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Check That Car!
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Complaining
About a Car
Here are some useful do's and don'ts
on complaining that will get you much farther on fixing your lemon
problem.
- Be factual about your problems. Present them in a chronological
order.
- Be as brief as possible. If you write a letter keep it to a
maximum of one page.
- Don't talk about the history (good or bad) about past cars you
have owned. It doesn't matter for this situation.
- Don't give ultimatums. It turns people off immediately. Don't
make demands on "what if this doesn't fix it this time"
- Don't threaten a law suit. Even if you already have an attorney
and he is filing today. Law Suits are a matter of course in this
business and once you threaten a lawsuit you will find very little
cooperation.
- Be reasonable in your expectations. If you don't like the way
something fits tell the dealer and he'll pass the information
along.
- Don't ever tell the dealer that you have had the problem since
day one. Let the facts speak for themselves.
- Don't go into that "American quality vs Japan quality"
It doesn't really apply, and the quality of both vehicles are
basically equal.
- Know that every vehicle ever made has unique characteristics.
If a dealer tells you you have a characteristic he's probably
telling you the truth. Depending on the characteristic depends
on what other course of action you may have.
- If you have an intermittent problem that the dealer can't duplicate
please work with them on pin pointing the exact conditions when
it happens. Keep a note book and write down date, time, temp outside,
how long you have been driving the car, how many miles you have
driven that day, etc.
- It is possible that the dealer you are working with is in fact
a "bad" dealer. You can always see if another one in
the area will help you out. But keep in mind that non-selling
dealers are reluctant to take on other dealers "heat"
cases.
- Believe it that if you've got something coming, you most likely
will get something if you remain civil and make your point rationally
and logically.
- Don't put any lemon signs or banners on your vehicle to "declare"
your lemon. It is better to have your dealer be your advocate
then alienate them for future help.
- If the dealer does a good job helping you, send a note of thanks
to them. If you do take the time to say thanks, you'll be remembered
next time you are in and treated even better.
| To see a vehicle history report you need
a VIN number. Click here for instructions
on where to find it. If you have a VIN number then get your free
lemon check now. |
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