My 03 Was Wrecked?

[eyeball03]

Well guys, I'm stumped, bewildered, and somewhat PO'd. I visited a local GMC dealership today to trade up from my 03 RCSB Chevy, to a New Quad Cab GMC Sierra. I found the perfect truck that I wanted SLE1 package, white, my favorite color, did the test drive and was ready to deal.

 

They did a Carfax report on my truck and came back with a Collision repair 8/8/03, Damage to right rear, and right rear pillar "professional inspection is recommended"...I bought the truck new 10/18/03.....talk about freakin out, I about pooed my shorts. that report knocked 5k off the trade in value.

 

I proceeded to drive to the Chevy dealer where i purchased it. I calmly asked to speak to the General manager, and after a short wait, here comes two BIG dudes, one the Manager, the other the salesman I dealt with in 03. He's the Finance manager now. I explained that in 03, I bought a new truck, that was wrecked, and its showing on a carfax report, that I had brought with me.

 

Well they never heard of such a thing, that they must had gotten it from another dealer and had no idea...I just so happened to have kept the orgininal window sticker, and it was delivered to them. Busted their butt on that excuse! Next I'm offered to trade for a Chevy, that they had no fear of my truck, and it was worth 6500 on trade....they use the "black book" not NADA, which shows a 9500 value on clean trade in. I explained that I didn't want a chevy, and that I preferred the style of the GMC over the Chevy.

 

The GM left the conversation and "Jimmie" the salesmans/FM, asked what I wanted. Well I said that I've lost 5k on resell due to this report, and I thought compensation was in order. I told him that I thought Legal advise was needed, and he said well, u start talkin lawyers, u'll have to deal with corporate.

 

Their to check with their body shop Monday and will contact me, they said maybe it was another truck and the BS, wrote down the wrong vin #

 

Well WTF do I do now...sue em? Contact the bank that holds the lein maybe? Contact GM??? yeah, like they give a crap!! BBB? protest in front of the dealership with a sign on? lol "These guys sell wrecked trucks as NEW!!". Try to contact Carfax...they have a disclaimer on the report, that they depend on its sources for the accuracy and reliability of it information, Therefore, NO responsibility is assumed by carfax or its agents for errors or omissions in this report

 

I love the truck, Its been good fun, I see no signs of it being repaired, as Carfax says it has...I can always, tell when a vehicle been repaired. I'm just kinda bummed right now. I was looking forward to that NEW GMC sittin in the driveway this afternoon. I've never had to deal with anything, like this before in my life

 

Any suggestions, advise, about a similar experience with a situation like this before would be helpful...Thanks in advance. JOE

[Zembonez]

WOW. That is quite the pickle.

 

You would think that if the truck was wrecked that badly...

 

A: The dealer would not have sold it

B: You would have been able to tell somewhere that it had been fixed.

C: The dealer would have been smart enough to not report the repair (easy enough to do internally)

 

I'm betting the Carfax is wrong. It's either that or the dealer really pulled a fast one. If that turns out to be the case, I'd go after them for sure. If they willingly sold you a truck that they KNEW was wrecked, I'd threaten to sue their asses off (whether you really plan to or not) unless of course, they fork over what it takes for you to not lose money on your trade. I think that would be fair.

[VMax2007]

WOW. That is quite the pickle.

 

You would think that if the truck was wrecked that badly...

 

A: The dealer would not have sold it

B: You would have been able to tell somewhere that it had been fixed.

C: The dealer would have been smart enough to not report the repair (easy enough to do internally)

 

I'm betting the Carfax is wrong. It's either that or the dealer really pulled a fast one. If that turns out to be the case, I'd go after them for sure. If they willingly sold you a truck that they KNEW was wrecked, I'd threaten to sue their asses off (whether you really plan to or not) unless of course, they fork over what it takes for you to not lose money on your trade. I think that would be fair.

 

I also bet the Carfax is wrong, but if not, then I agree with what Jim recommends. New vehicles get dinged quite often, usually in transit, but how would a brand new truck receive that much damage? How many miles were on it when you took delivery?

 

Good luck!

[mbrannon]

This happened to my Dad on an 84 Dodge that he had bought new... I had run into the side of the bed with my 49 and the truck needed a repaint. THe Body man my dad used found bondo in both doors of the truck. Dad carried the truck back to the stealership and showed them the bondo. Yep they admited the truck was damaged durring delivery and paid to fix all the damage I had caused as well... I can tell you that cars and trucks are damaged every day on new and used lots, from scratchs to huge dents.... Dad just the other day scratched the whole side of a Jag....

[eyeball03]

WOW. That is quite the pickle.

 

You would think that if the truck was wrecked that badly...

 

A: The dealer would not have sold it

B: You would have been able to tell somewhere that it had been fixed.

C: The dealer would have been smart enough to not report the repair (easy enough to do internally)

 

I'm betting the Carfax is wrong. It's either that or the dealer really pulled a fast one. If that turns out to be the case, I'd go after them for sure. If they willingly sold you a truck that they KNEW was wrecked, I'd threaten to sue their asses off (whether you really plan to or not) unless of course, they fork over what it takes for you to not lose money on your trade. I think that would be fair.

 

I also bet the Carfax is wrong, but if not, then I agree with what Jim recommends. New vehicles get dinged quite often, usually in transit, but how would a brand new truck receive that much damage? How many miles were on it when you took delivery?

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

I had 338, on it when I bought it...Damage was done at 312....I think Carfax is wrong too...but how do I prove it??....I'm so disgusted!!

[Chestah]

It may be worth trying to take a magnet to the supposedly wrecked portion to check if there is any bondo.

[VMax2007]

I had 338, on it when I bought it...Damage was done at 312....I think Carfax is wrong too...but how do I prove it??....I'm so disgusted!!

 

I would try working with them to confirm what really happened, stay calm, but firm. Then if they do not "make it right", then threaten legal action. I am willing to bet they will end up giving you the true value of your truck if you hold your ground. If all else fails, go get some Ford/Dodge/Toyota brochures and carry them in with you, with your checkbook on top.

[eyeball03]

I had 338, on it when I bought it...Damage was done at 312....I think Carfax is wrong too...but how do I prove it??....I'm so disgusted!!

 

I would try working with them to confirm what really happened, stay calm, but firm. Then if they do not "make it right", then threaten legal action. I am willing to bet they will end up giving you the true value of your truck if you hold your ground. If all else fails, go get some Ford/Dodge/Toyota brochures and carry them in with you, with your checkbook on top.

 

 

 

OH....I was calm...and firm, I had the 14y/o son with me today. I was bonding, lol..showing him how to deal with the stealerships, and salesmen.

 

I guess the just learned that Dad, got ripped off when he was 9!!

 

I just took a magnet to it! It stuck everywhere...like I said I can spot body repair...I've damaged enough myself LOL...but I see no signs of it being repaired, no overspray or miss matched paint, orange peel...if it was wrecked the dude that repaired it is awesome at doing body work.

 

Either way, if the vin was turned in wrong, Whitlow Chevrolet of Richmond Virgina did it, and its costing me major bucks

[Zembonez]

I had 338, on it when I bought it...Damage was done at 312....I think Carfax is wrong too...but how do I prove it??....I'm so disgusted!!

 

I would try working with them to confirm what really happened, stay calm, but firm. Then if they do not "make it right", then threaten legal action. I am willing to bet they will end up giving you the true value of your truck if you hold your ground. If all else fails, go get some Ford/Dodge/Toyota brochures and carry them in with you, with your checkbook on top.

 

LOL!

 

I agree with Jeff. The brochure idea is a good one.

 

Another note. Vehicles are not made of some magically perfect steel body at the factory. The presence of body filler on a new vehicle indicates exactly nothing. All new vehicles have filler in them. It is used on the assembly line to take care of minor dings and areas of the stamped steel that aren't smooth as well as seams and other areas that need a little work prior to painting. It also isn't something to be worried about if done properly and with the right materials.

[eyeball03]

Here's a copy of the carfax report...I tryed scanning it...not too good at scanning

 

 

[Zembonez]

Looks pretty much like it was damaged at the dealership (or maybe on a test drive), repaired and sold to you. Everything adds up date and mileage wise. Looks like they have a little explaining to do.

[dietz4ibanez]

Well guys, I'm stumped, bewildered, and somewhat PO'd. I visited a local GMC dealership today to trade up from my 03 RCSB Chevy, to a New Quad Cab GMC Sierra. I found the perfect truck that I wanted SLE1 package, white, my favorite color, did the test drive and was ready to deal.

 

They did a Carfax report on my truck and came back with a Collision repair 8/8/03, Damage to right rear, and right rear pillar "professional inspection is recommended"...I bought the truck new 10/18/03.....talk about freakin out, I about pooed my shorts. that report knocked 5k off the trade in value.

 

I proceeded to drive to the Chevy dealer where i purchased it. I calmly asked to speak to the General manager, and after a short wait, here comes two BIG dudes, one the Manager, the other the salesman I dealt with in 03. He's the Finance manager now. I explained that in 03, I bought a new truck, that was wrecked, and its showing on a carfax report, that I had brought with me.

 

Well they never heard of such a thing, that they must had gotten it from another dealer and had no idea...I just so happened to have kept the orgininal window sticker, and it was delivered to them. Busted their butt on that excuse! Next I'm offered to trade for a Chevy, that they had no fear of my truck, and it was worth 6500 on trade....they use the "black book" not NADA, which shows a 9500 value on clean trade in. I explained that I didn't want a chevy, and that I preferred the style of the GMC over the Chevy.

 

The GM left the conversation and "Jimmie" the salesmans/FM, asked what I wanted. Well I said that I've lost 5k on resell due to this report, and I thought compensation was in order. I told him that I thought Legal advise was needed, and he said well, u start talkin lawyers, u'll have to deal with corporate.

 

Their to check with their body shop Monday and will contact me, they said maybe it was another truck and the BS, wrote down the wrong vin #

 

Well WTF do I do now...sue em? Contact the bank that holds the lein maybe? Contact GM??? yeah, like they give a crap!! BBB? protest in front of the dealership with a sign on? lol "These guys sell wrecked trucks as NEW!!". Try to contact Carfax...they have a disclaimer on the report, that they depend on its sources for the accuracy and reliability of it information, Therefore, NO responsibility is assumed by carfax or its agents for errors or omissions in this report

 

I love the truck, Its been good fun, I see no signs of it being repaired, as Carfax says it has...I can always, tell when a vehicle been repaired. I'm just kinda bummed right now. I was looking forward to that NEW GMC sittin in the driveway this afternoon. I've never had to deal with anything, like this before in my life

 

Any suggestions, advise, about a similar experience with a situation like this before would be helpful...Thanks in advance. JOE

 

 

I think that if it were me and I wasnt getting anywhere with carfax and the dealer I would contact one of those Live on your side or Call for Auction with your local television station.. I had a friend up North that went through this...

 

He wrote a letter to dealer/carfax stating what he felt that he deserved out of the wrecked/fixed vehicle.. He stated in the letter simply that if this issue was not resolved within 1-2 weeks(depending how fast you want to see action.) that he was going to have this story broadcasted and they would be facing a lawsuit following if they did not respond...

 

They did not respond to the letter but once the Television station contacted and questioned them realizing that they were going to lose if they continued to not resolve the situation...

 

 

So my friend got what he wanted and the story never made it on tv!

[eyeball03]

Well the GMC salesman just called and apologized for, insinuating, I was lying when I told him the truck was never wrecked...they thought I was!

 

He suggested I contact my insurance carrier, as they have insured a NEW vehicle that was worth less for them too. So I did! Still nothing will be done until Monday

[Tucson_02Silverado]

Work calmly with the dealership and explain that all you are wanting is a fair explaination of the Carfax report and this would be a good time to have that dealer contact CarFax as it's CarFax that is possibly tainting that dealership's name (make it all work for you).

 

The vehicle was in the dealer's "ownership" when the Carfax shows the incident being reported.

 

If the dealer does claim responsibility for the damage and the lost resale value (also in writing);

The lost resale difference in the form of cash monies, or;

accessories from their parts department at minium 15% off the price to run a "tab" up to the total of the agreed lost value, or;

they sell you the GMC at the same price of the other dealership and adjust the trade value to the appropiate value.

 

If the dealership does not claim responsibility (also in writing),

and Carfax says their report is accurate, then your next recourse is to contact your state's attorney-general's consumer affairs office.

[eyeball03]

Work calmly with the dealership and explain that all you are wanting is a fair explaination of the Carfax report and this would be a good time to have that dealer contact CarFax as it's CarFax that is possibly tainting that dealership's name (make it all work for you).

 

The vehicle was in the dealer's "ownership" when the Carfax shows the incident being reported.

 

If the dealer does claim responsibility for the damage and the lost resale value (also in writing);

The lost resale difference in the form of cash monies, or;

accessories from their parts department at minium 15% off the price to run a "tab" up to the total of the agreed lost value, or;

they sell you the GMC at the same price of the other dealership and adjust the trade value to the appropiate value.

 

If the dealership does not claim responsibility (also in writing),

and Carfax says their report is accurate, then your next recourse is to contact your state's attorney-general's consumer affairs office.

 

 

Thanks for that excellant information. They only sell Chevy's though, and not a 2wd quad on the lot. I guess a Chevy would do, but I like the style of the GMC better, (no offense to the Chevy guys)....their "black book" says my 03 is worth 6500, NADA says 9500, and I mentioned that to them, and said they "use the black book" and I responded that I use the YELLOW book!!...my O3 has 28,200 on it...cherry, scratchless and shiny except for a BB shot (long story)

 

I'm not sure I trust them enough to buy another vehicle from them anyways.