Should I expect compensation?

[Leajess99]

I would balk too if you expected me to cover your lunch. Eating there, at that time, was YOUR choice. You can NOT expect that to be covered and there would be no legal reason it would be covered. That is all you.

AAA took care of your towing. That is a part of the service. I really think you are reaching when it comes to wanting that money as well. That is why you HAVE AAA.

And many companies and employees would stop speaking to you when you start the threats. Threatening people is not the way to get what you want most of the time. Good luck. I doubt they will now be willing to work with you and will do it line item and not do anything beyond what they are required to do.

Also, once she sends a letter on attorney's letterhead they will be done talking to her as she is now represented by an attorney as far as they are concerned.

OP, I'm sorry it happened but unless there is a warranty on that vehicle than you are lucky if they are not charging you for the fuel pump. They could not know the fule pump was going to go out on the vehicle and as you said yourself they can go out at any time and usually do without warning.

 

[bumbershoot]

The BBB is not much more than a glorified directory. They hold no power to actually do anything except record complaints, which anyone can make for any reason.

And yet each time we have complained via BBB's website about a company, that company (even if not a member of BBB) has responded *immediately*.

 

[disneymarie]

I purchased a 2007 Chrysler yesterday. Drove it about 20 miles or less yesterday. This morning loaded the kids in and headed out for a "day trip" to Boston. While in Boston without warning (no lights, sounds, etc) the car died! Just stalled out and would not start....The dealer was not open today

This is the inconvenience I suffered:

It was hot out. AAA took almost 2 hours (A complaint will be made to them as they promised me a 30 minute "priority" tow). The kids and I were stuck on the side of the road in Boston this entire time.

I had to take a taxi with three kids to a rental car agency (Taxi ride-$32)

I had to buy Starbucks for lunch as there was nothing nearby ($23.00)

I had to rent a car (DON'T EVEN ASK!!!!) I choose a small, ecomony car, but without a coupon code and in Boston, it was super expensive

I fully expect the car dealer to reimburse me for the taxi, tow (which was covered by AAA but counts against my yearly allowance) lunch, rental and to obviously fix or replace the vehicle.

Am I being unreasonable?

Been there done that with the Chrysler/Plymouth cars. well before they went to Germany for remake. I just had put so much money into the pit, then dfather bought ds the dodge with the same tranny and engine. I was sick, more money into repairs, off the road more then on....

I would trade it back in and buy a reliable car that you can depend on. There must be at least a 30 warranty unless it was a private sale then it is SOL. I hope that things work out okay, but really consider just dumping it..oh do a carfax too....we had one once the mileage was screwed with

 

[disneymomoftwins]

At some dealerships they are told that once a lawyer is involved (or even a letter from a lawyer) the employees are not allowed to deal with the customer at that point.

People are too quick to jump the gun and assume the worst. I work in a car dealership in the service department. I can assure you that you will get more with kindness than with demanding or threatening!!!! At the most you might suggest that you get a free oil change out of this deal. If you didnt buy an extended warranty (which I am sure it was offered to you to buy) that was your choice and your mistake.
Things happen and everyone is not out to put things over on other people. If you sold your used refrigerator to someone and it was working when they bought it. One day later it went out and ruined all of the stuff in the refrigerator, do you think you would be liable to reimburse them for the things they lost?
Please be patient and dont over react.

 

[phamy76]

Boy, you're a piece of work!

First THREATENING! Then LYING and using your employeer's letterhead for something that is NOT their business.

I hope you don't lose your job over this, too.

 

[NYCDiane]

You can also mention your state's Attorney General's office of the Office of Consumer Affairs. I wouldn't let these thieves get away with anything. Make sure you get every single penny back plus a little more for your troubles!

 

[Hoopfamily]

You probably won't get reimbursed for the lunch by the service manager, however....Talk to your salesman. They hate to lose money, present or future. Tell him he needs to do something or you will do your best to make sure that he personally never gets business from anyone you know. Ask for something they can give also, like free oil changes for 2 years, free tire rotations things like that. Companies can absorb those losses easily.

 

[andymattmom]

You can also mention your state's Attorney General's office of the Office of Consumer Affairs. I wouldn't let these thieves get away with anything. Make sure you get every single penny back plus a little more for your troubles!

Her car is fixed. She is not entitled to 'more for her troubles'. This OP is one of those who'd go on Judge Judy and want emotional distress and pain and suffering for all she went through. The towing she won't be out of pocket....so no money there. The lunch she'd have eaten anyway with her kids so why should the dealership pay for their lunch. They were on a 'day trip' so that means they would have eaten out anyway. The other expenses...taxi and rental can see getting that but nothing more.

OP...I honestly hope if you took the letterhead without your bosses permission you get it serious trouble. What will happen if the dealership contacts them and your boss finds out you went behind their back (which I imagine you did because I can't see an attorney saying all these expenses would be covered)? You could and should get dismissed from your job.

OK...I am a court show junkie and there was a similar case on Peoples Court a few weeks back. Mom worked for attorney and daughter had car issues. Mom sent letter on letterhead to the person who sold daughter car (I can't remember if private party--believe it was) and the person contacted the attorney. Mom and daughter were suing for car damages and loss of earnings for mom---WHO WAS FIRED FOR USING COMPANY LETTERHEAD WITHOUT BOSS'S KNOWLEDGE. It was one where it was an as is sale so they got nothing.

People are so sue happy in this country and think they are entitled to money for every little thing. I can see the dealership covering some of the legit out of pocket but lunch for a family of four is pushing it and the "little extra' the quoted person suggests is silly.

OP please update on what you get and if you honestly had your bosses permission to use letterhead...if you did makes me wonder what type of attorney would even write a letter for something like this (the lunch expense and AAA which you are NOT out of pocket on). You are not to 'earn money' on this which is contract...you are to be made whole. Yes, you were put out on a hot day.....but you weren't the only one this happened to.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

lemon law or not, she still has three days to cancel the contract. Op, every minute you waste, you're throwing your rights out the window. Keep waiting and you'll be stuck with this car and whatever car payments you might have.

Check our your state lemon law. Get to the dealer now and cancel the contract!!! Keep waiting? You'll be the proud owner of a piece of junk that will probably need thousands of dollars of repairs to get it going.

Not every state has a 3 day right to cancel the contract. Have you been reading? Many of us have pointed that out to her. She needs the law for her state not yours!

 

[MickeyManiac]

 

[kt_mom]

At some dealerships they are told that once a lawyer is involved (or even a letter from a lawyer) the employees are not allowed to deal with the customer at that point.

People are too quick to jump the gun and assume the worst. I work in a car dealership in the service department. I can assure you that you will get more with kindness than with demanding or threatening!!!! At the most you might suggest that you get a free oil change out of this deal. If you didnt buy an extended warranty (which I am sure it was offered to you to buy) that was your choice and your mistake.
Things happen and everyone is not out to put things over on other people. If you sold your used refrigerator to someone and it was working when they bought it. One day later it went out and ruined all of the stuff in the refrigerator, do you think you would be liable to reimburse them for the things they lost?
Please be patient and dont over react.

I agree! My DH is GSM at a local dealership and has to deal with service customers a lot as well. I know he says the ones that come in there demanding and threatening get nothing. But he is usually more than willing to do what he can to help the ones that ask nicely and are reasonable.

If a car is sold as is and you declined to purchase an extended warranty then you are lucky that they are doing the repairs for free. They have no obligation to do so. Buying a used car with no warranty comes with risk. And you opted to take that risk. Honestly I don't the dealership owes you anything.

AAA towed your car which is what you pay them for. I would complain to them about the time frame and try to get a credit for their poor service but that's between you and AAA. As others have mentioned the dealership owes you nothing for your lunch. And certainly not for any kind of troubles or suffering. Again, purchasing a used car with no warranty carries some risk and you opted to take that gamble. You lost. You are getting your car fixed for free though. Next time purchase a warranty.

Personally I hope the dealership gives you nothing other than fixing your car since they've already agreed to do that. This whole mentality of they owe me is what drives up prices on everything for everyone else.

 

[dumbodame]

KT mom....

I work at a dealership and COMPLETELY agree with everything you just said.

A used car is sold "As Is." If one of our customers comes in with a problem and is considerate and reasonable we will bend over backwards to help them.

If the OP were to come in here and make threats as she admitted doing we would do nothing for her.

The OP could get a lawyer, but the dealership knows that on every used vehicle there is a sign or sticker that clearly states "As Is"...it is required by law....she would have no recourse against the dealership.

As far as losing her business....the dealership won't be too concerned about that. When a customer is THAT upset and unreasonable there is nothing you can do to please them. The dealership would rather lose their business than have to put up with them. I know it sounds harsh but it is true. You wind up spending more money to keep them happy than the profit you make from selling them cars.

Every used vehicle that we put on out lot is thouroughly inspected and any items that need fixing are taken care of.

Unfortunately, a fuel pump CAN go out at any time, and it gives you no real warning signs.

I feel bad for the OP, but she went too far with her demands and threats.

 

[disneymomoftwins]

UPDATE (Sorry, I don't know how to change my title)

I'm faxing (on my employers letterheard (an attorney) my expenses tomorrow and expect payment asap



I am interested in finding out how this works out for the OP!

 

[dzorn]

OP be aware that if you you use your employers letterhead without their knowledge you are misrepresenting the firm and I would not be surprised to be fired because of it.

Denise in MI

 

[Bob NC]

.

 

[Terk-1]

 

[daughtersrus]

I agree! My DH is GSM at a local dealership and has to deal with service customers a lot as well. I know he says the ones that come in there demanding and threatening get nothing. But he is usually more than willing to do what he can to help the ones that ask nicely and are reasonable.

If a car is sold as is and you declined to purchase an extended warranty then you are lucky that they are doing the repairs for free. They have no obligation to do so. Buying a used car with no warranty comes with risk. And you opted to take that risk. Honestly I don't the dealership owes you anything.

AAA towed your car which is what you pay them for. I would complain to them about the time frame and try to get a credit for their poor service but that's between you and AAA. As others have mentioned the dealership owes you nothing for your lunch. And certainly not for any kind of troubles or suffering. Again, purchasing a used car with no warranty carries some risk and you opted to take that gamble. You lost. You are getting your car fixed for free though. Next time purchase a warranty.

Personally I hope the dealership gives you nothing other than fixing your car since they've already agreed to do that. This whole mentality of they owe me is what drives up prices on everything for everyone else.

KT mom....

I work at a dealership and COMPLETELY agree with everything you just said.

A used car is sold "As Is." If one of our customers comes in with a problem and is considerate and reasonable we will bend over backwards to help them.

If the OP were to come in here and make threats as she admitted doing we would do nothing for her.

The OP could get a lawyer, but the dealership knows that on every used vehicle there is a sign or sticker that clearly states "As Is"...it is required by law....she would have no recourse against the dealership.

As far as losing her business....the dealership won't be too concerned about that. When a customer is THAT upset and unreasonable there is nothing you can do to please them. The dealership would rather lose their business than have to put up with them. I know it sounds harsh but it is true. You wind up spending more money to keep them happy than the profit you make from selling them cars.

Every used vehicle that we put on out lot is thouroughly inspected and any items that need fixing are taken care of.

Unfortunately, a fuel pump CAN go out at any time, and it gives you no real warning signs.

I feel bad for the OP, but she went too far with her demands and threats.

My DH also works at a dealership. I agree with what both of you have said.

The customer has the option to purchase a warranty. If they choose not to, they have to pay for the cost of the repairs.

Also, once she sends a letter on attorney's letterhead they will be done talking to her as she is now represented by an attorney as far as they are concerned.

.

At the dealership that DH works at, once they are contacted by a lawyer on behalf of a customer (letter, fax, phone call...), they are done dealing with the customer. From then on, all communication is between their lawyer and the lawyer that represents the customer.

 

[rockydek]

I would be upset if a car I just purchased ...broke down while I was spending quality time with my family...However, the car was fixed for free...Lemon Laws are for NEW cars.
Some states have a Lemon Aide Law for used cars....
If you cannot obtain an inspection sticker within 7 days you would have rights...In Massachusetts...RI not so sure.

Lunch and towing (paid for by AAA) is unreasonable to ask for compensation.

 

[kt_mom]

Masachusetts has a Lemon Aide Law...Used vehicles that do not pass inspection within 7 days from purchase may be returned.

I don't know about Rhode Island...However If they don't help you..I would contact the Attorney General,'s Office , BBB etc...

Good Luck!

The OP has already stated that the dealership is going to fix the car for her. So there is no point in contacting anyone. The dealership has gone above and beyond and asking for anything additional is just greedy.

Purchasers have the option of buying an extended warranty when purchasing a used vehicle. If you decline that option then you buy at your own risk. You may save a few bucks on the purchase but end up having to pay for repairs down the road its your choice.

 

[rockydek]

The OP has already stated that the dealership is going to fix the car for her. So there is no point in contacting anyone. The dealership has gone above and beyond and asking for anything additional is just greedy.

Purchasers have the option of buying an extended warranty when purchasing a used vehicle. If you decline that option then you buy at your own risk. You may save a few bucks on the purchase but end up having to pay for repairs down the road its your choice.

I posted before I finished reading.