What if there never is a top fix?

[SonomaJohn]

Parts came in late today so we will see how it comes out Monday. It is a nice sunny weekend here and we had planned to go up the coast. Oh well��

[bulllett]

Originally Posted by 95birdible

If that is a tactic they are trying to do they are opening themselves up to lawsuits galore.

^^That's part of my "before I go any further". If they do attempt this position, then we would have to take it to the next level. Believe me, an angry stubborn Polack is just as bad as an angry stubborn Irishman ( @ Jason).

Originally Posted by SonomaJohn

bulllett

I have the name and direct phone number of the case manager (or whatever they are called) in Customer Care. I called her directly after the dealer informed me of GM's position on the repair. She repeated exactly what the dealer told me that they knew I had something in the trunk that blocked the top or it never would have broken and this is the last time they will pay for the repair. I explained that this is a well documented problem with the top that GM has repaired for a good number of customers and in some cases have replaced the entire top. She then told me that they have never replaced a top and this is the last time they are going to do the repair under goodwill. I don't know who the tech rep is with these highly tuned psychic powers so I have not talked to him or her directly.

I have not heard from the dealer yet today so I don't if they will be done with the "repairs" today. I will let you know..

John

Ah gotcha, John. Yeah, this is actually a bit of a relief. Looks like you got a peon level jackass who's trying the "Its never happened to anybody else" angle (a very common strategy in the auto business - hell in many businesses, lol). Little does she know what she is dealing with. You'll be fine if the top blows out again. You WILL need to push the issue (blow by her bullshit and demand further authority).

I'm relieved that she took that tact and not a position that "we have others who have had this problem and its their fault etc". I would strongly suggest that you get in contact with Jason on here and get the addy of Al Oppenheimer (sp?). Then simply write him a quick note on what you just told us (hell cut and paste it) and then put something in to the effect of, "and this is how our problem is being addressed. Unsubstantiated, ignorant claims blaming the customer and disavowing any knowledge of a SUBSTANTIATED problem". I know it sounds kind of weak to 'fire off an angry letter!" But believe me, they can get results.

Guys, this is the benefit of sites like Camaro.5 and the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/groups/226942550693692/). They can no longer just bullshit us and leave us stranded. We now have ammunition to work with here. I guarantee you, John, that should you need substantiation, many on here will rush to you help you with valid proof.

Ruh roh, I think you are getting me fired up

[95birdible]

An angry Irishman with Jewish blood in me. Not a good combo when my temper gets boiling!! But in this case it could be.

If you need an email address to voice your complaint about what the field rep said just hit me up on the Facebook site. Al O. is on Facebook so what I have done in the past is just send it there.
I got your back John along with everyone on here and the 111 members on the Facebook site.

[debilouobxers]

One year anniversary on owning my vert coming up in a few weeks. I'm on the second bow#5 now. Hopefully the last one. There are a number of service bulletins that have come out on the water management bag. I would recommend everyone take their verts in to make sure that everything is checked out. Also, my dealer takes my car to an independant ragtop specialist since they, at the dealer, are not properly trained on these tops yet. So make sure your dealer has trained service people.
Only other problem I experienced this year was the tonneau cover taking flight - twice. the first time it flew over a hill on an interstate. GM replaced it for free. It has been redesigned/tweaked, but did not help. The 2nd time, we were able to retrieve it. Both times going 70 mph, passing a truck on a bend. I now use my back seatbelts to hold the cover on when on trips. I still luv this car!

[bulllett]

Originally Posted by debilouobxers

I now use my back seatbelts to hold the cover on when on trips.

Lol, because the designers were not paid enough to make it stay.

[JRsRS12]

Hey folks, add me to the long list of convertible owners with the dreaded rub marks or "contact spots". Found two small areas last Thusday. The 2012's may be a little improved, but not perfect by any means. I called my salesman and left an voicemail...he did not call me back. Called him again on Friday, I was told he was busy with another customer...Im getting a uncomfotable feeling now. I called another very large dealer in Oklahoma just to see if they were aware of the top problems, and had experience fixing them. The two guys I talked to in the service department were CLUELESS about this very well known quality issue. I asked them to look up the TSB, they found it and told me there's a part to install, and to bring it in for the fix. I was at their dealership a couple months ago picking up a part and noticed a convertible in line for service, the back of the top was so messed up, it looked horrible. I've got to get this logged in and fixed, but the two contact marks are so minor, don't want risk messing it up more because they havent got enough experience fixing these tops.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by debilouobxers

Both times going 70 mph, passing a truck on a bend. I now use my back seatbelts to hold the cover on when on trips. I still luv this car!

How do you use your seatbelts to keep it on? I've been trying to imagine how to do that since I first read this yesterday. If possible, could you post a picture or a description of how you do this? I'm worried about mine blowing off.

Thanks.

[debilouobxers]

Originally Posted by Lee123

How do you use your seatbelts to keep it on? I've been trying to imagine how to do that since I first read this yesterday. If possible, could you post a picture or a description of how you do this? I'm worried about mine blowing off.

Thanks.

My husband thought I was crazy when I first suggested this, but I opened the trunk and pulled the seatbelts back over the cover. the buckels fit in the opening to the trunk. And then I close the trunk. I have clips on the belts to keep the slack to a minimum. Gives me piece of mind that if the cover does come loose, there is less of a chance of it flying off and possibly injuring someone behind me. As soon as I get to my destination... I open the trunk and let the belts reposition in the back seat. Easy.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by debilouobxers

My husband thought I was crazy when I first suggested this, but I opened the trunk and pulled the seatbelts back over the cover. the buckels fit in the opening to the trunk. And then I close the trunk. I have clips on the belts to keep the slack to a minimum. Gives me piece of mind that if the cover does come loose, there is less of a chance of it flying off and possibly injuring someone behind me. As soon as I get to my destination... I open the trunk and let the belts reposition in the back seat. Easy.

That's a great idea. I'll have to try it tomorrow when I have some time to play with the car. I tend to drive pretty fast at times, there a spots in the state where everyone on the freeway is going 85, and I was worried about it blowing off. The replacement price is outrageous (I think I saw $250 or something like that) and if it hit a car behind it would cost a lot more even if it just scratched the paint. I would think GM would be REAL worried about this. Sooner or later one of these is going to cause an injury accident, possibly a fatality, and there are a lot of lawyers who would love the chance to sue GM for a few million. They actually run ads here saying "Had a Wreck? Want a Check?"

[debilouobxers]

Originally Posted by Lee123

That's a great idea. I'll have to try it tomorrow when I have some time to play with the car. I tend to drive pretty fast at times, there a spots in the state where everyone on the freeway is going 85, and I was worried about it blowing off. The replacement price is outrageous (I think I saw $250 or something like that) and if it hit a car behind it would cost a lot more even if it just scratched the paint. I would think GM would be REAL worried about this. Sooner or later one of these is going to cause an injury accident, possibly a fatality, and there are a lot of lawyers who would love the chance to sue GM for a few million. They actually run ads here saying "Had a Wreck? Want a Check?"

I told the GM rep just that and emphasized the liability of an accident. We had the car up to abt 100 on an open road and it did not fly off, it was passing a truck both times... like a vacumn sucked it right up.

[SUX2BU]

I have a new SUX2BU fix! Working on the write up now. This one has a lot of potential! I wouldn't be surprised if GM copies me again and makes this their official fix like my last fix.
Here is my first fix www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153498, Here is my second fix http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...postcount=1058

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by bulllett

^^THIS concerns me greatly. Did you speak to them directly? Do you have any names if so?

This is a known problem and we are being patient with a fix. If this is as it seems, it could be a new tact to divert the problem onto the customer. It is a strategy that they may use (again, IF it is as it seems).

It goes something like this; the problems that are occuring are the result of the customers putting too much in (or improperly loading) their trunks. This allows the framework to misalign because it cannot close properly. Thus generating everything from the rub marks to waterbag malfunction.

Yes, I know this isn't true, but I could see that being a strategy that could be used to deflect.

Boy, if they are attempting to use that angle, they........well, before I go any further with that thought, what says you John?

The term GM uses now is: "Customer Enthisiasm". They paid some word-smith to cook that one up to blame the customer for anything they don't want to fix. Should have taken the money from that guy's salary, and hired an engineer who had actually seen a convertible sometime during his life.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by Bonanza7

The term GM uses now is: "Customer Enthisiasm". They paid some word-smith to cook that one up to blame the customer for anything they don't want to fix. Should have taken the money from that guy's salary, and hired an engineer who had actually seen a convertible sometime during his life.

I'm sorry, but could you explain this a little more? I'm confused. How does GM use the term "Customer Enthusiasm?" Am I correct in thinking "enthisiasm" is a typo and you meant "enthusiasm"? I worked for a big international corporation that used plenty of double-speak and they did make up words, so that's a sincere question. Do they say, "Failing to fix their tops will ruduce customer enthusiasm" or did they make up the word "enthisiasm" to mean too much junk in your trunk? I'm honestly puzzled.

[Bonanza7]

Originally Posted by Lee123

I'm sorry, but could you explain this a little more? I'm confused. How does GM use the term "Customer Enthusiasm?" Am I correct in thinking "enthisiasm" is a typo and you meant "enthusiasm"? I worked for a big international corporation that used plenty of double-speak and they did make up words, so that's a sincere question. Do they say, "Failing to fix their tops will ruduce customer enthusiasm" or did they make up the word "enthisiasm" to mean too much junk in your trunk? I'm honestly puzzled.

Customer Enthusiasm is their recent term...stated by my dealer...that the customer is not taking care, and causing the problems. Go figure how they got that one, but the dealer was scratching his head also. Sort of like saying a 5 year old got excited and spilled his ice cream.