Baby You Can Drive My Car

 

Man thankfully the day is over. I had this situation while I was getting my car serviced, as I had taken it in as there were a few things that did require servicing as well as it had to be winterized. Last Monday, two days ago, I went into pay for it and the one receptionist by mistake mentioned before I left with it that they had not taken it for a test drive as it’s part of the paper I signed when I had taken it in. Mind you I place a star at the bottom, which was an addendum within the agreement when I had taken it in. And Mr. Wonderful without looking at it initialed it along with my own initials. So on Monday I got the keys and while I was leaving the dealership I noticed that there was a wobble and the steering was off. After two blocks I turned around and took it back. The manager of the service department wasn’t in, but his secondary a man by the name of Derrick went and took the wheel and within two minutes he said that the car was not drivable. He said that he would get it into the service and see what it was. So afterwards it ended up that I had paid for an inspection and alignment – but that was not done, coupled with that a tie rod and a few other things needed to be replaced. So…I kept in mind that there was no test drive done which was part of the agreement that was signed. I had already paid a sum of a sweet $2,000.00 dollars. So I just kept a blank face but I know the owner of the Dealership as well as I knew that that this car was not done as we had agreed upon within the contract when I left it with them. The car is not that old I just bought it last year but when I bought it wasn’t a brand new one. So…They didn’t have any lenders, which ticked me off. As I had to several meetings from Monday through till today. And Taxi’s are costly. So this morning I had a call at 10 am from this last specialist and I met with him for two hours and that was good but the taxi going downtown and back was 25 dollars both ways. When I arrived home shortly afterwards this manager of the service department, which I wish to refer to as, Mr. Wonderful called me. You know those ones that say everything are constantly saying to everyone how are ya and are just so busy in making promise and jokes that they really belong in some sales position rather than within an area of service. Well Mr. Happy called when I arrived back home. He indicated that there would be an additional cost of another $1,500.00. I kept silent and listened. When he was finished I asked him if he was finished as I knew this was all another pitch and the onus was on him and there was no way I was going to pay any extra costs. It’s why when I placed in an small clause and he was too busy being wonderful that he didn’t pay attention to what I had wrote in the agreement as he was busy waving hello to other customers and not focused on doing his job.  I listened to everything that he had to say and then when he was finished talking. I said asked him if the car is all finished now. He said it was. Then I told him that he has two choices. One is that he eats the cost as he did not live up to the contract and that the onus was on him, which would mean that I would have to call to the owner of the dealership or he had the opportunity to leave it on the lot and I would think take the actions necessary. So…After an hour he called me back and indicated that the car was fixed and ready again. I merely said ok. I left things silent and let him sweat it out. He asked me if I was still on the phone and I indicated that I was, but nothing more. Then he said that he would call me right back in five minutes. Again I said OK.  So…He called back and said Jack you have me caught between a rock and a hard place here. Then I talked calmly and I asked him if he lived up to the agreement? He tried to talk his way around it and after the second question I gave him with the same old banter. I told Mr. Wonderful that as per the terms of the agreement and I indicated that I do have a witness that there was no test drive nor was the car completely inspected and lets just leave it be. I said that I know what my options are and I will exercise them and then I will talk with the owner after all of this nonsense and negligence. He placed me on hold for two minutes and then he came back on the phone with a much different voice and then went on to indicate that the dealership decided to bare the cost. As well, the courtesy car was ready to be sent to pick me up and bring me there to pick it up. The courtesy driver picked me up a half hour later and took me to the dealership. There was Mr. Wonderful taking care of other people and being if that is what you call it as I hope that others aren’t taken to the cleaners. As well there were two ladies within there office that waved to me as one had indicated to me that the car had not been taken for a test drive and that one part was never place in. Yet I kept this silent, as really what had happened was a miscommunication by Mr. Wonderful to the guys within the garage. Derrick was just sitting there with his hand behind his head with this big grin. He obviously was pulled into a meeting and I don’t think that Mr. Wonderful was much that loved by his co workers in the front office.

I would assume that there was a call made in haste to the owner.  When all was said and done, I asked for my copy of all that was done in addition to the original service and repairs.  Mr. Wonderful wished me a “have a fantastic Christmas” and went to shake my hand but I declined and walked around to the other offices and wished Derrick and these two ladies a great Christmas and when I left out the door, I told Mr. Wonderful that if he would have been honest and would have been focused on what we were talking things might be different but I mentioned to him to tell the owner which I don’t wish to place here a big thank you and that he still has me as a customer.

So I didn’t have to pay other prices and I noticed that there was some extras that were done as the my car that I bought there must and been cleaned up as the interior was perfect, the wheels shined and they had put in another newer command start.

I am sure that some have been taken to the cleaners now or then but this was not going to happen - nor did it. As well my last appointment with medical matters took place and all of this is now over and within the last three days there has been a lot that has gone on but it all works out.

So it's been a busy time the past few days and I am glad that tomorrow is Thursday.