[Mr.C]

Saw it on Reddit, figured I should post it here. I'd be pissed if this were my car.


A friend of mine /u/Cannon_Fodder42 took his Audi S4 in for new tires and what happened following was a pretty terrible sequence of events.
After the service the dealership took the car for a test drive to ensure the tires were installed correctly. Something happened (The dealership never gave details) but during the test drive they put the car into a ditch. The damage to the front Left side of the car was pretty extensive, and the total cost to repair has come back at $20,000.
The car is a CPO Audi worth about $35,000 according to the insurance estimates so it's not quite in the write off range, but it's pretty extensive damage. There is ongoing discussions between the dealership and my friend but it feels like the extent of the repairs required dramatically reduce the value of the vehicle. They are in the midst of negotiations about how to handle the loss of value + repairs.
Has anyone had anything similar happen before? What was the response from the car dealership.
TL;DR; Dealership installed tires on a friends car. Put it in a ditch on the test drive. Did 20k worth of damage. Looking for other horror stories and responses to evaluate / compare against the offers being made.
Update: There was an offer made back on the car that I'm able to include here. That came with a deadline of end of day!!!!
There are 2 options to the offer that's being presented I'm just posting it here.
The final repair estimate is $19,700. Insurance give the replacement cost for the car at a little over $35k.
The dealership now value the damaged S4 at trade in at $23,000
Canadian Black Book suggests around $29,000 given that the car is CPO’d for another year so in good condition and about 70k km on the clock.
The compensation that they offered is:
Either 3k in cash, plus they’d pay for the tires (which probably need replacing after the crash anyway)
Or
27k in trade in value
We're estimating to buy a new replacement in similar condition and with the same value would be around ~35,000 plus around $3k in taxes.
Edit 2: Tried to respond as much as possible, we were travelling back from a business trip and I decided to post here for experiences and any advice before our flight. Posts exploded while we were on the plane. Seems it was a good call.
Edit 3: /u/Cannon_Fodder42 is my friend and it looks like he's posted the dealership so if you were wondering it's OpenRoad Audi in Vancouver.
Thanks again for what's been said up to now.

Dealership crashed a friends car during a service appointment. Anyone experienced anything similar? : cars (http://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/2u7u2l/dealership_crashed_a_friends_car_during_a_service/)

[jing]

I guess it failed the tire test if it ended up in a ditch

[kkthind]

pics or didn't happen :drunk:

[SpeedStars]

Isn't this why the dealer has insurance...

[Vale46Rossi]

LOL

[Tr1ll]

Somebody is getting fired for this one :facepalm:

[Klobbersaurus]

i heard a story about the MB dealer in vancouver telling a customer that an engine seized because the customer put gas into a brand new 2015 ML bluetec, the repair bill was around $40,000 and when they pulled the motor apart, they found that a valve dropped and caused the motor seizure but didnt tell the cutomer

[Tegra_Devil]

co-worker wrapped a brand new customer SRT10 Ram around a pole when i worked at maple ridge chrysler...

[xjc11]

All these horror stories are why I hate getting my car serviced/repaired by someone else
DIY FTW :fuckyea:

[Akinari]

:lawl:

[hongy]

Not surprised that this happened at openroad audi, had a few people drive my car around like assholes while I was there.

[BoostedBB6]

So they put new tires on, drive like idiots and wreck the car......yeah, dont even bother with talking to them. Get a lawyer.

[westopher]

Yep. As much as its going to make it a fucking hassle, they need to make it fair and don't seem to have much interest in doing that, so lawyer time it is. 20k damage is a HUGE hit when you come to sell the car down the road.

[tiger_handheld]

Can't the owner find a comparable vehicle that's for sale and use that as a baseline to negotiate trade in? Doesn't seem like thread would exist if such was done. Or are S4's that rare?

[sekin67835]

No, it's just open road audi are full of assholes

[Iron Chef]

Lol that story doesn't even make sense
i heard a story about the MB dealer in vancouver telling a customer that an engine seized because the customer put gas into a brand new 2015 ML bluetec, the repair bill was around $40,000 and when they pulled the motor apart, they found that a valve dropped and caused the motor seizure but didnt tell the cutomer

[white rocket]

Dealership should give a trade-in value from before the accident($35k?) and offer a deal on a different car to upgrade to. That would be a fair resolution IMO. Them fighting it and lowballing makes them look like they're dodging the issue that the accident, and resulting damage, was completely their fault. why should the client be out a dime aside from the requested repairs? Or be stuck with a "hit" car that's worth fuck all now?

[CCA-Dave]

^^^ Exactly.

For the dealership, its a cost of doing business. Why some dealerships choose to act like this one allegedly has, is beyond me. In this day and age the negative press and social media coverage is a much larger cost than doing the right thing from the get-go.

-D

[Teriyaki]

Probably the service managers and sales managers just trying to be heroes, nickling and diming as they usually do thinking they're super heroes for saving the dealership 1k or 2k here. Not understanding the big picture.

Make the guy whole. Imagine the kind of reaction they'd get if they just said "hey, we effed up. How about we pay you out the cost of the car as you had just bought it, don't even worry about the depreciation for your time of ownership"

[underscore]

I'm a bit tired but looking at both offers the RO is losing money when they shouldn't lose a cent for this.

[Ronin]

Wow, that's totally shitty of them. You should get at least $35k in trade-in value. Why should the owner lose money? He would've been better off not going to the dealership in the first place so fuck them.

Tell them you'll take the story to the news if you don't get at least $35k and a good deal on a new car. This sounds like a story that a certain website (that rhymes with Schmanschmity Schmuzz) would turn viral pretty quick on a weekend.

[68style]

Yah it's just common sense that you don't ask someone to "meet you in the middle" when it's your fuckup.

[BBMme]

That's messed up in every level

[Zordon]

Wow, if that was me at the table i would have asked "So you're telling me that if i drove your car into a ditch, you would want to meet me in the middle and get less for the car? If so, you're full of shit and the next time you hear from me is from my lawyer."

[Tone Loc]

Stories like these are the main reason - other than the fact that I don't like being a victim of highway robbery - I would rather DIY when possible than take my car to a shop. For little things that need specialized machinery (like pressing in a wheel bearing) I just rather take the assembly to the shop than bring my entire car over... I am willing to bet some teenaged lot attendant took this car out for a joyride and now the dealership is trying to cover it up. As if just having your car's value nuked wasn't bad enough!

[CCA-Dave]

I'm with you. It's also one of the reasons I don't buy new cars, I don't want to be a slave to the dealership, even when things are covered under warranty. I can't think of a good reason why someone would feel the need to test drive a car after mounting new tires...unless it's dealership policy in effort to find more things to ding the customer on.

I dunno, I worked at a car dealership while I was in high school. I worked for an honest Parts Manager, and learned a tonne about life and employment from Jim. But I saw enough things going on in the dealership outside the parts department to know I never wanted to deal with one on my own car!

-Dave

[white rocket]

Yes, seeing the ins and outs of the auto industry can be quite disheartening as it's all about money and bottom line and morals are bent and broken because of it. Trying to make the most amount of money in the shortest period of time for most. Capitalism!, what can you do? But like any industry, if you're hip to the game you can work it in your favor and not fall for or get caught up in all the bullshit.

Even without social media, word of mouth can ruin a business and when a business does right by you you tell a friend, but when a business fucks you over you tell every single person you see and for a long period of time.

[Eff-1]

Dealership thinks the car is worth XX based on its research. Obviously dealership wants to save as much money as possible. Meanwhile, the Owner thinks the car is worth YY based on his research. Owner just needs to stick to his guns and continue to show proof to the dealership of the value he believes the car is worth and eventually he will get what he is asking for, provided it's reasonable (which is sounds like it is).

Because, if this went to court, the owner would hire a 3rd party appraiser to provide testimony of the car's true value, plus he would sue for all the associated additional costs and special damages, plus court costs and legal fees. It would be an open and shut case, and the dealer's name would get dragged through the mud. Obviously the dealership doesn't want that, so it's only a matter of time until this gets settled in the owner's favour. It's just too bad the dealership is playing hardball to begin with.

[CannonFodder42]

Hi all,

I can confirm that this isn't an "alleged" scenario. It's my car that was crashed! The dealership can confirm if you'd like. So it's not the fact that it's happened that's the problem, more that their concept of "making whole" is vastly different to mine and most of those people that I've talked to.

At the moment I'm hoping to avoid lawyers and solve this through the power of the communities. I have to say I'd never heard of this forum until someone pointed this out, but since I'm trying to raise the profile of my problem to enccourage OpenRoad to be reasonable, I wanted to post to be able to answer any questions if required, and hopefully get some support.

[123654123]

oh man these 2015 threads

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2w2j8fd.jpg

[Ronin]

Hi all,

I can confirm that this isn't an "alleged" scenario. It's my car that was crashed! The dealership can confirm if you'd like. So it's not the fact that it's happened that's the problem, more that their concept of "making whole" is vastly different to mine and most of those people that I've talked to.

At the moment I'm hoping to avoid lawyers and solve this through the power of the communities. I have to say I'd never heard of this forum until someone pointed this out, but since I'm trying to raise the profile of my problem to enccourage OpenRoad to be reasonable, I wanted to post to be able to answer any questions if required, and hopefully get some support.

Owner Of Camaro ZL1 Crashed By Dealership Is Getting A New Car (http://jalopnik.com/owner-of-camaro-zl1-crashed-by-dealership-is-getting-a-1501366861)

Share this story with them. It's about the same as what you're going through.

The Internet rained hurt on that dealership. Tell OpenRoad that if they don't want the same to happen to them, they better make this right. It doesn't take much for this story to break and then they're screwed. They can come out of this looking good if they give you a replacement.

[HKS PWR]

Hi all,

I can confirm that this isn't an "alleged" scenario. It's my car that was crashed! The dealership can confirm if you'd like. So it's not the fact that it's happened that's the problem, more that their concept of "making whole" is vastly different to mine and most of those people that I've talked to.

At the moment I'm hoping to avoid lawyers and solve this through the power of the communities. I have to say I'd never heard of this forum until someone pointed this out, but since I'm trying to raise the profile of my problem to enccourage OpenRoad to be reasonable, I wanted to post to be able to answer any questions if required, and hopefully get some support.

I'm not sure how far up you've gotten at the dealership, but if the general manager is not "reasonable", you could always email/call the president/CEO of OpenRoad Autogroup, Christian Chia.

The last thing the CEO of a dozen dealership want to deal with is a situation like yours. Christian Chia is smart enough, been in the industry long enough to understand that if you are working on cars that accidents will happen. This situation can easily be fixed with money. What the dealership deems a fair value and what you think is fair value of the vehicle is only a few thousand dollars. He knows that nickel-and-diming you at this point can only bring bad press and all the backlash that comes with it. The ironic part is the OpenRoad Autogroup spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year (my guesstimate) on marketing (print media, promotions, etc). Hell, aren't they a RevScene sponsor?!?!?!!

[BEEB]

Definitely not the first time OpenRoad Audi crashed their customer's car.

Openroad Audi crashed their customer's S7 last year during a service appointment as well.

[Mancini]

Isn't this why the dealer has insurance...

Yes. But the garage policy will only cover the cost of repairs.

[underscore]

Not in BC, but recently a brand new STi was totalled by a dealer as well. I can't find the link atm, but the dealer claimed they hit a deer when the damage clearly looks like it rearended a truck.

[trollguy]

maybe the dealership should have said they hit a ram

[Lomac]

Not in BC, but recently a brand new STi was totalled by a dealer as well. I can't find the link atm, but the dealer claimed they hit a deer when the damage clearly looks like it rearended a truck.

It's on Jalopnik.

[RRxtar]

http://i.imgur.com/5uVtEhn.jpg

That deer must have had an ass like a truck bumper

[iamed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIMxZ_l4XYE#t=85

[freakshow]

I'm a little skeptical of the $35K valuation.. if the discrepancy is really that large, the dealer is just insane.

What year is the S4 and how many kms does it have?

[OriginalJC]

This is actually a friend of mine.
It's a 2010 S4, with about 70k kms.

Pics at audizine: Thread (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/632557-Help-Dealer-crashed-my-car-Advice-requested)

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/medium/image858.jpg

[westopher]

I'm a little skeptical of the $35K valuation.. if the discrepancy is really that large, the dealer is just insane.

What year is the S4 and how many kms does it have?
I couldn't find any 2010 S4s for sale, however 2011s are all 40+ so I don't think 35k could be far above at all, especially as said, when taxes come into play. There is no reason the owner of the car should pay a cent.

[hongy]

I couldn't find any 2010 S4s for sale, however 2011s are all 40+ so I don't think 35k could be far above at all, especially as said, when taxes come into play. There is no reason the owner of the car should pay a cent.

I was quoted around 35k when I brought in my 2010 s4.

[Ronin]

Any updates?

I've forwarded the story to a few friends in the media that might want to take a look but if CannonFodder wants to escalate the matter, we can take it further. I thought that he might've gotten OpenRoad to pay attention with this much already.

[StylinRed]

Steele On Your Side, Jalopnik

should be more than enough if he doesn't want to lawyer up

[BBMme]

You should Youtube this stuff.

[donjalapeno]

I would let the dealership counter offer before destroying them on media and social media.

[hchang]

Kind off off topic but I took my truck into a dealer for an oil change and when I got it back the engine was at normal operating temperature (takes a while to warm up and I left truck with them when I went to work) gas meter went down and the dash cams were unhooked.

I wonder what they did... As an oil change isn't something you need to test drive on...

Next time I'm writing down the exact kms before bringing it in.

[HKS PWR]

Next time I'm writing down the exact kms before bringing it in.

The service advisor should have written down the exact mileage on the repair order.

[westopher]

I would let the dealership counter offer before destroying them on media and social media.
If everything posted so far is true, I'd make it a point of absolutely tearing them apart. People shouldn't be bullied by large companies in this situation. Again this is IF everything posted so far is true.

[see.lai]

Kind off off topic but I took my truck into a dealer for an oil change and when I got it back the engine was at normal operating temperature (takes a while to warm up and I left truck with them when I went to work) gas meter went down and the dash cams were unhooked.

I wonder what they did... As an oil change isn't something you need to test drive on...

Next time I'm writing down the exact kms before bringing it in.

Some tech's prefer to have privacy when they work on your car, hence the unplugged dash cam. That's what I've noticed.
Usually the service advisors write down your KM's when you bring your car in for service.

[dvst8]

I would let the dealership counter offer before destroying them on media and social media.

I disagree, they had their chance to get it right the first time around.

[ilvtofu]

I disagree, they had their chance to get it right the first time around.

I disagree, having worked retail and sales for many years, if you give an inch they take a mile. Not saying what they did to cannon fodder was fair but I can totally understand why a business would start with a lowball offer

To some extent we've probably all experience Craigslist lowballers here. a personal experience of mine is when I posted my GoPro for what I thought was a pretty fair price ($250) I kept getting offers for $200-220. When I took the ad down and posted it again for $280 I got multiple offers for $230 and it was pretty easy to get the buyer to "meet halfway" at $250.

[tofu1413]

35k tax in for a 2010 S4 is about right.


My dealer just sold one... 31k + tax for it. black on black, 10' S4. one dec of 3k (not a lot nowadays)

If I were Audi, i'd step up and offer to buy out the S4 and replace it with a similar mileage/ condition S4 as compensation. I'm sure with a bit of effort, they could track one down.

[twitchyzero]

To some extent we've probably all experience Craigslist lowballers here. a personal experience of mine is when I posted my GoPro for what I thought was a pretty fair price ($250) I kept getting offers for $200-220. When I took the ad down and posted it again for $280 I got multiple offers for $230 and it was pretty easy to get the buyer to "meet halfway" at $250.

If you're set on a price just keep it firm or start higher like you said...but 10-20% from your asking price is far from a low ball offer and actually pretty reasonable.

[white rocket]

Comparing this incident to normal sales pricing practices is kind of a joke. It's not like the guy is trying to buy a car from them, the car was in for service and they fucked it up. Mistake or not, it doesn't matter. If the car was in their possession then it is their responsibility to make it right. Lowballing or trying to make a deal with the customer is just bad taste. Trying to save the dealer a few thousand dollars pales in comparison to the possible negative media exposure. Those with a stake in the dealership should be the ones looking at this, not a employee/salesman/manager that has no ties. There is no risk for them. They can pack up and move to another dealership to set up shop and the bad rep is left at their former employers.

"I'd like to speak with the dealer principal" should be the only thing said at this point.

[murd0c]

Back in 02 I had a 01 civic with a full body kit on it and I took it to Surrey Honda and they smoked a curb and cracked the front bumper. At first they didn't want to do anything but I spoke with the GM and had it fixed at the local body shop they use. You always have to play hard ball with them and escalate the issue with someone higher up and use the going to take it to the media if your not happy.

It's complete BS and I would be so pissed off if someone did that to my vehicle.

[melloman]

"Meet in the middle." :pokerface:

Sure. You give me a replica of my car, without the accident... Put some new tires on it, and I'll pay for the tires and the 1 hour of labour to mount and balance those new tires.

Fuck all these cheap ass companies these days.

[parm104]

Back in 02 I had a 01 civic with a full body kit on it and I took it to Surrey Honda and they smoked a curb and cracked the front bumper. At first they didn't want to do anything but I spoke with the GM and had it fixed at the local body shop they use. You always have to play hard ball with them and escalate the issue with someone higher up and use the going to take it to the media if your not happy.

It's complete BS and I would be so pissed off if someone did that to my vehicle.

Ya, your fiberglass body kit repair is totally synonymous to this guy's $20,000 in damages to his Audi. Of course he's talking to the GM already...

[westopher]

I actually LOL'd at that one. Thank you.

[underscore]

Kind off off topic but I took my truck into a dealer for an oil change and when I got it back the engine was at normal operating temperature (takes a while to warm up and I left truck with them when I went to work) gas meter went down and the dash cams were unhooked.

I wonder what they did... As an oil change isn't something you need to test drive on...

Next time I'm writing down the exact kms before bringing it in.

Always always always write down the km yourself, or just snap a quick picture. Here in Kelowna a body shop wracked up over 1000km on a girls car, she had made a note of the km beforehand and friends saw it being driven down the highway on the far side of town while in the shops possession.

[CannonFodder42]

Hi everyone,

I can happily tell everyone that I had a meeting with the GM this morning, and we've agreed on compensation that allows me to go out and get a replacement car. I'm grateful for all the support that I've had from the community, and am really pleased that I can move on and find a new car!

Thanks again

[Ronin]

Straight up they'll buy you another S4? Good news!

[tofu1413]

Hi everyone,

I can happily tell everyone that I had a meeting with the GM this morning, and we've agreed on compensation that allows me to go out and get a replacement car. I'm grateful for all the support that I've had from the community, and am really pleased that I can move on and find a new car!

Thanks again

Good.

Best resolution.

If it were me, I'd strangle whoever did it. Sometimes people get really attached to their cars.

[westopher]

Lol you wouldn't know much about car attachment tofu.

[jmanhas]

^ LOL

(i shouldn't be laughing either)

[tofu1413]

Lol you wouldn't know much about car attachment tofu.

Had my attached cars before. Not anymore Lol.

Do miss the E30 and Z the most

[meme405]

^ LOL

(i shouldn't be laughing either)

No, probably not.:whistle:

[murd0c]

Ya, your fiberglass body kit repair is totally synonymous to this guy's $20,000 in damages to his Audi. Of course he's talking to the GM already...

Of course it doesn't but I was just giving an example what I dealt with when I had an issue with the dealership...