Just curious on what most of you think is adequate time to post a negative thread about issues with a particular company?

I've seen a few threads where it doesn't even seem like it’s the business fault but members still create a thread to bash the company. While others don't exhaust all avenues to get the situation resolved and post the thread with hopes that the company corrects the issue due to the negative publicity the thread creates. Finally, those that post the thread after all is said and done and the thread really isn't too helpful in rectifying their issues rather it’s just to bad mouth or warn others about the company.<O</O
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I’m in somewhat of a strange situation where the dealership that damaged my car has agreed to pay for the repairs but doesn’t agree with my repair estimate due to the differences in labor rate in one state vs the other… Yeah I know it’s a strange scenario but it gets kind of more complex after I got my attorney involved so let me know what your thoughts are and if I should post my issue yet or let it play out between the attorneys…

 

Why dont you tell the short version...leave out the proper names...and see what come up?
Also, bagging on a dealership is far less frowned upon than actuall forum sponsors.... Unless its malicious you have a decent chance at keeping the thread up.

 

If you already have a lawyer involved, I wouldn't air anything on line.

 

+1 if you have attorneys involved no point in airing anything here now. Let your attorney handle it and leverage that you won't disclose their name on the forums as part of a potential goodwill settlement

 

The story w/o names is only a story....

 

ill keep it short and simple.

purchased a car used and upon delivery noticed some hidden issues (things you wouldn't see unless other things were out of the way).

contacted previous owner and found out the part that caused the damages was recently removed and installed by a local P dealer under warranty so contacted the dealer. dealer agreed damages were "caused by the negligence of my technician" and "for that reason I agreed to assist in having it repaired."

the issue is that the car is no longer in the dealer's state any longer and therefore our estimates are about $600 apart (total repair $1500). Dealer's body shop said the estimates are identical but labor rates in their state is $45 vs $85 in my area (the local Honda body shop is $80/hour).

I've offered a couple of compromises: 1. they call my local P dealer and see if they could negotiate with my body shop to match their estimate, but they opted not to. 2. split the difference with me, but they also opted not to.

Basically they told me to take it or leave it so I contacted my attorney. Was it worth it for $1500 or the $600 difference? Probably not, but I didn't think it was right that I had to use their estimate when no one local would fix it at that price.

Now the kicker, the dealer contacted me today via phone and said they will no longer contact me about this issue any longer since I retained a attorney and that their legal dept. will contact my attorney if they decide to... Also, if it was ever brought to my attention that the damages to my car were done when someone else owned the car so I don't have any legal standing to go after them for the damages...

Thoughts?

 

now that you are paying an attorney it may cost you even more...billable hours...they can work 8h in a day and bill for 10

 

i dont think i would have gotten a lawyer for 600$ worth of hassle but i would certainly have made an effort to speak to the dealership general manger or owner and see if they would be willing to pay the difference to keep good will in the porsche family.

in the end with a used car if you love the car 600$ isnt much when dealing with a porsche

 

Yep 32krazy is right. $600 difference is not exactly "lawyer up" time in my book. Id have gone straight to the dealership manager and use tact and logic to get something done.

 

I have a firm on contract so if I use them or not I still am paying for them. This case won't cost me anything that I wasn't already paying.

 

I also contacted the GM and was assured he would contact me but rather got another email from the service manager stating they wouldn't pay the difference.

I know $600 isn't worth the hassle that's why I was willing to just split the difference but they declined and said labor rates in CA are too high. Seriously? How can I change what the cost is in CA.?

 

What state has $45/hr body shop rates? I find it hard to believe anyone would charge so little regardless of location.

 

FL. I called the body shop they are referring to but they wouldn't give me their labor rates over the phone. Said they had to see the car in person.

 

That to me is absolute BS. ANY company should give you their hourly labor rate. I understand that they wouldn't be able to give an estimate on the car without seeing it and being able to approximate how many hours it would take to fix, but to not give their hourly rate seems VERY suspect at best. I'm not a body guy so maybe I'm wrong, but it sure seems that they want to get a look at what they think your wallet could afford rather than a fixed labor rate. I don't know how much time has been spent with your communication (or lack there of) with the dealer in question, but if it's significant, I'd confer with your attorney and ask him if at this point it would be appropriate to name the dealer in question as a "Beware of" on this forum. If the Attorney feels that you aren't getting anywhere with the dealer, then I would think he would give his ok as long as you are being factual about the situation and not reacting emotionally as some people can tend to do. If you're matter of fact, they cannot dispute anything. Best of luck at resolving this issue to your full satisfaction!

 

$600 is small claims stuff, i.e. getting an attorney involved at this point is a waste of money and counterproductive. It seems that the only option you have now is to file a small claims lawsuit in the dealer's jurisdiction. You may be able to get the cost of your travel reimbursed for the lawsuit which might help in leveraging your position with the dealership. I don't they would want to pay for the $1500 repair plus your airfare and hotel. No easy way I'm afraid. PITA.