car dealership liability

[mistysue]

Dh lost the keys to his car yesterday, so getting a new one involved having his car towed to the dealership and leaving it there to cut and program a new key. This evening it was ready so I dropped him off and met him at home. Just now we went out to the garage and there are huge gouges in the paint on his bumper. They were not there when I left the car there this morning. Of course I am going back when they open to complain, but is this the type of thing they care about or am I about to basically be told to buzz off? The frustrating part is I know I can't prove they did it, but they did. Now that he already drove off I am expecting them to tell me that they don't know if the marks were there before or from tonight after we left. Otherwise this car does not have any noticeable dented or scratches.

 

[POOHsie]

When I leave my car for service at the dealer, they walk around all 4 sides with a clipboard and make notes about the car condition. Not sure if they do this again when car work is complete. Perhaps your dealer did this for your car's visit.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did you see the tow truck and did you watch the driver hooking up the car?

Sometimes the scratches on the car can be matched up with parts on the tow truck.

Make the complaint.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Did you see the tow truck and did you watch the driver hooking up the car?

Sometimes the scratches on the car can be matched up with parts on the tow truck.

Make the complaint.

I agree...more likely to be the tow truck.

 

[mistysue]

While I agree it can sound more like a tow truck thing, I saw the car after the tow truck and these werent there. Plus, the car was hooked up from the back and the marks are all on the top and sides of the front bumper. There was nothing touching that part of the car when it was up there. It was pulled up onto the flat bed and traveled about a third of a mile down the street. The employees at the dealership at open said it must be the tow truck, took pictures and left them for the manager when he gets in. DH went over first thing this morning and is going to call when he gets a break. I would post pics if I wasn't on my phone.

 

[Egdisney]

Car dealerships typically have a number of cameras. Ask to look at them.

 

[wiigirl]

I agree...more likely to be the tow truck.

Yup...totally agree...dealerships are usually pretty careful since everyone blames them

 

[khaoskat]

Yup...totally agree...dealerships are usually pretty careful since everyone blames them

Not always, you do get a few shady new/used car dealers out there, and I had the misfortune to deal with one on our brand new car.

I physically watched them use a jack on my back hatch. Exactly where the hatch was being held by the jack you have two deep chips to the paint of the vehicle. Due to the fact that we had a special protective coating put on the van the touch up paint they used (after days and weeks and weeks of fighting with them) wont stay on, and just falls right off....

This was a brand new car, purchased new off a dealership lot a few months prior to this.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Once you leave the premises, they are no longer liable.
2) You must identify damage at the time of pick-up.
3) Anything can happen, but you are probably out of luck.

 

[undertheradar]

Can you prove that the damage was done by the dealer?