ChargerSXT
02-02-2006, 07:15 AM
I have had some issues with the paint on my black SXT, so I've had it in to my dealer to get it looked at and fixed. Dave, at First Team Dodge, has really bent over backwards to get my issues fixed, and fixed correctly. I am completely happy with the service that I have received from First Team, and, until yesterday morning, I was OK with the work that the body shop had done (with the exception of major buffer swirl marks left in the areas that they have already worked on).
Yesterday morning, I received a call from the owner/manager of Advantage Collision Center. To recap the jist of the conversation, he basically laid into me saying that I shouldn't be so picky with the paint because it was just a car and wasn't "a Lamborghini or anything like that," and that I should just deal with it because the paint job was to "industry standards on a production car." He also told me that with his 29 years (or something close to that) experience and his "multi-million dollar facility," he did not feel that he could adequately fix the problems that I have. Wow!
For some background, here are the problems that I have with the paint:
1. Trunk lid scratches the rear bumper - fix paint scratches on the rear bumper and the edge of the trunk lid.
2. Rough spot in paint on rear door sills - there were two spots in the paint that looked and felt like there was something (e.g., dirt, sand, grit, etc.) actually in the paint.
3. Paint chipping off around door handles - the paint is actually chipping off in the crevice (or whatever you want to call it) in the door around door handle. You could look in and see the gray coat under the paint. This is what the body shop had the most problem with and told me I should just deal with since, in order to fix this, they have to basically take the doors apart and repaint the entire door on all 4 doors.
4. Blemishes in the paint on the nose - you can actually see spots in the paint that are a darker color than the rest of the paint (And, no, they aren't chips, scratches, bugs splatters, etc.) This, I admit, is probably a bit too picky, but it is noticable to me and it bugs me.
I realize that I may be more picky/anal than most people, but it is my car and I don't really appreciate anyone telling me what is, or isn't, important when it comes to my car (except for, possibly, my wife :whistle: ). And I really felt that it was extremely unprofessional for the owner of the body shop doing warranty work for a dealer to call me, the customer/car owner, and tell me that I am too picky and that I should just deal with these things. And it wasn't just what he said, but they way he said it...I actually felt that he was chewing me out and belittling me over the phone, trying to get me to change my mind so that he didn't have to do the work.
Also, it should be noted these paint issues were brought up and shown to him months ago when he did some initial work on the paint (he didn't finish because he ran out of paint, or something like that, and he has been very busy ever since and is just now able to get my car in), and he never mentioned any of his concerns, etc. about these paint issues until yesterday (when he finally got around to looking at the car after having it for 2-3 day). At the end of our conversation, he told be that it would be 10-14 days before he could get to my car and have it done, which is MUCH longer than the 2-3 days that he told my dealer.
So, if anyone in the Hampton Roads, VA area is looking for a body shop, I would advise that you stay away from Advantage Collision Center. Just my opinion. Personally, I'd rather pay for any body or paint work that I may need to have done in the future before I let First Team send it to Advantage Collision Center again.
Thanks for letting me rant.
Yesterday morning, I received a call from the owner/manager of Advantage Collision Center. To recap the jist of the conversation, he basically laid into me saying that I shouldn't be so picky with the paint because it was just a car and wasn't "a Lamborghini or anything like that," and that I should just deal with it because the paint job was to "industry standards on a production car." He also told me that with his 29 years (or something close to that) experience and his "multi-million dollar facility," he did not feel that he could adequately fix the problems that I have. Wow!
For some background, here are the problems that I have with the paint:
1. Trunk lid scratches the rear bumper - fix paint scratches on the rear bumper and the edge of the trunk lid.
2. Rough spot in paint on rear door sills - there were two spots in the paint that looked and felt like there was something (e.g., dirt, sand, grit, etc.) actually in the paint.
3. Paint chipping off around door handles - the paint is actually chipping off in the crevice (or whatever you want to call it) in the door around door handle. You could look in and see the gray coat under the paint. This is what the body shop had the most problem with and told me I should just deal with since, in order to fix this, they have to basically take the doors apart and repaint the entire door on all 4 doors.
4. Blemishes in the paint on the nose - you can actually see spots in the paint that are a darker color than the rest of the paint (And, no, they aren't chips, scratches, bugs splatters, etc.) This, I admit, is probably a bit too picky, but it is noticable to me and it bugs me.
I realize that I may be more picky/anal than most people, but it is my car and I don't really appreciate anyone telling me what is, or isn't, important when it comes to my car (except for, possibly, my wife :whistle: ). And I really felt that it was extremely unprofessional for the owner of the body shop doing warranty work for a dealer to call me, the customer/car owner, and tell me that I am too picky and that I should just deal with these things. And it wasn't just what he said, but they way he said it...I actually felt that he was chewing me out and belittling me over the phone, trying to get me to change my mind so that he didn't have to do the work.
Also, it should be noted these paint issues were brought up and shown to him months ago when he did some initial work on the paint (he didn't finish because he ran out of paint, or something like that, and he has been very busy ever since and is just now able to get my car in), and he never mentioned any of his concerns, etc. about these paint issues until yesterday (when he finally got around to looking at the car after having it for 2-3 day). At the end of our conversation, he told be that it would be 10-14 days before he could get to my car and have it done, which is MUCH longer than the 2-3 days that he told my dealer.
So, if anyone in the Hampton Roads, VA area is looking for a body shop, I would advise that you stay away from Advantage Collision Center. Just my opinion. Personally, I'd rather pay for any body or paint work that I may need to have done in the future before I let First Team send it to Advantage Collision Center again.
Thanks for letting me rant.