yeah, I understand that.

take pics of their shotty repair that show that there was an accident.
take pics of the license plate frame, etc.

do not ever, and I mean ever, talk to that service department again.

your lawyer will do that.
Acura Corporate will do that.
the news will do that.
your insurance company will do that.
the better business bureau will do that.


SIMPLE:

they say they'll fix it to your liking....
well, tell your lawyer what your liking is....

a car that had never been in an accident.

do not waver, do not believe any more lies they tell you.


Call the OWNER of the dealership, screw the service dept.
NEVER let them touch your car again, NEVER.

either get a new car, or have yours repaired at a shop of YOUR choice.


do NOT back down, do NOT give up, push this HARD.
you were screwed, and bad, and lied to, and treated like a worthless consumer.

do you like that?
of course not.
so stop subjecting yourself to it by them, and take it to them!!

make em cry!
make em WANT to give you a new car just to make it all go away.

Make them buy your car back.
Don't give up, we're all pulling for you.

 

I wonder if anyone at Acura of Westchester is watching this. Would be interesting.

I contacted Fox 5 about this they will be calling me shortly.

I filed a complaint with the NYS Attorney Generals office.

All the attorneys I spoke to regarding this matter said that they wouldn't usually handle a case like this so I am still looking. I will never fully know the extent of the damage

Thanks guys for all your support,
Dinis

 

Subscribed.

When you have a lawyer involved, they do the talking for you. If the Service peeps want to talk with you, tell them they can talk with your lawyer.

 

Just spoke to corporate again to update them on what happened today and they basically said that for me to receive compensation it would have to come out of the dealers pocket considering they cannot force a dealer to provide it, it is out of there jurisdiction to make them repay me for loss in vehicle value. They did send a copy of my complaint to the manager and I made it a clear point I am looking to receive compensation for loss in value specially considering I was planning on buying out the car. I am having a hard time finding an attorney who wants to handle this for me. Anyone who would be able to help find a good attorney in the NYC area (YONKERS OR WESTCHESTER county even) would be awesome!

Thanks,
Dinis

 

Contact your insurance company immediately and give them the whole story including that you have retained a lawyer. They have their own legal staff which represents you and them. As far as you're concerned, the vehicle is still damaged despite the dealer's pitiful attempt to repair it. They will have advice on whether a police report is needed or not.

 

What did your auto insurance say about this?

 

Hello,

I still have not contacted them since it is under my fathers name. I am awaiting his arrival at home.

Thanks,
Dinis

 

Stop trying to work it out with the Service dept. They didn't try to work it out with you in the first place. So now... Put as much pressure as you can on them through other means (cops, insurance, etc) to get more than what you want; compensation, fix your car to perfection, make them piss their pants, ruin their reputation and some other things.

 

calling the news station was a good idea, but maybe a tad premature. although, if you can't find a lawyer soon, then strong public opinion in your favor can help

 

He said the best he can do is fix it to your liking? When there is a judge involved, it's no longer his decision.

 

like i said, take pictures, then tell them the following--

1. either repaint all the damaged parts again correctly, or provide a full bumper replacement at no cost
2. documents they may have internally of what they exactly fixed
3. haggle some sort of extended warranty for either the entire car, or for everything they touched or whatever might've been possibly damaged.

sure, they may fix it. but what happens if something comes back and haunts you 1000 miles later and they refuse to do anything?

make them accountable now. you have leverage. use it.

 

wow this isnt even my car and im livid right now.

id go to that fucking dealer with a bat and fucking demolish one of their cars.
ooops it was an accident, sorry nothing i can do for you guys.

lol, i know thats not the right thing to do, but i would be sooooooooooo friggin mad.

I dont understand how corporate tells you that they cannot do anything for you. Umm excuse me, a dealership crashed your car, lied to you, and took it to an incompetent body shop.

Wow, im mad for you.
Make sure you update us every 30 seconds.

 

^^^See, I totally agree with the above post.

It's not my car, but oh god am I mad... oh so mad.

and it's not even my problem.
I fear what I would do in that situation, my temper isn't very controlled.

I might even make it personal with the service guy...


that's why I say let everyone you contact be the ones to contact the dealer for you.

Get your Father involved, read this thread to him too.
Every word of it. I hope he's as angry as we are here.

 

hey im from white plains and bought my tsx from westchester in january. My oil chnage light came on last week and made an appointment with them for next week but now i am thinking about taking it to curry instead but i won't get the free loaner and wash. But the sales at westchester is great but i do not know about their service.

 

Hello,

Yes, my father is angry as well. They called me to update me on the original problem (transmission issue) and told me it was being worked on today and it would be ready by tomorrow. They also told me that it would go to the body shop to fix the defects and I could go over if I wanted but I am not going to go. Whenever they call me I am going to refuse delivery until I am compensated for this. They are also now telling me if I need a clutch that I would need to pay for it (why would I need a clutch on a car with 20k miles and I honestly baby the hell out of the car!).

Its been 1 week and a half since I dropped it off and up until last friday (when they told me it was damaged) they claimed to be waiting for parts but I am sure it was buying them body shop time.

Will post again.

Thanks

 

ant3821: Curry Acura also screwed me over by having one of there techs leave the oil drain plug loose and caused the oil to pour out in a hotel parking lot in Yonkers, NY.

 

really, i don't like curry that much. When i was looking for the car i went to them after westchester to see if they could do a better deal and the guy was like there is no way that they would offer this deal so me and my cousin walked out , the guy thought we were lying and was being an ass. So a week later they call me and are like are you still interested in the car, and i was like i already got it from westchester and the guy was like o really. Then i went into curry like 2 weeks ago while my tints were getting fixed in yonkers to look at the new tsx. And i was asking questions about the new tsx and i was like i don't really like the back and inside of the new one i like old one better. And the salesmen closed the door and was like you have no idea what you are talking about, and i was like is the car faster n he was like hell yea. Meanwhile the new tsx has only 200 hp. so i will never go back to curry because they are assholes. But i have to say westchester had a great sales department as soon as they saw me looking at the car they asked me to test drive before numbers and everything.

 

Honestly, I do have to say that Acura of Westchesters sales dept. is great! Much better than Curry I feel.

Thanks,
Dinis

 

Let this be a lesson to us all that if a dealer ever says, "There's a minor scratch, but don't worry we'll fix it," that it's a signal for us to get down there and look at the car before they do anything.

 

ant3821 sounds kinda like a mole that works for Westchester Acura...

 

dude, i would be livid.

i don't understand why no lawyer wants to take your case? is the ny laws different? you need to consent to ANY repair. it doesn't matter what.

if no lawyer wants to take the case, you can rat them out to the BBB and the news channel. if the damage is that extensive, you do not know how bad the original accident was. they also denied you every way they could showing you the car so you can't see the damage.

if no lawyer will take the case, have your insurance company involved. obviously, the accident was not your fault. the dealership denied you due process, denied your insurance to estimate damage and get compensation. i'm sure they know a few good lawyers. file lots of complaints with the BBB so the dealership has a running file.

try looking up lawyers who specialize in auto accidents. hope things work out for you dude.

 

Show up at their dealer without warning and demand that you see your car immediately, and demand to have them remove the bumper cover so you can examine the parts underneath. Check for rebar damage (or replacement).. that should be very easy to spot. Check to see if that styrofoam bumper thing was replaced (a used one looks dirty). It's pretty easy to check the severity of the frontal crash by looking behind the bumper cover.

From w hat you described, it sounds like they messed up the front, front quarter, and all of the side as well.. usually a crash like that is very severe and could count as a write-off.

Just remember, a van backing into your car will not cause damage on the front, front quarter, AND side.

 

Tomorrow I am going to look for attorneys regarding this matter more in depth. They claim the only reason so many panels were painted was due to "blending issued" and it was only being done so it would blend in well yet they left the hood untouched.

I don't think the front bumper was damaged much of my aspec kit since I remember scraping it and they just repainted right over it so I don't think it was so severe on the front (other than the plate frame being bent)

Thanks,
Dinis

 

While a very angry situation, unfortunately I think you and the dealership agreeing on compensation is going to be very difficult:

- you'd like the car back the way it was very the accident and repair. What's done is done, that will never happen

- you want perhaps a 'new' car. Well, there's no way they'll give you a truely new 09 (even a leftover 08) for your 07. If they could even find you a used 07, similar to what you had, would that be better? At least with your car, you know it's history.

- if you really wanted a different car, the best you might be able to get is for them them to give you full bluebook value for your car assuming there was never any damage, which you could then apply to the best price they'd give you for a new car. In effect, they'd be eating the cost for the lost value. Of course, you'd have to pony up some money, since I'm sure there's a big gap between the value of used 07 and a new 08 or 09

- you can try to ask for an extended warranty, but I think that's mostly for electrical and mechanical problems. From what you've described, I don't think that's going to benefit you much, since your current issue is bodywork-related. It wouldn't hurt to ask for this: there's a big markup on it to consumers, so the net cost to a dealer probably isn't that much. Make sure you get an real Acura warranty, which you can use at any Acura dealer, since I don't think you'll want to come back to this one

- you can try to ask for cash compensation for the reduced value of your car, but you'd need to find a good estimator, and then reach come compromise between your value and what the dealer provides as their estimate. You might try to add on some amount as 'punitive' damages, since they lied to you about the entire thing.

While a lawyer might be benefical, and potentially easier on you (since they'd handle everything), it's only cost effective if the extra compensation they'd get for you covers whatever fee they'd charge (my guess, probably a percentage of your claim). Unless they could successfully lobby for significant punitive damages, it's questionable whether a lawyer would be worth it.


Please keep us apprised on your situation.

Jeff

 

Dude...the whole situation sounds really fishy.
Call the cops get a report and def. call the insurance company.
Your going to get screwed on this if you don't take instant action.
I would def. not let the dealership touch your car anymore.

 

I have a feeling that there's an MDX/RDX owner wondering "What happened to my rear bumper?"

Minivan? The only MINIVAN that should be near models would be the Honda Odyssey they use to take people around when they drive the car around...so i'm not sure. But here in Ottawa, they park the cars on the back wall but when you come in, you leave them on the side, where anyone can park.

I hope it works out for you man, but i find it hard to believe that a minivan backed up into it in an Acura dealership, but there's no word on asid minivan? I still stand with you got hit by an RDX most likely and that's what happened as someone was taking it into the service bay.

 

I really suspect that a crime has been commited if the car is damaged while in their possession, they mislead you as to the circumstances or the extent of the damage, don't repair it properly (from your description),... Wow. You might want to have your insurance company inspect it in person. And stuff.

Acura corporation (Long Beach, CA) will be a mediator, or arbitrator: How about your insurance company as mediator. Or a lawyer. Someone interested in protecting your interests looking out for them, sound good to you?

If nothing else, was ANY written notification made to you of damage? Was it all verbal?

What IS it with these dealerships in NY/NJ. They can't all be bad, but geez based on some of the anecdotal stories I read here, I wouldn't buy a dill pickle from one, let alone an premium marque vehicle.

 

They notified me and it was all verbal.

I have had bad experiences with two acura dealers

 

Okay, giftmonster, I've read up this thread (didn't notice page 2). STOP AND LISTEN. Have I got your attention? Some of us are older than you, we're not trying to condescend, but give you pointers based on past experience in these things.

DO NOT LET THEM MAKE FURTHER REPAIRS UNTIL YOUR INS. COMPANY CAN INSPECT IT. Any further repairs made by them make adjuster appraisal difficult. Basically ... covering up their damage to your car, so it's harder to determine the original extent of damage. (And it sounds like they have willfully and with premeditation lied about the extent of damage to forestall any action by your or your insurance company.)

STOP TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. Every time you do this, you're giving ground and granting them reduced liability. ("Well, sir, the owner called us on such and such day and granted us verbal consent to ".) Let your dad to it, or your insurance company. For one, it doesn't sound like they've yet told you WHO hit your car ... another customer, or...? Was your car in motion, or at rest? WHERE did this happen?

ASK YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THIS FOR YOU. Stop letting the dealer service department wheedle verbal consent from you as it sounds like they've been doing for a week. (In fact, I'd fax them a signed letter forbidding them to make any more repairs or changes to teh vehicle. Call after faxing, confirm that they got it, and hang up. )

DO YOU HAVE COMPREHENSIVE COLLISION COVERAGE? If so, don't you think your insurance company will want to be involved and determine what repairs are needed? For instance, you file a claim for this collision, take it to a body shop they refer you to, and pay your $100 or $500 ... the insurance company's not going to foot the rest of the bill out of the goodness of their heart, as you were not at fault (weren't even near the car or in possession of it). They're going to recover those costs from the liable party. ... Do you see how letting the dealership (the "other driver") get concessions and permission from you to do a "buddy" repair is making this worse? Don't feel bad about what's been done so far, just start getting smart about how this is handled going forward....

IS THEIR A LIENHOLDER ON THIS CAR? Most loans require you have comprehensive insurance coverage. Ever wonder why? They own the car, that's why. They require that it's maintained and covered, so if they (gods forbid) have to repossess it, they can liquidate it at something like the true value. If it's messed up, their property isn't worth what they've got outstanding on the loan. So ... you think the bank wants the front end caved in, and then covered up with Bondo by a shoddy dealer? I ... don't ... think ... so!

ASK FOR ALL MECHANICAL REPAIR ESTIMATES IN WRITING. You said something about teh tranny on a 20,000 mile car requiring work, something with the clutch needs repair at your expense ... dude, that powertrain's still under factory warranty, just what the hell could be broken that's not covered.

IF YOU STILL CAN'T FIND A LAWYER, ASK THE NEWS STATION CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPORTER FOR RECOMMENDATIONS. I'm sure s/he will know of lawyers who take cases for wronged consumers. (Ask your insurance company if a lawyer would be well advised, or will they handle all representation and reimbursement, or just handle the repair.)

CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Or drop by. Ask to speak with an investigator, with an eye to seeing if any violations have occured. You might need a police report for your insurance company (when I scratched someone's car in my lot, it was question #3 or #4 during my initial call, "was there a police report made").

FINALLY, TAKE EVERYTHING WE SAY HERE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. We're scattered across the states, with different laws, and different experiences (not to mention depth of knowledge/experience). Don't fight a PR war before you've even tried the normal paths (police, ins. company) you'll appear to be a problem-maker. It takes 5 mins for someone here to urge you to do something that could actually hurt your case. Don't jump in the river just because we tell you to do it.

As I'm sure you've grasped, the dealer service manager's claim that this is "no big deal" is 100%, industrial strength, military grade . Stop representing yourelf, and get professionals in your corner to represent you.

 

Are you on a lease? What lost value would you have if you're on a lease? Just don't buy the car at the end of the term.

 

If he's leasing it from one dealership, and another dealership pulled this stunt ... hoo-boy! Watch for fireworks. (BTW, arent you supposed to notify the leasing dealer in the case of any collision?)

 

Right when this happened I sent out the final payment to buy the vehicle out so I am waiting for a title.

The accident occurred at the same dealer I got it from.

Thanks,
Dinis

 

...

You have DEFINITELY got to stop pussyfooting around and call your insurance company PRONTO. And keep us up dated ... this is more entertaining than TOP MODEL.

 

In that case, definitely go after them!

 

Honestly hiring a lawyer will probably cost you more than any compensation you will get from Acura. Once you figure thier fees it doesn't take many hours to really add up. If they get a percent of the damages they realize there is not much to be had and so they will not be interested.

If you do some quick research on KBB of the value of your car before and after damages you might find about $1,300 in reduced value depending on the exent of the damages. Here in TX in small claims court you are entitled to up to three times the actual damages. Given the way the dealership has acted a judge might be inclined to award double or triple damages. But you have to prove you have been damaged, probably not too hard. Go to CarMax and have them give you an estimate. I'd definately get a police report as that would document the event to the court.

Really sucks and best of luck.

 

I would be livid too, in fact I am livid thinking about it. Just think about this, they F'ed up, and they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes. IMO, you need to tell them, CEASE ALL work on the car IMMEDIATELY. Arrange to pick up the car, if it won't drive, use a tow truck. Take it to an independant shop and get an estimate on the damage done.

File a police report for FRAUD. This is not a matter of them crashing your car, it is a matter of them LIEING to you.

After all of this has been done. Take the quote for repair work + estimated devaluation of your car due to their "accident" to them and offer them to pay that total cost. If they do it, accept the money, say "Thank you for paying, F*ck you for lieng" and walk away (with the check). If they won't pay, sue them for all costs of the entire situation, towing, repairs, warranties on repairs, whatever... + legal fees.

You won't get a new car out of this, you really only can hope to get your car fixed at their expense + whatever your car is devalued by being in an accident.

 

Also, I forgot to mention... if you say you want compensation, that means to them "I want money". That means "ok, we just have to settle on a price to pay this off" and they enter salespersons mode of trying to settle the deal. This is not what you want, this is what they do every day as car salesmen, it is their bread and butter. You want to make it clear to them that they F'ed up and you hold all the marbles now. When they ask you what you want, you should be saying something like "I want to go back in time and never have let you f*ck up my car."

 

why the hell are YOU waiting so long to do something? call your insurance! get them involved. it doesn't matter if it's under your dad or whoever. let them know who you are and whose insurance you're under. i'm sure they'll still be able to help you regardless if you're under your parents insurance. get that police report done! i don't see why you're taking so long to do something. you've got nothing to lose, really.

 

all i can say is.. GOOD LUCk...

i will def. sell them back the car if i can. and get a new car (not acura, at least, not from them)

 

Unsolicited -- never say fsck you until AFTER you've cashed a check (and it's cleared). It only costs a few $ to say "fsck you, back" by cancelling it, and then you have cancelled check charges from your bank to contend with. Saying this kind of stuff feels good, but it's short-lived.