[ZTWsquared]

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:This is after politely dealing with the service manager without any success, calling my dad to come and help me (I was 19, at the time and it is embarassing to get your 'daddy' involved), that still didnt work, so we threatened with lawyers to the owner.  You must have selective reading cuz I did post this above.

I saw it – just thought I’d cut through all the crap and get to the real bottom line which is: at the end of the day you didn’t have to pay for a repair you didn’t authorize – which has been my point all along.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:My car is broken, I work, I dont want to take time off, I have a trailer or in the times that I can, limp the car to the dealership at night when its closed.  Throw the keys in the night drop off box, go to work the next morning.  Go to dealership to check on car after work is done, "Yeah its done, $450 please"  :rolleyes:

Okay – just so I get this straight – you’re saying you didn’t sign anything because the dealership didn’t give you anything to sign. Here’s a news flash – you can give them something in writing yourself – and with your very own signature on it! Next time you absolutly need to leave the car after hours try this: include a note with your keys. “Dear Mr. Dealer … do this but don’t do that and whatever you do call me at this number before you spend my money … oh, and that scribble at the bottom is my signature that indicates I really, really mean it.” And if you don’t think that will work, you can also send them a fax or send them an email. If they don’t provide anything to sign, then your written instructions becomes the contract.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:Your world is perfect because you learn from your mistakes?

No … what I said was I take responsibility for what happens to me. Learning from my mistakes allows me to do it better, for example: I read everything – usually more than once … I ask questions … I write instructions … I follow up by phone – usually more than once … I follow up by email … I take nothing for granted … I accept that communication is a two-way street … I know that I shouldn’t rely on anything that isn’t in writing, and I accept the risk when I do … I assume that mistakes will be made and I accept the consequences if I was even partially responsible… I treat everyone with respect and courtesy … I understand and account for the fact that everyone has a bad day now and then.

This works very well for me. If what you’re doing isn’t working – you may want to try something different.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:I'm not lazy, stoopid or unsuspecting, either is my family.  Nice try ;)

Right, sorry – you just can’t be bothered to make sure everything’s in writing.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:Check....never got a call for the work done, so cant really sign, now can I?

See comment above re: putting it in writing yourself.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:Check....never got a phone call for the work done, so nothing to understand, right?

Wrong – see note above about putting it in writing yourself and try to figure out how to follow up without them having to call you.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:Obviously not.

The only thing that’s obvious here is that the times you’ve had trouble with the dealership are the times you didn’t get, or put, anything in writing.

Flofocus,Jun 21 2006, 02:55 PM Wrote:Even when it happened at the current dealership (rockland Ford) they knew they f***ed up.  Nobody called to get the ok from me.  But since these guys UNDERSTOOD THEIR MISTAKE, I worked with them and paid the bill when I had the money to do so.  The car needed a new pump and fuel sending unit....no doubt about it, but the call before hand would have been nice.  I would have parked the car in that case, waited till I could afford the work, then bring it in for the service.[right][snapback]194491[/snapback][/right]

Okay – so what are you saying? A ) That the evil dealership was trying to rip you off – or B ) there was a failure to communicate and they didn’t know you wanted them to call – or C ) you told them to call and they simply made an honest mistake by not doing so?

In all three instances you would have been better served by putting your instructions in writing and following up – that’s what I’m talking about taking full responsibility.

I’m happy for you that you were able to work it out – obviously not all dealerships are the scum of the earth many would make them out to be, including the author of the first post.

Do dealerships make mistakes – you bet. Do dealership customers make mistakes – yes they do. My point is that we should be just as critical of the customer who won’t own up to their mistakes, as we are of the dealerships that don’t.