Dealer dropped my C5 off lift -- need advice

[theblackvette]

What is this all about Blackvette?

This is about letting others know about this story who do not often participate on the internet! It is about letting others know about how a General Motors backed dealership damaged a customers car and they want to "repair" it and give it back to the owner when the owner is clearly concerned about safety and devaluation of his car.

You will see here the flyer that was developed. A number of people actually have been already following the story. Even, those who do not have corvettes have seen this story on other automotive forums. Those that did not know about this were in complete disbelief and expressed the exact same concerns that most everyone here has presented!

This flyer was handed out not only by me, but by others. Many discussions were started and people had a lot to say. I don't need to repeat what they said. It is exactly the same thing stated on the 30 pages on this thread.

If you would like a printable copy of this flyer that you see at the end of this post, I would be happy to e-mail it to you. Just private message me or e-mail me at theblackcobrasnake@yahoo.com and I'll send it to you. Anything you can do to spread the word can make a difference and it would be greatly appreciated. Print 1, 5, 12, 100's of them. It doesn't matter. Just telling at least one person about this is appreciated! Bring the flyer to your local cruise-in, your auto clubs, or anywhere! Bring it to your friends!

Personally, when I park my corvette and I see another corvette parked I place the flyer on their windshield and one on the cars parked on the right and on the left! It doesn't matter the make or model. All car owners should be concerned. Thank you for your support in speaking out and trying to help encourage some people to do the "right thing!"

Best regards,

theblackvette

 

[TheBlueVette]

Yeah, I know. Maybe I'm making a mistake. What makes this hard is that this is really an issue about customer satisfaction. Neither GM nor Stewart Automotive shows any indication to me that customer satisfaction is an issue with them. GM distanced themeselves by saying this is an independent dealership, and it's between me and the dealer. The dealer said this is an issue between me and the insurance company. I have learned a lot about the attitudes of those involved.

Paul Montalbano, the owner of Stewart Automotive, is making a business decision that I find puzzling. Of course, it's his business, so he can do what he wants. I don't understand why it is so important to save a few thousand dollars on this one incident at the cost of the bad publicity. This thread has been read over 56,000 times, and people in car forums all over the Internet have read about Stewart Auto, and how they are dealing with this. I got a call from a friend in Florida yesterday, who said people he met at a car rally are talking about the dealer who dropped the Corvette.

I've received dozens of emails from people right here in the Bay Area that said they would never take their car or do any business with Stewart's. Personally, whenever the subject of cars comes up, I have a story to tell about a local dealership. Stewart Automotive, and GM, are firmly establishing their reputations in acting the way they are.

Frank Fragomeni, the general manager of Stewart's told me that this is only the second time they have dropped a car off a lift in 29 years. If this were my business, I would write off the cost of replacing a car every 15 years or so, in order to establish good will with customers and let everyone know that I stand behind my work.

Stewart's is not choosing this path of "doing right by the customer" as far as I am concerned This could have been an opportunity for them to let thousands of people know that they care. I think that the path they have choosen will end up costing them $100,000's of lost business over the years. People know: this is the dealership that dropped the Corvette.

This is a lose-lose situation. Didn't have to be that way. Actually, it still doesn't. Despite their protests about how difficult it was to find a replacement C5, a five minute search on the Internet turned up a red '97 with 45,000 miles on it for sale a couple of miles from here. But it's difficult to negotiate with someone who does't care.

- Dave

 

[jedi]

Hey Blackvette, That's really neat that you put together those flyers for barnetdh. Yet again you have shown what a great group of people we have here at CAC. You might add more credibility if you had barnetdh's real name instead of his screen name on those flyers. It could be something like "John Smith AKA barnetdh on corvetteactioncenter.com". Just a suggestion, but thanks for supporting our fellow enthusiast.

Jedi

 

[Edmond]

Dave,

This really sucks. I can't understand why they won't write the car off and get you into something else. Okay, they'd be hard pressed to find a 97' in the same condition. Why don't they offer something like a 98' or 99' with low mileage and plenty of options? There are plenty of those around!

I find this very disturbing. This affirms my attitude of never bringing my car into a dealership and never letting anyone besides myself to work on my cars. This is disgusting to say the least.

I say you call a local TV anchor and ask them to do a short story on it. In Chicago, Fox News has an anchor named Walter Jacobson who does a small piece called "Perspective." He does small stories like these that people contact him about. The results seem to be quite positive. I suggest you give that a try to your local news station with plenty of photo's.

What's going to happen when the car inherently gets problems associated with this repair? Are they going to repair those too? What will it show up as on Carfax when you sell the vehicle many years from now?

 

[Rain]

Nice Idea - As much as we like to think it, the entire world is NOT on the internet. Some folks do need to see things in print before they are informed of it.

I do hope Dave has contacted his local 7 On Your Side folks as well as the area newspapers.
If not that, then the local Sound Off section of his paper.

Amazing how reality sets in when people see it in writing.

Rain

 

[TheBlueVette]

Hey Blackvette, That's really neat that you put together those flyers for barnetdh. Yet again you have shown what a great group of people we have here at CAC. You might add more credibility if you had barnetdh's real name instead of his screen name on those flyers. It could be something like "John Smith AKA barnetdh on corvetteactioncenter.com". Just a suggestion, but thanks for supporting our fellow enthusiast.

Jedi

barnetdh = Dave Barnett. You can use it of you want. At this point, a screen name doesn't buy too much.

You all are a great bunch of people. No foolin'

- Dave

 

[cruzer99]

Hi Dave, It is very aparent fro the pictures that the frame is bent and my understanding (you should find out from someone who is an authority on C5's), that C5's have a "Hydro-formed" frame and once it is bent it is not correctable. Even though they make it meet factory specs, over time maybe a year or two, that section will start to sag. Please check it out.......

 

[theblackvette]

Thanks Jedi!!!!

Since Dave has listed his name in the open I have updated the flyer as you requested. I have resent some flyers to those that requested it from me. Please use the updated flyers. There were two e-mail addys that I deleted after I sent the original flyer. If you can be so kind and request another I will be happy to send you the updated flyer. Thanks again for everyone's support!

Hey Blackvette, That's really neat that you put together those flyers for barnetdh. Yet again you have shown what a great group of people we have here at CAC. You might add more credibility if you had barnetdh's real name instead of his screen name on those flyers. It could be something like "John Smith AKA barnetdh on corvetteactioncenter.com". Just a suggestion, but thanks for supporting our fellow enthusiast.

Jedi

 

[theblackvette]

What is it with GENERAL MOTORS dealerships?

On my last e-mail check I received a message from a member from another forum. They told me this would interest us and asked me if I can post the link up in this thread as they are not a registered member of CAC.

My answer to them: I WILL BE GLAD TO POST THE LINK HERE!!!!!

They are not the individual that is having the problem with General Motors, but rather a concerned car owner like all of us here and have been following Dave's story closely.

Gee-What is it with General Motor's dealerships?

And WHY DO THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT?????

Now not only do their dealerships drop Corvettes and appear to not do the right thing, but their employees appear pull a "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" at one of their customer's expense. Lovely!!!! Makes me want to run out and visit my local dealership even more!

Here is another GENERAL MOTORS/CALIFORNIA DEALERSHIP NIGHTMARE!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=810481&page=1

 

[theblackvette]

Just a quick note. There is masked swearing and mild profanity on the link on my prior post. But I think 67 will let it slide as it is a thread of almost TEN pages on the "other" forum which is relevant to this thread regarding General Motors dealerships. If this REALLY happened, boy it is another crazy story!!!!!!

So, I guess it is okay to leave the link up!

 

[TheBlueVette]

Hi Dave, It is very aparent fro the pictures that the frame is bent and my understanding (you should find out from someone who is an authority on C5's), that C5's have a "Hydro-formed" frame and once it is bent it is not correctable. Even though they make it meet factory specs, over time maybe a year or two, that section will start to sag. Please check it out.......

Would this show up on a frame machine? I've asked the body shop to put my C5 on their Genesis frame alignment machine and fax me the results. (Not that I can read them myself, but I think I can find someone who can.)

 

[TheBlueVette]

Gee-What is it with General Motor's dealerships?

And WHY DO THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT?????

Now not only do their dealerships drop Corvettes and appear to not do the right thing, but their employees appear pull a "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" at one of their customer's expense. Lovely!!!! Makes me want to run out and visit my local dealership even more!

Here is another GENERAL MOTORS/CALIFORNIA DEALERSHIP NIGHTMARE!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=810481&page=1

Blackvette - What is up with GM dealerships? That's two Ferris Buehler scenes -- one dealership took the guy's vette for a 180 mile joy ride, and another one killed my car.

They not only took his car for a ride and banged it up, they cussed at him when he got mad about it.

- Dave

 

[theblackvette]

Yeah barnetdh, that was an interesting story especially when the owner of the dealership was alleged to have said some uncolorful comments.

Yep, a couple of Ferris Beuhler scenes for sure! :L

Blackvette - What is up with GM dealerships? That's two Ferris Buehler scenes -- one dealership took the guy's vette for a 180 mile joy ride, and another one killed my car.

They not only took his car for a ride and banged it up, they cussed at him when he got mad about it.

- Dave

 

[Edmond]

Would this show up on a frame machine? I've asked the body shop to put my C5 on their Genesis frame alignment machine and fax me the results. (Not that I can read them myself, but I think I can find someone who can.)

Dave,

I always considered frame damage on a car to be equivelent to back damage on us. We can do as much as we can, but it'll never be the same again.

 

[slong]

Nice EB your running with BV.

I appreciate the enormous support for the rally that was started here on CAC. It is very dissapointing to see that the "right thing" does not appear to have occurred yet. However, this does not mean that it will not occur. At anytime General Motors or its associated dealership can do the "right thing" and demonstrate their dedication to customer service and stand behind their names. Until this occurs, the rally must continue on.

Call me emotional, enthusiastic or whatever. It doesn't matter. What matters is that a customer of a GENERAL MOTORS backed dealership had his corvette severely damaged and what I see going on here is about $$$$ and not customer dedication and respect for other people's property!!!!!! I have my car serviced at a GM dealership. You betcha I am concerned!

The next few posts will be an extension of my Z06 Spy Photo Camera thread that is located in the Z06 General Section of CAC. All are welcome to join in and show your interesting pics of your cars. I know thousands of non-vette owners are viewing this thread and many of us would love to see your ride even it is not a vette. So please come on over! We as car owners must band together! Those that get their cars worked on at any dealership should be concerned. This incident could happen to anyone of us, and could quite possibly happen again. We must make our concerns known!

Well, I decided to take this matter offline and speak my mind. Yesterday, I took a nice drive to my special place I like to go each week. Here is what I saw on my way to my special place!

 

[cruzer99]

Dave,

I always considered frame damage on a car to be equivelent to back damage on us. We can do as much as we can, but it'll never be the same again.

Edmond,
I think that is a good analogy and Dave, they can make it meet all specs but will it what it should be in a year or two? This would be best judged by someone who make a living working on Corvettes.
Most insurance companys will total even a theft recovery with very little damage just so they don't get hit with continued claims as a result of hidden damage or problems that could be a result of the theft. Just a thought.

 

[theblackvette]

General Motors, I really truly wonder if ...

the car pictured here were wrecked at one of your PARICIPATING dealerships, would you allow your PARTICIPATING dealership to repair it "good as new" and give it back to the their customer?

From what I am seeing regarding the events at this time, I think you might just do that, wouldn't you? Or, are you preparing to step in and do the "right thing?"

 

[slong]

:eek Not liking the way that one looks. I can here them now. O ya, we will have it good as new in two weeks.

the car pictured here were wrecked at one of your PARICIPATING dealerships, would you allow your PARTICIPATING dealership to repair it "good as new" and give it back to the their customer?

From what I am seeing regarding the events at this time, I think you might just do that, wouldn't you? Or, are you preparing to step in and do the "right thing?"

 

[wishIhadavette]

hello all, as you can see on my profile I don't have a vette, I wish I did. anyway thats unbeliveable that you are getting the run around like that. just so you know I put a link to this thread on thirdgen.org; hopefully people there will notice it and offer thier support as well. I hope things work out for you, good luck.
Adam

 

[67HEAVEN]

Welcome Adam.............Vette or no Vette.


Thanks for helping.