Broken strut.. and then.. broken windshield!
Broken strut.. and then.. broken windshield!
So.. somehow I blew my front left strut.. I brought it in to San Rafael Mitsubishi in the Bay Area.. and it when I picked it up, there was a big crack through the center of my windshield. I talked to the service writer when I got there and she agreed that the crack wasn't there beforehand.. and that the chip in the windshield was fairly fresh. She said that she'd call the glass people out in the morning to have it replaced.
This morning I call and was transferred over to the parts manager. He said that the chip was pre-existing and that leaving it out in the sun caused it to crack in half. They're trying to get me to file a (faulty) claim against Caltrans to have it paid for. Alternatively, they're pushing me to file it under my own insurance.
This is BS... Do you guys have any advice on how I should handle this?
This morning I call and was transferred over to the parts manager. He said that the chip was pre-existing and that leaving it out in the sun caused it to crack in half. They're trying to get me to file a (faulty) claim against Caltrans to have it paid for. Alternatively, they're pushing me to file it under my own insurance.
This is BS... Do you guys have any advice on how I should handle this?
So... I went back to the dealership and thought.. "well, I can't really prove that it's their fault... and they can't really prove that it's my fault.. so maybe we can compromise and agree to split the cost 50/50."
I talked to the owner of the dealership and he was unwilling to compromise. He understood my perspective of the situation.. He understood that he would be able to retain my business for $250 (half the cost of the windshield replacement)... but none of that mattered. He stood firm... his dealership was not responsible for safeguarding my car from damage.
Their unwillingness to compromise on this situation shows that they care less about retaining a customer than they care about money.
I bit the cost of the replacement, $580, and will avoid doing business with San Rafael Mitsubishi again in the future.
I talked to the owner of the dealership and he was unwilling to compromise. He understood my perspective of the situation.. He understood that he would be able to retain my business for $250 (half the cost of the windshield replacement)... but none of that mattered. He stood firm... his dealership was not responsible for safeguarding my car from damage.
Their unwillingness to compromise on this situation shows that they care less about retaining a customer than they care about money.
I bit the cost of the replacement, $580, and will avoid doing business with San Rafael Mitsubishi again in the future.
Trending Topics
yeah definitely. My brother used small claims court to file a case in which he was selling an ipod and the guy said he did not receive it but the usps had tracking that it was signed for by someone else in his family. If you have substantial evidence it is worth a try. I think the only evidence you have is to try and talk to the service writer and ask her to sign in your favor. if not get a tape recorder while you approach her. Dude, I would fight this to the ground. Its the principal of the matter, not really so the price. Or you can go through BBB, that has always worked in the favor of the consumer. Just my .02 cents. GOOD LUCK!
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Central Cali
Ive read many threads regarding Mitsu dealer being up tight and horrilbe service. My experience with both San Jose Mitsu dealers have been good so far. You might want to consider going to another dealership as well. What youre going through is totally BS!! I cant believe the dealer wont even compromise.
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Igloo
Did they document the chip on any paperwork when you dropped the car off?
If the windshield was chipped when you dropped it off, then the crack was obviously unavoidable. It would have just happened to you later that day.
If the chip was not there, then sue the dealer. While they are in custody of the car, they are responsible for reasonable care of the car.
Edited to add:
50-50 deal? If you dropped off a car without any chip on the windshield, then they return it with a crack they are 100% liable! If you had knowledge of a chip in the glass when you dropped it off, and the chip led to a crack, then you are 100% liable.
If the windshield was chipped when you dropped it off, then the crack was obviously unavoidable. It would have just happened to you later that day.
If the chip was not there, then sue the dealer. While they are in custody of the car, they are responsible for reasonable care of the car.
Edited to add:
50-50 deal? If you dropped off a car without any chip on the windshield, then they return it with a crack they are 100% liable! If you had knowledge of a chip in the glass when you dropped it off, and the chip led to a crack, then you are 100% liable.
Last edited by binarysleep; Jul 5, 2008 at 11:19 AM.
