Dealer dropped my C5 off lift -- need advice

[Gman]

Just wanted to offer my support to Barnetdh. This situation sucks and I hope everything comes out to your satisfaction. I do think you should bring this to a conclusion quickly. The dealership knows that time has a way of softening resolve and right now their only expense is the spot where your car is sitting. The pressure brought from this forum is exceptionable and noble, but one thing it isn't is local. I don't know that legal action would be a prudent recourse in this situation. It's expensive and time consuming and may not get you where you want to go. But, it probably wouldn't hurt to seek counsel if only to help recognize your options. In any case, the stance that the dealership has taken is very disapointing and while dealerships are independent, I really think GM should be taking a hard look at this situation. While it was by no means the fault of GM, they certainly should be concerned about the treatment their customers are receiving, I know I would be. I don't think your request for a C-5 of equal or greater value is unreasonable, but you will have to prove that your car is " unrepairable " and the dealership has a " professional " saying that it can be repaired. I think you have no choice but to work with your insurance company on this and trust that they give you proper advice and direction. I wish you the best of luck!

Geeez, I hope if I ever get in a jam there will be folks around like the members of this forum getting my back!

 

[Edmond]

Geeez, I hope if I ever get in a jam there will be folks around like the members of this forum getting my back!

We sure will!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Tom -

The entire body wasn't damaged. There's a big scrape on the rear panel, the front wheel wells and panels are completely shattered, the hood has delaminated and can't be closed, the windshield is cracked, and one of the rear tires looks out of true.

- Dave

Based on the above, I'm going to guess that the car is repairable.

That said, getting it fixed properly might be a bit of a challenge, both from the standpoint of dealing with whatever insurance entity is going to eventually accept the claim and the quality of the work itself.

The scrapes, shattered panels, busted hood, etc are basically body damage that can be fixed by a competent collision repair facility. The rear tires which look out of true could be bent suspension parts. It's important that, if the car is repaired, that all rear suspension pieces be checked for condition...control arms, knuckles and the rear susp. cross member.

As for the cracked front glass...if that is from shock, momentary deflection of structure or debris hitting it during the accident, there's no problem other than replacing the glass. On the other hand, if the glass cracked because the structure of the A-pillar or cowl structure were deformed, that might present a significant repair problem. Whomever assesses the extent of the damage needs to check that over carefully.

A friend with another C5 told me that there are slots in the C5 frame that are used to lock it in place on the lift, that must not have been used.

Your friend is not correct. Those slots are only related to lifting in that the Corvette frame adapters, used to prevent damage to the portion of the door sills that wrap under the body, fit into those slots. Those slots are not used to lock a car onto the lift.

I'd need to see what kind of lift was used, but my guess is this shop accident occurred either because the car was improperly positioned on the rack or the lift failed and the safety locks also were not working properly.

 

[theblackvette]

My discussion with Barnetdh!!!!!

Hello all!

Over the weekend I spoke with Barnetdh over the phone. I wanted to talk with him directly and know the guy a little better. If you will, "humanize him."
I find Barnetdh to be a charming gentleman who is very patient. It is clear that he is in complete disbelief as to why the dealership is "surprised" at the way he is acting.

It is most fortunate that this dealership did this to such a patient individual as Barnetdh. If it were my car they did this to, they would have had to escort me out of their dealership due to my mouth and I would be required to return to the dealership in the presence of a deputy sheriff. How dare they question Barnetdh's feelings!!!!! Their actions are inappropriate. I don't know how Barnetdh is able to compose himself but I respect his well mannered personality.

Barnetdh described in more detail the damage that was done by the dealership on his Corvette. The damage described is hardly what you would call minor. The dealership wants to repair the car. Anything is repairable, but that is not what Barnetdh desires. He desires a replacement vehicle which it appears that the dealership is not interested in doing, but were a few days ago. I am not really telling you anything new here as Barnetdh has stated this before. All I am saying, is that after getting to know Barnetdh more personally, I am even more apalled at the way this dealership is treating Barnetdh.

After talking with him, I think it is time for Barnetdh to start making some decisions. I highly recommend Tom Byrant's way of dealing with this situation. I find that settling with his own insurance company will be best. Perhaps, getting blue book value for his car. At the same time, he should contact different agencies and let them know about how he is being treated at this dealership. Examples being local TV stations and the Better Business Bureau. Before he makes his final decision I still recommend he attempts to contact the owner. They owner may not even be aware of what is going on. This may be his last hope for the dealership to get a replacement. If he has no luck, then yes he should try to get his insurance company to give him blue book value and proceed to let others know about their business practices.

I still want to be optimistic, but I think it is time for him to make a move and get this behind him. We will see what happens.

Barnetdh is going on a business trip and will be giving us updates in a couple days or so. At this time they want to just repair the car. Hopefully, they will change their tune and replace his car.

Maybe we can help him find a replacement car in his area and when he gets his blue book value we would have found his new baby!!!!!!

Thank you for helping him out and any other helpful info would be appreciated!!!!

Best regards,

the blackvette

Sunday morning (6/6) I'm headed off to Washington DC, will be back Tuesday night. I won't be back online until Wednesday AM

Stewart's insurance carrier (Century) will be calling me with the estimated cost to repair on Wednesday. I've already told them about the replacement deal that I want.

Both the body shop and Stewart's are pushing hard on the repair route. Stewart's told me that the oil drum they had under the car broke the fall, and then it tipped over and my C5 rolled on it until it came to rest, so the damage is not as bad as I think, and it didn't really fall very far. I wasn't there, and I don't trust these guys about anything.

The body shop says they use the Genesis alignment tool, and can detect any frame problems or other damage, guaranteed. Both the dealer and the body shop are "very surprised" at my lack of cooperation. I talked to the manager of the body shop, and mentioned that I was getting advice from this forum. He did one of those big ho-ho laughs, like that was the funniest joke he had ever heard."I've been in this business for 20 years. Those people don't know anything." Yeah, right. Who should I trust -- a guy who stands to make money off this, or my friends?.

This whole thing just makes me sick.

 

[cruzer99]

I have been following this thread for a week now and truly feel sick that this so call GM representive (call a dealer), is doing this to a customer. I have one suggestion reguarding the cost of replacing the car, do not settle for Blue Book Value, shop other dealers for a replacement that is as close to yours as possible and take that to your insurance, dealer, lawyer or who ever to show what the true replacement cost is and what you might consider as a fair settlement. I'm sure the price you find at local dealers will be more than the KBB assuming you can find one close to what your was.

Good luck, we are all behind you.

 

[LowGMCSierra]

I can't believe what is happening to this poor guy. I had my wife's Sunfire at the local GM dealership for a recall. Somehow the tech that worked on it put a small dent in the hood. All it took was a call to the service manager, and they had my car booked in right away to fix the damage. I can't imagine them not wanting to replace a car that fell off a hoist. What if there is some hidden damage that they don't find, and an accident is the result. It seems to me that the dealership being cheap now could cost them a lot of money in the future. All I can say to Barnetdh, is if this car is fixed, it should be at the bodyshop of YOUR choice that you trust, not the one the dealership convieniently picked. Seems a little suspisious that they so quickly got this car to a bodyshop they picked. I would feel much better if a bodyshop that you trust makes the decision as to if the car is repairable.

 

[theblackvette]

Edmond!

Thanks for helping spread the word!!!! It appears to be working!!!!

Dave,

I have posted threads on:

www.glocktalk.com

Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum

www.toyotanation.com


I had to save the pics on my computer because CAC won't let you view pics unless you're a member. The Toyota Nation guys are car junkies like us and I think a lot of them are located in CA so hopefully they'll spread the word.

 

[theblackvette]

Welcome visitors!!!!!!!

Another thing why it is absurd to have this car "repaired" is this car will be devalued. When you sell the car it won't be worth what a non-wrecked car would be. Who is gonna eat the devaluation? The owner will.

THANKS to all for helping out!

I also want to welcome all the visitors from other sites here!

Please by all means join CAC and voice your opinion!!!!!

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!! THE MORE THE BETTER!

I have been following this thread for a week now and truly feel sick that this so call GM representive (call a dealer), is doing this to a customer. I have one suggestion reguarding the cost of replacing the car, do not settle for Blue Book Value, shop other dealers for a replacement that is as close to yours as possible and take that to your insurance, dealer, lawyer or who ever to show what the true replacement cost is and what you might consider as a fair settlement. I'm sure the price you find at local dealers will be more than the KBB assuming you can find one close to what your was.

Good luck, we are all behind you.

 

[Bob_K]

Wow, talk about a show of support. I don't think I've ever seen a thread hit the 14000 view mark. Looks like this one should do that tomorrow! I guess we can all imagine how torqued we'd be if we were in this posistion. I'm with BlackVette, I'd need to be escorted out of the dealership. No doubt in my mind. My lawyer may even find out as he's explaining to the sherriff that no I'm not really dangerous and if let out I wouldn't torch the dealership. I wish I could learn such patients!

 

[G WIZ]

This situation has captured the attention of so many. I have thought about this alot lately. I have come to the conclusion that this basically comes down to one thing; Greed. The dealership cannot do the RIGHT thing because of their overwhelming desire to satisfy the bottom line. It is a classic good vs. evil/little guy vs. corporate America battle. Unfortunately this has caused me to realize (once again) that the almighty dollar is the one in control of so many of these situations. The dealership would probably do the RIGHT thing only if money were not involved or only a very small amount of it. Again, I think I would let the greedy (insurance) battle with the greedy (dealership).

I hope you get what you deserve out of this situation. Thanks for keeping us updated and let us know how things turn out.

 

[Tonys Torch]

WoW im SICK too!

I've also been away for awhile now and i have recieved emails from The Blackvette on this thread and about giving support to one of our fellow Corvette owners. I've read most of these posts and will go back to read the rest, i was hoping to come to a page in this thread saying "Car replaced"!!!!!

I haven't found that post yet, AND its the only solution to this problem.. There's NO way you should except a repaired car of ANY type that has been dropped like that or treated like this. All emotional feelings aside about our cars, but this is a GLASS car and that means even more things could be wrong NOW and later.

I agree with others saying get an attorney, I also would press the local TV stations about this issue. I read where you said its not gone to that point YET!

But it has gone to that point when they ONLY want to repair the car and NOT replace it. I would be pressing for the 01 Vert if thats the car you like and its one they have on the lot. Forget about replacement cost... it gets into more than that when you DROP a car off a lift. I just couldn't be as calm about this as The Blackvette says you are. all i can say is "your too good of a man" for the dealerships sake about this.

It seems im late on giving answers and all i can do is also write them. i will do that, please keep us updated.

I say ONLY replace the car, NO repaired car would make me happy.

TV stations will make them rise, i guaruentee this....... I wouldn't settle with the insurance company unless all you want is the 16 or 17 grand. That wouldn't make me happy. The attorneys would already be on this for me, and i wouldn't trust NO dealership that doesn't care if your happy with only the solution is repairing the damage. You have no idea how this car actually dropped, how far and you know they were scrambling to make it sound and look better after it happened.

Im also glad no one was hurt and i feel for the guy who was in charge of this car on the lift.

REPLACEMENT, REPLACEMENT ONLY...

Take care. T. T.

 

[Tonys Torch]

One more thing

To add from the previous post... i think you said at one time they would give you like 17 grand off a new Vette? If your in the mood for a new Vette, financially too. Well i would tell them i want the 17 grand off for my wrecked car plus another 12 to 13 grand off. As alot of deals are going on now and in my town 13 grand off a new Corvette can be had. Depends what you want and can afford.

Just thoughts, starting over with a new one, new warranty and being in the low 20's owed on a new one would be nice.

let us know.. thanks T.T.

 

[poorboys831]

Just like new??????

I had my '97 in for 40,000 mile maintenance, and the dealer dumped it off the lift while changing the oil. They are not being very cooperative in making this right. My car must have fallen 6 feet -- they want to replace the body and paint it, and give it back in 3 weeks "as good as new" Anyone have any ideas on how to get them to make this right? Is there a district manager for California dealerships?

------Let me tell a long story with the short version.I had a '97 that had a bad rear bearing.The dealer was not good at locating the problem and brought in a rep from Bowling Green.# days later the problem was located and thru arrbitration Chevy bought it back.Sounds goog Huh?-I put in my order for a new one-by that time '98 was gone so I ordered a '99.After I got home I got a call from a guy near Bethesda Md.,who had just purchased a '97 from a Jeff gordon dealership.My dealer was a Rick Hendricks one.The buyer wanted to know why I sold my car-They told him it was a trade -in.I asked him if the car vibrated real bad at about 100 mph. and he said he didn't know as they delivered it the night before( 1 week after they came and got mine)-I ,of course, told him the story. The next day I got a call from him and he asked me if I could hear the noise in the background-it was the dealer flatbedding his car away----The morale to the story is don't trust the dealer call bowling green and have them make the decision--hope this gives some insight-- Keep wavin'

 

[Edmond]

Edmond!

Thanks for helping spread the word!!!! It appears to be working!!!!

BV,

The guys at Toyota Nation are quite disgusted with it. Most of their suggestions fell on the legal action and don't settle for anything less than a new car category. I'll post a link to that thread.

BTW, has anyone posted a thread like this on the other Vette' forums? That would mean even more Corvette owner exposure.

 

[Erik S. Klein]

I posted to Digital Corvettes (http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16191).

They seem pretty perturbed over there too. . .

 

[Scott Winebarger]

:nono OK I am a reasonable guy, lets all go kick their ......:booty

I sympathize with you. I just sat here and read 16 pages of this , wow..

I agree with all of you !

 

[crash1mac]

posted on corvette forum for all to see lets overwhelm them maybe even park several hundred vetts in front of dealership picketing them
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=835976

 

[invinceablevett]

The dealer says they can fix it.Right?....Well having it fixed will mean loss of resale value therefore my decision would be to call my favorite lawyer and have him fire away......Sure it would cost some money but I think it would be money well spent.......I think a good lawyer could manage to find a low mileage C5 to trade the dealer with for their "mistake".....What happened to "YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT "?.....It is sad to see a GM dealer reacting the way they have.I hope the weekend made them realize how much this bad publicity could cost them.

 

[worldsoldestcorvette]

Extra Squeaky gets the Tweaky

A friend of mine has a friend named Jay. I'm a little uncomfortable around Jay because he has some unusual habits...Anyway, having saved up and bought a new C5 (red/oak), Jay noticed there was a small recall that needed to be taken care of.

Making a long story short...the dealer put the lift in the wrong place and broke into part of the body panel. He showed Jay the "little" problem and said it would be fixed and painted right away. Good as new, he said. This was like lighting a fuse on a stick of TNT right in the dealership.

Jay said there was no way and don't even talk about fixing it, get a new car, right now. As he stepped closer to Jay, the service guy didn't know about Jay and his unusual bent towards "all things perfect". As Jay began screaming "GET THIS GUY AWAY FROM ME", the whole dealership became very quiet...

Again to make this short...Only a new car would do. They offered to talk about it on the spot if he would just calm down.

When the new car got there they called and said come get it. Jay went to pick it up and noticed it had 500 miles on it and would not accept it. They knocked $10,000 off the price if he would take it. He did. He's not stupid.

I'm waiting for when he wants to sell it. Jay takes such unusual care of his stuff it will be better than new.

woc.

 

[Rain]

I see this isnt a first drop of a vette by a dealership:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=672102