I need adviceFINAL UPDATE in OP-its done deal & warm fuzzies

[madringal]

I bought a 2013 Chevy Traverse 3 weeks ago (with 42K miles on it)for 27500.  I then spent 1K on a DVD system.  Of the 21 days that I have owned the car it has been in the shop for 10.  After having it for 10 days, it completely freaked out and all the service lights were lighting up, my speedometer was going crazy going from 0mph to 60mph back and forth, back and forth.  I took it back to the dealership and it was there for 7 days.  They said it was a wiring problem, the fixed it, and gave it back to me.  6 days later it does the exact same thing.  They have now had it for 3 days, and they can't find the problem, and it isn't doing what it did to me, for them.  I am so upset.  I gave them a 6 year old Honda Pilot that had literally never been in the shop for anything more then oil changes and new tires.  I bought from a very reputable Chevy dealer, but feel like I was sold a bad car.

They currently have a Traverse just like mine, identical in every way (except for the DVD system I had installed), for 27000. The service manager mentioned that maybe I need to talk to my sales rep about trading cars.  So I did.  To me, it's pretty even steven.  You take back the one I bought, put a DVD player in it and it will cost them about $500.  Instead, the sales rep called me tonight to say that they will give me 24K on the trade, and I would need to bring in about 3K.  I lost it.  I was really trying to be understanding and patient but that's a lot of nerve to tell me that you want to sell me the exact same car I just bought that currently has a LOWER price then what I paid, and want me to bring you 3K?  And then put the DVD in myself?  

So - I need advice.  Am I expecting to much?  Is there something I should be doing? My car does not fall under my states Lemon Laws because the mileage is too high. And the bumper to bumper warranty was only to 36K miles.  Am I out of luck?Help.  I'm sad/angry which always means I cry and I don't want to cry when they call me tomorrow.


UPDATE - It is almost a done deal, and I have it all in writing.  They sent me over the purchase agreement for the new car, and it is an even swap for the old one. I am waiting on the loan paperwork from my bank, and we will sign it all tomorrow.   I also have an email from the sales manager telling me that my check for the refund of the DVD player will be ready when we go in tomorrow to sign the documents. I am so happy this is almost all behind me.  This has been on of the most stressful weeks of my life!  Thanks for all you advice and support everyone!

FINAL UPDATE - it's a done deal!  Went to the dealership last night and signed all the paperwork for an even swap.  The Traverse I ended up with is exactly like mine in every way except is has less miles and is Certified PreOwned so I have a warrenty for the next 16K miles.  I can't get the DVD in it, but they gave me a "We Owe" slip that shows they owe me a 1K refund.  It should be in the mail in a week or so.

I am not allowed to say which GBCN'er this is, but let me just tell you that our little community here is amazing.  I got a PM from her that said her DH works for GM Corporate and she passed my info on to him.  He emailed me directly and offered to help.  Last night I got a call from GM customer relations saying they got my story and they were going to help me get this resolved.  I let them know that my dealership had taken care of it, but I was so impressed that a GBCN'er that I had never met before would take the time and energry to try to help me to that level.  I love this place!

[isabel]

The service manager suggested you talk to the sales rep about trading the cars? I would go back to the manager and tell him what was suggested. Ask him to address the problem with a sales manager. I honestly don't know what recourse you have, but this is ridiculous.

[sjh722]

I would escalate this to the sales manager first thing in the morning. I doubt the service manager has the authority to do anything with sales. Steel yourself to be scary calm and repeat that their proposed solution is unacceptable until they're sick of you.

I would also not be above going to the dealership in person on a busy Saturday to try to resolve this.

Sorry you're dealing with that, how ridiculous!

[compassrose]

I'd be moving up the food chain until someone with the wherewithal to do something about it gave me what I needed. You are not out of line. That is completely ridiculous.

[eb777888]

OMFG! I'd be PISSED!!! Is there not a 30 day warranty? I have always bought gently used cars and all have had a 30 day warranty from when I drove it off the lot. I honestly thought this was standard but if very well may not be.

And being a 2013 does it have any original warranty left? That's a pretty new car.

What about Lemon Laws? Does that apply to your state?

[madringal]

Sept 19, 2014 21:24:32 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

OMFG! I'd be PISSED!!! Is there not a 30 day warranty? I have always bought gently used cars and all have had a 30 day warranty from when I drove it off the lot. I honestly thought this was standard but if very well may not be.

And being a 2013 does it have any original warranty left? That's a pretty new car.

What about Lemon Laws? Does that apply to your state?

It does have a 30 day warranty.  I don't really know what that gets me?  Repairs?  A new car?  

[AngGee]

I know I'm just a lurker with very low post count but I owned a car with electrical issues.... GET RID OF IT! And I don't think you should have to come up with anything! Good luck, but don't give up, fight them on this. Even if you have to involve the media, or social media usually works too.

[eb777888]

Sept 19, 2014 21:27:06 GMT -5 madringal said:

Sept 19, 2014 21:24:32 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

OMFG! I'd be PISSED!!! Is there not a 30 day warranty? I have always bought gently used cars and all have had a 30 day warranty from when I drove it off the lot. I honestly thought this was standard but if very well may not be.

And being a 2013 does it have any original warranty left? That's a pretty new car.

What about Lemon Laws? Does that apply to your state?

It does have a 30 day warranty.  I don't really know what that gets me?  Repairs?  A new car?  

Sorry, I was thinking of a 30 day "money back guarantee" type thing. Ugh, I'm sorry. So they can't see the issue? It only does this spontaneously? 

[madringal]

Sept 19, 2014 21:31:46 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Sept 19, 2014 21:27:06 GMT -5 madringal said:

It does have a 30 day warranty.  I don't really know what that gets me?  Repairs?  A new car?  

Sorry, I was thinking of a 30 day "money back guarantee" type thing. Ugh, I'm sorry. So they can't see the issue? It only does this spontaneously? 

They said they can see all the codes, but it hasn't led them to the problem.  The need to be able to get the codes while the car is freaking out.  I have taken a video each time it has done it, but that apparently doesn't help.  I am hoping it helps me escalate the issue if necessary.

[madringal]

Sept 19, 2014 21:32:57 GMT -5 @smace said:

reading that you have probably a week left of your 30 day warranty, they may very well be stalling with you until you're stuck with your POS. definitely read your contract and bust some ass.

And of course, all the paperwork is in the car.  I'll have to go tomorrow and get it.

[snorky]

The rep needs to go fuck himself. Can you go in in person?

[madringal]

Sept 19, 2014 21:36:03 GMT -5 snorky said:

The rep needs to go fuck himself. Can you go in in person?

Yeah.  I am going to go tomorrow after I get off work. 

[jess]

They are stalling you to get over 30 days. Get your paperwork and get out of that car deal. That sucks so bad.


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[vicky]

!!! The speedometer happened to my dad's traverse, too. It was a wiring problem and the dealer fixed it. I think it is a traverse thing.

[livinitup]

They'll squeeze every dollar out of you that they think they can squeeze. Fair? Please.They don't want to be fair. They want money.

Consider 3K their opening bid. Negotiate the crap out of them. Including down to zero - but it's going to take a lot of effort.

They sold that crap car already ... to you. They don't want it back. Why would they? It's a huge problem. It's going to be a huge problem for the next person, too. So you have to force it.

ETA: Go investigate the 30 day warrantee !

[tulip]

Go talk to the Sales Manager, Service Manager AND the General Manager. They should trade you and put in a DVD system. Request a meeting with all three. The GM isn't going to want you to leave unhappy and I'd be pissed at this point.

[tulip]

Sept 19, 2014 21:34:37 GMT -5 madringal said:

Sept 19, 2014 21:31:46 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Sorry, I was thinking of a 30 day "money back guarantee" type thing. Ugh, I'm sorry. So they can't see the issue? It only does this spontaneously? 

They said they can see all the codes, but it hasn't led them to the problem.  The need to be able to get the codes while the car is freaking out.  I have taken a video each time it has done it, but that apparently doesn't help.  I am hoping it helps me escalate the issue if necessary.

Huh? This isn't how this works. The car flips a code, they hook it up to the reader and then they should know what the problem is. WTF?!?

ETA: that's the whole point of being able to read the codes, so they can know what's wrong whenever the car flips one. They actually said it will only work if they can see it freaking out?!? LOL

[psychmom]

Sales men are sleaze balls. We were shopping for a car the last week of December but the guy couldn't lock down the car we wanted that was at another dealership in another town until after new years. When we came back on January 2 he wanted to give us 2k less on our trade because it was another year older now.

I hope they take your car back and give you the new one like yot proposed.

[tripleshot]

Go in today when they're busy and don't be quiet about it. Light it up! Demand to talk to the sales manager or GM. Don't leave without a resolution in writing. Good luck. Do you have any lawyer friends who can assist?

[tripleshot]

Post on their Facebook page too.

[motzie]

Ask to speak to the district manager from Chevy. Make a fuss, don't back down and def don't give them another dime. Your troubles with the car in the time you've had it is enough of a trade off for any small differences in value that they may claim. And make sure you keep documents on everything.

[madringal]

I just called an left a VM for the GM requesting an appointment. I work until 2:30 today, so I can't go until I get off. I am trying to not be the yelling, angry customer yet - because as a manager myself I know it is never well received. Not that I won't raise hell if I need to, I just need to make sure I need too.

But the bad news is, I was wrong on my timeline. Today is day 30. I'm kind of freaking out about that.

I have several attorneys in the family that I am sure will lend legal advice if needed. I also found some information about filing a consumer complaint with my states Attorney General.

And one super duper amazing GBCN'er PM'ed me that her DH is pretty high up the GM chain and she is going to see if he can point me in the right direction on where to file some complaints as well.

[Jalapeñomel]

Sept 20, 2014 9:34:18 GMT -5 madringal said:

I just called an left a VM for the GM requesting an appointment. I work until 2:30 today, so I can't go until I get off. I am trying to not be the yelling, angry customer yet - because as a manager myself I know it is never well received. Not that I won't raise hell if I need to, I just need to make sure I need too.

But the bad news is, I was wrong on my timeline. Today is day 30. I'm kind of freaking out about that.

I have several attorneys in the family that I am sure will lend legal advice if needed. I also found some information about filing a consumer complaint with my states Attorney General.

And one super duper amazing GBCN'er PM'ed me that her DH is pretty high up the GM chain and she is going to see if he can point me in the right direction on where to file some complaints as well.

Keep us updated. Do not leave the dealership until you have a resolution and get it in writing. Good luck!

[bittybomb]

I would seriously go to the local media. That is some really bad business and the bad publicity would cost them way more than an even trade. Also what about he BBB?

Good luck.

[bittybomb]

Sept 19, 2014 21:30:32 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Sept 19, 2014 21:27:06 GMT -5 madringal said:

It does have a 30 day warranty.  I don't really know what that gets me?  Repairs?  A new car?  

Did you get a copy of the terms? Read them and find out before your 30 days are up!

And put everything in writing NOW.  He may be trying to string you along past the 30 days.

[madringal]

The service manager called to tell me that he found what might be causing the issue and that it is linked to OnStar somehow (I mentioned my OnStar dosen't always work the first time I took it in). He said his technician is pretty confident that I need some kind of new module. I shared with him what the sales rep told me last night. Then the GM was beeping in, so I told him I needed to take the call.

Spoke to the GM and told him everything. I told him that I felt like I was being understanding and patient, but when the rep tried to sell me the same car for 3K more I lost all trust for them. I told him no one is giving me any reassurances that my car will be fixed. I said that I don't care which 2013 Traverse I had, I just want one that works. He apologized, said that he would feel the same way, and to please give him a chance to look into it and call me back. So that's where we are now.

[madringal]

Sept 20, 2014 10:52:42 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

and quit telling them about your 'feelings'. Your feelings about this don't matter; nor do theirs. Tell them what you want, and tell them that the car they sold you is not fit for its intended purpose and you want your fucking money back. 

Thank you.  I will.

[madringal]

Sept 20, 2014 11:02:23 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

Sept 20, 2014 10:56:48 GMT -5 madringal said:

Thank you.  I will.

I'm sorry to sound snotty, and I didnt mean to come off that way. It's just that you are in a much stronger position if you can say "I had a thirty day warranty, and on day thirty, when they still had not fixed the problem and still could not tell me if it COULD be fixed, I asked for my money back or a different car and they refused" than if you say 'well they tried and tried to fix it and couldn't and I was agreeable with them trying to fix it then my warranty ran out". 

You're in a horrible spot, and I'm really sorry these jerks have not made it right. 
And the in writing part is crucial. 

You did not sound snotty - I really appreciate the direct advice.  I was actually hoping you would reply to this post.  We all know SueSue is wise.  Thank you again.

[Deleted]

Let us know what the GM says. I may or may not have worked for Chevrolet for 5 years and may have assisted some owners in getting their vehicles bought back from the manufacturer. I have some ideas if he is not willing to work with you and help you.

[madringal]

Sept 20, 2014 11:11:29 GMT -5 tarzanswife said:

Let us know what the GM says. I may or may not have worked for Chevrolet for 5 years and may have assisted some owners in getting their vehicles bought back from the manufacturer. I have some ideas if he is not willing to work with you and help you.

I will!