Hey all,

I'm rather upset at the moment because I took my car to have its 7500 mile service performed today, and well, the job was not done as carefully as I asked for it to be performed.

I was specific in telling the tech guy to be careful with the wheels while removing/installing the lugs (for balancing each wheel and tire). Well, he did a good job with this, however, he scuffed/chipped the paint on 3 of my calipers. WTF?!?!?

The wheels had never been removed before since I purchased the car new, so I am 150% sure that this occurred this morning. Besides, when I wash my car and clean the calipers, I always inspect them carefully.

What do you guys think I should do? Hopefully this is covered under warranty, as putting chips on a caliper by removing/installing the wheel is not considered normal wear and tear.

I'm so upset right now...why can't they ever get anything right?

 

I HATE THE SERVICE GUYS AT THE DEALERSHIP NEXT TO ME. They can't do nothing right. I try my best to avoid going there only for oil changes. When I first bought the car there was a small scratch on the front fender and they told me to come back so they can buff it out.. I went back, they washed the car and buffed out the scratch... well it looked like they did an outstanding job getting it out since they parked my car in the shade... so then I went home, got on the driveway looked at my car in the sun.. SWIRL MARKS EVERYWHERE, more fine scratches than there was, scratched wheels, and a mark on my trunk that doesn't come out. I told myself from now on I am only getting oil changes and fixing warranty issues from them. I think they might of switched out my trunk with someone elses....

2 months later I went to get my first oil change... while I was waiting for my car to be done the service receptionist told me that their just drying my car, I'll be done in no time.. as soon as I heard that I got pissed. I never told them to wash my car... then when my car came out it had tons more of swirls obviously.. then I just took the keys and told the service guy I don't want you guys to wash my car ever again and drove away.

I went in last month for them to fix the engine tapping/knocking noise... I told the service guy what it sounds like.. he came back 5 mins later and said they can't mimic the sound I was hearing and that they will monitor it during the next few services... then gave me the keys. I then started my car and could easily hear it again..... These guys just want the pay not to work all day..

 

sorry to hear that...it's hard to find a good dealership to work with... glad i have one at home in dallas, austin infiniti sucks!

 

Yeah I really have no choice about balancing wheels/tires because I can't do that myself at home. I figured between the dealer and any one of those places that do maintenance, I would take it to the dealer since anything that goes wrong should be guaranteed. I'm taking this up with them on Monday. I refuse to have my calipers chipped like this, when they charge $2000+ to add the sports package on a car.

Seriously, after telling them to be careful with my wheels, what could possibly make them think I wouldn't notice mishaps on the calipers?!? I even said repeatedly that I am a picky customer.

Oh well...nothing can be done 'til I talk to them on Monday...

 

Infiniti as a corporate itself, not the dealership, will acknowledge all work performed at the dealership to keep the warranty in good standing as opposed to having it done at a 3rd party shop..... they will give the dealers a hard time sometimes, but thats why sometimes it just pays to get the work performed at the dealership as opposed toa mom and pop shop

 

I suppose based on this they should be ok with replacing/recoating my calipers right?

 

So you did take it to your dealership or a mom and pop shop?

Regardless... For future visits, have the service advisor document anything and everything wrong with the car. In addition, take your car in clean so that everything wrong with it shows... scratches etc. For me, I have the service advisor note that there is not a single blemish on my wheels so that if I come back to pick it up and there is... They can be held liable.

The service advisors I work with seem to respect the fact that I want the car fully looked over prior to it leaving my hands. Sure it's a pain for them, but in the end they understand.

 

It just does not hurt to open your mouth and express your feelings to them and see what they can do. I can only offer you my professional advice and cannot answer for the dealer you went to service for. It could be from road debris but since you don't haev any photos of it, just be calm to show them. arguing and being loud will not get you too far. good luck on it though-- I'd be upset too

 

I took it to my dealership...only they or myself touch my car...again for warranty reasons...I just don't want them telling me that chipping the paint of my calipers is normal...hopefully they won't give me a hard time for this! It pisses me off that they put more wear and tear on my car in 30 minutes than I have in 6 months they even put a shoe scratch on my immaculate door panel and I'm sure if I bring that up they will end up telling me I did it.

 

If they give you a hard time about it... Call Infiniti Consumer Affairs. If Infiniti Consumer Affairs isn't listening, take it to small claims court, but that may be hard since you don't have proof they did and it wasn't already there.

 

Thank you. I will take this sequence of steps...hopefully they work...

EDIT: As far as proof goes, the wheels had never been removed from the car ... this was the 7500 mile service which is when they take them off and re-balance them. Also, I find it hard to believe that debris could get caught inside the barrel and chip off the paint RIGHT ON the corner of the caliper. That specific upper corner is the one place most prone to receive the hit on the caliper while (dis)mounting the wheel. In fact, one of the other 2 damaged calipers was damaged in the exact same location. Somebody got lazy and dragged the wheels out or let it rest/touch the caliper while mounting it back.