Dealer dropped my truck off the lift!!!

jmthomason

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 21, 2008
Location
Lexington
I haven't seen the damage but they say its a fender, side step and a rear bumper. Has anybody else had this happen to them. It's an 07 Ram 2500 with 30k miles, not just a beater. Obviously they said they would cover the repair costs but then I have a repaired truck! Any suggestions on how to proceed.


Jon
 
This exact same thing happened to a buddy of mine.He Complained so Loud and so Often during the whole process of repairing the truck that he honestly got a brand new truck off the lot.He made the same complaint,that he didn't have a repaired truck prior to "Their" Mistake.True Story.
 
If it was me I would be well an asshole. Mainly because for one you have to try to have something fall off a lift. The only way to have it fall really is carelessness or equipment failure. Mainly though just stay on top of it, keep in touch everyday to make sure it gets done as soon as possible. Are they giving you a rental? Sorry that that happen just thinking of that makes me sad.
 
I'd find out how far and how fast it fell, and what hit first.

Get a 3rd party exam/estimate on it, also. Take it to an independent alignment shop and let them check it.

Then, let them fix it. Same as a fender-bender, would you expect a new truck in that case?
 
it does happen and more often than you think. just respond in a way that wont make you regret you actions down the road. remember karma.
 
jmthomason said:
I haven't seen the damage but they say its a fender, side step and a rear bumper. Has anybody else had this happen to them. It's an 07 Ram 2500 with 30k miles, not just a beater. Obviously they said they would cover the repair costs but then I have a repaired truck! Any suggestions on how to proceed.
Jon
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Get a lawyer, only way to handle it. The dealer is not going to look for your best interest, they are just trying to cover there ass.
 
retroedaddy said:
This exact same thing happened to a buddy of mine.He Complained so Loud and so Often during the whole process of repairing the truck that he honestly got a brand new truck off the lot.He made the same complaint,that he didn't have a repaired truck prior to "Their" Mistake.True Story.
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I have to agree, this is the time to be at first reasonable and explain that a new truck is the correct solution. They can repair yours and sell it as used on their lot. If they don't agree, then it is time to become an obnoxious ass about it. Ask their general manager if it would help his business if you stood outside his entrance on a Saturday with a sign that reads something like, "ask me why this dealership is unsafe!" This after all is merely excersing your right to protest/free speech. Pretty sure he'll start to see things your way. One more pointer, stay calm and don't cuss anyone out....it won't help your case whatsoever
 
You "new truck" guys are out of your fucking minds.

Obviously it depends on what the extent of the damage is but automatically suggesting that someone deserves a new truck just because their 3 year old truck got banged up at a dealership is a pretty rotten mindset.
 
I am just repeating a story that I know to be true.It's not my "Fucking Mind" at all.I worked with the guy at the time and that is exactly what happened.Whether it was fair to the dealer or fair to the customer,I wasn't passing Judgment.I am telling you what the Dealership in Raleigh Did for a guy that I worked with after they dropped his truck off a lift.I know for a fact a couple weeks later the guy was driving a brand spanking new fully loaded Dodge to work everyday.
 
Ok well just to be clear the original poster asked how to proceed and you immediately jumped in with a story about how your buddy in the exact same situation raised enough hell with the dealership that he got a new truck. So since you're totally neutral about the fairness of that outcome, let me pass judgement by saying that, without knowing any more about that situation, it sounds like he got more than he deserved.
 
Personally I wouldn't be satisfied with a repaired truck myself. Another truck with similar or less mileage, in as good of condition or better than what I had would be the fair thing. I am sure there are plenty of trucks out there that would fit this description.
 
if it was a almost brand new truck...that was a same year model as the current year...with like...2500 miles on it....yeah, i'd say a new truck.....but yours is used. Just go get 3 separate estimates and present them to them and let them pay to have it fixed. Same thing if someone hit you...not a huge deal, and no reason at all to be a jerk about anything
 
kdunc said:
Ok well just to be clear the original poster asked how to proceed and you immediately jumped in with a story about how your buddy in the exact same situation raised enough hell with the dealership that he got a new truck. So since you're totally neutral about the fairness of that outcome, let me pass judgement by saying that, without knowing any more about that situation, it sounds like he got more than he deserved.
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Maybe so,I am neutral in that the outcome really doesn't effect me at all.I jumped in with a story that sounded almost exactly like what he was complaining of.That being said,I do feel like if someone cares enough to take their vehicle to the dealer,they are probably looking for a higher standard of work than Jiffy Lube.I don't know that I would expect a brand new vehicle out of the experience,but I would sure expect the dealership to go further to make it right than some hole in the wall shop.Just my opinion though,I've honestly only once or twice ever taken my car to anywhere to get it worked on.
 
This is why you pay insurance premiums. Call your agent in the morning and get them to send an independent adjuster out.

If your insurance company is worth a shit, they will make it right, whatever that happens to mean.
 
If there's no frame damage, a "repaired" truck, in a case like this, is as good as never damaged. I would push for an extended/lifetime warranty though. This will cost the dealer very little, is something they'll likely give you, and could save you tons in the long run if you hang on to the truck.
 
13bullets said:
If there's no frame damage, a "repaired" truck, in a case like this, is as good as never damaged. I would push for an extended/lifetime warranty though. This will cost the dealer very little, is something they'll likely give you, and could save you tons in the long run if you hang on to the truck.
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Plus there is this.The Dealer is gonna use Dealer Parts as opposed to junkyard or Aftermarket parts.Again,probably why it's a good idea taking your stuff to the dealer.
 
13bullets said:
If there's no frame damage, a "repaired" truck, in a case like this, is as good as never damaged. I would push for an extended/lifetime warranty though. This will cost the dealer very little, is something they'll likely give you, and could save you tons in the long run if you hang on to the truck.
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I like this idea, I do think they should do something extra for you but no way should they giveaway a new truck. Remember this was an accident and if you got in an accident on the road you sure wouldnt get a new truck :lol: Sure it was some incompetence by them but still an accident.
 
hoop said:
I have to agree, this is the time to be at first reasonable and explain that a new truck is the correct solution. They can repair yours and sell it as used on their lot. If they don't agree, then it is time to become an obnoxious ass about it. Ask their general manager if it would help his business if you stood outside his entrance on a Saturday with a sign that reads something like, "ask me why this dealership is unsafe!" This after all is merely excersing your right to protest/free speech. Pretty sure he'll start to see things your way. One more pointer, stay calm and don't cuss anyone out....it won't help your case whatsoever
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Dammit all to hell ! ! ! I just realized I'm starting to be a crotchety old bastard....Get your insurance agent to work it out with the dealer and insist on new OEM parts. I don't agree that this is the same as an accident on the open road, but I guess you probably aren't entitled to a new truck either. :beer:
 
Is it a 5-star dealership? I know the Dodge dealership I go to pretty well and have talked to them at length about what it takes to be a 5-star dealer. It's not an easy process and it's easy to lose from my understanding.

I guarantee if they are a 5-star, dropping a rig off a lift is grounds for losing that rating. Just some food for thought.

Another thing to consider is the idea that this "wreck" might go on your rig's CarFax report. If that's the case, as a buyer, I would consider it a major negative when checking out the truck.
 
I agree this is no different from any other wreck, if someone hit you on the road, your insurance company would have the truck fixed.
Keep calm and level headed. it's frustrating, but you know what - shit happens. Chances are that somebody is already paying bigtime, either $$ out of their paycheck, suspension, or lost job.
Def get an estimate from a few other places based on OE parts - insurance companies have rules about this, cars only a few years old (either 2 or 3) qualify for OE I believe, yours may or may not be within that window.
I'd consider telling them that you'd prefer to have another dealer do the repair work on their dime, that way you don't have to worry about anybody cutting corners to limit the expense.
 
I agree this is no different from any other wreck, if someone hit you on the road, your insurance company would have the truck fixed.
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I agree 100% with this. As much as it stinks, sometimes life will throw you a curveball. That much is unavoidable, but you may have to count your blessings (that nobody was hurt or killed) and just move on with your life.

Like any other wreck I would urge you to get your truck fixed with the best parts and the best laborers. In addition I would advise you to go after cash for "loss of value" due to the wreck. The fact of the matter is that wrecks on your Carfax report and paint work will cause you to get less money when you sell the vehicle. Get that money from their insurance now so you're covered when it comes out of your pocket later.
 
13bullets said:
If there's no frame damage, a "repaired" truck, in a case like this, is as good as never damaged. I would push for an extended/lifetime warranty though. This will cost the dealer very little, is something they'll likely give you, and could save you tons in the long run if you hang on to the truck.
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+1. The dealerships interest is in keeping you as a customer. Your insurance should not be involved, that is what theirs is for. As far as to getting a lawyer, cost you at the minimum extra time and with them offering to repair your truck not much a lawyer could do except keep them from dragging their feet. They will work with you and give you the best repair. Just stay calm and act nice you will be surprised at how they cater to you.
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Plus, this isn't all that unusual an occurrence. A couple of years ago, one dropped at our local tire place. I was there the next day, and they were telling me about it, and one about a month earlier. And they told me one of the local car dealerships her had dropped a couple.

At the tire place, the anchors pulled right out of the concrete and it tilted forward.
 
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