Dodgy DODGY dealer & their panel beater

[nickxau]

Hi all, just after some advice here.

My car was originally bought from dealership A. They hadn't taken proper care of it while it was in their holding yard as a result the roof had to be repainted. (They tried to flog the car off to me as-is). Since then I noticed the plastic strip running along the passenger-side windscreen wasn't level with the rest of the car's body so I mentioned to dealership B to check it out when I had my post-combustion fix applied.

When I went to pickup the car they showed me some silicon and they told me that someone had used it to stick that strip down because a clip was broken.

Now my question is, should I bother going back to dealership A and make a fuss or just cop it, and pay for the repair? I've had nothing but bad experiences with dealership A and don't really want to go back there but it's the principle that matters to me.

***In an effort to make this post short I have left out a few details. If anyone needs more info I'm more than happy to provide.***

[burner42]

definitely go back mate, if you're within or rights, o should definitely hassle them, i brought my car used from Toyota in Werribee, Vic, they didn't pay for my rego, which i paid for, i wrote a "letter of demand" telling them if they don't fix the problem, i'm filing a complaint with the relevant authorities. Took them 2 months to pay out

[johnprocter]

Definitely follow it up mate they need to learn that people wont tolerate this bullshxt anymore, why should you cop the price? I hate how car dealerships these days pick on people's lack of car knowledge and experience to gain for themselves

[tron07]

make a fuss first....

[nickxau]

Thanks for the replies guys. Reckon I should contact the SM (Service Manager) first or go direct to the DP (Dealer Principle)? The DP knows about the roof repaint issue.

[felixd]

brand new car + car still under warranty take em back. exchange it

[stevey]

shit luck mate... take back and kick up a stink.

[Type R Positive]

No need to kick up a stink and act like a wanker.
Just see the manager and lay it out for him. Act professional.
You act like a wanker, you'll get treated like a wanker.

[r3ckless]

No need to kick up a stink and act like a wanker.
Just see the manager and lay it out for him. Act professional.
You act like a wanker, you'll get treated like a wanker.

+1 u leh?

[nickxau]

Will having a word with HA (Honda Aust.) make a difference you guys reckon?

[Type R Positive]

It might do. Id go through dealer A manager first.

[nickxau]

For those still interested/like looking at photos:

Driver's side external A-pillar (normal)
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5222/img4821resize.th.jpg (http://img67.imageshack.us/i/img4821resize.jpg/)

Passenger's side external A-pillar (abnormal)
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4273/img4822resize.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/i/img4822resize.jpg/)

Closer look inside passenger's side A-pillar
Red highlights broken clip. Green highlights part of silicon used for repair.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9114/img4825resize.th.jpg (http://img70.imageshack.us/i/img4825resize.jpg/)

PoS? I reckon!
a.k.a. automotive silicon - used to replace broken clip. Not happy!!!
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9158/img4826resize.th.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/img4826resize.jpg/)

In all fairness, the dealership was pretty rational about it and they accepted that it was their panel beater's fault and that the part will be replaced for me FoC.

P.S. Sorry about my dirty car. Usually it's spotless. Honestly! :angel:

[BatRambo]

For those still interested/like looking at photos:

Driver's side external A-pillar (normal)
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5222/img4821resize.th.jpg (http://img67.imageshack.us/i/img4821resize.jpg/)

Passenger's side external A-pillar (abnormal)
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/4273/img4822resize.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/i/img4822resize.jpg/)

Closer look inside passenger's side A-pillar
Red highlights broken clip. Green highlights part of silicon used for repair.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9114/img4825resize.th.jpg (http://img70.imageshack.us/i/img4825resize.jpg/)

PoS? I reckon!
a.k.a. automotive silicon - used to replace broken clip. Not happy!!!
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9158/img4826resize.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/img4826resize.jpg/)

In all fairness, the dealership was pretty rational about it and they accepted that it was their panel beater's fault and that the part will be replaced for me FoC.

P.S. Sorry about my dirty car. Usually it's spotless. Honestly! :angel:


Mate, I had the same issue.

Had a little accident with the car so they had to remove that part for some reason, don't know why. Anyway, took the car from the panel beater and on next day driving on M4 noticed that the top end is pilling off from the car. Stoped the car and noticed some silicon there.... hmmm that seems weird. Took back the car to the panel beaters, manager looked at the part and said, we will order new one and replace it. After 3 days waiting they called me back and replaced the part.

Glad you are going to get a replacement one, good luck :)

[nickxau]

ahhh... at least one person's still interested :D. I guess that's coz you were in the same boat as me.

Pretty sad to know that some panel beaters work like that. I can understand why they try to do it, but it only makes sense that if they break it, they pay to replace it - simple.

[felixd]

hope it all worked out fine :)

[dtngo]

Glad to hear its getting sorted.

Goes to show you don't have to made a big scene to get things sorted, just act rationally, unlike some suggestions made in the thread.

[Type R Positive]

Glad to hear its getting sorted.

Goes to show you don't have to made a big scene to get things sorted, just act rationally, unlike some suggestions made in the thread.
Yeah, be nice and you will be surprised how people respond. ;)

[nickxau]

Yeah, be nice and you will be surprised how people respond. ;)

Yes, so true that is. Of course the part hasn't been replaced yet but I'm satisfied with the outcome so far *touchwood*.

Here's a summary of what happened:
- Called up SM in the morning, he got some details of my car to checkout its history and advised me to bring my car in for inspection.
- Drove to dealership at lunchtime. Got the SM to inspect the car and we agreed that it was a dodgy panel beater job.
- Agreed to order and replace the part FoC to me but bill the panel beater! :thumbsup:

[felixd]

Yes, so true that is. Of course the part hasn't been replaced yet but I'm satisfied with the outcome so far *touchwood*.

Here's a summary of what happened:
- Called up SM in the morning, he got some details of my car to checkout its history and advised me to bring my car in for inspection.
- Drove to dealership at lunchtime. Got the SM to inspect the car and we agreed that it was a dodgy panel beater job.
- Agreed to order and replace the part FoC to me but bill the panel beater! :thumbsup:

good stuff :D

[tron07]

Usually the good panel beater got a lifetime warranty for their repairs....

[nickxau]

Got a call from the dealership yesterday saying that the a-pillar moulding has arrived. Booked my car in tomorrow to get it replaced. I'll see how it goes...

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

Good work :thumbsup:

[nickxau]

I'm speechless... it just seems like these guys can't get anything right...

This is the new a-pillar moulding that they ordered for me...
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9220/img4834resizex.th.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/i/img4834resizex.jpg/)

... and this is the extra they threw in for free...
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2230/img4835resize.th.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/img4835resize.jpg/)

[BatRambo]

I'm speechless... it just seems like these guys can't get anything right...

This is the new a-pillar moulding that they ordered for me...
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9220/img4834resizex.th.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/i/img4834resizex.jpg/)

... and this is the extra they threw in for free...
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2230/img4835resize.th.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/img4835resize.jpg/)

LOL...

Mate, can't comment. If I have to, probably it would be something like *(&^#(*&^#@&^$%@&^%@(^$@&%*&@!$&*^ PANEL BEATERS

[nickxau]

LOL...

Mate, can't comment. If I have to, probably it would be something like *(&^#(*&^#@&^$%@&^%@(^$@&%*&@!$&*^ PANEL BEATERS

Make that x2... :(

[HunterZero]

Mate, that sucks. Hopefully that body panel scratch will buff out, but the 'new' part probably needs replacing/repainting. When they pull it off the car again, they'll probaby bust all the clips again.

Wondering if the part comes from Honda unpainted, and they've stuffed up the painting locally? Looks like they dropped it before putting it onto the car.

- HZ

[nickxau]

I think I'll just learn to live with it...

Sometimes I wonder if they did it on purpose just to take the piss out of me...

[tony1234]

I think I'll just learn to live with it...

Sometimes I wonder if they did it on purpose just to take the piss out of me...
What a bunch of tools.You'd think after fcuking the job up once they'd be extra carefull.That scratch should come out with a bit of Megs ScratchX.It's only light by the look of it in your pic.

[nxn75u]

Report it to the authorities! Dont just let them get away with it!

[BatRambo]

Mate, that sucks. Hopefully that body panel scratch will buff out, but the 'new' part probably needs replacing/repainting. When they pull it off the car again, they'll probaby bust all the clips again.

Wondering if the part comes from Honda unpainted, and they've stuffed up the painting locally? Looks like they dropped it before putting it onto the car.

- HZ

all these parts are color coded

[HunterZero]

I wouldn't stand for it, I'd be after them to fix it properly.

- HZ

[BatRambo]

I wouldn't stand for it, I'd be after them to fix it properly.

- HZ


Guys, I think its time to name and shame this panel beaters.
At least PM me, coz I wanna add them in to my BAN list.

[tiksie]

**** that, don't just "learn to live with it" you take it back and tell them what happened! If you "learn to live with it" then they will **** it up for everyone else, and get paid accordingly for a shit job.