Honda Australia contact required / Accord Euro defects

[H.T]

Hi All,

As per my introduction thread, I was hoping to get some feedback and hopefully some assistance with problems we have with new Accord Euro, as some of you may have had the same problems and had them sorted.

We entered into a contract to purchase our car three weeks ago, and were told that it would be delivered within a week. Two weeks ago we went into the dealership to pick up the car and before signing we asked if we could see the car first just to give it a quick look over, the dealer was quite anxios for us to sign, but we persisted to see the car first.

It was still in the pre-delivery bay and upon walking up to it we noticed a number of imperfections in the paint (its black) and what appeared to be small specs of rust (when it has the blue tinge) on the bonnet and other areas of the car, as well as this there were a number of swirl marks in the paint from the pre-delivery, when I pointed out the imperfections, the salesperson said, thats an easy fix and he had one of the workers grab some polish squirted it all over the car and started rubbing it in, well it must have been a cutting compound or harsh polish as it completely scratched the paint.

The salesperson then offered to have the car detailed, I said that the scratched looked pretty deep, so they offered to provide us with a replacement vehicle and were going to get back to us in a day or so's time.

Yesterday, we were advised that the vehicle was ready and made arrangements to pick it up before ending the call, I asked the salesperson if this vehicle was ok and that I didn't want them rushing again, he said that "Its Perfect" which got me real worried! We arrived at the dealership at 5pm as we were asked to attend when they were about to close, and was led to a car that was parked in a dark corner in there workshop, when I asked if we could turn some lights on I was told that they couldn't so I walked around the workshop and turned every light switch on, and yes there was a reason why it was parked in a dark corner!

It has more swirl marks then the first car, however there was only one imperfection that I could see on the bonnet, the salesperson was quite upset when I started pointing out the swirl marks and the whole management team and dealership owners came in to tell me that I am the fusiest person they have ever met, and what do I expect for a black car, and that's the extent of the quality of the paint etc (Having not owned a Honda, we did not know what to expect, the Black one in the showroom didn't have swirl marks)

Basically, they gave us two options;

They will have "There" detailers go over the car again, this was not going to happen!

Choose another colour, which we weren't interested in.

They then went on to say that it was the lights the car was under, so we took it outside and the swirl marks were still there.

As we were without a family car for a few weeks, and we didn't have any other options we had to take delivery of the vehicle, I asked the dealership owner if he would pay for a detailer of my choice to rectify the paint, and he "kindly" commented that I contact Honda Australia about the quality of the paint on the car and that "They" should pay for it.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I thought I would get some background info in as possibly one of you have had a similar problem and I would like to know how you got it resolved.

On the other hand, I may have built up an expectation that the car was going to be a quality vehicle and not have paint like all the other new cars out there we had looked at, and I am now just disappointed.

Some feedback would be great.

[markoJEK1]

I work at a dealership and I am yet to see 'swirled' paint or bad looking paint just because its black on any of the new cars, the paint is in mint condition at all times , hyundais / suzuki / isuzu , any imperfections Ive seen the detailers deal with, and if they cant fix it I dont know what happens, I aint a detalier or a salesmen, I work in the service department. you have every right to be picky as you are purchasing a brand new car that shouldnt have any wear marks what so ever. Expecting the whole car to be immaculate when new thats not a big demand..

[tron07]

I would have told them I decided that I dont want this particular vehicle and decided to change the colour..... later I will tell them I would want back my original colour and they would have to give me another colour.

Most important thing is to never sign anything before you are satisfied with it.

[90LAN]

just ask for another car mate u are paying for it u should expect the best cond
just call head office and report their rudeness

[night_wolf]

as stated by 90lan call head office and report their rudeness. if i were you mate i would be really worried what else they are hiding since they are in a rush for you to take the car of their hands. BUT there is no way in hell a black car straight out of the dealership shouldnt look mint. get on the phone and make them get your car back to mint condition!

[ktvin09]

Something doddgy is going on there at the dealership mate, "come and get the car around the time we close"... I'd say call "Today Tonight"

No seriously, I think you have every right to contact Consumer Protection, then call up Honda and state the fact that you have already notified Consumer Protection, just to speed things up.

[markCivicVti]

Sorry to hear mate. When I picked up my civic it had swirls too. I didn't notice it till i got home... it was my first new car so lesson learnt.

On the bright side.. after 6 months ownership i polished the thing myself and looked better than delivery day.

You have every right to expect a showroom finish on a new car - maybe unless its a ex demo.

[H.T]

Thank you all for the replies.

If we had the time to spare we would have demanded another car, but my wife has been driving the S15 around, and it's not designed for Baby seats and prams.

The car itself is brand new, its 02/09 Compliance and had 8km on it, I think personally that it was the way it was pre-delivered that has caused the problems with the paint, that as well as the fact that the first car was a 08 Compliance and they claim that they were losing money on this car, but I guess thats a standard line...

Didn't get a chance to follow it up today, but will set some time aside this week, and will let you all know how it progress's.

[night_wolf]

Thank you all for the replies.

If we had the time to spare we would have demanded another car, but my wife has been driving the S15 around, and it's not designed for Baby seats and prams.

The car itself is brand new, its 02/09 Compliance and had 8km on it, I think personally that it was the way it was pre-delivered that has caused the problems with the paint, that as well as the fact that the first car was a 08 Compliance and they claim that they were losing money on this car, but I guess thats a standard line...

Didn't get a chance to follow it up today, but will set some time aside this week, and will let you all know how it progress's.

mate most people have the same issue as you when upgrading to a family car. the sudden need for a baby seat, space for a pram. space for shopping. all this is normal. the dealership just preyed on your needs. but seriously call consumer affairs (or protection, cant remember exactly) they shall advacate on your behalf. most businesses get the shits when they hear their name. i would know cause i had to deal with them on regards to a collage matter.

[H.T]

No progress to report... Just not enough time!

[muzukashi]

sorry 2 hear man, hopefully once u get some legal action on their ass they should just honor your demands, wen u get the boot by any cust service you know that they have some shit 2 hide there.

dont worry about their 48 hour shit and just go legal&public with it, wen the spotlight is on them they all hate the extra attention esp when its bad

[panda[cRx]]

u should have choosen another colour. even if it wasnt swirled or marked when u bought it it would be soon after. black shows EVERYTHING

mate most people have the same issue as you when upgrading to a family car. the sudden need for a baby seat, space for a pram. space for shopping. all this is normal. the dealership just preyed on your needs. but seriously call consumer affairs (or protection, cant remember exactly) they shall advacate on your behalf. most businesses get the shits when they hear their name. i would know cause i had to deal with them on regards to a collage matter.

gtfo they weren't preying on him because he needed the car. they would have done the best they could with what they were given. cars get marks of them all the time before they even get to dealers. they were probably doin the best they could with what they had.

lol @ people that think dealerships are all EVIL and making a gazillion dollars out of every car sale