Such A Bad Truck Day

hockeypro1411 · May 7, 2009

As some of you know, I brought my truck into the dealership to have a new wheel bearing/hub assembly put on, as well as some other minor things. This was on Monday, and today I got the call that it was done. Normally this would be a great phone call to get, but unfortunately the service manager had some news for me. He said the bearing/hub and upper ball joints were fixed, the horn was fixed, and the slow window got some grease. The bearing/hub was covered under the 180 day warranty from the dealership with a $100 deductable, and they just fixed the horn and window because they were fast fixes and they were feeling nice I guess. The idler pulley bearings, the A/C compressor clutch, and the clunk from the driveshaft weren't covered under the warranty, so they didn't fix them. Now the bad part of the phone call... He informed me that I no longer had my GMPP 2 year extended warranty because they were never supposed to sell it to me in the first place because the truck is lifted. He told me I can come in and pick up the truck anytime, and to stop by the finance office to see some guy who would refund my money for the GMPP. UHHHHH...NO? I knew the risks of buying a 6 year old lifted truck, and that's why I bought the warranty with it. I specifically asked the finance guy who sold me the warranty if they would give me any trouble because it was lifted, and he said absolutely not. I don't think I would have ever bought this truck if I knew I couldn't get some sort of extended warranty. Walking in there tomorrow and having them refund my money for the GMPP and telling me to have a nice day isn't an option. They've either got to keep my money and give me a warranty through the dealership, or give me back every cent I paid for that truck and warranty. I will tell you this... If they don't make this right with me, I will never buy another vehicle from them again, and will make sure I tell everyone else I know. Sorry for the long vent/complaint. What do you guys think I should do? This is kinda making me mad.

Outbacker · May 7, 2009

Honestly, I would be livid. I cannot stand friggin' idiots who say crap to sell a truck (or RV) just to get it out the door, only to find out that he was full of shit. That warranty should be honored by the dealership who sold you the truck, and I do not blame you for being pissed off. I know I would be. Good luck.

tobias · May 7, 2009

Go get your truck from the service department.

Sign the work docs for it only.

Leave.

If they hassle you, consult an attorney.

ryan_hermanutz · May 7, 2009

Dude, that sucks. I wouldn't settle for anything less than the terms that you came to upon purchase.

mc14 · May 7, 2009

You've got a signed contract for the warranty, right? I would hold them to it...if not an attorney would be the way to go...but, if the agreement is on paper they've got no where to run. I'd be ticked off, too.

2005LT · May 7, 2009

You've got a signed contract for the warranty, right? I would hold them to it...if not an attorney would be the way to go...but, if the agreement is on paper they've got no where to run. I'd be ticked off, too.

+1 on the signed contract.

hockeypro1411 · May 7, 2009

Yep. A GMPP 2 year extended warranty contract was signed and dated. I'm going to try to get this resolved without being a dick, and without getting a lawyer involved. I hope they go for just keeping my money and giving me a 2 year dealership warranty on top of my 180 day standard dealership warranty. I don't care who the hell warranties it, as long as it gets done. I really don't want to have to go as far as telling them to write me a check for the truck at my purchase price and shove it up their ass because I still love the truck and want to keep it, but I also don't really want a 6 year old lifted truck without a warranty.

2005LT · May 7, 2009

Yep. A GMPP 2 year extended warranty contract was signed and dated. I'm going to try to get this resolved without being a dick, and without getting a lawyer involved. I hope they go for just keeping my money and giving me a 2 year dealership warranty on top of my 180 day standard dealership warranty. I don't care who the hell warranties it, as long as it gets done. I really don't want to have to go as far as telling them to write me a check for the truck at my purchase price and shove it up their ass because I still love the truck and want to keep it, but I also don't really want a 6 year old lifted truck without a warranty.

Big point right there. I in no way mean any offense to any lawyers who may be here but if you can try other steps first that would be ideal. Otherwise a lot of $$$ get lost in the argument.

jimbello · May 7, 2009

You've got a signed contract for the warranty, right? I would hold them to it...if not an attorney would be the way to go...but, if the agreement is on paper they've got no where to run. I'd be ticked off, too.

+1 on the signed contract.

Contact the BBB, Consumer affairs in your state and file a complaint about the deceptive tactics the salesman took to sell you the warrenty. But, and this might be a slam dunk for GMPP's standpoint anyhow. Get out your GMPP booklet, there is wording that states the exclusions for which the warrenty is voided for the entire truck OR suspect parts.

What GMPP will NOT cover

Sub heading ( I ) Relating to any part which is not original equipment or like replacement part

There is other wording in the booklet that specifically names a lift kit and an exclusion of coverage.

It's in writing so you might not have much luck with GM but you might be able to file suit against the dealer for fraud. Good luck

hockeypro1411 · May 7, 2009

You've got a signed contract for the warranty, right? I would hold them to it...if not an attorney would be the way to go...but, if the agreement is on paper they've got no where to run. I'd be ticked off, too.

+1 on the signed contract.

Contact the BBB, Consumer affairs in your state and file a complaint about the deceptive tactics the salesman took to sell you the warrenty. But, and this might be a slam dunk for GMPP's standpoint anyhow. Get out your GMPP booklet, there is wording that states the exclusions for which the warrenty is voided for the entire truck OR suspect parts.

What GMPP will NOT cover

Sub heading ( I ) Relating to any part which is not original equipment or like replacement part

There is other wording in the booklet that specifically names a lift kit and an exclusion of coverage.

It's in writing so you might not have much luck with GM but you might be able to file suit against the dealer for fraud. Good luck

I seriously hope it doesn't come to filing a suit against the dealership for fraud, but would that even be possible if they offer my money back for the warranty and tell me to get the hell out?

fbachman · May 7, 2009

Bottom line is THIS:

There was a contract. There was a meeting of the minds, neither party was under duress, there was no fraud involved, and all of this can be proven by virtue of a cancelled check (payment in consideration) which the dealership, CLEARLY took without question BACK THEN. Both parties entered into the contract.

Had you NOT had a failure, they would have kept the money for the contract for sure. This is crystal clear in the law. You can't change or nullify a contract after the fact without BOTH PARTIES being in agreement, AND, I will bet my left kiwi, that somewhere in the small print on the contract there is a clause that indicates that "this is the only agreement between the parties, and blah blah". The four corners of the contract are what they are. The law does not allow them to change the rules at their will.

The contract is legally binding, whether they like it or not, and you WILL previal if this ever goes to a court --- SIMPLE AS THAT --- and I bet they already KNOW this.

What PROBABLY happened is THIS... as times got a little awkward for GM, they are pinching dealers on warranty concession. The warranty center balked it back to the dealer, and told them they shouldn't a sold it.

They have only one choice: to honor the warranty....and EAT THE COST ON THEIR OWN. However, this is not YOUR problem. It is between the delaer and the underwriter.

They decided that they would try to pull a fast one by getting you a refund and cancelling the warranty, which is cheaper than the repair, fer sure.

If it were ME, I would do this first. Get your truck out of there... sign NOTHING.

Send a certified, registered, letter to the delaer with a copy of the warranty, and ask them to state, in writing, why they refust to honor it. Copy your state's attorney general and your state board of insurance (as a warranty is a form of insurance). Indicate that you will only accept a written explanation and will NOT accept a refund, as they knew the condition and mods of the vehicle upon its sale to you. Indicate, in this letter, that you are not willing in any way shape or form to conceed to any change of the original terms of the original contract.

Before doing so, call the owner of the dealership and tell him you are doing this, and you will NOT back down. Take no guff. THEY ARE WRONG. Tell them that there are two choices. The work gets performed under the auspices of the warranty immediately, or you will take any legal remedy available to you to enforce the contract. A call to a local TV station that has a busy-body investigative reporter may be amusing as well. You may mention that too.

You could offer to accept the refund AFTER they fix the issue(s), at no cost to you, or under whatever deductible is called out in the warranty, and after a 90 day period following receipt of the vehicle AFTER the repair is complete to insure the repair is robust. May be another option for you.

YOU'RE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HERE. May not be fun/easy, or easy on your time. But, they really have NO leg to stand on here, by the law.

EDIT: If the truck was lifted when you bought it, they had an obligation to tell you that the lift was not covered, as the vehicle was in that condition when the warranty was sold to you. It would be different if you received a new vehicle, purchased the warranty, THEN modded the vehicle. This could get a little tit-for-tat, but the reality is there was a misrepresentation in that case, as the vehicle was sold to you that way.

BuckFeverZ · May 7, 2009

clifff nostse? whoevrr read all that is a dumbagsss

svensk · May 7, 2009

Those silly sales people lying for a sale again!

I feel like I'm at work again putting out a fire that sales caused by BS'ing a customer.

DBVille · May 7, 2009

I am willing to bet that the contract you signed is with GM, not the dealer. The difference is that burried deep int eh contract is a clause that says it is not binding until GM accepts it. And, since the vehicle doesn't meet GMs requirements, they didn't accept it. Right, wrong or immoral, doesn't matter. Read the entire contract for wiggle words like that, before going in and threatening them with the "signed contract". Maybe I'm wrong, in which case, great!! But, check it out first.

Oh, and they may hold the truck unless you sign the warranty return papers. I don't know what you do at that time, without a lawyer.

hockeypro1411 · May 7, 2009

Thanks for the heads up, Frank. I know I have the legal power here, being that it's a legally binding contract. I really hope it does not come down to bringing in the media circus and lawyers. It's certainly not going to be just a refund. I plan on telling them up front that if I can't walk out of there with some kind of warranty, then I'll be walking out of there with a check for the entire cost of the truck+warranty. Let the next guy deal with it.