Fwd: Dealer Horror Story - Need advice.

[Sandy Duffy <sandyduffy@home.com>]

>From: "Anderson, Scott (CCI IT)" <scanderson@Carlson.com>
>To: "'quattro@coimbra.ans.net'" <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
>Subject: Dealer Horror Story - Need advice.
>Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 16:16:51 -0500
>X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.0.1460.8)
>Sender: owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net
>
>		I'm looking for some advice as to a proper solution /
>compensation for the following dealer repair at a Minneapolis dealer.
>
>		This is long story, but if enough people are interested,
>I'll post the ending of the story when it becomes available.  Burnsville
>Volkswagon, if you're listening, get your act together!!!

>		In summary,
>		The car has gone over 400 miles (the dealer put on 200) and
>will have been out of service for 7 full days just for warranty related
>items in the 1 ½ weeks I've owned it!
>
>		So, what should I do?

Scott:

Man, you win the nice guy of the year award!  Way too nice!  They sold you
an automobile with a warranty.  That vehicle was not legal to register in
MN because it could not pass inspection.  Where they got the car, and whose
responsibility it is to fix it or pay for it isn't your problem.  It's
theirs. 

Were I in your shoes I would place a call to the Consumer Protection unit
of the MN Attorney General's office.  (612-296-3353 or 1-800-657-3787)
Minnesota has one of the strongest consumer protection laws in the US, and
these turkeys are asking for it.  You can get some more specifics at
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/cars/Used.shtml

Get the name of someone there that you can drop with the dealer, then if
you want to solve the problem quickly over the phone,  the conversation
would probably go something like this: 


"Shelly, I just got off the phone with Jack Sprat at the State Attorney
General's Office.  He suggested I make one more attempt at resolving the
problem directly with you, and if that didn't do the trick he seemed rather
certain that they could help.  So my question is, am I going to have my car
back,  working properly and ready to be legally inspected and operated in
the State of Minnesota by 5:00 PM on Monday, or would you rather deal with
the state?"

"Oh, and by the way, there WILL be a written statement with the car
extending the warranty by the time and mileage that has elapsed since I
delivered the car to you."

The other method would be to do it in writing.  This protects your rights a
little better, but it could take a few more days.

The letter looks something like this.

Mr. I.M. Cheep, President
Burnsville VW, Inc.
24529 Miracle Mile Blvd.
Burnsville, MN   55306

Re:  Service order # 1234567

Certified Mail:  USPS-3485091384234

June 26, 1998

Dear Mr. Cheep

I have contacted the Consumer Protection Unit of the Minnesota Attorney
General's Office concerning the problems with the Audi 100 I purchased from
you on June 15th, 1998.   The car was sold to me with a 30 day, 1000 mile
warranty.

I returned the car to you on June 18th as the reverse lights do not work,
and the car did not pass an emissions test.  Since then I have been
promised that the car would be returned to me on no fewer than 5 occasions.
 The car has been driven over 400 miles between you and another dealer
since then.  It has still not been repaired, and I have no transportation.

This letter represents my final attempt at resolving this problem with
Burnsville Volkswagon directly before I per sue legal remedy under the
Minnesota Consumer Protection Act.  I have acted in good faith, and have
expected that Burnsville Volkswagon would honor its legal obligations.  I
have been more than patient, as I'm sure you must admit.

This letter will serve as an official notice to you that:

1.  The car you sold to me will be returned in working condition, legal for
operation under the laws of the State of Minnesota no later than 5:00 P.M.
on Tuesday June 29th, 1998.

2.  Burnsville Volkswagon will provide, in writing, and extension of the
warranty to cover the mileage placed on the car by Burnsville Volkswagon
and it's agents since the car was delivered to you for service, and by the
amount of time elapsed since the car has been in your possession.

3.  Failing to do this, Burnsville Volkswagon will refund the purchase
price of the car to me, plus the amount of $50.00 per day for the period of
time I have not had the use of the automobile.

Your failure to comply with these demands will leave me with no other
choice but to pursue legal remedy through the courts and the Attorney
General's Office.

I would rather solve this issue directly, but I will not accept further
delays on the part of Burnsville Volkswagon.  I can be reached at
612-555-1234 during the day, and at 612-555-9284 evenings.

Sincerely:

Scott Anderson.

CC:  Atty. Howy Cheetum, Esq., Dewy Cheetum & Howe, P.C.