Brand New Vehicle damage at delivery

Donutblue · #1 06-25-2006, 06:35 AM

My 20 year old son and I went to a fairly new Chevy dealer in Westchester, NY last week and he purchased his first new Chevrolet, a 2006 Chevy Silverado, extended cab with all the Bells and Whistles. He had to wait a few days for the dealer to get the vehicle he wanted from a dealer in PA. After and agreed date (by both dealers) to pick up the vehicle in PA, they were turned back and told the owner had to be there to cut a check for the swap and come back the next day. The new truck was obtained the following day from the PA dealer. We went to pick up the truck this morning. I almost fell over looking at the rear passenger door to see it was a different color. Upon examination I could see overspray around the body edges, and dried compond all over the rear seat and rear interior frame. The salesman told me they just got the truck back last night from PA and this is the first he saw this damage. Needless to say, we killed the deal and temporarily ordered a 2007 (at the same agreed upon price). Besides a major bargaining chip is anyone aware of a mandatory reporting of body damage to a new vehicle. I mean this entire rear door (extended cab) was totally a different color and really should have been picked up by the driver that picked it up from the PA dealer. Needless to say the son is really bummed out, being his first new vehicle and no other vehicles available matching his criteria, ie: color and options. Suggestions open

resto4u · #2 06-25-2006, 06:46 AM

This varies by state. Usually over a certain dollar amount, it has to be disclosed. If there is major damage, it has to be sold as used and deep discounted. Roger

**MosportGreen66** · #3 06-25-2006, 07:04 AM

I have a friend who bought a 2007 Yukon and on its way to the dealer in PA a stone kicked up and cracked the front windsheild. The dealer's final inspection of the car picked this defect up and a new w/s was ordered on the expense of GMC. While not a body damage claim, I would think the dealer would be forced to handle it.

The car could become a demo of sort or maybe a loaner if damage is bad enough?

Donutblue · #4 06-25-2006, 07:08 AM

The dealer immediately offered to get the paint job corrected, however my son wanted no part of having body work done to his first "New" purchase and I don't blame him. It really sucked having found this before the dealer, even after his crew cleaned it for delivery.

Jim Mulvey · #5 06-25-2006, 08:36 AM

I have seen this before. It is much better to walk away and get the car you want without any questionable pre-delivery problems.

mrtimstik · #6 06-25-2006, 08:12 PM

85 Mustang GT purchased new had a damaged roof that looked perfect at delivery but years later it appeared as a big patch of filler. I was surprised and wondering what else I might find.

71-LS6 · #7 06-26-2006, 01:58 AM

I had the same kind of deal, only with a twist. I ordered a 98' Dodge truck from an out of state dealer, after driving 200+ miles in my trade-in vehicle (a huge piece of worn out junk), I arrived to see my new truck with a dent in the nice little short bed. I had ordered an 8' bed without a dent. After sizing up the situation, and my prospects of driving back home, and finding anyone else to take my junker for a trade-in, I just took the new one, short bed, dent and all. I've still got that truck today as my back-up vehicle. After 300K trouble free miles, I think I got the better deal that day.

musclecarjohn · #8 06-26-2006, 07:51 PM

In CA,most vehicle are routed from railcars through Hadley transport which has it's own bodyshop to handle damaged vehicles.Often times,small body damage is not disclosed to the dealer,it is just repaired there and then sent off to the dealer once said repairs are done.
I've seen some questionable repairs over the years....

Canucklehead · #9 06-26-2006, 07:59 PM

When i bought my ranger i never noticed until i got home the overspary in the fenderwell. It must of been a minor touch-up as it has never become a problem.

**Mr70** · #10 06-26-2006, 08:09 PM

Although not accidental damage,a local friend of mine here ordered a Brand new 1970 LS-6 Chevelle from his local Chevy Dealership in May of 70.
When it arrived,(Arlington Build),he was very upset with the visible Factory lead cover up over the weld seam under the paint,where the quarter panels meet the roof.
He would not take delivery of it and wanted his deposit back unless the dealership sanded that area down and repainted it to match honestly.
They did it for him,but he had to pay for Labor & Materials,as they noted that That's the way the Factory assembled them originally.
He agreed.

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