I just got a new (used) car a week ago today. Well I decide to go do some car maintenance today, so I go to a local gas station with a car wash and vacuums. Now all i really wanted was the vacuums, but you got use of the vacuums if you did a car wash, so i went through for a $3 car wash.
And low and behold when i go look at the trunk lid, it is scratched up as you can imagine, you can clearly see the brush strokes. It was so bad that it even scratched up my brand new tint on the back window(which is on the outside on the back window). The tint was done on Thursday.
Now I assume if they were to fix the damage I would have to work and work to even have a shot, and even then I might have a hard time getting any sort of reparations. I called a # I think is their office, but it is hard to be sure.
IF anyone can give me any advice and/or help me find some contact info for the company i would be appreciative.
All i could find was :
Drive Green 7080 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL (251) 340-0948 (this # was never picked up)
1-866-663-9264( this is the # i left a message at, it went straight to voicemail)
I have a feeling it is going to be hard getting in tough with a human in the company who can/will do anything.
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most car washes have disclaimers of liability that prevent them from being held responsible for damage to the cars going through?
You are correct, though some may argue the placement of the warning. Was it given before he paid, was he given the opportunity for a refund if he did not agree? All of these things matter.
Did you talk to the attendant right after it occurred?
I had a Civic at one point, took it through a car wash and it broke off the drivers side mirror. I spoke to the attendant, and was later called by someone who clearly deals with this sort of thing - I got the estimate and got it repaired - they paid for it.
Whether or not they needed to pay for my damage, I don't know. But I think a reasonable place - barring the clear stupidity of - moving your car during the wash - having a vehicle that is simply too big - leaving your windows open - any odd extensions from your vehicle... that if you go in expecting to get your car cleaned and it causes damage to your car - they *should* take care of it.
It doesn't hurt to state your case to the station. Hope you kept your car wash receipt too.
Message edited by: skagen on 2009-10-31 16:25:15 CDT
If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
Message edited by: soundtechie on 2009-10-31 16:26:31 CDT
LifeAsISeeIt said:Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most car washes have disclaimers of liability that prevent them from being held responsible for damage to the cars going through?from ordinary and reasonable use, yes. but if the damage is caused intentionally or negligently (defective brushes)... that's another story.
soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something....thick coat of wax.
soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
lol! he is lucky a can or two of bondo didn't come off too
soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
If that's the case, the car wash actually indirectly did OP a favor by letting him know.
sherry7 said:This is why I only take my vehicles through "touch free" car washes. It's definitely worth the extra couple of bucks.I sort of agree, because those the brushes/cloths at the other car washes can collect abrasives off of other vehicles, however the water at the "touch-free" washes is under high pressure and probably can do some damage too. There is no perfect way other than washing it yourself, and in cold country in the winter, that's not an option.
soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
I doubt that one, it is a 2006, im sure it was the factory paint job.
mewannaxbox said:You are correct, though some may argue the placement of the warning. Was it given before he paid, was he given the opportunity for a refund if he did not agree? All of these things matter.
I didn't see a warning posted at all...
And I actually paid with a Capital One credit card, i wonder if i have any protection via the credit card?
EDIT: i looked through it, didn't see anything, oh well
Message edited by: aec307 on 2009-10-31 18:43:02 CDT
aec307 said:soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
I doubt that one, it is a 2006, im sure it was the factory paint job.are those scratches on your glass?
Crazytree said:aec307 said:soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
I doubt that one, it is a 2006, im sure it was the factory paint job.are those scratches on your glass?
Actually they are on the tinting, the person who did the tint, put the back window tint on the outside actually.
LifeAsISeeIt said:Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most car washes have disclaimers of liability that prevent them from being held responsible for damage to the cars going through?
Putting up a sign saying you're not liable doesn't obviate legal liability. It likely makes those who could be called sheeple less inclined to pursue a claim though.
The tint may just save you in this case. You have a record that the tint was in new condition only a couple days ago, so this bolsters your claim that the car wash did the damage. Otherwise, it would be just your word, with no real evidence there was no previous damage. I don't know if you can walk into the car wash or not. If you can, it wouldn't hurt to look for a missing brush, wire, anything that could have caused the damage and snap a picture.
aec307 said:Crazytree said:aec307 said:soundtechie said:If you got the car a week ago, I suspect the the previous owner, not the car wash. They put something on your hood to make it look nice, make just a thin paint job, and the first time you put it through a car wash, you could tell that it had removed something.
I doubt that one, it is a 2006, im sure it was the factory paint job.are those scratches on your glass?
Actually they are on the tinting, the person who did the tint, put the back window tint on the outside actually.Maybe they do it differently in the South, but in CA tint is NEVER APPLIED TO THE OUTSIDE of the glass,....thats lunacy. It sounds like you got a bad tint job and you should get your money back from the tint place for faulty work
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