Dealer swapped my driver's door with one from another new truck? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dvicknair · 12-25-2009, 08:06 PM

I recently bought a 2010 Tundra, and while installing the accessories, included in the total price, the tech scratched the driver's door and left rear fender in several places. After a month and a half, they finally sent it to a local body shop where the fender scratches were buffed out with compound, but the door was suppose to be repainted. One thing led to another and the dealer told me they were swapping my damaged door with one from another new truck on the lot. Is this legal? Now my driver's door VIN sticker doesn't match that of my truck. What should I do?

2046AM · 12-28-2009, 08:38 AM

You can demand your truck get fixed correctly. There is no law against doing what they are doing. It is however something you can report to the better business bureau. tell them they need to fix the paint. they screwed it up. if they dont, offer the advice that the better business bureau wont like it. if that doesnt produce anything, you are stuck with a non-matching vehicle.

dvicknair · 12-28-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2046AM

You can demand your truck get fixed correctly. There is no law against doing what they are doing. It is however something you can report to the better business bureau. tell them they need to fix the paint. they screwed it up. if they dont, offer the advice that the better business bureau wont like it. if that doesnt produce anything, you are stuck with a non-matching vehicle.

You think I should have them repaint the original door and reinstall it on my truck?

***Dana_15*** · 12-28-2009, 05:50 PM

Thats weird, I never even heard of that option of switching doors. So what about the new truck? Does it have your door on it?

I could be wrong but this doesn't even sound legal.

Personally I would want the original door back on, or a new truck, lol.

Toyota Customer Service has been helpful to me in the past, give them a try:

1-800-331-4331

2046AM · 12-28-2009, 07:34 PM

Yes. Tell them to put your door on your truck and paint it or what ever is necesary. If they don't call Toyota or the BBB. Or if your local news channel has one of those call-in-a-story lines and get them some bad press. Nobody likes bad press.

***toyomoho*** · 12-28-2009, 09:00 PM

One issue with repainting the old door may be getting the paint to match. If the paint on the new door matches, you might be better off keeping it.

Make sure the dealer changes over any ID stickers, etc to the new door.

dvicknair · 01-01-2010, 10:04 PM

To update everyone, I got my truck back a week ago last Tuesday and went on vacation a couple days later. After returning this Tuesday, I took the truck for a ride and while getting out, I noticed the sun was showing me some things I didn't see when I picked the truck up, which was on an overcast day. The entire left rear fender was covered with buff marks, nicks and scratches near the fender well, and a buff burn on the left front fender near the driver's mirror. Below are pictures showing this and much more paint damage.

So I went back to the dealer yesterday and brought the sales manager out and showed him about half of the stuff in the pictures. He first tried licking his finger and wiping away the scratches and damage! So I moved on to the worse spots and finally he says "this is bad". He then offers to replace the truck. I told him, after all this trouble, I wanted him to cancel the entire deal and take the truck. He stated that the owner wouldn't allow him to do that but said he would sit down with me Saturday and find a similiar truck to put me in.

***Dana_15*** · 01-02-2010, 06:22 AM

dvicknair · 01-03-2010, 08:14 PM

Went to the dealer Saturday, AGAIN, and well there were two trucks within a reasonable distance and just so happens the closest one had an aluminum wheel upgrade, 4" stainless steel oval nerf bars and tint. All was about one thousand dollars in additional options. Not that great as I was planning to ditch the factory steel wheels for aftermarket pro comp wheels and install a 5" oval nerf bar. Anyhow, below is a picture of the new truck from the dealer's website.

dvicknair · 01-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Ok, so the sales manager was supposed to call me Tuesday when the new truck arrived from the other dealer, but 5:30 rolls around and no call! So I went on by there after work and he tells me it just got there and hands me the keys. He tells me it's in the very back of the dealership and I could go back there and take a look at it. So I go back there and the new truck has swirl marks all over it. It also had a large swirly surface scratch on the driver's side back door. WTF... When I go back inside, the sales manager is no where to be found. Where does this end!!!

***humanoid*** · 01-07-2010, 07:22 PM

I say contact Toyota corporate and open up a case file with them.

***Dana_15*** · 01-08-2010, 03:47 AM

^^^I agree. That dealership sucks.

ehoff · 01-08-2010, 08:38 AM

Bypass the Sales Manager and talk with either the General Manager or the Owner. Call ahead of time and make a firm appointment. If necessary increase you tone of voice and DEMAND A SOLUTION

that satifies you, and tell them your next step is to call corporate and fill a claim. Keep us posted.

dvicknair · 01-08-2010, 09:02 AM

Unfortunately, I've already contacted Toyota corporate and they have been absolutely no help. They basically told me that the dealers are independent and that they couldn't get involved with this type of issue. They did say they would call the sales manager, but I haven't heard anything back from Toyota since then. I decided that I would just take the truck and polish out the swirl marks myself.

Am I the only person that has had to deal with this type of situation with a black Tundra. I expected a new Tundra to be perfect.

And you know the worst part is, they all act like I'm the bad guy. That's the part that really chaps my behind.

abgiles · 01-09-2010, 10:24 AM

I had a black Tacoma, and I will tell you that it showed EVERY tiny little imperfection. I washed it with extremely soft auto towels, and it scratched every time. I imagine all the tiny scratches in the new one are from the detailing guy washing the truck on numerous occasions. Remember, the dealer has them washed all the time to attract customers. When I went to find a Tundra, I looked at the black ones, and all of them had the same problem, at several dealers here in Jacksonville, FL. I finally picked out a white one, and don't see any scratches when washed. I'm not saying buy a white one, but understand it's going to happen with black. It's been worse since the feds required the companies to change the paint formulas.

As far as the dealer goes, I agree with speaking with the owner and or general manager. If you can live with the small scratches on the new one, demand they give it to you at the same price as the original for all of your troubles. If you can't get any satisfaction, contact your local TV station that has one of those "On your side" guys, and present your case to him. May help.