Dealer Nametag/Gouged Paint
 

So there I was, wanting to remove the dealer Nametag from the back of my Z- in my excitement at getting her finally a few months back, I never even thought about the nametag issue till recently. It was sitting a little crooked, not to mention a too lengthy set of lettering on the rear deck, so with a little help from my more experienced Z friends, we started peeling the letters off one by one. It was relatively easy to do, with very few issues, till I removed one of the letters and my heart sank... there it was, a gouge in the paint - but what caused it? We were not using any tools, nor the letters were proving to be difficult - just peeled right off! Then we had an epiphany! The car was found and transported from another dealership - which meant it had the other dealer's nametag on it. The successive dealer removed the old dealer tag, and in doing so must have gouged the paint in the car. So, what did they do afterwards? They just stuck THEIR nametag right atop the gouge - there, that fixed it! He'll never know! How many "regular" folk actually take the dealer tag off? Just us gearheads I imagine. Well, I made a call to my salesman pronto last night, gave him an earful, and he promised to look at it Monday afternoon and see how it needs to be remedied. He is a good guy I have to say, and I can bet he did not know it was gouged (he was being helped by a junior salesman at the time who was taking care of the detailing while we were finishing up the paperwork). You know, my issue is not the gouge itself so much, but in the deception that I was subjected to... if they had come to me and said, hey, we are very sorry-while we were doing this we scratched/gouged the paint - but we'll take care of it - we'll fix it immediately for you - it'll be like new we promise, ok, so I would have been mad a little - but a lot more understanding than I am right now. I just don't like underhanded lying deceiving people... There will be hell to pay come Monday evening at the dealership...
Here is a pic of Before and After... Beware the Dealer nametag guys!

If they fix it, you'll be lucky as you have no proof that they did it and they can say that you did it by removing their name. Just playing the devil's advocate here.

I hear ya... that is what they were betting on when they did what they did. Let's see if they want to stick to their guns - if they take that road - and jeopardize service for three vehicles ('05 Titan, '08 Altima and the '011 370Z), all bought there...

If not, that's fine. I'll have it fixed, and that would be the last of my business that they'll ever see.

Simple.
:mad:

If you have given them that much business, they should fix it without question. I think they will.

Update
 

No questions asked... I was referred to a reputable body shop for an estimate...:tup:

I figured as much. Not many customers like you around. Any smart businessman would make sure that you stayed happy.

yikes... i'd be more worried about color matching especially on metallics but hope it turns out well...! :)

I just got back from the Body Shop. I am about fit to be tied. They have to take off my spoiler, then re-paint the entire back lid. This is a vehicle that just crossed 4K miles, and now is going to get re-painted! I can just see the color not quite match the factory paint, start fading at a different rate than the rest of the car, or start peeling in about a couple of years... jeez this is a crock!

The scratch is very small, albeit deep. I'm going to touch it up myself, or even have the body shop do the touch up professionally. I have been wanting to apply the FAIRLADYZ nametag to the car anyway, so this would be the spot to do it in. I will not let them touch the factory paint.

:gtfo2:

^^ yah, good call. while competent bodyshops can do it right (and offer lifetime warranty on their work) that's another 4-5 days you wont be able to use your car.

i would just touch it up. :)

I've never had issues like that using a reputable body shop; the one I use has been in business for decades and offers a hell of a warranty even... Now, dealer "freebie" work I dunno.

I absolutely HATE those dealer stickers... how god awful does that emblem look on top of the nice Z logo.

Try that paint chip stuff that is mentioned all over the site... worst problem with touchup is that it isn't smooth which that kit seems to address.

Thanks Matt - I know what you mean. I am looking at all options!

Should have had them remove it at the dealership before you drove it off. I told my dealer that I would not take any car with their name stuck to it. When I got it they put the license plate frame on with their name and it came right off.

You sound like me. I remember years ago picking up my car and the dealer had their crap name stuck on the back. I asked them where was I supposed to pick up the money that they are paying me to advertise for them. The salesman laughed.

I told him that laugh was exactly how I felt if they thought that I was going to pay for the car with their name on it. Somebody showed up with a heat gun a few minutes later.

Another good trick at removing them is fishing line... just feed it behind the plate and gently pull... some heat will help a bit too.