? You have another 25,000 miles of factory warranty so there is plenty of time to uncover any repair faults. If it happened in the last few months of the warranty it would be a different story.

 

Well, this is America, ya know... someone has gotta pay up.

Seriously OP, they're on track and doing good for you, as they should. Asking for a couple of extra oil changes for your time away from your truck certainly isn't out of line.... it's a reasonable request.

 

They're giving him what they're giving him. They aren't willingly gonna hand out more. Not unless they're forced to or feel they might be forced to.

That's the way of the world. You don't give away YOUR money; neither do other people.

 

OK. I can clearly tell you're not in the service business, and I hear you, but how do you know "they aren't will to hand out more."?

I'm willing to bet he gets some sort of consolation if he asks nicely for it.. ie, oil change.. etc.

.. let's see how the dealer restores confidence in a customer.

 

Personally, I think the limit would be asking for a free oil change or rotate and balance. Humans make mistakes. They are fixing the problem. Asking for more than something minor is going to bite you in the arse one day with karma.

 

how does the wheel come off? did they forget to tighten all six lugs?

 

Why do you want more than the vehicle to be restored to it's original condition?
Not sure why the common train of thought lends itself to being entitled these days.
Honestly, if it is the worst thing to happen to you this week, month or year, cherish the feeling of being lucky.

Make em' pay what? Indemnification. Look it up. That is all he should be entitled.

 

I agree with this. your truck was wrecked, no fault of your own, now it will show up on a car fax.

 

Why do people think they deserve more than they do? If they fix what was damaged that's all they have to do. NO court in the nation will award more.

 

You have to prove diminishing value. No car fax entry, no diminishing value.

 

Not entirely true. Carfax purchases information from specific insurers as auto body shops. It is not auto reported, nor do I think the dealership will file an ins claim.

So...vehicles that have been repaired to their original condition are worth less?
Also not true.

 

Repaired back to original - check
Something for your inconvenience? absolutely! An extended warranty may be a bit much but it would be very fair to receive something as a way of saying "sorry we f'ed up your brand-new truck".

I'd suggest asking them what they would like to offer to compensate you for your inconvenience and show their good will.

Most often they will offer more than you would have asked for, and they know that you will likely ask for less than they are willing to give - it's just human nature. If you put them in the "offering" position then you can always ask for more if you don't feel it's enough.

 

It sounds to me like they are doing everything they should assuming they are also providing you with a free vehicle to drive while repairs are being made.