Ron Tonkin Nissan...help

DF · 09-11-2008, 01:59 AM

About 5 months ago I traded in my lifted truck, oh how I miss it for a 2005 Nissan Titan.

The new to me Titan had slight front end bumper, and drivers side fender damage. The damage causes the door to rub against the front fender, causing some paint to chip and some rust to form.

I have a signed contract from Ron Tonkin Nissan stating they will fix the all the damage. It was the terms of the deal.

Long story short, I have called them, 5 times, about once a month since the purchase.

They set up an appointment, or so they told me. I called that morning to confirm and they said, "we don't have you down, sorry we'll have to try another day."

I have called them back, spoke to the same manager each time. And he says "we'll get right on it, we'll call you within the week with a date and time."

And it never happens. I'm starting to get fed up. I have a funny feeling that it will never get fixed.

So I have a contract from them stating they will fix it, what happens when they don't honor it? Is there anything I can say to them to light a fire under this and get it done?

Any advice would help!

Thanks
Dustin King

veilside180sx · 09-11-2008, 02:15 AM

Contact the Better Business Bureau, and inform them that they are not fulfilling their end of the bargain.

Ryan Pultz · 09-11-2008, 02:48 AM

Tell them they have 30 days to fix it or you will have it fixed and your lawyer will get them to pay for it plus the cost of all your time spent dealing with this rp

fishkisser · 09-11-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veilside180sx

Contact the Better Business Bureau, and inform them that they are not fulfilling their end of the bargain.

It really worked for Me and My Wife in the past ...

Fshklr · 09-11-2008, 03:09 AM

quit calling, and show up in person

with your contract...do not leave without a scheduled date, or leave it there and get a service loaner until the work is completed.

Call the BBB while in the managers office

if you do not get the service promised.

Lurp · 09-11-2008, 03:34 AM

You can get an estimate from another shop then send TONKIN a letter that they have 15 days to respond or you will file make sure you keep a copy of the letter and send it return reciept
If they don't respond you can file in small claims court cost about $50 (no attorneys)
If you win they pay your estimate +filing fee+ a percentage of the estimate
Not sure what the percentage of estimate is but that is for time and trouble
Oregon has a $5000 limit on small claims
It's cheaper than an attorney and if you loose your only out $50
The hearings are pretty informal and you can get one during the day or evening
I did this last year and it was pretty slick
The judge listened to my side and theirs then he asked us some questions and made his decision
Pretty much like people's court on tv
Hope this helps

MacFish · 09-11-2008, 05:23 AM

Unfortunately there are people in dealerships that that aren't very good at taking care of loose ends after a car is delivered, they are hoping you go away, and frankly a lot of people get tired of the run around and let it go. Then the money they set aside in the deal for repairs goes back to the dealer (commission free). At this time they have more incentive to ignore you than help you. Most dealerships have good employees who will follow through and help you in these situations, but if you can't find one, the BBB will usually get their attention. If that doesn't indicate you are serious, being contacted by a lawyer will almost always show immediate results.

Duckwheat · 09-11-2008, 05:25 AM

Sounds like breach of contract. How attached are you to the truck?

Give it back to them.

Remember the universal law of physics. Squeaky Wheel always gets the grease.

THis has worked well for me. When the person you are talking to is unhelpful, ask to speak to his boss. Repeat as necessary. Everyone hates to have their boss deal with something hey should have handled. This has been very helpful. Once you ask to see the next boss in line, unless you get exactly what you want end any discussion until you meet the next guy.

DW
DW

bcanini · 09-11-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckwheat

Sounds like breach of contract. How attached are you to the truck?

Give it back to them.

Remember the universal law of physics. Squeaky Wheel always gets the grease.

THis has worked well for me. When the person you are talking to is unhelpful, ask to speak to his boss. Repeat as necessary. Everyone hates to have their boss deal with something hey should have handled. This has been very helpful. Once you ask to see the next boss in line, unless you get exactly what you want end any discussion until you meet the next guy.

DW
DW

Call the AG...or imply that you are going to be doing so, simple and they(dealership) listen very quickly.
B

smalldog · 09-11-2008, 06:35 AM

I bought a used truck from Ron Tonkin.
It was a fully loaded truck with brush guard and wench, rollbar with lights and an infinity stereo package.
I bought it and drove it off their lot.
I brought it back for them to detail. In the detail dept they filled my stereo with soap and water and ruined it. They stole the brush guard and wench off the front and stole the lights off the roll bar.
Then when I came to pick it up they claimed none of that stuff came with the truck. I had already taken delivery and drove it home.
After getting the same run around that your getting on the phone, I just went down there and we discussed it loud enough for every customer in the place to hear.
I got a new brush guard and wench and my lights were returned.
I still, would never deal with a Ron Tonkin dealership again.
I have had them do work as well....idiots screwed up everything they did and wasted my money throwing parts at a problem that any begginner mechanic could have fixed. I had to tell them what to do and how to fix it to get the job done correctly.
That was after wasting over $1500 on parts that didnt need replacing and had nothing to do with the problem.

Daniel B. Downard

CATCH AND EAT · 09-11-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fshklr

quit calling, and show up in person

with your contract...do not leave without a scheduled date, or leave it there and get a service loaner until the work is completed.

Call the BBB while in the managers office

if you do not get the service promised.

This is excellent advise to follow. Contract in hand there is no disputing. It's time for them to make good on the contract and for you to call them out on it. A personal appearance is taken much more seriously than a phone call.

James in Idaho · 09-11-2008, 08:22 AM

Don't know anything about this dealer, but do you really want them to fix it? Document everything, every phone call, who you talk to, what they say. That will be the key if you go to court. I'd go with the estimate from someone else and small claims, good luck.

Oh, and never drive a car off the lot until it is in the agreed condition.

jfa686 · 09-11-2008, 08:52 AM

be very persistant and to the point...move up the chain..don't take no for an answer...they are VERY hard to deal with. I have stopped doing business with their parts dept for the same type of issues.
Josh Facchini

Angler of Repose · 09-11-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

This is excellent advise to follow. Contract in hand there is no disputing. It's time for them to make good on the contract and for you to call them out on it. A personal appearance is taken much more seriously than a phone call.

Good advice.
It also helps to be in the service area when there are a lot of other customers in there. Start raising your voice and use words like Fraud...Lawyer...Sue...KGW...Oregonian...did I say raise your voice and look around at the other customers...It worked well for me once, and I didn't know what I was doing. I was just mad.

DF · 09-11-2008, 10:33 AM

Thank you all for the advice. I'm sitting here thinking about the situation and it just makes my blood boil.

Joe C · 09-11-2008, 10:54 AM

I think the term you may want to use in a letter is "Rescission of Contract". I've heard of cases where people have gone to municipal court and forced the car dealer to take the car back (repaying any payments made) based on their failure to abide by the sales contract.

You could use that language to get them to act. Or if you really wanted to stick it to them, you could document the calls and attempts, and take them to municipal court try to get them to take the car back and refund your money.

maniacmikey · 09-11-2008, 02:24 PM

Call Ron Tonkin at home. It's his company get him on the line. I did a white pages search there are a few Ron Tonkins. If you don't want to go that route call the dealership and see if you can get his personal e-mail address. Tell them you want to thank him for the great service you got from the dealership.

djb · 09-11-2008, 03:42 PM

It sounds like you are dealing with a flaky sales manager. Contact Ron Tonkin Nissan and ask to speak to the General Manager or contact their corporate office wich is at Ron Tonkin Chevrolet. Tell the receptionist your problem and I imagine that you will get some fast results. All that the BBB will do is try and mediate your problem. I think you will get faster results contacting Tonkins corporate office. djb
pm sent

cmb1998 · 09-11-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D/F

About 5 months ago I traded in my lifted truck, oh how I miss it for a 2005 Nissan Titan.

The new to me Titan had slight front end bumper, and drivers side fender damage. The damage causes the door to rub against the front fender, causing some paint to chip and some rust to form.

I have a signed contract from Ron Tonkin Nissan stating they will fix the all the damage. It was the terms of the deal.

Long story short, I have called them, 5 times, about once a month since the purchase.

They set up an appointment, or so they told me. I called that morning to confirm and they said, "we don't have you down, sorry we'll have to try another day."

I have called them back, spoke to the same manager each time. And he says "we'll get right on it, we'll call you within the week with a date and time."

And it never happens. I'm starting to get fed up. I have a funny feeling that it will never get fixed.

So I have a contract from them stating they will fix it, what happens when they don't honor it? Is there anything I can say to them to light a fire under this and get it done?

Any advice would help!

Thanks
Dustin King

It cost $25 to file a small claims suit, and another 45 to have them served. Just file a suit against the dealership / and the person that entered into the contract. They will pay up before it goes to court, and if does go to court then the judge will run them through the ringer. Make sure you add a generous allowance for you time when you file the suit, just so you stay below the limit allow in small claims.

Also who was the salesman? My little brother worked there, they are the slimiest (sp?) dealership around. Only person worse than a car dealer is a used boat dealer!

Good luck. If you need any specific info let me know. Just went through this on an insurance claim where the other driver's insurance company (100% at fault) wouldn't pay for my rental car...

Later,

Chris

cmb1998 · 09-11-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djb

It sounds like you are dealing with a flaky sales manager. Contact Ron Tonkin Nissan and ask to speak to the General Manager or contact their corporate office wich is at Ron Tonkin Chevrolet. Tell the receptionist your problem and I imagine that you will get some fast results. All that the BBB will do is try and mediate your problem. I think you will get faster results contacting Tonkins corporate office. djb
pm sent

Also as for those saying call the BBB. The BBB is supported by it's members. Who are it's members? All of the businesses that pay their dues so they can put those stickers in their windows that member of the BBB (aka Car Dealers) so it's fairly fruitless to call them.

Later,

Chris

baltz526 · 09-11-2008, 04:48 PM

just go into the dealership you bought the truck from with a COPY of the contract. if they do not fix your issue. hand them the copy and tell them your lawyer has the original. you need to show your face at the place of buisness, to show you are serious. quit playing on the phone

adobe wall · 09-11-2008, 07:30 PM

You've got the truck? And a contract? And it ain't been fixed yet?

I would almost pay cash money for you to let me go to the dealership with you. Let me do the shouting. I'm fluent in both english and redneck and can make more racket than a coon trapped in an outhouse. You can call me your cousin from NC.

Fergit the phone calls. Time for a personal visit.

regards, aw

Reel_Big_Fish · 09-12-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adobe wall

I'm fluent in both english and redneck and can make more racket than a coon trapped in an outhouse.

That is some funny stuff right there!

ICHTHYDEMON · 09-12-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel_Big_Fish

That is some funny stuff right there!

That is some good comedy!

I don't laugh at too much I read on the net,but that still has me laughing.

Hogmaster · 09-12-2008, 09:08 AM

Lots of good and so so suggestions here...

I'll add one more.

Just for grounding this method enabled me to receive a NEW CAR after buying one that was troublesome the year before. It technically would not have fallen uder the Lemon Law category, but was in the shop numerous times during the year of ownership. Basically, I got a free years worth of use on a luxury car when they told me (not Tonkin but it still applies) to come pick out a new one.

The method?

Simple.

DOCUMENT your history, and send it to Ron Tonkin personally, via the dealship address. My car experience was pre-ifish, or I would have attached the fact that a wide audience of people were forming opinions based on lack of performance.

This means to the extent possible, document dates and names of things said. Include a copy of the agreement to fix it. Be nice, firm, professional with grammmar checking on your correspondence. It doesn't have to be long, but identify the broken promises.

My 7 page letter was a recap of what was promised, what hadn't been delivered, how it was impacting me, but as importantly how it was impacting THEM.

In your case, citing an ever increasing audience of viewers who are formulatuing opinions on the lack of performance by the service department jabs like a knitting needle to a dealership, since the ongoing service revenues are where they make the most money.

If you do this, it may not be quite as quick as going and getting verbal and loud at the dealership, but it is a lot more satisfying in the long run, because believe me, they WILL address the problem,

Mr. Tonkin will not likely call you. But one of his GMs or the Service Department head likely will. And they will schedule it in, they will make sure it gets in, and they will do everything in their power to make sure it is done to your delight.

Think of it this way. If you complain to the BBB or follow through with small claims court, your case is inherently stronger with good documentation anyway. And then you could even include the letter you already sent to Mr. Tonkin.

And if you go in and get confrontational, you may get attention, but is that the attention you want? Not saying it will happen, but the reason I generally avoid that strategy is the same reason I don't send food back - you don't know what the chef might do. You want a quality repair, and getting leadership involved will greatly up your chances.

Give it a try - It works!

Lurp · 09-12-2008, 11:12 AM

HOGMASTER has a good plan going in and raising your voice just gets the people at that level angry so they either throw you out or they do some lousey repair job
If they get the message from the top they know you will be back if it isn't right and they don't want more calls from upper management so they will do it right to get rid of you and your problem
GO GET 'EM AND GOOD LUCK

yomper · 09-12-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D/F

About 5 months ago I traded in my lifted truck, oh how I miss it for a 2005 Nissan Titan.

The new to me Titan had slight front end bumper, and drivers side fender damage. The damage causes the door to rub against the front fender, causing some paint to chip and some rust to form.

I have a signed contract from Ron Tonkin Nissan stating they will fix the all the damage. It was the terms of the deal.

Long story short, I have called them, 5 times, about once a month since the purchase.

They set up an appointment, or so they told me. I called that morning to confirm and they said, "we don't have you down, sorry we'll have to try another day."

I have called them back, spoke to the same manager each time. And he says "we'll get right on it, we'll call you within the week with a date and time."

And it never happens. I'm starting to get fed up. I have a funny feeling that it will never get fixed.

So I have a contract from them stating they will fix it, what happens when they don't honor it? Is there anything I can say to them to light a fire under this and get it done?

Any advice would help!

Thanks
Dustin King

Didn't the Tonkins get run out of California some years ago?

Hogmaster · 09-12-2008, 11:43 AM

One last point if you follow my suggestion.

In your letter, take the time to acknowledge that you are certain that this is not the way the dealership performs on a regular basis, that it must be a mixup and even to the extent possible acknowledge the "efforts" of the Service Manager that didn't perform. Avoid personal attacks.

An example might be, "On August 8th, Jack McGowen, my Service Manager, acknowledged that the appointment was not in the book even though it had been set up. I am certain Jack is a hard worker and this was something outside the norm. In fact I have found him professional and courteous. Perhaps it is a systems problem associated with the "We owe" process. But you surely recognize that with this event, fully four attempts have now been made by me to get the promised repair taken care of. It is costing the dealership in productivity and frustration to address these breakdowns, just as it is me."

Why?

It gives them even less to argue, stall or make excuses about while at the same time making it impossible to disagree with you. In the end the only solution is to get it taken care of.

Diplomacy, or as one of my employees used to say, "You catch more flies with sugar than vinegar" can go a long ways.

Bobberman · 09-12-2008, 12:07 PM

As one who has worked my way through dealership relations many times(replaced vehicle, faulty warantee work, new (luxury) car in for 45 days of electrical repairs, and returned with body damage multiple times, etc.)

I have concluded that being persistant in person(exactly as outlined above), letting them know you are not going away, and getting the corperate entity involved is key.

PRINCEMASTER · 09-12-2008, 12:23 PM

What i dont see is where you went back to the salesperson and asked them what is going on. I may have missed something. I was in sales for some years and pressure at more than one end might get things going. car sales is commission based and this looks like a potential black mark not only on the place but on that salesperson. As a salesperson, take money out of my pocket and i am fighting mad.