Need opinions on car dealer situation

**Pemberleyan** · 06-23-2010, 03:45 PM

We believe in keeping cars pretty much as long as possible and have had them in the shop a great deal in the past few months. We had wanted to look at a newer vehicle a couple of summers ago, but decided to do without. Several weeks ago I became somewhat stranded when the rear end of our newest vehicle (1997) almost fell out. About a week ago, it was the last straw for DH when we were more or less stranded at home when the same vehicle began leaking from the radiator.

Now to the point -- we had thought we'd like a mini van, but assumed even the newer used models would be out of our range. We just happened to find what we wanted, two years old, and left the dealership with it that day. While we test drove it and looked at it, we never changed the configuration of the middle row of seats. It has two bucket seats with a tiny seat/cup holder tray in the middle. The middle seat was in the down or cup holder position the whole time. A few days after we got home, we realized that the actual seat cushion of this seat was removable and was missing. I called the salesman and I think he honestly hadn't realized it either. He said it wasn't anywhere at the dealership, but he'd talk to his boss about it.

Do you think most dealers would/should supply us with a seat cushion at no cost? DH thinks we bought it as is and there is no recourse.

**rudypoo98** · 06-23-2010, 04:06 PM

With it being only two years old I'd think they would give you one free of charge.

**Greebo** · 06-23-2010, 04:09 PM

It certainly shows that either they:
1) Did not properly inspect/clean the vehicle (unlikely); or
2) Someone did find it, and decided to cover it up.

Dealerships usually DETAIL the used cars on their lot, don't they?

Detailing means cleaning every nook and cranny - which means opening/closing all the seats.

**Cricketlegs** · 06-23-2010, 04:38 PM

It was a used car. Used cars that are late model usually come with warranties.

Me personally, I think that you looked the car over carefully as did the dealership and neither of you noticed the missing seat. Then you signed on the dotted line accepting the new car as it was. Before you sign is the time to say what you would like to negotiate to be fixed or added.

That being said(and hopefully not sounding snotty) I hope you can get it resolved. Used cars are iffy. My dh is in parts at our local dealership and when used cars come in they are stuck with as is the same as the one who later buys the car. Dealerships want repeat customers but frankly I bet that seat was never sent in with the car.

I myself didn't get floor mats for my backseat!

**Pemberleyan** · 06-23-2010, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the responses. Their policy of going over the cars very closely was mentioned more than once. I was amazed how clean and new it looked inside. I think they knew it was missing and just put it on the lot, hoping someone like us would come along and not pull up the cup holder tray and uncover the missing cushion.

The salesman called after I posted. He said they would order one and it costs $242.50, but they would pay half. I think we'll pass. This cushion is about 14 X 11, I'd guess.

Oh, well, another lesson learned. I guess when they know the buyer only buys about once a decade, they don't have to be so concerned about repeat business.

**TigerGirl1226** · 06-23-2010, 07:36 PM

I know when we traded in DH's truck a dealership said it was no big deal not to turn in a set of extra keys. I just couldn't stand the idea of not turning them in so I searched and finally found them then turned them in.

My point is that the dealership was looking at it as an "as is" sale with or without missing bits.

**mek42** · 06-23-2010, 08:45 PM

How long has it been since the sale exactly? I am pretty sure my state has a 30 day return policy for dealerships. If this would have been a go / no go issue, take it back (if you can in your state) if the dealership won't replace the item. Yes, you should have been more careful, but the dealership fraudulently lied to you by making their attention to detail a selling point.

If the issue isn't resolved tomorrow in a verbal communication, write them a letter and lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Good luck.