One of our forum members getting screwed over by a dealership

[VABAM]

Update: Looks like the dealership is ignoring him. Tim has called the dealership to try and talk to some body but no one is answering. He even used the number specifically given wrt the FB messenger harassment. It would be nice if they would take this seriously even if they stood be their position.

[madeinjapan]

I heard these guys are on FIRE to sell you a 370z. Make sure not to get burned.

[dmhenderson]

Originally Posted by Sean1125R

He needs to contact the BBB and file a claim, it doesn't matter if the dealership is a member of the BBB or not. He also needs to relay this information to his 1st Sgt so that this could get spread through the base populace, in essence Minot AFB would warn their airmen about the dealership essentially black listing them.

The BBB isn't a government entity. It's basically the precursor to Yelp. It has absolutely no authority whatsoever to resolve his issue.

He needs to either:

A) Hire a lawyer and stop talking about this on social media altogether until the case is resolved (this is the smart choice)

or

B) Send the story to as many media outlets/review sites as he can find and hope the dealership comes around if they get enough negative press.

[Darwins Child]

Take a look at the Google satellite and street views of the dealership. The Google sat image is supposedly 2016, but maybe it isn't. If it is, the "dealership" looks to be quite a place, don't you think?

(Also notice the "Ryan Honda" dealership just a short distance north on the same road from the Nissan dealership. Must be another "magic mile" of automotive delight. I would not be surprised if the two dealerships are owned by the same Ryan. Good storefront on the Honda dealership, but if it's the same Ryan, we already have a hint at what might lurk behind the fancy facade.)

Then we have the details of Minot, ND itself:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minot,_North_Dakota

To me, the name "Ryan" seems to be a relatively large automotive fish (shark, in this case) in a relatively small automotive pond. Because locals are probably making their livings at these tax-paying dealerships, these businesses are likely going to have some cozy local "pull" with city politicians, local police and legal system -- judges, lawyers, etc., but maybe I'm wrong.

Therefore, an outside entity such as a national insurance company (a larger shark) with their own legal dept., etc. will likely be the most effective way to get blood from a stone--walling dealership. These "private" proceedings will be nice and quiet; nobody's reputation is going to be hurt, and, unfortunately, "business as usual" can proceed at the automotive abattoir.

BTW, can you imagine what you're going to get for "customer service" on a used vehicle that you buy from "Ryan"? Yikes! As usual, the best bet is to become a competent DIYr on any vehicle you own. After the warranty period is over, have as little to do with the dealership as possible.

[hjo1078]

good luck with everything bro, they did you dirty man.

[madeinjapan]

Originally Posted by madeinjapan

I heard these guys are on FIRE to sell you a 370z. Make sure not to get burned.

they got some hot hot hot deals going on right now on the 370zs

so hot they wont last long theyll be up in smoke

[Isamu]

this is what the dealerships insurance said as to why they are not liable.

After speaking with several mechanics, it appears that our insured did nothing wrong. Because our insured could not duplicate your concerns with the vehicle at the shop, they needed to take it on a test drive at highway speeds and press the brakes. There was no reason to believe or know that the vehicle was going to start on fire and they did everything possible to put it out.

As you are aware, your vehicle has an aftermarket turbo. Whoever installed, allowed it to touch the brake
line. Although the turbo is secured with straps, it still shakes when the car is being driven. The shaking caused the
brake line to fray and brake fluid eventually leaked and hit the exhaust, hence starting a fire.

[Hubba Hubba]

Steve Lehto is a Lawyer in Michigan who specializes in Automotive law. He regularly writes for Jalopnik and also has a regular podcast that covers issues such as this. If I remeber correctly he claims that the waivers that companies ask you to sign when they are in possession of your vehicle are total B.S. and that the owner of the business is completely liable for any damage that occurs during that time. I dont remember which podcast covers this but here is a link. They are all quite interesting. Podcast Archive - Law Office of Steve Lehto

[Isamu]

They knew the engine bay was a fire hazard, they service manager made sure to point that out to me. He noted the fluid all over the turbo down pipe. Also, when I drove the car to the dealership, I had to drive slow, and downshift to slow down. There was little brake pressure. To claim they had no idea the car would catch fire is a slap in the face, and truly shows the lack of technical ability of the service center.

[Hubba Hubba]

This episode is one that talks about how it is the garages responsibility. It covers this exact issue starting around 8 minutes in. https://m.soundcloud.com/stevelehto/...nsumers-ep-232

[ChaseZ]

Originally Posted by Isamu

this is what the dealerships insurance said as to why they are not liable.

Not terribly surprising, unfortunately. That's insurances job... deny deny deny
At least from their perspective it's their job. I have a very different opinion of course.

Originally Posted by Hubba Hubba

Steve Lehto is a Lawyer in Michigan who specializes in Automotive law. He regularly writes for Jalopnik and also has a regular podcast that covers issues such as this. If I remeber correctly he claims that the waivers that companies ask you to sign when they are in possession of your vehicle are total B.S. and that the owner of the business is completely liable for any damage that occurs during that time. I dont remember which podcast covers this but here is a link. They are all quite interesting. Podcast Archive - Law Office of Steve Lehto

Excellent referral.

[Leingod]

Originally Posted by Hubba Hubba

Steve Lehto is a Lawyer in Michigan who specializes in Automotive law. He regularly writes for Jalopnik and also has a regular podcast that covers issues such as this. If I remeber correctly he claims that the waivers that companies ask you to sign when they are in possession of your vehicle are total B.S. and that the owner of the business is completely liable for any damage that occurs during that time. I dont remember which podcast covers this but here is a link. They are all quite interesting. Podcast Archive - Law Office of Steve Lehto

+1. Give this guy a call. The lawfirm I use to work at sent a lot of auto related stuff to him. He would even take a few cases for free if he found them entertaining enough.

[Isamu]

I talked to Steve lehto. Great guy.. gave me some good advice. Also called the stealership's PR guy.. again no answer. The dealerships insurance said in the email they had to drive my car at highway speeds. To test my brakes .. any one wanna contact some other professional shops and ask if that's normal. I'd like to get some verifiable answers so I can take these guys to the cleaners

[madeinjapan]

Helping one of our own - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

[madeinjapan]