Dealer damaged my car and now avoiding issue....what to do

[914dude]

I brought my car in for service at a dealership where I am 'friends' with the tech and SA. I bring my car here tip both the guys well so I don't have to worry about any issues with mods or anything.

Long story short, I am selling my car and it needed last minute service done. I was given a loaner that was filthy anyway and had no gas and smelled like musty socks but whatever.

I pickup my car today in pouring rain and see huge dent and crease in my rear bumper. Tell the service guy who says "not sure if it was our fault" right from the bat lol. I get a call back from my SA 10 min later saying my loaner car reeks of smoke and they're going to figure out what to do about the damage and loaner car smell.

The resolution is 'even exchange'. I am not charged $300 for the loaner clean up and my bumper I can fix on my own. I am very familiar with loaner and rental cars as I rent from hertz multiple times a month and drive loaners from various brands as well. Never once have I been charged a fee.

Obviously fixing the crease and dent will not be $300. They damaged my car and are avoiding responsibility by pinning me in a corner by throwing the $300 fee over some herb smell (which most likely does not even exist in reality) not to mention that loaner car is already in use most definitely not out of service.

What would you guys do?

[LINDW4LL]

You need to deal with these two issues separately. Presenting them together as you did (or they did) is silly. If they damaged your car, they are obligated to fix it. Simple as that.

Regarding the rental car, if you smoke and/or smoked in the car, then pay the fee. If not and they are lying, that's another issue and needs to be escalated.

[kdaffy]

^this. Bumper is multiples of $300. Pay the cleanup fee, and have them repair the bumper.

[914dude]

Sorry writing from my phone. The even exchange is what the dealer offered me to make this "go away"

Also the loaner already smelled and upon inspection I was given the clear. Was only brought up the issue when the damage came out.

[VVG]

You need to deal with these two issues separately. Presenting them together as you did (or they did) is silly. If they damaged your car, they are obligated to fix it. Simple as that.

Regarding the rental car, if you smoke and/or smoked in the car, then pay the fee. If not and they are lying, that's another issue and needs to be escalated.

Agreed, two totally separate issues. But did they tell you, or was part of the rental agreement that you could not smoke in the car? If you did, pay up, but the bumper is a different story. Can't believe they are trying to slime their way out of that. I would wipe the floor with them on this one.

[agent47]

Pay the clean up fee. And get a bamboo charcoal deodoriser bag from amazon for future smoke odor issues.

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[SunDevil]

1. Find another dealership. They sound like a shady dealership.
2. Normally when I bring my car in for service ..... the attendant does a brief walk around to check for any obvious damage. This is at an Audi Dealership.
3. The dealership I use would never give me a smelly loaner. See #1.

[jfeger]

1. Find another dealership. They sound like a shady dealership.
2. Normally when I bring my car in for service ..... the attendant does a brief walk around to check for any obvious damage. This is at an Audi Dealership.
3. The dealership I use would never give me a smelly loaner. See #1.

Agreed with that. Same with my dealer. Ive had my car in twice, and they walked it both times.

My thoughts are :

1. If you smoked, pay the fee. Im 99% sure all loaner cars in this country loaned by a rental car company or a dealership are "Smoke Free". You pay to play .. applies when you smoke in a smoke free car :)

2. Ask to review all of their security camera footage so you can share it with your lawyer. See how they react to that :)

[Speedemon]

Agreed with that. Same with my dealer. Ive had my car in twice, and they walked it both times.

My thoughts are :

1. If you smoked, pay the fee. Im 99% sure all loaner cars in this country loaned by a rental car company or a dealership are "Smoke Free". You pay to play .. applies when you smoke in a smoke free car :)

2. Ask to review all of their security camera footage so you can share it with your lawyer. See how they react to that :)

+1

[Brooklyn]

They should have performed a walk-around on your vehicle when you brought it in and noted any damage. If they didn't note the damage, or if they didn't do one period, they are responsible for fixing the damage to your vehicle. If you didn't do a walk-around of the loaner and noted the condition of the vehicle, you may very well be SOL there. Never leave your vehicle or accept a vehicle without noting the condition of the vehicles!

[F16HTON]

I brought my car in for service at a dealership where I am 'friends' with the tech and SA. I bring my car here tip both the guys well so I don't have to worry about any issues with mods or anything.

Long story short, I am selling my car and it needed last minute service done. I was given a loaner that was filthy anyway and had no gas and smelled like musty socks but whatever.

I pickup my car today in pouring rain and see huge dent and crease in my rear bumper. Tell the service guy who says "not sure if it was our fault" right from the bat lol. I get a call back from my SA 10 min later saying my loaner car reeks of smoke and they're going to figure out what to do about the damage and loaner car smell.

The resolution is 'even exchange'. I am not charged $300 for the loaner clean up and my bumper I can fix on my own. I am very familiar with loaner and rental cars as I rent from hertz multiple times a month and drive loaners from various brands as well. Never once have I been charged a fee.

Obviously fixing the crease and dent will not be $300. They damaged my car and are avoiding responsibility by pinning me in a corner by throwing the $300 fee over some herb smell (which most likely does not even exist in reality) not to mention that loaner car is already in use most definitely not out of service.

What would you guys do?

[bobamoo]

They should have performed a walk-around on your vehicle when you brought it in and noted any damage. If they didn't note the damage, or if they didn't do one period, they are responsible for fixing the damage to your vehicle. If you didn't do a walk-around of the loaner and noted the condition of the vehicle, you may very well be SOL there. Never leave your vehicle or accept a vehicle without noting the condition of the vehicles!

Exactly!

[Speedemon]

I fell of my chair.