This is really frustrating, but I don't want to give up.
A few years ago, I had my Fiero serviced at this tire shop. It has Mille Miglia 17" wheels that were made in Italy and extremely hard to find. I left my car overnight for a patch in my new tires, and the next day it had bent wheels and an extra ~15 miles on the odometer. I argued with the tech who said I must have hit a pothole and not noticed (even though 3 wheels are curb rashed and bent to the point where I felt it was unsafe to drive the car). This same shop had also jacked up my car by the aero rocker (cracking chunks out), then by the coolant pipe (denting it), and also punctured my leather seats.
Since then, I worked my way from that manager, to the new manager, to the regional sales manager for my state, Mark Endsley. He assured me we'd work on this until I was satisifed, then he said they'd pay for everything but the wheels if I sent estimates. I did, but I can't get a response from them since I sent the estimates. I sent photos of the damage and compromised on the bodywork that I had fixed out of my own pocket.
Does anyone know someone at ExpertTire/Bridgestone that can help? It's infuriating that they can let someone joyride in my car, smash it up, then say "it was like that" and stonewall me!
you should have gotten a police report as that would be considered theft and possibly vandlism. when you leave a car they are not suppose to take it off the lot. unfortunately since youve waited so long they have dicked you around till the statute of limitations has expired. you may be able to take them to small claims court but your gonna need damn good evidence to get anything out of it.
The car is technically in my dad's name so that might complicate things a little, and I just pulled my records and it's been a lot longer than I thought... 2009. But it looks like my state code gives 5 years for damage to property:
ยง 614.1(4) - Unwritten contracts -- injuries to property -- fraud -- other actions. Those founded on unwritten contracts, those brought for injuries to property, or for relief on the ground of fraud in cases heretofore solely cognizable in a court of chancery, and all other actions not otherwise provided for in this respect, within five years, except as provided by subsections 8 and 10. -- (subsections 8 and 10 being wages and secured interest in farms).
I just sent one more polite letter asking for compensation for just over 1/3 of the total damage, not including the body damage I already had fixed and the wheels which they completely discount.
My other snag is that they say I signed some kind of waiver acknowledging the damage when I picked the car up, but I don't remember that nor do I have it in my records. What I have is a service history that includes the 2009 and says "wheels are bent and curb checked called customer and..." (it cuts off there), as well as my original copy of the work order from that day, the top carbon copy signed in ink. I don't see any mention of a waiver.
I wish you luck. When you started backing off the price they probably figured they could ignore you and you would eventually go away. Do you have in writing where they would fix the damage? If they stated that I don't think it will run out, 5 years is how long you had to make a claim. Pretty sure you covered that if you have something in writing that they would work with you. But that said, you should talk to someone that knows the law.
Since you've been actively pursuing compensation and had a running correspondence with them, the statute of limitations may not apply, but paying a small fee for a lawyer to write a demand letter would be a good idea.
100 dollars to have a layer write a letter would likely solve much of your problems.
Brad
Ya id have done that day 2. If they tore my car up like that and even began to argue id be heading to an attorney next as it was obvious what was going to happen.
Any more i don't even take my car in for tires, let alone service. I take the rims off and drive them there in the truck. I trust NO ONE.
The car is technically in my dad's name so that might complicate things a little, and I just pulled my records and it's been a lot longer than I thought... 2009. But it looks like my state code gives 5 years for damage to property:
ยง 614.1(4) - Unwritten contracts -- injuries to property -- fraud -- other actions. Those founded on unwritten contracts, those brought for injuries to property, or for relief on the ground of fraud in cases heretofore solely cognizable in a court of chancery, and all other actions not otherwise provided for in this respect, within five years, except as provided by subsections 8 and 10. -- (subsections 8 and 10 being wages and secured interest in farms).
I just sent one more polite letter asking for compensation for just over 1/3 of the total damage, not including the body damage I already had fixed and the wheels which they completely discount.
My other snag is that they say I signed some kind of waiver acknowledging the damage when I picked the car up, but I don't remember that nor do I have it in my records. What I have is a service history that includes the 2009 and says "wheels are bent and curb checked called customer and..." (it cuts off there), as well as my original copy of the work order from that day, the top carbon copy signed in ink. I don't see any mention of a waiver.
Man I wish I had a good friend who was a lawyer.
That you signed anything may screw you, and they may even have a fine print of 'not responsible for any damages'. Attorneys are cheap for a consultation, go to one Monday.
The car is technically in my dad's name so that might complicate things a little
Correction - the car is your dad's. It's not yours. There is nothing "technical" about it. You do not own the vehicle. Your dad will be the plaintiff to get any resolution since it's his car. You're involved because you're the one who took his car to the shop for him.
Your dad needs to get a lawyer. Your dad. Not you. You have no legal claim since it's not your car.
Correction - the car is your dad's. It's not yours. There is nothing "technical" about it. You do not own the vehicle. Your dad will be the plaintiff to get any resolution since it's his car. You're involved because you're the one who took his car to the shop for him.
Your dad needs to get a lawyer. Your dad. Not you. You have no legal claim since it's not your car.
He can still ask for an attorneys advice, but i agree he cant file the suit without his dad signing the papers
...they may even have a fine print of 'not responsible for any damages'.
Sometimes they have a BIG sign on the shop wall stating this.
I always get nervous when I see this because it's their way of getting out of having to pay for accidental damage, and even vandalism and theft of a customer's property by their own employees!
I heard of a guy here having his audio amplifier stolen out of his car overnight and the shop claiming "someone must have climbed over the fence into the yard and done it." No damage to get the car open either, but they pointed at their sign, shrugged and said "sorry". That's it.
Many years ago, I had a "new to me" used car repainted (not a Fiero) and when I go to pick it up, it's OBVIOUS the guys had done a brake stand with it - shredded rubber on the lower fenders behind the rear wheels on my JUST PAINTED car!!
I pointed it out and complained to the manager and got the BS story of "someone broke into the shop last night. They must have done it." Right! I sure didn't see any obvious evidence of a break in and there weren't any cops there writing up a report. A little over a month later the car develops automatic transmission problems. Luckily, it was covered by my extended warranty.
I never just leave my vehicles anywhere. Some don't want you around and tell you it will be 2-3 hours for whatever you're getting done to discourage you from waiting ... and some shops get pissed when you say "I'll wait anyway". I tell them "that's OK. I have nothing else to do" and sit in their waiting area. And once in a while it get done fairly promptly anyway!
Fieros NEVER go to a shop except for alignment at my regular trusted shop - and I wait for that too.
Sometimes they have a BIG sign on the shop wall stating this.
I always get nervous when I see this because it's their way of getting out of having to pay for accidental damage, and even vandalism and theft of a customer's property by their own employees!
I heard of a guy here having his audio amplifier stolen out of his car overnight and the shop claiming "someone must have climbed over the fence into the yard and done it." No damage to get the car open either, but they pointed at their sign, shrugged and said "sorry". That's it.
Many years ago, I had a "new to me" used car repainted (not a Fiero) and when I go to pick it up, it's OBVIOUS the guys had done a brake stand with it - shredded rubber on the lower fenders behind the rear wheels on my JUST PAINTED car!!
I pointed it out and complained to the manager and got the BS story of "someone broke into the shop last night. They must have done it." Right! I sure didn't see any obvious evidence of a break in and there weren't any cops there writing up a report. A little over a month later the car develops automatic transmission problems. Luckily, it was covered by my extended warranty.
I never just leave my vehicles anywhere. Some don't want you around and tell you it will be 2-3 hours for whatever you're getting done to discourage you from waiting ... and some shops get pissed when you say "I'll wait anyway". I tell them "that's OK. I have nothing else to do" and sit in their waiting area. And once in a while it get done fairly promptly anyway!
Fieros NEVER go to a shop except for alignment at my regular trusted shop - and I wait for that too.
Hook up a camera on the dash and a recording device to the ODBC port. "if this is removed or the camera is covered any time during the repair, i will be suing your shop" and make them sign it.
Hmmm sounds alike a good idea for a new product... a "car repair nanny" i claim dibs on the idea
From what Ive seen on Judge Judy, your Dad can sue in small claims court.because its in his name not yours,even though it might be considered yours and you may be driveing it.Be prepaired, when it comes to small claims court,Take plenty of pictures and your paperwork.Most auto shops have insurance,Im surprized they havent settled.
From what Ive seen on Judge Judy, your Dad can sue in small claims court.because its in his name not yours,even though it might be considered yours and you may be driveing it.Be prepaired, when it comes to small claims court,Take plenty of pictures and your paperwork.Most auto shops have insurance,Im surprized they havent settled.
Why should they settle since he has shown the can stall him? They figure that he will eventually just go away.
If it was me, id be sure everyone in the area knew they were scam artists too... Make it painful.
There is always the press, some consumer action guy...
Like (Houston Texas') channel 13's late "Marvin Zindler...eyewitness news" I know kinda dating myself, but there are still some people like that in the press just dying for that kind of story.
Companies dont like the press... they are nasty and always get the last word...
The press can close them down... the court of public opinion can do some real damage... and help you get what you rightfully deserve.
While most places do have signs Not responsible for damage. it dont apply if they are the ones that do the damage. I say Im not responsible for theft and vandelism, but I am if I crash a customers cars. If you noted the damage when you picked it up, and it was in writing they ARE responsible. Im careful to check a car over for other damage, and point it out to the customer in writing before I even take the car in. Dad and you need to go to small claims court.
See if they're members of the BBB. They will file a complaint on your behalf and give them bad marks if they don't work with you. There's also small claims court, which in this case may be your best option. I would probably be inclined to tell them if they don't settle this within the next 30 days you're going to file.
I think you are SOL...... You don't wait a few years to get a repair or replacement done. If they caused those problems you needed to take care of it when it happened.
See if they're members of the BBB. They will file a complaint on your behalf and give them bad marks if they don't work with you. There's also small claims court, which in this case may be your best option. I would probably be inclined to tell them if they don't settle this within the next 30 days you're going to file.
quote
Originally posted by Nurb432:
Why should they settle since he has shown the can stall him? They figure that he will eventually just go away.
If it was me, id be sure everyone in the area knew they were scam artists too... Make it painful.
Post flyers, send emails, facebook, whatever I had at my disposal would probably be used. Including probably sitting just off their property with the damaged wheels and a big sign. Maybe blown up pics of the car damage if you took pics. Talking to their potential customers as they rolled up to the lot. I do find it hard to believe no president of the company will fix it for you. The time delayed for sure will make it more difficult, it could also show that they have been ignoring you for 3 years.
"ExpertTire Consumers Affairs - U.S. Retail Operations PO Box 6397 Bloomingdale, IL 60108 1-800-367-3872 (Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM CST) Fax: 800-760-7859" http://www.experttire.com/contact/index.jsp
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 06-26-2012).]
