Well...the good news is: I got the camber bolts installed. But Courtesy Ford managed to scratch the hell out of my front fascia while doing it. Not too big of an issue, because they tell me they will "take care of it". So, I assume the only inconvenience I will have is driving back over there at 6:30am to drop off the truck one more time...WRONG! I go today and pick it up from being "FIXED" and the patch job is completey and utterly insulting. Basically the repair guy took a lighter color of silver, and lightly sprayed over the deep scuff in the bumper, thereby hiding the dark grey plastic that was showing through the scratch. Other than that, the scratch is still there, and totally apparent...and now not only can you see and feel the scratch up close...but can see the lighter color of silver paint on the bumper from about 100 feet away. Soon as I got home, I tried to call the service manager, but of course he had gone home for the night...so, I tried to get the number of the regional service rep for Ford, and was told that the only person who could give me that number was the service manager IF he felt it was necessary to contact him. Basically, I'm gonna have to pay for the repairs to be done right myself. It will cost about $500 to have the front fascia stripped, and repainted as a whole, out of my own pocket. So...needless to say, I'm less than a happy camper, and quite a bit underwhelmed with Courtesy Ford. I've never experience anything so insulting...for them to damage a $36,000 truck out of total disrespect, and ignorance is horrendous, but not nearly as bad as them then trying to get away with a totally cheap ***, unacceptable patch job. Silly me! I expected my truck to be in the condition it was in before I left it with them...I guess that was a pipe dream! Well...there goes all my money for mods, fixing thier **** up. Everyone AVOID that dealership. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY BUSINESS AT ALL! GRRRRRR!!!


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AtomHeart
2000 Silver Lightnin'
1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra R code w/ 3.91 dragpack
atomhart@cyberhighway.net

 

I wouldn't spend a penny of my own money to get it fixed! Have them fix it right, over and over until it's done correctly. And make sure you get a rental while it's being repaired. Afterall, it's their messup, and they should pay for it!

 

Here's the problem I have with that plan...BOTH times I picked up my truck from them...my CD's had been played A LOT. Like 45 minutes further into my CD's than where I left it that morning...so I KNOW that someone at the dealership had joyridden in the vehicle. I feel totally violated by them, and trust then ZERO with my truck at all...I will not be handing my keys over to them again. I just cant.

 

I guess if you have to spend the money, do it. I would talk with the ser. man. and also with the top boss at the dealer. There is no need for anybody to test drive it for a paint repair. Write down the mileage and check it and make sure they know you are doing this so they will beware. I still wouldn't spend my own money to do it. Possibly turn it into insurance??????

 

Contact your Ford zone rep. You may have to ask another dealer in your area for the zone rep's contact info if your dealership is a true problem. That's the only form of accountability that seems to matter to these ppl.

 

Did I hear you spent $36,000.00 on a Lightning? kinda steep. Is that after interest?
I agree with all spoken. Don't spend a penny but do complain to higher. As always, I fear ford dealers are notorious for warranty and responsibility work. As a new car (truck) owner they should repair the screw-up but probably not after a good amount of complaining.

 

That sucks. If nothing else, they could/SHOULD order you a NEW fascia and let you take delivery (at your house) to have painted and installed as you see fit, whether it be by yourself, a body shop guy, or some bum off of the streets (with the labor bill paid by the dealership, of course). Dealerships like that should also be reported to a higher Ford authority and the BBB. Just my $.02. Keep us posted on the situation if you have time. Thanks.

DUCK

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November 18, 1999 We will not forget.
The fallen 12 will live in our hearts forever.
Fightin Texas Aggie Bonfire 1999

 

I know how you feel. I had a mustang that my dealership did that to and they repainted the front fascia 4 times till I liked it. Also on my 00 L I recieved it damaged in transit(Suposedly) The front fascia was all scared on the bottom and the roof had a big dent with a crease in it. I bought the truck out of town(Orange Ford) and I told them that I wanted a complete fascia and they said no problem. 6 weeks later I am still trying to find it and all of a sudden they have it? Wrong, they lied to me and said that they had it and was waiting for the dealership locally to call them back, but I found out differently so needless to say I do think the salesman has a job anymore because of this as well as about $1000.00 worth of personal items that were in my trade at the time of sale, which they supposedly shipped to me 1 month ago but found out they were never shipped and they do not have them. Dont worry they have been reported to Ford as well as BBB. My truck is now being repaired @ Leif Johnson and they are taking care of the issues.

Sorry for the looooong post but good luck and do not give up!

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ALL BOTTLE No THROTTLE

 

I think I had a couple of scratches on my fron fascia, but I got a new one when my friend hit a moose...

 

Do not spend your own money on repairs. This is their screwup and this is their responsibilty to fix. If the head service manager give ya crap document his replies and take it to the owner of the dealership. If still no satisfaction call Owner Connection on Ford's webpage and explain it to them.

That snot job they did is unacceptable. Most of those plastic front pieces cannot be painted by the dealer. They have to be ordered from the vendor and come prepainted.

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Red '00 Lightning,
Adopted 4/19/00,
Power Surge Performance enhanced,
Sound effects provided by Flowmaster,
Track time pending...

 

Good Point,
I had a scratch front facial (2000 Silver Lightning) repainted at the dealer, it got spots and bubbles, and the paint chips right off. The color match is perfect, but the quality doesn't seem to be.

 

I had simulair problem with my dealer here,but with the alignment issue.And I do almost all their used car work that is nonford. Look in back of your owners manual and theres a # to call for customer satisfaction,call them and the dealer will get the complaint on their customer sat. sheet for their dealership, and they will reply and try to remedy the problem it worked for me ,now when I show up they jump,knowing that I can [and will ]file a complaint with ford ,if things are not done correctly .Just my pennies worth,good luck but DON'T spend your own money for their mees up!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here's a reply from the tech at the dealership who is also a Lightning owner:

OK here we go....

1) In our defense I saw the scratch. It was a single scratch about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and not very deep. With the placing of it (low on the bumper under the fog light) odds are it was caused by something on the road and not by a lot attendant hitting something or a careless technician.

2) In the name of customer service and by the fact that I told the service writer that you were a friend of mine they were willing to fix the damage for you- no questions asked.

3) I have no excuse for the fact that they did a crappy paint repair job. Bring the truck back in and talk to Pat Doyle the parts and service director. His number is 303 738 4562. Explain the situation to him. Or just call him during the day.

4) Be cool about it. I understand that you are upset about this. In the same situation I would be too but you have to understand that if you come in ranting and raving people will be less inclined to help you. If you come in level headed and explain the situation and how you are disapointed in the quality of the repair work you are more likely to end up with a better end result. Trust me I've been doing this for several years. Also if you come in and make a scene there is less of a possiblity that I will be able to do anything behind the scenes to help you through this.

5) Realize that Dealerships exist on the principle of making the customer happy. Unfortunatly things like this happen occasionally. Due to the circumstances of it they could have told you that they werent going to do anything about it and that you were out of luck- but they didnt. They made the first step in trying to satisfy you as a customer in a bad situation- they arent going to just drop the ball now if you come in and make a calm reasonable argument.

 

This is the same tech that testdrove my truck and posted on the LOCO board that it makes 9psi of boost, where his only makes 8.5 with air filter. Is there any way he would know my truck makes 9psi of boost without driving it at WOT?! I hope so, cause I would hate to imagine a test drive scenario where WOT would come into play.

And I would like to add that he is wrong about the scratch...its 2.5 inches long, and all the way into the dark grey plastic...I call that DEEP.

[This message has been edited by AtomHeart (edited 06-21-2000).]

 

When I got my L I did a walk around and found that the trans co. had gouged and torn the front bumper cover(fascia)they told me they would TAKE CARE OF IT so I took it back for them to repair. They said that they could repair it I told them only if you warr. the repair they said they couldn't so I said replace it. well five months later and writing to service manager, store onwer, Dist. Manger, Area Manager and then on to Dearborn they all stated that they would only repair the cover. I kept going and ended with a costomer appeal borad. and got a new one. The body shop call me and replaced it 4 months later the paint started to pell I took it down and they color sanded it but left the cracked paint on the cover. They have had to give a rental (truck) to replace my TRUCK. And since I told the body shop that when I got my L back that every nut and bolt better be the correct color not over sprayed a diff. color and that if there was any other damage or mileage on my L that I would see them in court and they would pay my wages for all the time spend having to take care of there problem. And if it wasn't done right this time that they would also pay for another body shop to fix it. You don't have to put up with them not doing your wishes you pay them and just like your boss if you aren't doing your job right he will take action.

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1999 Red SVT Lightning
#3466 of 4000
NLOC #428
99 Grand Prix GTP Red