Problems with a Dealership

[trshman]

Before buying my car in the middle of December 2000 I wanted it checked out. Due to the Holidays appraisers I'd used before couldn't or wouldn't take the job so I resorted to using a local Pontiac dealership in Las Vegas.

After they found only minimal problems I bought it and had it trailered in. When it got here we found the carb leaking so badly it needed immediate replacement and the front end was worn enough to require rebuilding it and those are just the highlights.

The only credentials I can offer regarding my mechanics is that one is Master Certified by ASE and been in business locally for about 30 years and the other has been doing frame off restorations locally for 25 years and has a great reputation. For whatever it's worth he was used by Miami Vice when it was being filmed here to build their cars.

The dealership claimed ignorance. I called GM/Pontiac headquarters but got the run around. It still ticks me off and if anyone has any suggestions on what they'd do I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Bob G.

[trshman]

Before buying my car in the middle of December 2000 I wanted it checked out. Due to the Holidays appraisers I'd used before couldn't or wouldn't take the job so I resorted to using a local Pontiac dealership in Las Vegas.

After they found only minimal problems I bought it and had it trailered in. When it got here we found the carb leaking so badly it needed immediate replacement and the front end was worn enough to require rebuilding it and those are just the highlights.

The only credentials I can offer regarding my mechanics is that one is Master Certified by ASE and been in business locally for about 30 years and the other has been doing frame off restorations locally for 25 years and has a great reputation. For whatever it's worth he was used by Miami Vice when it was being filmed here to build their cars.

The dealership claimed ignorance. I called GM/Pontiac headquarters but got the run around. It still ticks me off and if anyone has any suggestions on what they'd do I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Bob G.

[Glenn]

Your complaining now 1 1/2 years after the fact? The only legal recourse that you might have is go to Las Vegas and file a small claims action. Not to likely since you're in Florida.

It sounds like a good excuse for a vacation. Tax deductible. You propbably could do all the filing through the mail. :D

[trshman]

Glenn,
I didn't wait for 1 1/2 years without doing anything. At the time I went as far as I was willing to go legally and then dropped it. I've been through a big litigation once and once is enough. I learned that being innocent doesn't matter, being right doesn't matter, taking action to get justice or because your pride is hurt because someone screwed you are the worst reasons to do it because it'll cost you 20 times whatever you were trying to get back and if you still decide to go for it NEVER, EVER try to do it long distance.

No I paid my money, took my chances, and frankly I'm glad they didn't screw up worse than they did. Nothing they missed made me sorry I bought the car.

What I'm ticked about and what I was hoping to do was get suggestions on how to get a complaint in front of someone at Pontiac that will listen, even pretend to listen.

I mean it was really disappointing to get the brush off from a company that makes a product you've loved most of your life and yes, I figured if I had any chance at all of getting anything back it would be if Pontiac believed my story and put some pressure on the dealership to do the right thing but I couldn't even get someone to listen and that's not right, not from Pontiac. I mean you just gave me more attention than they did.

Anyway thanks for listening and thanks for the response.

You have a good one,
Bob G.

[HANDSEL]

I don't understand! How old is the car? How much did you pay? What kind of car is it? If it's older than 10 years old you have to expect those kinds of things. Seems that they are very minor things for an older car. Maybe if it was a new car Then I would be pissed! If it's an older rear wheel drive Pontiac I could rebuild the front end and the carb for under $500. If you paid over $5,000 for a car you didn't see in person, That was mistake #1. If anybody I would blame the person who sold it to you. The only thing a dealer is good for is changing the oil and washing the car (MAYBE!!!).

[ May 22, 2002, 12:52 PM: Message edited by: HANDSEL ]

[sviguy]

spilled milk gathered some moss?......chin up & smile.....what came around, went around.....never fear, you will always get it, in the end :rolleyes:

[dallas]

If you still want to get some action you can call one of the local (network affiliate) TV stations. Channel 13 (ABC) has a program that runs all the time that takes complaints about local businesses, does an investigation, and puts the whole thing on TV if things aren't resolved.

I believe each of the other network affiliates do the same. Ch.13 702-876-1313; ch.8 702-792-8888; ch.3 702-642-3333.

You'd be surprised at what they get done.

As far as GM goes, that's really disappointing. Shows what a bunch of suits think of their most loyal customers. Or, maybe they don't like us if we haven't bought a "new" Pontiac in the past 4-5 years. :(

[TheTempest]

Originally posted by RG:
so I resorted to using a local Pontiac dealership in Las Vegas.


Thanks in advance,
Bob G.[/QB]<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Bob,

Therein lies your problem....if you're talking a 60's vintage (or even early 70's) Poncho, then I doubt any of the "technicians" (what they used to call "mechanics") were anything more than a gleam in their daddy's eyes when your car was built. A carb???? Whatsa carb? I didn't even know they built cars with drum brakes on *all* four wheels....or more appropriate for my neck of the woods....I ain't ne'er seen one a them before....