Factory Damage to Brand New 2017 Raptor

[SZDZMTR]

The problem is the timing of the claim. 2 weeks is an ample amount of time to derail this claim by anyone. Playing devils advocate the dealer will not assume responsibility or even Ford. I guarantee they did a quick repair when they stocked the truck in. I have worked in new car stores for 10 years and have seen it plenty of times. I remember one time a manager was distracting a customer to take his eyes off the small damage on an Altima at late delivery. This customer came back next day just to hear that he took delivery and anything could have happened between now and then..... you get an idea. In other words the dealer was not taking any responsibility. Ford does not do it either once the truck is inspected and released to be shipped. Its a cosmetic issue like other mentioned not structural. Most likely shippers. You are wide open for a dealer decision at their discretion.
See if you can get them to repaint the door to spot match the paint (black is tough thought) get it wet sanded a month later and buffed you will be all right. As long as its not on the carfax as damage claim. And drive the shit out of it, will you?

 

[smurfslayer]

The problem is the timing of the claim. 2 weeks is an ample amount of time to derail this claim by anyone. Playing devils advocate the dealer will not assume responsibility or even Ford. I guarantee they did a quick repair when they stocked the truck in. ...

normally I’d agree, but this has pics. at first, I thought it was too long, but what’s the likelihood of a body shop being able to perform such a shoddy repair in that amount of time with the appearance of age. if it was new, done in the last few days, the shop guy isn’t going to want to get dragged into court as a witness, that costs them money so if the shop owner or tech is willing to stand by their assessment that this came to the customer this way, I think Ford could certainly try to be hard nosed about it, but to what end? save a few bucks in repair labor?

I have worked in new car stores for 10 years and have seen it plenty of times. I remember one time a manager was distracting a customer to take his eyes off the small damage on an Altima at late delivery. This customer came back next day just to hear that he took delivery and anything could have happened between now and then..... you get an idea.

I know that kind of thing happens, on both sides of the sales equation, and I know it’s frustrating but it’s still sickening to hear stories like this.

 

[Nibbl3s]

Question for all.

The whole reason this was found was due to the phenomenal detailer who was applying Opticoat. I had to pay him for the work completed, $400 dollars for a paint correction as it was not his fault he had to stop. (he did not touch that door)

If anyone knows how Opticoat is applied, Prep work is everything. Now I will have to get this repainted and he will in all honestly have to reprep the truck as time will go by and swirls will appear. How do I address this? should I send a bill to the dealership directly? Am I in all honesty going to have to eat this?

 

[Jake17]

This is my 1st major purchase. Worked my tail off in grad school & work to be able to afford this. Should I send a bill to the dealership directly?

 

[Nibbl3s]

I appreciate all of your constructive help.

 

[jaz13]

Question for all.

The whole reason this was found was due to the phenomenal detailer who was applying Opticoat. I had to pay him for the work completed, $400 dollars for a paint correction as it was not his fault he had to stop. (he did not touch that door)

If anyone knows how Opticoat is applied, Prep work is everything. Now I will have to get this repainted and he will in all honestly have to reprep the truck as time will go by and swirls will appear. How do I address this? should I send a bill to the dealership directly? Am I in all honesty going to have to eat this?

You will be fine if you find a good paint shop. Here is a photo of a Rolls Royce being hand polished at the factory. There are no swirl marks in the paint when done correctly.

The risk letting the dealer/Ford handle the work is they will go with the lowest cost provider.

 

[jabroni619]

Question for all.

The whole reason this was found was due to the phenomenal detailer who was applying Opticoat. I had to pay him for the work completed, $400 dollars for a paint correction as it was not his fault he had to stop. (he did not touch that door)

If anyone knows how Opticoat is applied, Prep work is everything. Now I will have to get this repainted and he will in all honestly have to reprep the truck as time will go by and swirls will appear. How do I address this? should I send a bill to the dealership directly? Am I in all honesty going to have to eat this?

You can send them the bill if you want to provide the dealership a good laugh at your expense.

I know you aren't liking a lot of the responses here but you are pretty much asking for it. Yeah it sucks, it's not fair but it is what it is. They aren't going to pay for your detailer. It's not their responsibility you didn't catch the defect until you did.

Here's the reality of the situation. FORD will either fix it or they won't. If they don't, you don't have much recourse. You can pay for it yourself or you can get a lawyer, which would cost you more than paying for it yourself. And the lawyer would only be able to advise you and maybe write a letter. This would be a small claims case. Yeah, it sucks, life isn't always fair.

 

[crash457]

Question for all.

The whole reason this was found was due to the phenomenal detailer who was applying Opticoat. I had to pay him for the work completed, $400 dollars for a paint correction as it was not his fault he had to stop. (he did not touch that door)

If anyone knows how Opticoat is applied, Prep work is everything. Now I will have to get this repainted and he will in all honestly have to reprep the truck as time will go by and swirls will appear. How do I address this? should I send a bill to the dealership directly? Am I in all honesty going to have to eat this?

Your best bet is to sit down with the dealership/sales manager. Stay calm and be reasonable. Chances are that someone at the dealership was aware of the issue. If it was truly a factory flaw, they will cover it under warranty work and it will not be an issue. More likely though it was either damaged in transit or on the lot. They will not turn that in as warranty work because Ford will do an investigation and they aren't going to risk defrauding Ford. If you offer multiple solutions the dealership will usually find one that helps offset the cost for both sides. I would not have them repaint it since it is clear that they don't have the skills to do it properly. They are also not going to likely cut you a check for someone else to paint it. You could probably get them to compensate you with a service, maintenance, or warranty package. This could amount to the equivalent of the repaint cost but benefits them as their actual cost is less than it's value. It benefits you since you get something back to offset the cost of a qualified shop fixing the paint. The prep work for your detailer is most likely going to come out of your pocket.

I'd start my negotiating high and work down from there. Don't be unrealistic with the first proposal or they may just tell you to walk. Probably get an estimate from a reputable paint shop and ask them to cover that and work down from there.

 

[bendensez]

crash457's advice is sound, along with several others in this thread. I had a similar situation in 2013 when I purchased a new Honda Accord Coupe. Different caliber of vehicle, but I can attest to how I felt and how it was dealing with the dealer on it.

I got the car home and a few days later, I was detailing it. I was cleaning the driver side door jamb and noticed what looked like a tape line in the paint in the jamb. After investigating further, it because obvious to me that this car had been repainted on the driver side door and they blended it in to the rear quarter panel. It was metallic paint and the blend was good, but not perfect. I was furious. I went to the dealer and of course they denied they knew anything about it. It took some back and forth with them to even get them to admit that they see the evidence that it had been painted. They claimed "in-transit" damage and if that had happened and it was fixed prior to them receiving the vehicle, they wouldn't even know. I didn't believe them. My first demand was for them to take the car back, give me my money and I walk. They absolutely were not going for that. I did end up having to get the owner involved, but in the end, I was able to negotiate a refund of around $1000 plus a 2 year extended warranty.

My initial gut reaction was pure anger like yours - I understand your feelings. My advice here is to be calm and reasonable, but steadfast. The dealer can't deny the obvious blemishes. Of course, whatever they offer you will not be without negotiation - that's what they do. They will not give you something without getting something. They may continue to deny responsibility, but in the end, I'm sure you will be able to work something out with them that works for both of you.

I know this sucks, but once it's fixed properly, your feelings that you have damaged goods will pass with time and you will enjoy your truck.

 

[Nibbl3s]

crash457's advice is sound, along with several others in this thread. I had a similar situation in 2013 when I purchased a new Honda Accord Coupe. Different caliber of vehicle, but I can attest to how I felt and how it was dealing with the dealer on it.

I got the car home and a few days later, I was detailing it. I was cleaning the driver side door jamb and noticed what looked like a tape line in the paint in the jamb. After investigating further, it because obvious to me that this car had been repainted on the driver side door and they blended it in to the rear quarter panel. It was metallic paint and the blend was good, but not perfect. I was furious. I went to the dealer and of course they denied they knew anything about it. It took some back and forth with them to even get them to admit that they see the evidence that it had been painted. They claimed "in-transit" damage and if that had happened and it was fixed prior to them receiving the vehicle, they wouldn't even know. I didn't believe them. My first demand was for them to take the car back, give me my money and I walk. They absolutely were not going for that. I did end up having to get the owner involved, but in the end, I was able to negotiate a refund of around $1000 plus a 2 year extended warranty.

My initial gut reaction was pure anger like yours - I understand your feelings. My advice here is to be calm and reasonable, but steadfast. The dealer can't deny the obvious blemishes. Of course, whatever they offer you will not be without negotiation - that's what they do. They will not give you something without getting something. They may continue to deny responsibility, but in the end, I'm sure you will be able to work something out with them that works for both of you.

I know this sucks, but once it's fixed properly, your feelings that you have damaged goods will pass with time and you will enjoy your truck.

Thank you for this. Crash457 thank you for your advice as well. I took the vehicle to For Lincoln of Franklin (Not the original detailer) and the could not believe the story. The saw the blemishes immediately and are working a warranty claim. The original dealer has yet to call me.