Dealer's response was appalling

[strych9]

I took my 'bee in to my dealer's body shop for a preliminary inspection for some cosmetic issues that the car had when delivered. One of them is a chip in the front facia, see my post here. I also had scratches in three of the vinyl stripes. All were 4"-6" long. Not small ones. Lastly, the front bumper cover paint is noticably darker than the rest of the car, in direct sunlight.

The TSB calls for removal of the front bumper cover, sanding off the ridges that cause the paint to chip, and refinishing the cover as needed. The body shop advisor that I spoke to said that they could never get the front bumper exactly right, and that if they repainted it it would not hold up as well as the factory paint. He suggested that they just airbrush the chip and blend it, and call it a day.

Wait, what?

I asked him why he would say that. I said, after all, your role as a new-car dealership body shop is to restore cars back up to new-car condition, right? Then I told him that if his body shop didn't have the capability to restore it back to factory condition, they should close their doors.

As for the stripes, he said, "I don't know how we'll be able to install the new stripes without scratching them."

Again, whaaaat? This is a high-profile, reputable dealer in this city. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I then told him that, instead of telling me how everthing would be restored to the condition that I expect (new), he spent the whole time covering his ass in case it wasn't right. I then asked him what he thought I was going to do if he gave me back the vehicle and I didn't think it was repaired acceptably. Like I'll just say, okay, good enough.

I don't think so.

I've had dealers do paint work before. In fact, I bought my new '99 Cobra off the lot, over the phone. I picked it up in the dark, and the next day, to my horror, there was a chunk of fiberglass chipped off the deck lid, a huge scratch on the driver's door, and a big ding in the passenger door. When they were done with it, you couldn't tell that there was ever any work done to it. It was perfect. Bright red even, tough to match.

Anyway, I just needed to vent. Owning this car thus far has been painful.

What would YOU do it this situation?

[vroomapunk]

switch dealers, or speak to someone higher up

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

switch dealers, or speak to someone higher up

My Chevy dealer has done all the body work on my car, and they do an amazing job. Sounds like you need to

[PAUL SS]

A guy making excuses right off the bat would never see me again. His next sentence after the work was done would be "I told you so".

[Rhyder]

I woudl go to another dealer with good reviews for the body shop or request they have a outside body shop do the work. Call chevy and put in a complaint as well.

[Inuyashas_Brother]

At least he was honest upfront. Imgine if he said "no worries" and then did a crappy job.

[pincoin]

He was trying to blow you off.

[RADAR]

That sucks. I hate to say it but I kind of agree with the chip on the corner of the bumper. Nothing beats factory paint and I would just fix the chip IMO. My Camaros front clip looks like a different color in low light. But if you walk around it, it changes because of the curves.

Now as far as the dealer comment about the stripes!? I'll raise the BS flag to that one!

[JimE]

Seems like I recall the stripe installation being a known quality issue for many dealerships. Isn't that why Chevy now installs all the stripes at the factory?

Not that it should be an excuse. But if he seems to think he can't do the work properly, you should definetly be taking your car elsewhere.

[aron77]

Yeah I'd be shopping around. Maybe he is right on the chip, that seems logical but they should be able to do a stripe without problems. Hell I did my hood spears and all my other vinyl myself after never having toucheda piece of vinyl and it looks fine.

[PoorMansCamaro]

Just an fyi, if you look at all camaro's, there is a known issue that all bumpers look a shade off from the rest of the car, in certain light. People say because it was painted at a different time, and some people say because of the plastic the bumper is made of. Not sure what the real reason is, but i've noticed on just about all camaro's, that the front bumper is a shade different. Less noticeable on black and white, and more noticeable on metallic colors.

[VChula]

Originally Posted by aSSian

Just an fyi, if you look at all camaro's, there is a known issue that all bumpers look a shade off from the rest of the car, in certain light. People say because it was painted at a different time, and some people say because of the plastic the bumper is made of. Not sure what the real reason is, but i've noticed on just about all camaro's, that the front bumper is a shade different. Less noticeable on black and white, and more noticeable on metallic colors.

I believe the reason for the slight color differences that may be seen in the "plastic" pieces - bumper caps, mirrors, rear spoiler, rocker panels and gas cap door - is most likely because they are not painted at the factory, but by different outside suppliers.

[2010SLVRBULIT]

I would not have taken the car if it had those issues to begin with.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Originally Posted by 2010SLVRBULIT

I would not have taken the car if it had those issues to begin with.

I have to agree with this. If you are spending the money for a new car, then they should have delivered to you a new car up to the specifications you paid for.