Truck Arrived At Dealership... Damaged

[LB'sTremor]

If you do have it repaired because you absolutely have to have this truck AND you are going to put a roof rack on it you could possibly make it easier and more unique to have it painted carbonized gray so it is similar to what they are doing on the Maverick Tremor with the graphics package. No worries in blending and would be unique. Just a thought.

good idea, or the magnetic gray of the lower trim, either would look good!

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[GTGallop]

Damage during shipping is a lot more common than dealers will admit. It happens a lot...

Yep! Between shipping and then dealerships parking cars so close, accidents happen. Statistically it's a small percentage but because of volume, it's frequent.

A lot of cars on the car lot have had damages that were fixed by the shop and then the buyer was never informed. I'm not saying the dealers "Earl Schieb'd" the repair. They usually do a very good and proper repair with a full warranty and will make it right if it pops up later in the 3/36 warranty.

But I still think they should tell you about the repair of any minor cosmetic defect that doesn't "buff out."

 

[rydfree]

Wonder if a sunroof would be able to eliminate that area without body work.

We did many of these back in the day .
Sliding ragtop sunroofs, folding sunroof kits (sunroofsource.com)

 

[Jason B]

Leaning hard on the top while washing could do that kind of damage. I would try it out over the weekend and put 500 or so miles on it, then see what the compensation is on Monday. Oops, it's no longer new.

At least here in La, until a vehicle is sold and titled to an owner, it's still considered a new car, regardless of mileage.

I don't know what full price is, but I would personally ask for 5k off for that, no repairs. I'd tell them that and start walking. This economy is about to crash and these dealers are going to get stuck with a lot of inventory.

I would take it to a body shop, get a quote on roof skin replacement, not on roof repair (No PDR). Then tell the dealer to deduct that cost and a bit more from the truck price.
Then I'd buy it as is and install a roof rack to hide the damage. I'm so short I couldn't see the top anyway.

 

[BettaRanga]

Maybe in your negotiations, you could have the dealership add one of these?

This is the way.

 

[HenryMac]

Well, my 2023 Tremor arrived at the dealership yesterday... But the roof is damaged (dented / scraped). My rep seems to think it was strapped down incorrectly, or something. They are offering to have their body shop repair the truck as new. But... I have a few concerns...

1.) I already have financing and x plan pricing on the truck... so I am not sure if they will even offer any kind of discount, service package, accessories, etc. I didn't finance the truck through them, either. But I have done a fair amount of business with them in the past. Should I ask for any compensation? Is that out of line?

2.) Based on quick "Google" searches, this can be fairly common. The rep said they are seeing more of it due to poorly trained workers (within transportation). Sometimes the cars are repaired, and then sold without anyone really knowing? Wild!

3.) She mentioned this possibly showing up on a Carfax in the future. THAT would bother me. Does that make sense? Is that just based on who reports the damage / repair? I am guessing its because the transport company insurance is going to pay for the repairs. I really, REALLY don't like the idea of that.

4.) I waited 3 months for the truck, I really want / need the truck (or a truck), and its not like I can order another 2023 at this point. I am "kind of" stuck.

My very 1st truck was a 1985 S15. I ordered it and it arrived with rubbing compound splashed all across the back of the cab. The shipping company had scraped the drivers side of the truck bed and you could see where they had a body shop tape along the body lines and re-shoot black paint on it. Looking in the rear side view mirror I could see imperfections in the paint.

I still regret that I accepted a wrecked truck, when I paid for a new truck.

Based on my past experience, if I were in your shoes, I would tell them to find you a new truck... or to give you a really sweet deal on a wrecked one.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

That's a shame as that was a beautiful truck. At minimum a new roof skin needed there and maybe a cross support depending. That will be an involved repair. It will require front and rear window removal and all interior touching the headliner including side curtain airbags at minimum to be removed before the work can begin. Personally, I would walk away. However, you do what makes you happy.

As someone who bought their ranger and <400 miles later they had to pull the dash and fix the blower fan and reseal the windshield.... I'd say Meh, if they do the work, they will need to warranty it.

Depending on how much they compensate the op, I'd say it's not that big of a deal if they make it right - repair wise.

That said, I have a list of things they broke when they pulls the dash for them to replace when I go back in a month.... And thta doesn't include the passenger door rubber seal they installed backwards that I corrected when I got it home...

 

[D Fresh]

That's likely a whole new roof skin.

Hard pass from me.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

I'd ask my insurance guy what kind of diminished value there would be after taking it to a body shop for an estimate.

MSRP - dim value - repair cost - $ for time wasted(25-50% of repair+dim value) = sales price

 

[P. A. Schilke]

That's likely a whole new roof skin.

Hard pass from me.

Hi Doug

Agree....PUNT!

Best,
Phil

 

[maxbottomtime]

If it needs body work like the OP described - I would say no. It’s not the dealerships fault but that isn’t your issue. The transport company has insurance and so does the dealership. while they could take a “loss” if they have to resell it - they are going to write off any lost revenue on their taxes anyways. It’s not like they will be out of pocket really so it isn’t really a loss. Which is way different than for you as the consumer - you don’t get to write off the devaluation of the vehicle on your taxes.
I meant this isn’t like buying eggs at the market and coming home to find one of them cracked and you go “oh well”. The truck is like 35000x more expensive ?
Just my opinion.

 

[shb500777]

This is the way.

Again, thanks to all who have given me thoughts, feedback, information, and such throughout this "process". I should know more tomorrow.

I am strongly entertaining the idea of leaving the damage, asking for some $$$, and asking them to provide / install (or give me $$$ to cover) a roof rack. That could be an option based on discussions.

 

[NotBudule]

Tis a mear flesh

I am strongly entertaining the idea of leaving the damage

NOOOO !!!

Your new truck won't feel loved ! You don't care about it ,so it may not care about you ,. PDR can do wonders , then put a distressed American Flag over it if it looks bad , or the roof rack if ya gotta ... Leaving the damage would not be an option for me , not if I want to ever sleep again...

 

[Max Crafter]

That is actually an idea, maybe not a distressed flag, but some sort of vinyl with a pattern or texture to take your eyes away from it if you ever look up there.
Get the PDR done as best as possible, then wrap the roof

 

[shb500777]

That is actually an idea, maybe not a distressed flag, but some sort of vinyl with a pattern or texture to take your eyes away from it if you ever look up there.
Get the PDR done as best as possible, then wrap the roof

Wrapping is another good idea. Does anyone know of a close match to the Ford magnetic paint?

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