Brought a new car from out of state, and having problems w/it. But the salesman won;t return my calls. What can i do?

[JEDI]

I live in VA. Bought a 2002 Prizm in PA last week (5/31/02).

1) When i stopped at a rest stop on my way back to VA, i noticed a small dent on my front quarter panel. this was as i got out of the car.

2) VA requires a front license plate. PA doesnt. there's no hole for me to put my front license plate. What can i do?

3) As i was driving it down to VA, the car is pulling to the left. seems like i need a wheel alignment. Is this part of the warrenty?

I know i can put the 1st one on the DUE BILL and drive to a chevy dealership in my area. but i need the salesman to authorize it. and he wont return my calls. WHAT CAN I DO?

can i also put #2 and #3 on the due bill?

THX

edit: fixed state

 

[Draco]

I'm sorry for your plight, but you bought a "Prizm?" As in "Geo Prizm?"

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Draco
I'm sorry for your plight, but you bought a "Prizm?" As in "Geo Prizm?"

Apparently that is just a rebadged corolla at a cheaper price, so not really a bad buy.

What warranty came with the car? What year is it and how much did u pay etc.? Pulling to the side would be covered under a standard warranty that you can honor at any place that deals with geos.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

drive the hell back and kick his ass

nik (WHAT YOU SAY !!)

 

[erikistired]

skoorb, isn't geo made by chevy? and corolla by toyota? anyway, have you contacted a chevy dealership in your area? it shouldn't matter that you can't contact the salesman unless he didn't work for a legit dealership or something.

~erik

 

[alm99]

W

I live in VA. Bought a Prizm in VA.

Which one is it? Seems in state to me...

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: fisher
skoorb, isn't geo made by chevy? and corolla by toyota? anyway, have you contacted a chevy dealership in your area? it shouldn't matter that you can't contact the salesman unless he didn't work for a legit dealership or something.

Yeah you're right about chevy and geo I think but I'm just rehashing what I've read here. Notice that the geo prizm and corollas look the same too

 

[erikistired]

i'm not saying you're wrong, just never heard of cross brand stuff like that. you never know tho, chevy could be trying to raise their image.

 

[Pliablemoose]

The "Toyolet" is built/assembled in Fremont, CA & has been for some time...

Chevrolet dropped the Geo name last year, & calls them all Chevrolet.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: fisher
i'm not saying you're wrong, just never heard of cross brand stuff like that. you never know tho, chevy could be trying to raise their image.

Edmund's review on a 98 Prizm. It's a rebadged Corolla.

Cross badging is VERY common. Mazda/Ford, Izuzu/Chevy/Honda, Dodge/Mitsubishi... I could go on, but...

 

[Thegonagle]

The salesman doesn't care, or he's quit or been fired. Stop leaving messages for him. You need to call the sales manager and then the general manager. If they seem to run and hide from their customers, call I'd Chevrolet customer care after giving the general manager 24 hours to return your call. They need to know about this. A threat for the lowest possible score on the customer survey could help them return your call, but I wouldn't try turning this into an adversarial thing just yet. You catch more flies with honey. . .

The dent is definitely the selling dealership's responsibility.

Check the trunk for your front license plate holder. It's often shipped from the factory in there. Otherwise, RTFM regarding the installation of your front license plate.

Check your tire pressure and consider the drainage slant of the road and the crosswind. If that's not causing the pulling, you can bring it to your local Chevy dealer for warranty service.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: fisher
i'm not saying you're wrong, just never heard of cross brand stuff like that. you never know tho, chevy could be trying to raise their image.

Isuzu rodeo=honda passport. Mitsu Eclipse=Some dodge brand.

is this a new or used car and did it have a warranty?

 

[Ladies Man]

most state laws require a front license plate if you can attach it

If you can't attach it then you don't have to have it on



for someone who just bought a new car you sure didn't check it out well enough... when i spend my money i want to know EVERYTHING wrong with it before buying

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
most state laws require a front license plate if you can attach it

If you can't attach it then you don't have to have it on

Where did you get that idea? I believe that if you can't attach it, you should find someone who can, or face a ticket for breaking the law.

Just to be sure, I checked the law for my state. It requires a license plate to be securely attached to the front and rear of a vehicle registered in Minnesota, excepting motorcycles and older vehicles with ?collector? plates. Perhaps the specifics vary by state, but I sure wouldn't make an assumption like that.

 

[hoihtah]

what ffmcobalt said.

 

[Mr N8]

Go here. www.bbb.org Businesses do not want to get in trouble with them. Love the bbb

 

[Quixfire]

XFile, did you buy the car new or used, and if used how many miles are on the car now?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: XFILE
I live in VA. Bought a Prizm in VA.

1) When i stopped at a rest stop on my way back to VA, i noticed a small dent on my front quarter panel. this was as i got out of the car.

2) VA requires a front license plate. PA doesnt. there's no hole for me to put my front license plate. What can i do?

3) As i was driving it down to VA, the car is pulling to the left. seems like i need a wheel alignment. Is this part of the warrenty?

I know i can put the 1st one on the DUE BILL and drive to a chevy dealership in my area. but i need the salesman to authorize it. and he wont return my calls. WHAT CAN I DO?

can i also put #2 and #3 on the due bill?

THX

1) Didn't you check the car before taking it off the lot? I'm betting you signed something saying you did, in which case, you are sol.

2) Ok, I'm convinced you didn't check the car at all. A local dealer may be able to help you though, but it will be on your dime.

3) It might be covered under warranty, read it and see. What year car is it?

4) Heck NO, you can't put your problems on your bill. Who on earth told you you could? That's a great way to mess up your credit.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: AmusedOne

Originally posted by: fisher
i'm not saying you're wrong, just never heard of cross brand stuff like that. you never know tho, chevy could be trying to raise their image.

Edmund's review on a 98 Prizm. It's a rebadged Corolla.

Cross badging is VERY common. Mazda/Ford, Izuzu/Chevy/Honda, Dodge/Mitsubishi... I could go on, but...

sorry i shoulda been more clear. i realize it happens, but i didn't realize toyota/gm did it.

A local dealer may be able to help you though, but it will be on your dime.

that's not always true. i've had one dealer deny warranty work before (on bogus claims) so i took it to another who happily fixed it. of course they were in the same state, but they are still part of the "your car here" network of dealerships. all they do is fix it, then file a claim with the mothership (gm i guess in this case) and get paid.

~erik

 

[JEDI]

1) yeah, i checked it out b4 i left the lot. but it was very sunny, and u dont notice the little dent when u look at it head on. but u do see it at an angle.

damn..i did sign that piece of paper..oh well

2) i never even thought of a car not having holes for the front license plate. and no, there werent any license plate holders in the trunk. any suggestions on a shock absorbant front license plate holder (if they exist) so that when a car backs into me when parking, my own plate wont cut into my car? and the licence plate holder not crack under the impact?

3) it's a new 2002 prizm bought 5 days ago. wheel alignment is a maintanane item after 7500 miles according to my manual. does that mean free wheel alignment from 0-7499 miles?

THX to everyone for their answers!

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: XFILE

1) Didn't you check the car before taking it off the lot? I'm betting you signed something saying you did, in which case, you are sol.

2) Ok, I'm convinced you didn't check the car at all. A local dealer may be able to help you though, but it will be on your dime.

3) It might be covered under warranty, read it and see. What year car is it?

4) Heck NO, you can't put your problems on your bill. Who on earth told you you could? That's a great way to mess up your credit.

 

[Thegonagle]

#3. NO! Get it in as soon as possible, like today.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Go here. www.bbb.org Businesses do not want to get in trouble with them. Love the bbb

what the hell is the BBB going to do? they have no power, its a private club that you pay to join and get to hang their nice little sign on the front door.

 

[JEDI]

called up a dealership in my area. they said GM wont pay for any warrenty work till after 500 miles. GM considers the 1st 500 miles part of the break-in period. after that, they'll fix my drifting to the left problem under warrenty.

 

[Muadib]

Did you check your tire pressure?

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: XFILE
called up a dealership in my area. they said GM wont pay for any warrenty work till after 500 miles. GM considers the 1st 500 miles part of the break-in period. after that, they'll fix my drifting to the left problem under warrenty.

That sounds like complete BS. I've never heard of anything like that (but I worked in a Nissan dealership). Do you have a sign on your forehead that says treat me like a moron? How old are you? Excuse me, but either you don't pay attention, or nobody is being straight with you or telling you the basic info you need to know. Tell us, did they go over the car with you (they're supposed to), or did they just hand you a key, and point you to the car?

Do check your tire pressure, and do call Chevrolet Customer Care. They have an 800 number in the binder that contains your manual and warranty info. Tell them everything that's been going wrong for you, including the salesperson/manager not returning your calls. Ask about the title/certificate of origin and how it's supposed to be handled since you bought your car out of state.

I'd burn the dealership on the customer satisfaction survey (they don't deserve a good score, IMO), assuming they didn't "take measures" to make sure you don't get one. Hey, just tell Chevrolet while you're on the phone them to make sure you do get a survey.