Advice needed for damage done at dealer..

[Pgrated]

I had my regular service interval done at my local Genesis dealer yesterday (here in NJ).
Earlier in January, I found that the lower molding on the driver's door was starting to come off towards the front of the door. (See images)
I figured I would have a discussion with the dealer regarding the issue at my next service interval which came up yesterday.
They said it is not covered under warranty. $2100 to fix. (!!!) Including replacement of the running boards both sides and the molding on the bottom of the door.

I wanted to get a second opinion about it at a local body shop. They confirmed my suspicion that the damage was done by a car lift that was improperly placed under the car and crushed the running board, which in turn damaged the door molding. There's also evidence of same kind of damage on the passenger side.
(Note: I have only had the car to the dealer for service and nowhere else!!)

I went back to the dealer with this information and they said it wasn't their fault. They said that a rock or curb did the damage. (the local body shop said that is not possible). They said they would discount the price of the parts to dealer-cost and charge me a lower labor rate to install, which would come out to about $950. The dealer wouldn't budge any further on the amount, even with my saying that it was their lift that did the damage. They are standing by the claim that their lift did not do the damage.
Anyway, I'm about ready to call Corporate Genesis and complain. Any thoughts??

 

[EdP]

I had my regular service interval done at my local Genesis dealer yesterday (here in NJ).
Earlier in January, I found that the lower molding on the driver's door was starting to come off towards the front of the door. (See images)
I figured I would have a discussion with the dealer regarding the issue at my next service interval which came up yesterday.
They said it is not covered under warranty. $2100 to fix. (!!!) Including replacement of the running boards both sides and the molding on the bottom of the door.

I wanted to get a second opinion about it at a local body shop. They confirmed my suspicion that the damage was done by a car lift that was improperly placed under the car and crushed the running board, which in turn damaged the door molding. There's also evidence of same kind of damage on the passenger side.
(Note: I have only had the car to the dealer for service and nowhere else!!)

I went back to the dealer with this information and they said it wasn't their fault. They said that a rock or curb did the damage. (the local body shop said that is not possible). They said they would discount the price of the parts to dealer-cost and charge me a lower labor rate to install, which would come out to about $950. The dealer wouldn't budge any further on the amount, even with my saying that it was their lift that did the damage. They are standing by the claim that their lift did not do the damage.
Anyway, I'm about ready to call Corporate Genesis and complain. Any thoughts??

Some sort of third party arbitration? Seems you can pull the car onto the lift and see how contact would be made. The rock story sounds dumb.

Insurance claim, lawyers can be costly.

 

[SirJangle]

Get a written statement from the body shop and take it to the dealer. If that doesn't do it, I'd take the statement to an attorney and have them call the dealership. I'd keep pushing until I got my way out of principle alone. I hate dishonest people. I always take pics of mine, inside and out, with a time and date watermark before I go to the dealer or shop. It's sad that this has to be done, but your story is an example of why. Best of luck!

 

[Pgrated]

I agree...the rock theory is crazy. The fact that the dealer isn't owning up to their mistake is very bothersome...gets to my inner core. I was there for over 3 hours basically telling the manager that there is no other way that this could've happened.

 

[SirJangle]

I agree...the rock theory is crazy. The fact that the dealer isn't owning up to their mistake is very bothersome...gets to my inner core. I was there for over 3 hours basically telling the manager that there is no other way that this could've happened.

It's apparent they're not going to listen to you nor practice some common sense. Time to MAKE them. Dealers like this give them all a bad reputation.

 

[g80ev]

I recommend asking the dealer to put their theory in writing, attesting that they did not damage your vehicle.

 

[David-R]

How much time elapsed between when you think it happened and when you brought it to the dealers attention?

 

[Pgrated]

How much time elapsed between when you think it happened and when you brought it to the dealers attention?

Not sure...I noticed it in January this year...
It could've happened earlier last year and I didn't notice it until January (was hand washing my car when I noticed it.)

 

[David-R]

Not sure...I noticed it in January this year...
It could've happened earlier last year and I didn't notice it until January (was hand washing my car when I noticed it.)

Their explanation about a rock or curb may be far fetched but five months of elapsed time since you noticed it and I presume even longer since they last serviced the car doesn’t work in your favor.

 

[SirJangle]

Their explanation about a rock or curb may be far fetched but five months of elapsed time since you noticed it and I presume even longer since they last serviced the car doesn’t work in your favor.

I agree. I take photos before and do a walk around/check after the service before I leave. I didn't pay attention to the amount of time passed before my last comments.

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[Pgrated]

Yeah, I was thinking that as well too.

 

[nuggstein]

Not really sure what you could do about this unless you had conclusive photo/video evidence of the damage occurring. Genesis/Hyundai Corporate will likely not do anything for you as all of the dealerships are independently owned.

Sorry this happened.

 

[Joseph sr.]

I agree...the rock theory is crazy. The fact that the dealer isn't owning up to their mistake is very bothersome...gets to my inner core. I was there for over 3 hours basically telling the manager that there is no other way that this could've happened.

I hate to say it but I don't think you will get anywhere with the manager. I had a problem with a manager and got nowhere. I think them puppet managers are taught to screw the customers from the beginning

 

[speedracer55]

I would try to go higher up at the dealership. If that does not work call the local news stations and ask if they would assist. If dealer is part of BBB create a report there.

 

[Pgrated]

Soooo, as an update...Finally resolved. It took many months of being the squeaky wheel but I was able to get it fixed. Many, many calls to Corporate Genesis and leaving messages at the dealer finally somehow caught on...
The new manager at the dealer had looked at it and admitted that the damage was likely done by a lift. So they footed the bill for the entire repair which included the lower driver's door body molding and both side steps.
Even after the repair was done, the manager questioned the whole thing again saying that it was impossible for a lift to cause the damage.
At this point I'm definitely not going to go back to them for anything in the future.

 

[Joseph sr.]

Soooo, as an update...Finally resolved. It took many months of being the squeaky wheel but I was able to get it fixed. Many, many calls to Corporate Genesis and leaving messages at the dealer finally somehow caught on...
The new manager at the dealer had looked at it and admitted that the damage was likely done by a lift. So they footed the bill for the entire repair which included the lower driver's door body molding and both side steps.
Even after the repair was done, the manager questioned the whole thing again saying that it was impossible for a lift to cause the damage.
At this point I'm definitely not going to go back to them for anything in the future.

good for you ,I'm sure you can find another dealer

 

[mudler65]

Soooo, as an update...Finally resolved. It took many months of being the squeaky wheel but I was able to get it fixed. Many, many calls to Corporate Genesis and leaving messages at the dealer finally somehow caught on...
The new manager at the dealer had looked at it and admitted that the damage was likely done by a lift. So they footed the bill for the entire repair which included the lower driver's door body molding and both side steps.
Even after the repair was done, the manager questioned the whole thing again saying that it was impossible for a lift to cause the damage.
At this point I'm definitely not going to go back to them for anything in the future.

What city do you live in/near?

 

[Pgrated]

I'm in the Princeton/Plainsboro NJ area