Help!! Scuffed Seat!!

[1BADYOT]

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! I got my oil changed at a different place than usual since my sis recommended the place, but they damaged my leather in the driver's seat! It looks like the mechanic had a screwdriver in his back pocket and sat in the seat. The scuff is about 5'' long and has "lifted" the leather/vinyl on the seat. This is on my new 07 camry se, so I am mad!! I would appreciate ANY advice on what to use on the leather - I really can't afford to re-upholster the entire seat, but I may try to get the piece (inner driver's side by the door) replaced. thanks everyone!

[JSM1284]

Go back to the shop and demand they pay for it.

[JAKSTER]

HAVE THE GARAGE REPLACE IT OR SUE THEM. Or if you can match the color use Kiwi and try and cover it buff allot it sometimes hides a scratch. Make sure to test the color on a corner where you can see if it matches. But I would make the garage dorks replace the seat. That is a NONO for a mech to do that they are very stupid if they even let the mech's in the car with out paper covers on the floor and seats. MORONS sue them but first try and get them to fix it. Take pictures of the scratch and note the miles get your dealer to give you a quote in writing with the milage on the vehicle just to prove it was new. And if you are not a mechanic that will help. That way they can't say you did it.

[Netforcer]

Originally Posted by JSM1284

Go back to the shop and demand they pay for it.

Duh...

When did you find this out? if it was the driver's seat, you would've noticed it the moment you got in your car... it would be harder to make a case, the longer you wait

[thoots]

Originally Posted by 1BADYOT

I would appreciate ANY advice on what to use on the leather - I really can't afford to re-upholster the entire seat, but I may try to get the piece (inner driver's side by the door) replaced. thanks everyone!

1. First of all, don't do anything to the leather until you get some kind of conclusion with the oil change shop.

2. Check out whatever you may have signed when you got the work done -- you may have signed away your rights "in case of damage." Or, it might outline what they'll do if they damage your car.

3. If you try to get the shop to pay for it, get a quote from your Toyota parts department for the whole "seat cushion cover" -- it should be over $1,000. Plus, get a quote from an upholstery shop to install it -- it should be at least $100. In fact, ask the service writer from your Toyota dealer which upholstery shop they use for warranty repairs -- most dealerships contract out all upholstery work, and whoever they use would be well prepared to take care of your Camry.

4. If you can't get the oil change shop to pay for the problem, your best best is still with that upholstery shop -- I sure do believe that the damaged leather would need to be replaced. BUT, competent upholstery shops "know how to sew" -- they should be able to replace the damaged piece, without the huge expense for the whole seat cover. Probably somewhere around $200 ought to cover it.

In summary:

1. If the shop will cover it, go for the whole OEM seat cover replacement.

2. If it won't, then it hopefully wouldn't be much more than a couple hundred bucks for an upholstery shop to replace the one piece of leather, sew it back together, and put the seat all back together.

3. Good luck!

[1BADYOT]

Thanks everyone! I don't know if I would be able to sue them since I found the scuff/tear after I returned home. We were leaving for a trip the next morning, and I discovered the scuff while I was cleaning the seats. I didn't immediately notice it since it is located on the inside strip on the driver's side near the door, and you can't see it while you are sitting in the car or when you get in the car from the driver's side. I found a local trim shop that will replace the section for $75 - hopefully it will look ok. The Shell Shop manager agreed to pay a SHOE repaire place to fix it - he "said" he knew someone who had their car leather replaced by one, but none of the shoe shops I called would do it. Either way, I want it fixed, and if $75 can do it, I'll pay for it myself since I'm anal about my car. If it looks horrible, I'll wait until I start working ( I just graduated nursing school) and pay to get a better fix. My husband and I plan to keep the car for the long-run, and I plan to take great care of it. Thanks again everyone!