WHAT TO DO?! Dealer drilled license plate bracket into bumper!

[Taser Deployed]

So glad we don't have front plates in Louisiana.

[Russell James]

I'd order a '13 and there better be something in compensation for losing 6 - 8 weeks of use of an awesome ZL1.

No way would I accept a car that someone drilled holes in.

Or maybe something creative, keep this car and they order another ZL1 and swap that front fascia on when it comes in.

[HDRDTD]

Why not just ask the dealer to replace the front bumper. They should be able to order one and get it painted for you while your still driving the car.
Once th enew one is painted, have them install it, then take a close look to see if the color matches the raest of the car.
If it does to your satisfaction, then all is well and good. If it doesn't you still have the option to refuse the car.

[AKA]

I would take the repaint by the dealer. The paint on these cars is so thin from the factory it chips off just looking at it. The dealer is going to put a much thicker coat on. There are articles out there describing why the bumper paint does not exactly match the rest of the car so gm knows this anyway. Your car will look better in the end because the dealer needs to make you happy. Take a few and look at the paint and body lines from the factory. Definitely not going to win a paint award and my bumpers stick out further than the body. Just speaking from experience with having paint work done at dealerships. It looks better.

[ZoomZoom]

I would tell sales manager a and b to take the bumper off and stick it in their hole. There are still some people who just don't give a care. What a bummer.

[closs2sx]

have the dealer or a good shop paint the bumper and hold it to cure then apply clear bra then put on car in the mean time clear bra the rest of the car minus the nose

[SlingShot]

The prep guy made a mistake, after all he is human. Let the dealer fix it and move on. After you start driving that bad boy you'll forget all about it. Also the dealer can get a painted front end from the factory, I'd go that route.

[adamgl]

Take it home and drive it. Make them replace the front end with a new one. Make sure the paint matches exactly, too.

[Ryanbabz71]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

The prep guy made a mistake, after all he is human. Let the dealer fix it and move on. After you start driving that bad boy you'll forget all about it. Also the dealer can get a painted front end from the factory, I'd go that route.

Pretty big mistake, even as the OP said the dealership doesnt install them on vettes or camaro's.

I think you only have a few options

1. Have them fix it (multiple options on how to fix it)
2. Leave it as is
3. Walk away

[97SS]

From what I was told by the dealerships, is that it is there responsibility to install the front license, since it is illegal to not run one. Basically, if its not installed and you get a ticket, you can throw it back onto to the dealership, since it was never install.

Regardless, I know you said you asked them, not to install it. But I personally find this thread to be hilarious. Having a Front license plate holes in your bumper, shouldn't bring any regret to your 60k purchase, as you've said. If it does, you need help.

[TheHorse13]

If your state law requires a front plate then the dealer, by law, must install one. If they told you anything else, they just lied to get you to purchase the car.

[JLambCWU]

Install is one thing, DRILL is another! I had my dealer use double stick tape that comes off pretty easy to get mine by "legally" per WA DOT law, until I can put a hidden flip plate on it.

[mdmoore23]

They should've never done that without your permission. The Ford dealer I used to work at used to have us drill and install tag brackets on every car that came in excluding Mustangs. I thought that was so dumb especially since it was in Georgia, where you don't even have to have front tags. Make them make it right.

[sspddmn]

Thank you for everyone's input. I can't just walk away from this deal as the dealer I purchased it from would not do a courtesy delivery unless I agreed to pay for the shipping of the vehicle back to them if for some reason I didn't take the car. That's $1500.00. At this point I am going to see if the following is possible:
1. They order a bumper that's factory painted
2. They fix the bumper at a body shop of my choosing and take care of the cost of the clear bra for me

Thanks everyone for your input and sympathetic responses. I just hope the dealer will step up and satisfy me on the resolution of this problem.

Originally Posted by 97SS

From what I was told by the dealerships, is that it is there responsibility to install the front license, since it is illegal to not run one. Basically, if its not installed and you get a ticket, you can throw it back onto to the dealership, since it was never install.

Regardless, I know you said you asked them, not to install it. But I personally find this thread to be hilarious. Having a Front license plate holes in your bumper, shouldn't bring any regret to your 60k purchase, as you've said. If it does, you need help.

I used to work at a dealership. Cars with a "built in" (i.e. the C5 corvettes) or designated spot i.e. pre-drilled holes from the factory, yes it is the dealers responsibility to put on the license plates. If they do not and the dealer has to "drill" into the bumper thus damaging the original factory appearance, then dealers are refrained from doing so unless at the request of the customer.

I don't regret my purchase but I specifically asked them not to put it on. And when you drop this much money on a product, you expect them not to do a simple thing you asked them to do. And no I do not need help. I am reacting like a normal consumer would after paying this much for a car.

Originally Posted by TheHorse13

If your state law requires a front plate then the dealer, by law, must install one. If they told you anything else, they just lied to get you to purchase the car.

I am a L.E.O. in California and I disagree. State law does require a front license plate but the dealer is not required by law to put it on.