Take my car to the dealership and this is how they returned it to me PART 3...UPDATE

[shan1997]

For all those following my story and my less than favorable experience with my dealership, I have an update. I included the last 2 links below for those who are new to my story. I will also include updated pics of the latest( 5th repair)( at different shop) at the end.

Part 1: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...light=shan1997

Part 2:http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...30#post6677130

After the 4th repair at the dealership they said there was nothing else that could be done. There was obvious repairs that needed to be done or I wouldn't have still been pushing the issue. I took it upon myself to try to find another dealership perhaps as the GM customer service rep advised for another opinion. I found a dealership but they did not have a in house body shop. They had a collision center that they referred customers to around the corner from them. I took it there and my concerns were validated and the new estimate showed an additional 677 in repairs that needed to be done. Imperfections in the paint, spacing issues with the bumper cover, rough edges etc. They also pointed out to me a new defect that I had not noticed. The new bumper cover was not the same color, finish or texture as my fender and hood. You could clearly see your reflection on the bumper and hood and when moving to the bumper cover it was a hazy black and your reflection could not be seen as clear. Imagine my surprise, yet another thing that was wrong.

I decided to appeal to the dealership one last time to do the right thing and allow me to have my car fixed the way it needed to be. I asked to be able to take my car to my place of choice and they foot the bill because initial repairs was not and had not been up to par at that point. I told them that if I didn't hear from then I was going to speak to GM and explore other options. Needless to say they agreed but wanted to see the estimate first. They even called to speak to the gentleman who did the repairs and he confirmed more repairs needed to be done. They paid for a 2 day rental car ( although it took about 3 days to complete the latest repair and I had to pay out of pocket).

Needless to say I was much happier with the 5th repair at a new shop. Paint color matched better, paint imperfections gone, edges smoothed out. I found out that the spacing issue was present because the dealership LEFT OFF 2 BOLTS somewhere along the way int he 4 repairs that were done. Surprise !! Surprise!!!

I had opened up a case with GM before this point when they said there was nothing else they could do and I knew additional repairs were to be made. They called me and I didn't want to just not answer back so I called back. After 7 days of playing phone tag the district specialist Gabriel called. I told him the reason i initially called. I also told him that dealership after appealing one more time agreed to let me get car fixed at an outside shop. At this point I'm still under the mindset that it shouldn't have taken 4 repairs to get my car to where it was and I shouldn't of had to appeal to them to do the right thing take my car to an outside shop for a 5th repair. Everyone that I've spoken to say this whole situation is unacceptable and I deserved better and GM should be willing to compensate me for my time and trouble. This all started almost 2 months ago in April and here it is now June. I have been without my car off and on for that time frame while all these repairs have been done. I have had to take off work, leave early( with no pay), back and forth to dealership, numerous rental cars etc. I was thinking they may be able to make some small token to say sorry for what you have had to go through. I wasn't even talking about MONEY, something as small as free oil changes, car washes etc something, anything. But I was informed by Gabriel that this situation is not a warranty issue, it is a insurance issue and I need to take it up with the dealership or the insurance company. This mystified me because they basically said it does not matter what you went through and what your experience was with the dealership that represents them, we can't do anything. So your telling me that a big company such as GM can't offer any of the above?!! what's a few oil changes/car washes. I'm not asking for much, just acknowledgment that I deserved better service by someone who represents them. Does the fact that it is a insurance "issue" negate what I went through.I have photo documentation of every repair and statements from 2 other shops and proof of the additional work that needed to be done and the fact I had to go to another shop to finally get the repairs i deserved in the first place. I could get MUCH MORE than just a car wash/oil change if i decided to take the legal route. I didn't think i would get anywhere with GM and I was correct, it was a waist of breath. I guess it does not matter to them that they have dissatisfied consumers out there that can't recommend their dealership or brand. Never assume companies will step up and do the right thing, doesn't seem like they care. Looking back now, had the dealership not agreed to do the right thing one last time and allow me to take my car to another shop, my car would never have been fixed by the collision center because GM wouldn't have done ANYTHING!! they would have told me, its an "insurance issue" not warranty and I would of had to pay 677 out of pocket for the additional repairs I deserved. That would have been a problem

It's being dismissed like this that makes me want to go online to write a review on the dealership, contact the Better Business Bureau. If i really wanted to be nasty I could take to social media and other forums and say never EVER go to this dealership again and If a representative of GM does you wrong, don't expect GM to step in on your behalf and try to make it right. If by me standing up the next person can have a better experience then so be it. If it will make them double and triple check their quality from here forth then so be, maybe I should.I was highly disappointed in my dealership and equally disappointed in GM as well. Not good business at all. 5 repairs and 2 bumpers later.

In the end, I remain blessed through it all. With everything that happened, it could be worse. I've learned some valuable though:
1. Pay my deductible( if I am ever hit again) and let my insurance company handle repairs and go after other insurance company in case of unforeseen issues such as this one

2. never sign the check for repairs until checking quality. Never assume all is taken care of. In my case I never thought there would be defects and signed the check and then checked out repairs and then it all started...

3. Look at collision centers as opposed to dealership for body work/paint, they often times do a better job

4.Never assume companies like GM for example will try to right a wrong made by someone (dealership in this case) that represents them.They are often dismissive and not understanding and will defer responsibility. They don't care. They hear stories and complaints all day and I am just another one of many. I didn't seek them out, they found me on this forum and asked how they could help. Was I wrong to think they may help??? All I wanted was my car fixed the first repair, that's all I asked for.

[tom231]

I followed your story from the beginning. It looks like It's finally fixed! I'm glad it all worked out in the end but, Damn!! What a hassle!

[two_wheel_mayhem]

Good job. Looks like you won the war.

[05stram]

congrats and it is grand you stood your ground

[lbls1]

I am really glad that you straightened this out. It can sometimes get hairy chasing after the dealer (sometimes the car company as well) to get them to follow up on service.

I'd chalk it up as a good learning experience with a happy ending!

[AmericanMuscleCars]

Took forever, but glad it got fixed!

[Frank in MD]

Terrible story and I'm glad you're nearer to the end, but I'm going to have to agree with the GM rep. What did GM do to you that makes you seek compensation? It's the dealer that wronged you and the dealer that should be made to pay. Having said that, it sounds like you settled for what they gave you and any further compensation will be denied.

I agree that it would be great if they offered something as an act of goodwill, but why do they have to in your eyes? They did not damage you in any way. GM did not botch the repair, a private business did that. GM are not at fault legally.

[paul44]

I've been following too since your first thread, and I'm glad it all worked out!

[SPCBA]

looks good. still dont see why you think GM should give you free stuff. The dealership is the one that screwed the pooch.

enjoy the car and have a cold beer!

[shan1997]

All I was saying is that the dealership is a representation of GM as a company and they should care about the kind of work and quality coming out of that shop. It's the dealerships fault but they represent GM. What I went through, no one should have to. Most people I've spoken to and have heard my story agree GM should at least acknowledge the situation. No sympathy when speaking to them. If it were a warranty issue it would be no problem!?! They were dismissive and really didn't care what I'd been through. If you were in this situation you may feel different. Sometimes a simple apology doesn't cut it. Despite it all compensation or none, they know my experience and if it helps the next person have. Better experience then so be it.

Needless to say. I'm glad to have some resolution after 2 months. Persistence pays off. This has been a long, tedious, tiresome process. All this trouble over a bumper!!

[01pewterz28]

Congrats yea that first dealership were a bunch retards like I said I had a bumper painted by Gary's Customs and the bumper paint came out perfect and these regards doing the work on your cr coud not? Yes time for thm to ean house at the body shop.

Anyway glad you are fixed up and this fiasco is over