Dealer sells scratched car?

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 01:13 PM

Quick question, if a dealer is selling a new car that has a significant scratch on it, are they required to literally tell you about the scratch? Or is allowing you to view the car, but not say anything explicitly about the scratch fine? The dealership certainly knew about the scratch in my opinion because of some lightly faded paint (from buffing?) around the area in question.

Nick911sc · 03-24-2010, 01:16 PM

caveat emptor

Modshack · 03-24-2010, 01:19 PM

Don't like it, don't buy it!

A dealer is only obligated to disclose significant damage. This varies by state.

If you still want the car have them repair it to your satisfaction before consummating the deal..

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 01:26 PM

Got it, I agree I could have inspected the car more closely. Pouring rain on the date of my purchase didnt help, but whats done is done. The scratch isnt enough for me to threaten lawsuit (not that I would get anything anyway) I was just hoping the professionalism I was treated with when I bought the car would persist into my disclosure of my discovery to the dealer. If they tell me "sorry, but buyer beware" then at least I tried rather than not bringing it up at all.

Daishi · 03-24-2010, 01:42 PM

yea they probably knew about it and just didnt say anything to get the car on the road.. say something to them and they will probably fix it for you. if not they are jerk offs.

kenchan · 03-24-2010, 02:14 PM

yah, it's also possible that your salesman was innocently not aware of the scratch. i find often that these car sales people really dont know much about cars or even really care that much. some of them can't even tell there is a ding on the door...

if your nails cant catch the scratch you can polish it out. if your nail can, then either have to live with it, or try those spot-touchup airbrush folks. but no guarantee how it will turn out but your dealer probably has a guy contracted to do their used cars.

elmz · 03-24-2010, 02:17 PM

I found two pretty significant scratches on mine, but since its PG its really hard to see. But I doubt they would even tell you, their job is to move cars, and we all know how sleazy some of them can be. So it is your job to thoroughly inspect a 30k+ object before you buy it.

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 02:23 PM

Agreed, but theres no use in kicking myself over missing the defect originally, I cant change that. The salesman legitimately seemed like a good guy so my hopes are that they will uphold that reputation with me and offer a remediation of some sort. Again I am not expecting them to do so, hope is the key word here.

SoCal 370Z · 03-24-2010, 02:45 PM

Have you contacted the dealership about it? And how have they responded? Time-is-of-the-essence so I would move on matters.

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 03:03 PM

I informed the dealer about 5 days after the purchase, that was on a Friday I believe. I told the salesman I can send a picture, which he told me to email to his manager. The manager got those pictures on Sunday, and they were "very busy" Monday, then neither salesman nor manager was in on Tuesday, and so I spoke with the salesman again today Wednesday, and he said he would get right on it. I am awaiting reply.

Crazy8 · 03-24-2010, 03:07 PM

Whatever you do, don't let them try and buff it out.

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 03:18 PM

Im afraid they made a minor attempt to do that already, before I ever came in. This assumption is based off the fact that the black paint around the scratch very lightly cloudy/hazy.

Brendan@Bwalk · 03-24-2010, 04:27 PM

There is actually a pretty good chance that your sales guy didn't know it was there. I'm sure the detailers know, but a lot of times they wont say anything unless it is really bad.

This is why when I was in sales full time I would do a walk around of the car myself, and try to get customers to take delivery during daylight so we can do a walkaround together. I'd much rather a customer not take a car and then find another than them leave with it, and come back angry.

kenchan · 03-24-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kielbasa16

Im afraid they made a minor attempt to do that already, before I ever came in. This assumption is based off the fact that the black paint around the scratch very lightly cloudy/hazy.

get some scratch-x and a foam pad and work it into the paint. should polish the haze out nicely. wax afterwards. if it's shiny it'll be harder to tell it's scratched.

might even put on some Prima Amigo on there to fill it and then wax.

kielbasa16 · 03-24-2010, 05:01 PM

Thanks man, will do. I am under the impression, at least for now, that the salesman didnt know about the scratch. Two facts are beginning to make me think otherwise: 1- I got the car at a great price (though it is an 09 and I had to travel 150 miles for it) 2- This salesman was ON POINT throughout the duration of the initial call-sale process always returning my calls ASAP, but since I have brought up the scratch hes all nice when I can get him on the phone, but its pretty hard to get him on the phone...

03-24-2010, 01:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	Dealer sells scratched car? Quick question, if a dealer is selling a new car that has a significant scratch on it, are they required to literally tell you about the scratch? Or is allowing you to view the car, but not say anything explicitly about the scratch fine? The dealership certainly knew about the scratch in my opinion because of some lightly faded paint (from buffing?) around the area in question.

03-24-2010, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	Don't like it, don't buy it! A dealer is only obligated to disclose significant damage. This varies by state. If you still want the car have them repair it to your satisfaction before consummating the deal.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

03-24-2010, 02:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Have you contacted the dealership about it? And how have they responded? Time-is-of-the-essence so I would move on matters. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

03-24-2010, 04:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Brendan@Bwalk Supporting Nissan Dealer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 56 Drives: Unreliable V8 Rep Power: 15	There is actually a pretty good chance that your sales guy didn't know it was there. I'm sure the detailers know, but a lot of times they wont say anything unless it is really bad. This is why when I was in sales full time I would do a walk around of the car myself, and try to get customers to take delivery during daylight so we can do a walkaround together. I'd much rather a customer not take a car and then find another than them leave with it, and come back angry. __________________ Brendan Dolan Internet Sales Boardwalk Nissan Check out my current 370Z inventory! Check out my Nissan Leaf Blog and help me pad the analytics with unique visitors...

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03-24-2010, 01:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nick911sc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,698 Drives: 2010 Nissan GT-R Rep Power: 20	caveat emptor

03-24-2010, 01:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	Got it, I agree I could have inspected the car more closely. Pouring rain on the date of my purchase didnt help, but whats done is done. The scratch isnt enough for me to threaten lawsuit (not that I would get anything anyway) I was just hoping the professionalism I was treated with when I bought the car would persist into my disclosure of my discovery to the dealer. If they tell me "sorry, but buyer beware" then at least I tried rather than not bringing it up at all.

03-24-2010, 01:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Daishi Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 683 Drives: 09 370z 6Speed Rep Power: 17	yea they probably knew about it and just didnt say anything to get the car on the road.. say something to them and they will probably fix it for you. if not they are jerk offs.

03-24-2010, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah, it's also possible that your salesman was innocently not aware of the scratch. i find often that these car sales people really dont know much about cars or even really care that much. some of them can't even tell there is a ding on the door... if your nails cant catch the scratch you can polish it out. if your nail can, then either have to live with it, or try those spot-touchup airbrush folks. but no guarantee how it will turn out but your dealer probably has a guy contracted to do their used cars.

03-24-2010, 02:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	I found two pretty significant scratches on mine, but since its PG its really hard to see. But I doubt they would even tell you, their job is to move cars, and we all know how sleazy some of them can be. So it is your job to thoroughly inspect a 30k+ object before you buy it.

03-24-2010, 02:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	Agreed, but theres no use in kicking myself over missing the defect originally, I cant change that. The salesman legitimately seemed like a good guy so my hopes are that they will uphold that reputation with me and offer a remediation of some sort. Again I am not expecting them to do so, hope is the key word here.

03-24-2010, 03:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	I informed the dealer about 5 days after the purchase, that was on a Friday I believe. I told the salesman I can send a picture, which he told me to email to his manager. The manager got those pictures on Sunday, and they were "very busy" Monday, then neither salesman nor manager was in on Tuesday, and so I spoke with the salesman again today Wednesday, and he said he would get right on it. I am awaiting reply.

03-24-2010, 03:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
Crazy8 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 255 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 15	Whatever you do, don't let them try and buff it out.

03-24-2010, 03:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	Im afraid they made a minor attempt to do that already, before I ever came in. This assumption is based off the fact that the black paint around the scratch very lightly cloudy/hazy.

03-24-2010, 05:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
kielbasa16 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY Posts: 770 Drives: 09 Blk Z Spt Rep Power: 17	Thanks man, will do. I am under the impression, at least for now, that the salesman didnt know about the scratch. Two facts are beginning to make me think otherwise: 1- I got the car at a great price (though it is an 09 and I had to travel 150 miles for it) 2- This salesman was ON POINT throughout the duration of the initial call-sale process always returning my calls ASAP, but since I have brought up the scratch hes all nice when I can get him on the phone, but its pretty hard to get him on the phone...