Why I Don't Like Most Dealerships

I've removed the dealer's name, and made only one reference to the fact that it's a Tacoma that I purchased. I did that because my goal is only to vent about dealers, not to damage this particular dealer's reputation. I'll update this as needed.

- Monday 1/6, viewed a used Tacoma that had some body damage. Upon arrival I was told that <dealer> would be replacing the damaged rear bumper. While making the purchase the same day, I was told that the rear bumper had already been ordered, would arrive in about a week, and that <dealer> would need the vehicle for two days to replace the bumper. I received a We Owe document indicating <dealer's name here> promise to replace the rear bumper.

- On 1/11 I was urged to bring the vehicle in and leave it for up to two weeks so <dealer> would be able to disassemble the bumper and order all required parts to fully repair the damage. When I asked what they would replace, they responded "Anything that's behind the that [sic] damaged area. We need to see if there's anything that needs to be replaced."

- In a follow-up phone call on 1/13, when pressed about the supposedly already-ordered bumper, <dealer> admitted there was no bumper on order.

- 1/14, I dropped off the vehicle with <dealer>, and they provided a loaner.

- On 1/16 I received a call indicating that the vehicle repair is supposedly complete, and was told it "looks great." Upon cursory inspection it's clear that only a single piece of chromed plastic was replaced. All damaged items under that chromed piece but part of the bumper (that which <dealer> specifically said they needed the vehicle to inspect and replace), including the bumper itself, remain damaged. <dealer> tells me that they "paid $2000 for the repair" and admit that it needs to go back.

 

They just want you to sign the dotted line.

 

You bought a damaged truck on the promise that it would be fixed after sale? Oh man.

Since you're throwing around the idea of legal litigation, do you have that in writing such as the contract of sale or even an email where they said all damaged parts visible and behind the bumper would be fixed?

A verbal contract is hard to enforce; it becomes a game of he-said they-said. If I'm a judge I would question your story and why that agreement wasn't in the bill of sale.

Not saying that I don't believe you, but it's a judges job to be impartial.

 

Probably waiting on more parts and decided to ship it so you can have your truck back in the mean time.

 

Removed any reference to legalities; this is not the place for that.

 

Yeah I understand that, but you stated that in the OP so I am asking what your plan is here.

Do you have any of the promise to fix the truck aside from the bumper cap in writing? If you don't then you're at the mercy of the dealerships good graces or not. Hopefully they come through but if it's not in writing you probably don't have a leg to stand on in that regard. A different service tech can just tell you to go kick rocks if they get tired of you insisting that the truck should be fixed.

I'm curious, what underneath the bumper cap is damaged? there isn't much back there except for the back up sensors and blind spot monitor if your truck has those options. They also aren't too difficult to replace as long as the mounting brackets are intact. It's just a matter of unplugging the old ones and plugging in a new one.

 

Very hard these days to find a really good dealership that is fair and takes care of their Customers. Plus that can not only sale but can service , repair and do body work.

 

Yes, a We Owe that states simply "replace rear bumper."

Green = what they replaced. Red = damaged, not replaced.

 

Sounds like a frustrating situation, I miss the days when we could trust what people/businesses would say

 

Well if the hitch itself isn't damaged and the frame is okay then this really isn't a hard repair. Those are just a bunch of flimsy plastic parts plus a few flimsier metal ones.

The word "bumper" is vague. The dealership can easily claim that they repaired the "bumper" by replacing the caps.

Hopefully they come through for you. If not, just go to a junk yard and pull one and put it on yourself.

 

Seems kinda dumb to buy prior to repairs.

$0.02

 

Trusting a car salesman is like believing a stripper loves you...

 

Agreed. That makes it even more frustrating that the dealer strives so hard to do anything but what was promised.

 

What are you talking about? My girl Cinnamon told me we're going to run away to Vegas together

 

The last used vehicle I bought also had a bit of cosmetic damage. I made the dealer repair one thing (window tint) before I even walked to the purchasing desk. I took responsibility for the remainder in exchange for a lower price. "yeah well, I know what you got also. And it isn't worth what you think it is."

I never play the "we owe" game. Anything they owe, they will attempt to do so in the cheapest possible manner. I only accept 100% delivery at time of purchase.

 

Yep. You'd think I would have learned...

 

And I say this because back in 2002, I purchased a new LX470 and when I went to pick it up, one of the side mirror caps had a big (new) scratch. I still took delivery. The repair was completed promptly. But it was a dumb move. Should have unwound the transaction and started fresh after the mirror was fixed.

 

back in 88 <—- yeah, yeah) I bought a new truck (88,pictured) with a damaged rear bumper that pushed into the bed under the tail light. To close the deal i had ‘em take off the bumper so I could see that everything was otherwise good. Deal closed with no rear bumper and a nice discount. By that weekend i had finished the body work and installed the pictured tube bumper. …the truck is gone, but I still have the wife

If my memory serves me right, the picture is an early July 1988 trip to Mount Lassen.

 

I hope it was written in the Bill of Sale or you may be SOL, hope not, but unfortunately it seems like fewer and fewer folks can be trusted.