Factory Damage to Brand New 2017 Raptor

[hamster]

Nice self-portrait.....

---------- Post added at 03:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

Nice self portrait.

Oops....did not see this one before I said the same thing....must think alike.

 

[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.

 

[hamster]

Sorry to see you going through this....once you get it fixed and some time has passed there is one thing for sure....you will never go alone to inspect a new vehicle. My wife refuses to go with me any more so I have to take one of my sons. Good luck with the repair.

 

[jaz13]

Sorry to see you going through this....once you get it fixed and some time has passed there is one thing for sure....you will never go alone to inspect a new vehicle. My wife refuses to go with me any more so I have to take one of my sons. Good luck with the repair.

I'm curious how often you find issues? Are the dealers pretty good at fixing nitpicky problems you find?

 

[shelteredraptor]

I would have had the detailer finish the prep and coat the truck except the door in question. It won't make any difference if you come back to that door after the "dust settles" so to speak. I would be more upset at wasting all that prep effort than worrying about the bad paint. The paint ain't gonna get any worse on that door, however the work done will be wasted and need to be redone.

 

[SilverBolt]

I'm curious how often you find issues? Are the dealers pretty good at fixing nitpicky problems you find?

I am a ***** when it comes to inspecting the vehicle. Before I sign anything I will crawl over it inside and out and then test drive. I can usually find flaws on most every vehicle. Some minor some deal breakers. I have walked away from deals do to flaws/defects. As a sideline I do custom painting on cars/bikes/etc. My eye for paint defects is extremely good.

Your repair is beyond bad. The good news it can be fixed and a proper job will be invisible. Black is a bitch and shadow black even more so. My advice, when you pick it up post repair make sure it is a sunny day. Take another set of eyes with you. Your detail guy would be a good choice.

 

[hamster]

I'm curious how often you find issues? Are the dealers pretty good at fixing nitpicky problems you find?

I thoroughly check at delivery (with another set of eyes) and after each maintenance and only found minor things and never had a dealer not take care of it when pointed out pre-delivery. And I never sign final paperwork until inspected. Never pick up a new vehicle in dark or in the rain.

On the Raptor, I bought it was 3 hours away. All I asked the dealer was "is it perfect and if not then tell me now and I will pass?" He sent me pics, said he inspected it, etc. It was perfect so I took it. There are many good dealers out there, but a few screw it up for the good ones.

 

[Nibbl3s]

So I have an UPDATE

I spoke with the GM of the original dealership. Not going to lie, things got a bit contentious. I informed him of the current status, and taking the car to the new dealer, and we went back and forth generally rehashing our conversation last night. I was firm with my statements making sure to stress that I was not accusing him of damaging the car, but that the simple fact was that I was sold a blemished car and am now out money due to this . He saw the pictures and agreed that it was blemished/ horrible repair job.

Things heated up but cooler heads prevailed. We both apologized as we empathized with each other's positions (I understand his defensiveness, I really do). I explained to him the opticoat process, the 400 dollars spent for the prep, and why this would needed to be repeated once the truck was fixed.

He offered, if ford did not, to pay for the detail work so far. I appreciated the gesture and accepted it. I think he is trying to do the right thing and I truly appreciate the effort. The window was not brought up as I consider it water under the bridge. If all goes according to plan, I will be satisfied with this end result.

 

[vitaminR]

Glad you have a happy resolution. At the end of the day its a truck BUT its a freaking 70K truck so yeah. I want mine as perfect as I can get it on day one. I'll do some clear wrap stuff on it then just go use it. Hopefully the second owner appreciates the gesture someday and I get a little more $ for it when I sell it.

 

[Nibbl3s]

Glad you have a happy resolution. At the end of the day its a truck BUT its a freaking 70K truck so yeah. I want mine as perfect as I can get it on day one. I'll do some clear wrap stuff on it then just go use it. Hopefully the second owner appreciates the gesture someday and I get a little more $ for it when I sell it.

So on a call to Ford customer service I discovered the pictures the dealer took die not make it to Ford! Hah. After she made some phone calls she told me that they had a systems issue and were resending now. I hope we see some movement quickly!

The truck is sitting in my garage as I do not want to have to repeat the correction work that has already been completed on the rest of my Raptor!