Toyota Carwash - Scratches - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cdale · 10-13-2008, 02:36 AM

Just an FYI to everyone:

I took my car into Scarborough Lexus Toyota for an oil change and was offered a complimentary oil change. At first I thought great... until I saw my car. The thing rolled out with soap all over the back and hundreds of tiny scratches along the door frames, as well as two large scratches on the rear passenger door above the window.

I immediately saw the damage and spoke with Toyota Management about the issue, to which they said that they could not confirm where the damage was caused but that they had a sign saying that it was at my own risk to accept the car wash. The Manager further stated that black cars (my car is black) are more likely to show scratches and he would not put his own car through if it were black... at that point I lost it and said that I don't care what the sign says, because it's it the back of the shop; and that I should have been warned if this is not recommended by a dealership Manager.

I then took the Manager on a second guided tour around my car and showed him all the scratches again, pointing out that the brush marks were clearly visible and the scratches were lined up right in the middle of them. The Manager then offered me a complimentary wax and buff job on the affected areas to hide the damage. Once the wax wears away the damage will show again and my new car will look like crap yet again.

This place has been horrible to me since I bought my car six months ago. I have had one other problem with my vehicle - transmission related - and now this. Both times Toyota has said that they don't acknowledge a problem until I complain to Management. Once Management is involved, they then see the problem, but it's my problem and they won't admit that they should share some accountability. The problem I think, is that Toyota staff are supremely confident in their products and services so they don't worry about the complaints. They automatically assume that the person complaining is trying to get away with something and they treat you that way. Sickening!!! I hate Toyota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jdhog · 10-13-2008, 08:35 AM

how terrible! So the manager even admitted the car wash is damaging cars, meaning they know the car wash is scratching every single car that goes through it? Surely there is good reason to make an insurance claim and make them pay the deductable or take legal action?

Good luck dude!

TRXR4KDS · 10-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Most Toyota dealers don't have carwashes. So don't blame Toyota, that a specific dealer problem you have. I agree with you, they shouldn't have offered a wash that the manager himself doesn't support. Take the buff and wax and ask them to use a polymer sealant, that'll last for years.

matrixgirl09 · 10-16-2008, 08:25 AM

It is cheap paint. A goose went on my car and I washed it as soon as I could, but there is a small spot where the paint is already completely off and you can see the primer. I have a lot of small scratches on the hood. I have only went to decent car washes with the soft brushes (have an apartment so i can't just wash my car in a driveway) where I took my previous car.

I have read some reviews somewhere about the toyota paint being bad. So far though that is my only complaint but now I am going to have to be vigilant about keeping up a wax job and watching for more scratches. But good luck with your claim though, having a black car is not an excuse for the car wash using a brush that is too hard on every car.

Corolla_reps · 10-16-2008, 11:55 AM

Scarborough Lexus eh....yeah i have a problem with that dealership aswell in regards to the recall of the driver side window bolt screw for all Toyota Matrix from model 03-04....i have a Matrix 03 XRS and it is a US model they stated to me that my car is not on their records because it is American Car...Im like WTH im like thinking it is the same S*** my car is made in Canada....they stated to me i have to contact TOYOTA CANADA for this issue and they said they can't do anything about it....=(

left the dealer angrily about this issue.....not even sure the phone number for TOYOTA CANADA ???

Highlex · 10-16-2008, 01:37 PM

Speaking from experiance... A Toyota carwash is not an easy place to work.

My dad owns Funk's Toyota in steinbach manitoba and we have a successful carwash in the back. We always get nice complements on our cars and or coarse we wash them for free... but the job isn't easy I used to work there and people / mechanics are always rushing you to finish the car was and it puts alot of pressure on you. I've seen people accidently scratch the car with the soap brush before.

Anyways I hope you find a dealership who treats you right.

peace.

jdhog · 10-16-2008, 03:15 PM

I've waxed mine twice and last weekend did a coat of nu-finish on it which is good for the winter. Also picked up some touch up paint from my dealer for a scratch on the edge of the drivers door.

nmehes · 10-16-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corolla_reps

left the dealer angrily about this issue.....not even sure the phone number for TOYOTA CANADA ???

1-888-TOYOTA-8 (Canadian number only)

SportLynn · 10-20-2008, 02:00 PM

same thing with my old toyota dealership! when i bought the car there wasnt any scratches on it. well when they took the car back to wash it while i signed the papers they compounded and waxed it... so they said.
well when the car came out there were about 5 different scratches! i had them take the car back about 3 times to fix it. still i wasnt happy with it when i left.
I will NEVER let a dealership clean my car, EVER! its taken me 6 months to finnaly get all the surface scratches out of my car (had it since april). im not wasting a whole season of compounding and washing my car because they are dumb Fvcks. ive had horrible service since i had gotten the car. my first service they FORGOT about me! took them 7 HOURS to service my car... a 45min procedure for the first one. and i had a shuttle. well i called 3 times and the woman gave me a royal attitude, lets just say she doesnt do much around there anymore...

and the same thing happend with my boyfriends car. he had a Volkswagen MKIV R32. his dealership scratched his car too.
so i guess this just shows that you cant trust your dealer to do anything to your car.. even something as simple as washing it.
i would say next time you have a service, go in and ask them if you can watch. and tell them NO CAR WASH!