[5senna5]

Originally Posted by Wyzz Kydd

Given that I come from a family of lawyers and I can afford to file a lawsuit without spending any money other than court costs I suspect I could find a way to make them care.

It's not the mistake, I've made them myself many times. It's the dishonesty.

Implied dishonesty...

The dealership likely has an armada of lawyers on retainer, as mine does, with one in-house full time. We have zero issues going toe-to-toe with any lawyer-toating unreasonable client. (Which fortunately is quite rare) I have yet to see this tactic EVER be successful. When we are wrong we admit it and move on. Push us around? Never.

[Mov Ov3r]

Originally Posted by Wyzz Kydd

Given that I come from a family of lawyers and I can afford to file a lawsuit without spending any money other than court costs I suspect I could find a way to make them care.

It's not the mistake, I've made them myself many times. It's the dishonesty.

I believe the OP already stated in the meeting the GM took full responsibility of the actions. While this doesn't right the initial wrong it was the first step into doing what was right. The GM admitted guilt on behalf of his employee which is typically how it's done. I'm sure being fired isn't the first corrective action to be taken just like it's not with about 90% of jobs out there.

[Wyzz Kydd]

Originally Posted by 5senna5

Implied dishonesty...

The dealership likely has an armada of lawyers on retainer, as mine does, with one in-house full time. We have zero issues going toe-to-toe with any lawyer-toating unreasonable client. (Which fortunately is quite rare) I have yet to see this tactic EVER be successful. When we are wrong we admit it and move on. Push us around? Never.

Sounds like a dealership I would stay away from. It's not unreasonable to be upset that someone screwed your car up, nor is it unreasonable to be upset that they screwed your car up AND then didn't bother to tell you about it.

If you admit it when you're wrong, then you'll admit that what this dealership did was wrong, both the mistake and trying to hide it. Unless you contend there are people working in your shop who are so blind they wouldn't notice this damage?

Whether the 'tactic' is successful depends upon your definition of success. My definition in this instance would be causing a lot of aggravation and expense for the dealer. Getting hauled into court and testifying, not to mention having to meet with lawyers, pay fees etc. wouldn't be fun for them. I, on the other hand, would be laughing the whole time. I would ask for ever possible extension and drag it out as long as I legally could.

Winning the lawsuit wouldn't really matter to me.

[5senna5]

Originally Posted by Wyzz Kydd

Sounds like a dealership I would stay away from. It's not unreasonable to be upset that someone screwed your car up, nor is it unreasonable to be upset that they screwed your car up AND then didn't bother to tell you about it.

If you admit it when you're wrong, then you'll admit that what this dealership did was wrong, both the mistake and trying to hide it. Unless you contend there are people working in your shop who are so blind they wouldn't notice this damage?

Whether the 'tactic' is successful depends upon your definition of success. My definition in this instance would be causing a lot of aggravation and expense for the dealer. Getting hauled into court and testifying, not to mention having to meet with lawyers, pay fees etc. wouldn't be fun for them. I, on the other hand, would be laughing the whole time. I would ask for ever possible extension and drag it out as long as I legally could.

Winning the lawsuit wouldn't really matter to me.

Sounds great in theory...doesn’t work that way. FWIW all dealerships are heavily represented, it goes with the territory. As far as admitting wrong, ya they did... As far as the employee, it’s absolutely none of your business how he is dealt with. (As I’m sure you’ll agree... )

[Mov Ov3r]

Originally Posted by Wyzz Kydd

Getting hauled into court and testifying, not to mention having to meet with lawyers, pay fees etc. wouldn't be fun for them. I, on the other hand, would be laughing the whole time. I would ask for ever possible extension and drag it out as long as I legally could.

What makes you think they wouldn't turn it around on you and do the same thing to you.. and talking about if you won.. what about when you lose and have to cover all of their lawyers fees? Then what? Be out a car repair, and thousands of dollars in lawyer expenses?

Sounds like a lose, lose

[indyz]

Originally Posted by 5senna5

Implied dishonesty...

The dealership likely has an armada of lawyers on retainer, as mine does, with one in-house full time. We have zero issues going toe-to-toe with any lawyer-toating unreasonable client. (Which fortunately is quite rare) I have yet to see this tactic EVER be successful. When we are wrong we admit it and move on. Push us around? Never.

So you are a dealer/associated with a dealership?.

I would never have guessed. Carry on

[DaveC113]

What if... That body shop did a perfect job fixing your car and they did it today. And you'd now be driving a perfectly repaired car and not a loaner Optima and wondering what to do and dealing with insurance and reading other people's stupid opinions online.

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by 5senna5

Implied dishonesty...

The dealership likely has an armada of lawyers on retainer, as mine does, with one in-house full time. We have zero issues going toe-to-toe with any lawyer-toating unreasonable client. (Which fortunately is quite rare) I have yet to see this tactic EVER be successful. When we are wrong we admit it and move on. Push us around? Never.

When I encounter dealers that don't want to be "pushed around" I do two things: I take my business elsewhere and I tell all my friends about what happened.

[5senna5]

[QUOTE=indyz;10612180]So you are a dealer/associated with a dealership?.

I would never have guessed. Carry on

Yep, I confessed to this many posts ago where I offered a view from the other side of the issue and how possibly best to resolve it. That in subsequent posts by the OP he outlined how he then shot himself in the foot is almost comical.

[Paintslinger16]

I hope everyone has learned to do a walk around before jumping in and leaving.

[5senna5]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

When I encounter dealers that don't want to be "pushed around" I do two things: I take my business elsewhere and I tell all my friends about what happened.

There is no such thing as a dealership that’s okay being pushed around, just like you aren’t okay with it. Truth be told we are actual humans too and expect some small form of Golden-Rule engagement. The number of issues are very low, maybe 3% of customer, which is representative of the problematic people in society in general.

[Wyzz Kydd]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

When I encounter dealers that don't want to be "pushed around" I do two things: I take my business elsewhere and I tell all my friends about what happened.

Exactly. Plus social media, yelp etc.

[HDRDTD]

I get the impression that no matter what the outcome will be after the insurance companies hash things out, he'll never be satisfied.

Even if he's able to take it to his preferred body shop for an estimate he'll never be satisfied with what they say as far as the extent of the damage and what parts the OP feels need to be replaced/repaired.

Here's to hoping a satisfactory solution can be found for all parties involved.

[5senna5]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

What if... That body shop did a perfect job fixing your car and they did it today. And you'd now be driving a perfectly repaired car and not a loaner Optima and wondering what to do and dealing with insurance and reading other people's stupid opinions online.

Amen.