Arrrgggg!!!!!

[jedi]

Wanted a Vette since I was knee high to a grasshopper, finally can afford it, spent months researching and looking at over 20 Vettes. Find the one I want, pristine condition, owned by a collector, kept in a garage, very low miles, perfect inside and out, so I buy it. Dreams do come true! I am a very happy boy!

Take it to a local detail shop.......who promptly digs a huge gouge in the center console and then will not admit it. Then holds the car for ransom after I complain. Have to call the police over to get them to return it. I am so mad I could spit! I have only had the car for a week!!!!!! @#&$@#!!!!!!

 

[qwall]

sorry dude........but i bet having that vette makes you feel a lot better now, congrats on the car

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I'd be hopping mad!

I can just imagine what you are feeling right now!

What did the officer say you could do? Civil court? Had you perhaps taken photos of your new vette between picking her up and taking her to the detail shop?
Gads! My stomach is getting all up in knots thinking about this!


Three years ago I was at a friend's house horseback riding with them and one of their young horses got out, ran directly to the 78...and BIT IT in the peak of the fender!

The horse did nothing but scrape off a bit of paint, and I actually wasn't upset...because the 78 needed paint in a bad way, anyways. However, since we had the 78 painted...I park her FAR AWAY from possible harm!
Good luck getting this resolved in an acceptable manner. How much would it cost to replace the gouged piece of console?
Heidi

 

[Vettelt193]

what kind of gouge?

 

[jedi]

The officer could not do anything due to this being a civil matter (but I am not so sure, what would a traffic accident be?). Thankfully I had purchased a extended warranty and the adjuster had been out to inspect the car the day before and had taken pictures of it. I think the pics are a smoking gun with fingerprints, and I have proof of the car not being driven since the adjuster had been out the day before and the mileage matches from Mapquest. So I now have before and after pics. Hopefully the justice system will work in my favor on this.

Heidi
I know you mentioned you work in Law enforcement. Can you recommend anything? Could I maybe file a vandalism report or something?

I am just sick over this.
Jedi

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Vandalism wouldn't work...

Vandalism is intentional defacing of property, and I am pretty sure that what happened to your vette was accidental or ignorance and non-attention to what they were doing with whatever object gouged your interior piece.

I do think that because of your insurance adjuster having just seen your vette and taking photographs AND proof of no driving between photos and detail shop...that you are standing pretty good to win any court case you bring up against the detail shop for negligence.

I'd recommend calling the shop, with copies of the insurance adjuster's photos and report of vehicle condition in-hand, and advise the shop of the proof that you have against them and try to settle out of court. I'd offer to let them view the proof, but i probably would not let them have a copy of it.

*During this contact, be certain to keep it a civil conversation and DO NOT let it escalate into a confrontation!*

Would you be happy for them to pay for a new replacement and installation of such? (certainly not allowing them to do the work) If so, I'd get firm estimates on the cost and propose that solution to the detail shop. If they do not wish to be cooperative, then I'd advise them that they will next hear from you via your lawyer.
Heidi

In regards to traffic accidents: They are civil matters unless something criminal occured like DUI, drugs, high speed chase...
Officers take detailed reports for the court cases.

You may want to view a copy of the report that the responding officer wrote in reference to you liberating your vette from the detail shop. It could be helpful, or it might not have any information that would benefit you.
h

 

[jedi]

The officer did not make a report unfortunately. He stood pretty firm in his position of it being a civil matter and therefore he could not get involved. I think he stuck around to make sure it did not grow into something that he would have to get involved in.

After the way I was treated and insulted I think any chance of resolving this out side of court would be difficult. I plan to ask for not only replacement of the part (which actually is not that expensive less then $200), cost to have the dealer install it, full refund of the price to have the detail done and payment to have the local dealer detail the car correctly. I don't expect to get the new detail paid for but it gives them something to win so they don't walk away totally defeated.

In terms of the proof should I get the adjuster to sign and affidavit or have him come to court as a witness? (I want to avoid having him come to court both because he is coming from Maryland and I would have to pay his travel and hourly rate). Is a signed letter ok or do I need something else?

Check out the pics attached of before and after and tell me what you think. The guy actually tried to blame this on a dog, because he said he found dog hair in the car while he was investigating. anyway.

Jedi

 

[jedi]

And here is one before. I have better pics just not scanned yet.
Jedi

 

[evolution]

OMFG!!! It looks like they pulled a Garth on it! Repeatidly!

....you know, air drill... down the side of the car.....Wayne's Wor....nevermind. . .

 

[jedi]

Yeah, I am pretty ****ed about it. I think they did it with careless use of a vacume cleaner attachment (humm....if I was not so ****ed about it, there might be a joke there). I was just down in the garage and since they left it out in the rain all day yesterday, it needs to be washed again. There is dirt all over it and in the brake light holes from where the rain flowed off the car.
Jedi

 

[Justin_cv87]

wow, this whole situation sucks! but the before picture isnt too easy to see that it wasnt there before. you should crop it and then zoom on it or somthing. I hope you get your money so you could restore your vette at a decent place!

 

[jedi]

Yeah, I have 2 better pics I just need to scan them in. But they are much closer and count as a so called smoking gun.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I agree with Justin,

The before pic IS a little vague, but if you have better pics...then I'd say you've obviously got something here!

I think you would only need to have the photos and a signed, notarized statement (affidavit) from the insurance adjuster. As a precaution, the adjuster could make his statement at his local law enforcement center and you could request a copy of the transcript.
You could also contact your local investigators, advise them of the situation and ask them if there is anything you may have forgotten that they could suggest. I'd say you stand a 50% chance of them being helpful with your civil case. Perhaps contact the civil division...?
Just a note, if you won, wouldn't the detail shop be responsible for any of your expenses? (Maryland adjuster and his rate)
Heidi

 

[Steve92LT1]

That sucks man, sorry to hear what happened. That console part is like $225-250 new from some sources online.

I never take my cars to detail shops, do it all myself. I've heard horror stories (all kinds of them) and I dont want some punk ass 17 year old kid behind the wheel of my car (any car). I'm 22, so it's nothing against younger people, I work for all my stuff. But dumb ($5.25 an hour labor, minimum wage) kids wont be playing hot rod in my car.

Steve

 

[vigman]

OUCH

Is it just the paint...or did they dig into the plastic?


You MIGHT want to get a statement from the people that sold you the car.. stating that that mark was NOT there when you purchased it..

Get it in writing...!


Vig!

 

[jedi]

There are actual gouges in the plastic like they took a knife. But I don't think it was done on purpose. I have already gotten the previous owner and a number of witnesses to agree to come to court and testify that the damage did not exisit the day before.ad

 

[vigman]

If you get a sworn statement

and have it notarized.. they might not have to go to court...


Just a thought!


Vig!

 

[The Car Whisperer]

honestly, I would never let anybody touch my Vette! That takes all the fun out of owning a Vette in the first place. To the detailer it's just another car to clean and they probably have to clean a lot of cars in a day to make a buck. I don't think there gonna be extra careful with a Vette just because it's a Vette. I don't let anybody touch my Vette.

 

[GS Diva]

I don't think you'll have a lot of trouble getting compensation for the damage, Jedi. Lesson learned = no need to have someone detail your Corvette, or any car for that matter! Detailing well just takes some time learning all the ropes that work for you and your car. Besides, it's very rewarding to have done all the work yourself!

Elaine

 

[Justin_cv87]

punk ass 17 year old kid behind the wheel of my car (any car). I'm 22, so it's nothing against younger people, I work for all my stuff. But dumb ($5.25 an hour labor, minimum wage) kids wont be playing hot rod in my car.

hey, im gona be a dumb punk ass 17 yr old soon! :L of course, i wouldnt play with anyones car, unless they were an ******* to me!

and you have enlightend me, i didnt i that i could say ass, i always said @ss or @$$

honestly, I would never let anybody touch my Vette! That takes all the fun out of owning a Vette in the first place. To the detailer it's just another car to clean and they probably have to clean a lot of cars in a day to make a buck. I don't think there gonna be extra careful with a Vette just because it's a Vette. I don't let anybody touch my Vette.

I feel the same way! when i get a vette noone drives it but me! if some dumbass valliet parking dude trys to park my car I'll just run him over! did u see the signfeild with the valliet parking dude that smelt his car up? the hobo dude didnt even want it!