Car damaged by shop, need advice.

Blastoid

Junior Member
Dec 19, 2004
10
0
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My windshield on my 04 Ford Freestar was cracked so I called Safelite to replace it. I got the original windshield as the van is new (more $) and I wanted it to be just as it was. A tech comes to my house and replaces the windshield. After he is done I noticed the he left lots of glass shards around the dash and center console. So as I clean up I noticed many little black spots on my dashboard, I asked him to come look. He tries to clean them but is not able to, he gets this orange cleaner and tries on on particular spot to no avail. He then tells me that he will be back tomorrow with a stonger cleaner to get this out, I said 'ok'. About 10 min after he leaves I noticed that the spot he tried to clean is now discolored!!! I called the 800 number for them and complain. The shop manager calls me and schedules me to come in 9am Friday.
So I get two very little children (3yrs and 2 mo) ready and out of the house on my day off to go and drop off the van early. He told me about 4-5 hours it should be done, they had a dashboard specialist who repaints them for body shops and dealerships. So 4 hours go by no call, I was in the area and went by, he said the guy was running late but he will call me when it was done. So 2 more hours go by and I decided this was enough, I went there to find that it was "done" and the manger had left for the day! OK, I check out the van only to find it is NOT DONE! The dash still has 15+ black spots and I noticed a large ding in the drivers side door! Ok I cannot prove the door is them so I keep it to myself, I also notice a "streak" or 'rub" on the windshield, it also has 3 extra miles on it!!! (did not notice until I was pulling out of parking lot) I asked the tech at the shop WTF?!? It is not done and he tells me to come back tomorrow when the manager is in and that the windshield will need to be replaced again as the "rub" is not fixable!!! At this point I am very upset and ready to hurt someone. I called the 800 number and get the GM for all the shops in the NY area on the phone, he appologizes and calls the shop manager. I am then asked to bring it back in for them to fix it.
So I have to bring it back Wednesday and I will be staying with it.


Any advice??? What can I do to protect my investment (van)?


Edit- this was done by me not the insurance company, we had no glass coverage.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
I can't call a Ford Freestar an investment, but it sucks that you're getting shafted by the shop :(
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Take it to a third party to have it fixed the right way. Present them with the bill. If they don't pay it, sue them. Nothing good will come bringing back to that shop.
 

Blastoid

Junior Member
Dec 19, 2004
10
0
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For 30k it is an ivestment, I know it's a Ford but.... It is loaded and so far has been a good vehicle.


I was going to bring it to a body shop I know but I dont want to pay $ out of pocket and then have to try and sue. Lawyers are expensive.

Someone told me to call my insurance company and tell them as they use Safelite. But I dont want my premium to be affected???
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Originally posted by: Blastoid
For 30k it is an ivestment, I know it's a Ford but.... It is loaded and so far has been a good vehicle.


I was going to bring it to a body shop I know but I dont want to pay $ out of pocket and then have to try and sue. Lawyers are expensive.

Someone told me to call my insurance company and tell them as they use Safelite. But I dont want my premium to be affected???

I am not sure if insurance would cover something like this. If you don't want to pay out of pocket you are going to be at this place's mercy. No one said you would have to get a lawyer. This would be a small claims matter. Also the BBB has a nice website.
 

Blastoid

Junior Member
Dec 19, 2004
10
0
0
Originally posted by: rudeguy
Originally posted by: Blastoid
For 30k it is an ivestment, I know it's a Ford but.... It is loaded and so far has been a good vehicle.


I was going to bring it to a body shop I know but I dont want to pay $ out of pocket and then have to try and sue. Lawyers are expensive.

Someone told me to call my insurance company and tell them as they use Safelite. But I dont want my premium to be affected???

I am not sure if insurance would cover something like this. If you don't want to pay out of pocket you are going to be at this place's mercy. No one said you would have to get a lawyer. This would be a small claims matter. Also the BBB has a nice website.



Ahh the BBB, thanks!!! I am going to call for an estimate Monday. I thought I would need a lawyer, but this would be small claims, I didnt know.

Thanks!
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Which Safelite in NY is this ? I've used the ones in the Wantagh and Bensonhurst areas and they were both very thorough and professional. They have a good reputation. So just curious.
 

Blastoid

Junior Member
Dec 19, 2004
10
0
0
Yonkers, Central Ave..

Wish I had gone to the one in White Plains as they seemed like a good shop.

Please dont miss understand, Safelite is generally a good company. I have used them before and so have my friends. This is just a problem with this shop.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
Originally posted by: rbloedow
I can't call a Ford Freestar an investment, but it sucks that you're getting shafted by the shop :(

yeah good luck man. at least your cylinders aren't busted like this guy's mustang...
 

Blastoid

Junior Member
Dec 19, 2004
10
0
0
I got some info from a MOD at EOCF, it looks like I will get an estimate from a body shop and then try to get them to pay it or I will sue them. Apparently dashboards are dyed and not painted, so them repainting it is not somthing I will allow.

Damn what a mess. I posted pics at EOCF if anyone wants to see my pain, lol

link
 

DaTT

Garage Moderator
Moderator
Feb 13, 2003
13,295
121
106
I guess your dash will have to be replaced.....mention that to the shop. Be civil about it though, if they are a reputable company, chances are they are not trying to screw you around, they just don't quite know what to do yet.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,967
140
106
..vehicle interior components tend to be cheap/trashy..but ford is by far the worst of the bunch..I recall my ford ranger falling apart all around me. I'd say take pictures of the damage so it's well documented and let them proceed with the repair. Get paper work from them as much as possible for future litigation.
 

mrchan

Diamond Member
May 18, 2000
3,123
0
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i would guess that most auto upholstry places can dye it back to the right color.