The dealer got busted trying to charge $2000 for ceramic coating that they never put on

[Duckman7]

This Genesis dealership in SoCal initially charged me $2000 for some ceramic coating that they said they put on both inside and outside the car I was about to purchase.
Since that's not something I had asked for, I asked to drop that charge.
But the salesperson was very firm about that saying the coating is already put on the car and they can't take it off, so you must pay if you want the car.
Ok, so then I asked what was the name of the ceramic product they put on the car and they said it was Xylan.
I never heard of it and couldn't find any detailed information about this product and so I asked to provide a warranty certificate for the product.
The salesperson said sure, and went to speak to his manager and came back in like 5 minutes and said, the coating is there but they couldn't find the warranty certificate so you don't have to pay.
Yup, just like that.
But the thing is, if there was actually some sort of coating on the car like they claimed, I needed to know what that was, so I can effectively remove and put on real ceramic coating of my choice.
After taking the car home, I told the salesperson that until you tell me exactly what was put on the car, I can't apply ceramic coating and the car won't be driven until then.
The salesperson replied next day, saying actually it was some 2-coat package that the car only received the base coat only and there was no ceramic applied to the car yet.
He said, had I paid the $2000, they would have applied the 2nd coating to complete the process.
What?
Ok, so I asked again, what is this base coat they put on? What is the name of the product? Who did the work?
Then the next day, the GM at the dealership called me and finally for the first time admitted that there was no coating of any kind applied to the car.
Yup, they lied and tried to steal $2000+tax for NOTHING.
The GM went on to say the $2000 charge was that if customer paid, they would have then applied the coating.
This is totally different from what the salesperson told me initially that the coating was there already and so they could not drop that $2000 charge until I asked to provide a proof.
Anyways, they got busted trying to steal $2000 + tax from a customer and failed this time.
But where they partially succeeded was that they charged me $500 for clear protector films put on the door handle cups and the clear door edge guards.
Those 8 pieces of small plastic films even if you buy the 3M brand cost under $20 all together.
I had to remove all those plastic films when I apply real ceramic coating on the car anyways.
After coating was done, I bought some 3M clear films and put new ones on myself.
I am sure I was not the first nor the last victim to this scam.
Later I found out that this dealership group is known for fraudulent practices not just against the customers but also against Hyundai USA as well that there were litigations.
I keep tell my friends not to buy any optional products or services that the dealership offers other than the vehicle itself.
Any optional products or services you might like can be had for far less money and for real outside the dealership.

 

[Tau]

What's the name of this crooked stealership?

 

[SGilbert]

Agreed! The whole story is meaningless unless you name the dealership.

 

[EdP]

What's the name of this crooked stealership?

There is a complete list of them in the Yellow Pages under Automobile Dealership.

Some vary the theme a bit.

 

[Angler]

But where they partially succeeded was that they charged me $500 for clear protector films put on the door handle cups and the clear door edge guards.
Those 8 pieces of small plastic films even if you buy the 3M brand cost under $20 all together.

I just got a GV70 from a So Cal dealer via a broker. Mine has the clear hard film on on door handle "insides" and on the four door edges. These were not on my invoice, nor did I pay for them explicitly. I just assumed that they were a standard part of the vehicle.

I would also be curious about the name of the dealer involved above. If you @Duckman7 aren't comfortable posting the name, would you be willing to PM me the name? This is why I dislike purchasing through a dealer. I go through a broker who I trust, after about 25 years of repeat business. The broker doesn't always get me the best price (like this time; I paid list price), but they always act as my advocate.

 

[Duckman7]

There is a complete list of them in the Yellow Pages under Automobile Dealership.

Some vary the theme a bit.

lol....exactly!

 

[Duckman7]

I just got a GV70 from a So Cal dealer via a broker. Mine has the clear hard film on on door handle "insides" and on the four door edges. These were not on my invoice, nor did I pay for them explicitly. I just assumed that they were a standard part of the vehicle.

I would also be curious about the name of the dealer involved above. If you @Duckman7 aren't comfortable posting the name, would you be willing to PM me the name? This is why I dislike purchasing through a dealer. I go through a broker who I trust, after about 25 years of repeat business. The broker doesn't always get me the best price (like this time; I paid list price), but they always act as my advocate.

I'm not looking to get sued by these crooks, so sending you a PM instead.
But like EdP said, all dealerships are like that with varying themes.
You only buy a car once every so many years, but these crooks think about how to steal more money from you every single day and night.
We consumers must be vigilant and mentally prepare ourselves not to fall into their traps when you enter the the arena with them.

 

[Burgie]

Sounds familiar, my dealer in Flagstaff snuck in $320.00 on dent repair and warranty junk which I had previously told them I did not want.. Not pleased at all plus they still didn't complete what they had agreed to like front window tint and clear edge protectors on the doors.

 

[Duckman7]

Dealers have zero dignity/integrity/honesty.
After this dealer got busted, I remember how the salesperson sent me an email with the GM cc'd that he's been with the dealership for only 2 weeks now, he is a honest person and that everything he told me came directly from the management....lol
I hope he didn't get fired.

Auto mechanics are another brew of zero dignity/integrity/honesty.
That's why I am forced to learn and do my own maintenance and repairs.
YouTube is a great teacher.
I had zero knowledge about car repairs, but with help of YouTube, now I can do engine/transmission oils, brakes & rotors, spark plugs & leads, shock absorbers, oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, brake fluid, coolant and etc.

With my new GV80, I'm still not decided whether to use the 3 year complimentary maintenance service or not.
Every time you go to the dealer, they look for ways to screw you.
And it's not uncommon the car becomes worse-off in one way or the other after receiving a service at the dealership.
Scratches? Broken parts? Why should they care it's not their car.
They don't like you looking at your own car being serviced or repaired even from across the street.
They say it's a liability issue...lol

 

[EdP]

Dealers have zero dignity/integrity/honesty.
After this dealer got busted, I remember how the salesperson sent me an email with the GM cc'd that he's been with the dealership for only 2 weeks now, he is a honest person and that everything he told me came directly from the management....lol
I hope he didn't get fired.

Auto mechanics are another brew of zero dignity/integrity/honesty.
That's why I am forced to learn and do my own maintenance and repairs.
YouTube is a great teacher.
I had zero knowledge about car repairs, but with help of YouTube, now I can do engine/transmission oils, brakes & rotors, spark plugs & leads, shock absorbers, oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, brake fluid, coolant and etc.

With my new GV80, I'm still not decided whether to use the 3 year complimentary maintenance service or not.
Every time you go to the dealer, they look for ways to screw you.
And it's not uncommon the car becomes worse-off in one way or the other after receiving a service at the dealership.
Scratches? Broken parts? Why should they care it's not their car.
They don't like you looking at your own car being serviced or repaired even from across the street.
They say it's a liability issue...lol

Varies by dealer. Mine had been good for service for the past four years. Not all are. Same with indy shops.
Story from years ago. My brother was an engineer and one of the best mechanics ever since he was a teenager. One day, a co-worker asked if he would give him a ride back when he dropped off his car at a local shop. Brother asked what was being done and the guy said he needed a new battery and a new generator and voltage regulator.. Brother said, no, one or the other. let me check. He tightened the very loose belt and all was good.

State safety inspections? I could write a book.

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[Duckman7]

Varies by dealer. Mine had been good for service for the past four years. Not all are. Same with indy shops.
Story from years ago. My brother was an engineer and one of the best mechanics ever since he was a teenager. One day, a co-worker asked if he would give him a ride back when he dropped off his car at a local shop. Brother asked what was being done and the guy said he needed a new battery and a new generator and voltage regulator.. Brother said, no, one or the other. let me check. He tightened the very loose belt and all was good.

State safety inspections? I could write a book.

Yup, why wouldn't they tell you to replace all 3 parts (hundreds or even thousands of $$$) instead of tightening that one loose belt (<$30) when it's easy money for the mechanic and the poor guy was only going to be grateful for the car running well again.

Honesty means less revenue for mechanics (or dealers).
It conflicts directly against their business model.
They can get away with this because the vast majority of the customers cannot tell whether the mechanic is being honest.
I've seen those who say my mechanic is different from the rest are being ripped off just as equally but only without knowing.
The thought of being ripped off is a stress and searching for a more honest mechanic is a even bigger stress.
So they resort to the idea that their mechanic is somehow a special, rare and honest one.
It's like saying my mechanic is a billionaire who fixes my car for fun and not for the money.

Of course there are those who mechanically inclined, know very well how to fix the car but just don't have the time or can't be bothered to have their hands dirty leave it to a mechanic who would agree to a repair procedure and price.
Knowledge is the only thing that would make a mechanic more honest.

 

[Ike Arumba]

My favorite scam is the "book rate" for a repair. I took a Ram truck in a few years ago for a minor mechanical repair (out of warranty). I picked the truck up a few hours later and was handed a bill for close to $1000. I asked the service advisor to go over the bill with me, line by line. The labor line showed 6 hours, so I asked how many techs they had working on the truck. She said there was only one. I pointed out that the truck hadn't been at the dealership for 6 hours yet, so that must be a mistake. She said "Oh, we always go with the book rate for the labor, regardless of if it takes more or less time."

I had to threaten to take it to the fraud advocate with the local DA to get them to change it the actual time spent on the repair (less than half what they put on the original invoice). How often do you think the repair takes longer than the "book rate?" And if it goes over time, do you suppose they charge the book rate, or actual hours? What a bunch of con artists we are stuck dealing with...

 

[Duckman7]

What a bunch of con artists we are stuck dealing with...

Yup, sadly there is no such thing as honest dealer or honest auto mechanic.
All cars should be sold online directly from manufacturers, like Tesla.
Dealers are old and evil relics from the past.
As for the crooked auto mechanics....I don't know....not everyone wants to fix their own cars and I understand/respect that too.
Maybe people should get multiple quotes from different mechanics and go with the least greedy one.
You could also do some googling and youtubing to learn about the repair process your car needs and use that knowledge when talking to your mechanic.
I'm sure this will greatly reduce your chance of being scammed.

 

[BillZ]

Yup, sadly there is no such thing as honest dealer or honest auto mechanic.
All cars should be sold online directly from manufacturers, like Tesla.
Dealers are old and evil relics from the past.
As for the crooked auto mechanics....I don't know....not everyone wants to fix their own cars and I understand/respect that too.
Maybe people should get multiple quotes from different mechanics and go with the least greedy one.
You could also do some googling and youtubing to learn about the repair process your car needs and use that knowledge when talking to your mechanic.
I'm sure this will greatly reduce your chance of being scammed.

In Canada, you do purchase from Genesis Canada and the person you deal with for your test drive, paperwork, delivery etc. is referred to as a "Genesis Experience Manager". Payment is to Genesis Motors Canada. At least this was my experience in December 2020 when I ordered my Prestige which was delivered in February 2021. So there was none of the BS which is described by U.S. purchasers.

 

[Husky]

Sounds familiar, my dealer in Flagstaff snuck in $320.00 on dent repair and warranty junk which I had previously told them I did not want.. Not pleased at all plus they still didn't complete what they had agreed to like front window tint and clear edge protectors on the doors.

Yeah, when I bought my 2019 G70, the dealer had added $2500 of worthless, grossly inflated nonsense to the sticker (like wheel locks for $400 or similar BS). I told them I didn't want any of it, and wouldn't pay for any of it. They begrudgingly agreed. Then the financial/paperwork guy (even though I was paying cash) spent half an hour trying to sell me all kinds of warranties (maintenance, damaged wheels, lost keys, attack by aliens...). After just saying NO for half an hour, I finally got out of there with no add-ons. It's always painful with these crooks.

 

[Duckman7]

Yeah, when I bought my 2019 G70, the dealer had added $2500 of worthless, grossly inflated nonsense to the sticker (like wheel locks for $400 or similar BS). I told them I didn't want any of it, and wouldn't pay for any of it. They begrudgingly agreed. Then the financial/paperwork guy (even though I was paying cash) spent half an hour trying to sell me all kinds of warranties (maintenance, damaged wheels, lost keys, attack by aliens...). After just saying NO for half an hour, I finally got out of there with no add-ons. It's always painful with these crooks.

We have a winner!

 

[leggy]

@Duckman7 do you mind to message me the dealer name?

 

[Jhon]

Dealers make more money in the finance room tacking on all that bloat than they do from the profit on the car they sold you. Those various warranties' cost the dealer pennies on the dollar. I don't buy a damn thing from the dealer.

 

[Duckman7]

@Duckman7 do you mind to message me the dealer name?

PM sent

 

[Duckman7]

Dealers make more money in the finance room tacking on all that bloat than they do from the profit on the car they sold you. Those various warranties' cost the dealer pennies on the dollar. I don't buy a damn thing from the dealer.

I wanted the car and so I had no choice but to accept that BS $500 charge for the door stickers.
But I had no problem rejecting all other services and packages offered in the finance room.
After the purchase, I gave my honest feedback through couple of the surveys I received in the email.
That the $2000 charge for the non-existent coating can be considered as a fraud and the $500 charge on the door stickers is nothing short of ripoff.
I'm not sure if my feedback had anything to do with it, but a couple of weeks later the dealership replaced the GM.
Maybe it was about time they changed the theme a bit.