Bad The Dealer just called...

[R.K.]

There are a few signatures missing on the deal that I signed on Thursday night when I bought my Stinger. It's not a huge deal, just a hassle to have to go back to the dealer already, for something as trivial as this, just to add a few signatures where they missed some paperwork.

I already have to go back to the body shop - I started the purchase after work and finished signing the papers after it got dark, while they had the car washed. They brought it out and handed me the keys, but just to be sure, I took my phone flashlight and walked around the car - sure enough, there's a patch of rough paint about the size of a quarter, right on top of the right front quarter panel. It looked bubbly, sort of like pine sap but it was a part of the paint job, not on top, and wouldn't scrape off. I had to go back into the dealer and have them bring out the manager to take a look. They're setting up a time next week at a Kia-approved body shop, but I'm glad I didn't drive away. I'm guessing they might have blamed me even if I'd found the blemish the next day in the sunlight. I'm actually not usually a perfectionist on cars, this will be my daily driver and I'm sure that over time it'll get a few nicks and I'm going to try not to let it bother me too much, but this was a pretty big and obvious paint flaw that the dealer was going to let me drive away with.

The buying experience was easy and I got a good price, but this is 2 strikes already against the rest of the dealership.

 

[MerlintheMad]

They had to know that flaw was there if it's that big and obvious. They must think most customers are stupid.

 

[R.K.]

They parked the car away from any lights, in the dark, for me to take it and drive away. It was parked right by the dealership door, so it may have been not on purpose, but it does seem shady

 

[DiabloStinger]

They can just wet sand and polish thst area if it truly is just scratched.

 

[R.K.]

That's what the manager expected also. I have other issues with potentially bad clear coat - see my comments in the paint quality thread if you're interested. Seems like my brand new car needs to spend some time at the body shop getting paint/clear coat taken care of.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

If the paint is that bad as you state I would take it back first thing in the morning, in a calm but forthright tone demand to see management & call them out on trying to unload a car which obviously had paint issues & demand a replacement car otherwise you can elude to escalating this further to get YOUR desired result.

 

[R.K.]

A question for the forum - if this was your car, what would you demand? i posted the same question in the paint quality thread, but I'll check both spots for replies. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to sign some forms that I didn't sign when I bought the car on Thursday, due to dealer error, so that makes for an interesting situation to discuss the paint quality with the manager.

My thoughts:
- Fix all paint and clearcoat to the high level that's expected of a brand new, premium car
- Apply PPF over every surface that is susceptible to road debris, with a highly qualified installer
- Quality loaner car while the Stinger is in the body shop to fix the paint

I'm in an interesting situation, leverage-wise: due to their error, I apparently haven't signed everything needed to finalize the transaction and loan. I intend to get their written commitment to make everything right before signing. Depending which forms weren't signed due to their error, I could possibly back out of the transaction and give the car back, but other than the paint, I love the car, it's an amazing machine. i think many/most folks on this forum would agree with that.

If this was your situation, what would you ask for? Realistic replies please - I could ask for them to give me a brand new fully loaded GT2 and $100k for my trouble, and that would be amazing, but what could I actually ask for that could give peace of mind that the paint quality will be ok for the typical life of a vehicle?

 

[Stinger GT SS]

What I said above & now an addendum, don’t sign their paperwork until you get a written commitment to a resolution that is 100% satisfactory to YOU!

 

[MerlintheMad]

A question for the forum - if this was your car, what would you demand? i posted the same question in the paint quality thread, but I'll check both spots for replies. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to sign some forms that I didn't sign when I bought the car on Thursday, due to dealer error, so that makes for an interesting situation to discuss the paint quality with the manager.

My thoughts:
- Fix all paint and clearcoat to the high level that's expected of a brand new, premium car
- Apply PPF over every surface that is susceptible to road debris, with a highly qualified installer
- Quality loaner car while the Stinger is in the body shop to fix the paint

I'm in an interesting situation, leverage-wise: due to their error, I apparently haven't signed everything needed to finalize the transaction and loan. I intend to get their written commitment to make everything right before signing. Depending which forms weren't signed due to their error, I could possibly back out of the transaction and give the car back, but other than the paint, I love the car, it's an amazing machine. i think many/most folks on this forum would agree with that.

If this was your situation, what would you ask for? Realistic replies please - I could ask for them to give me a brand new fully loaded GT2 and $100k for my trouble, and that would be amazing, but what could I actually ask for that could give peace of mind that the paint quality will be ok for the typical life of a vehicle?

I replied over on the paint thread. But for the whole thing to work they must repair any damage that they "may" not have known about (I am giving them the benefit of the doubt now, where I wasn't before). The clear coat must be restored. That is all they should be expected to agree to 100%. If you can talk them into fully covering your front end, that would be very cool. If not, then get it done yourself. It's well worth the money (and peace of mind).

 

[Stinger GT SS]

I replied over on the paint thread. But for the whole thing to work they must repair any damage that they "may" not have known about (I am giving them the benefit of the doubt now, where I wasn't before). The clear coat must be restored. That is all they should be expected to agree to 100%. If you can talk them into fully covering your front end, that would be very cool. If not, then get it done yourself. It's well worth the money (and peace of mind).

They would have known the paintwork was damaged/faulty, thier PD Dept. would have picked it up during preparation to hand over, he should stand tough, call them on this issue & I bet they will fold like a deck of cards & offer to resolve it. Time is the issue he needs to act now.

 

[R.K.]

Their PD dept didn't do a great job overall - when I got the car, there were still stickers and protective plastic coverings in random places that they missed... but still, I'd think anyone washing and drying the car would have noticed that large rough spot not coming off. The other clear coat spots are noticeable in sunlight but the top coat is still smooth above most spots other than the one I mentioned in this thread.

I agree with Merlin that the goal is to get the car right, with proper paint and clear coat, as a new car in this price range should have. I agree with Stinger GT SS that now is the time that I have leverage, and I need to use it. When the dealer has leverage, which they usually do on warranty claims, they'll use it, so this is a chance that I have to ensure that the dealer does what's right.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Their PD dept didn't do a great job overall - when I got the car, there were still stickers and protective plastic coverings in random places that they missed... but still, I'd think anyone washing and drying the car would have noticed that large rough spot not coming off. The other clear coat spots are noticeable in sunlight but the top coat is still smooth above most spots other than the one I mentioned in this thread.

I agree with Merlin that the goal is to get the car right, with proper paint and clear coat, as a new car in this price range should have. I agree with Stinger GT SS that now is the time that I have leverage, and I need to use it. When the dealer has leverage, which they usually do on warranty claims, they'll use it, so this is a chance that I have to ensure that the dealer does what's right.

Oh they knew alright, car dealers are the same the world over, if they can scam the customer they will, never roll over to them, if you have leverage use it to you advantage, once they hold all the cards your stuffed.

 

[Never thought]

Oh they knew alright, car dealers are the same the world over, if they can scam the customer they will, never roll over to them, if you have leverage use it to you advantage, once they hold all the cards your stuffed.

So I’d agree that dealer’s will scam but it’s hard to know if they would’ve seen it. I can’t inagibe they inspect the cars very good. But even if they had, I am sure they wouldn’t disclose either. But if they don’t fix it, I am certain Kia will. I’d contact Kia consumer affairs ASAP. Good luck!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Their PD dept didn't do a great job overall - when I got the car, there were still stickers and protective plastic coverings in random places that they missed...

Lol. I have been finding pieces of plastic in the strangest and even most obvious places, up to six months after I drove off with the car. This is kind of an inside joke amongst us. Who is going to come up with a random piece of packing plastic after the longest time owning the car?

 

[MerlintheMad]

I can’t inagibe

Well, hell, neither can I! I don't even know what that is? (cellphones, heh!)

 

[OliverNuther]

Lol. I have been finding pieces of plastic in the strangest and even most obvious places, up to six months after I drove off with the car. This is kind of an inside joke amongst us. Who is going to come up with a random piece of packing plastic after the longest time owning the car?

I’m going to put my hand up as an early contender for this prize. I know I ‘complained’ some months ago about not having any complimentary plastic but in quick succession I found a bit of plastic behind the bottom of the “T” on my steering wheel and on 24/12 I found another errant piece of plastic inside the door jamb of my left rear door. Car delivered mid June 2018 so about 6 months between delivery and discovery. And it’s not like I haven’t been looking.....

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yeah, six months is a contender alright. I think that was c. the length into my ownership when I found the last piece: on the RR passenger ceiling handle; it's all on the "Interesting Discoveries" thread. If we made this into an actual contest, I'd have to go pull those posts out. But as it is, I'm just going to concede that you are currently the winnah. Hold onto your title proudly.

 

[Ozstung]

I’m going to put my hand up as an early contender for this prize. I know I ‘complained’ some months ago about not having any complimentary plastic but in quick succession I found a bit of plastic behind the bottom of the “T” on my steering wheel and on 24/12 I found another errant piece of plastic inside the door jamb of my left rear door. Car delivered mid June 2018 so about 6 months between delivery and discovery. And it’s not like I haven’t been looking.....

I'm feeling excluded a year later still no plastic remnants to be found.

@R.K sorry I'd move on, grab a car that is perfect. And see if you can get a deal that matches $ wise. If you can't maybe that's why the car price was good?

 

[OliverNuther]

I'm feeling excluded a year later still no plastic remnants to be found.?

Ok, I think we have a winner.