I have a major dilemma with a Ferrari dealer I need to make a decision on, would appreciate advice..

I would ask to speak with the GM directly.

Two gentleman can hash this out with both sides not feeling ripped off. At the moment, if I were you, I would be extremely unhappy with this outcome, and it doesn't seem reasonable YOU have to just eat it and suck it up.

Sorry for the hassle.

 

I'd be asking for my old **** back and do the job myself with aftermarket parts.

 

You guys are nuts for taking your cars to the dealership for regular work.

 

I’m a little confused, but if they quoted you $11K in writing for parts, labor and tax exactly as you’re showing it, then that’s what they should charge. Too bad so sad if they have a “verbiage” problem. They should eat that and take it up with the employee who gave you the quote.

 

I’ve found that “good relationships” with dealers…at least for service…are a one-way proposition. Use them for warranty and nothing else.

 

Its easy. They violated a contract. No point in being concerned with keeping a good relationship with a business than is screwing you.
Does your state have a consumer protection agency, especially one specifically for auto industry issues? Some do and they can be very powerful. If you were in California for example the Bureau of Automotive Repairs would very easily fix this for you. There is no ambiguity here, if the facts are as you say, they screwed you.

 

I echo @19633500GT sentiments.

I too would be quite disturbed. Do you have an official work order?

 

"for new suspension shocks/springs to be installed on all 4 corners of your vehicle including a Four wheel alignment after"

Seems perfectly clear to me, and I would not settle for less. I would respond something to the effect of "you sent me the proposed scope of work and cost, I agreed to it and I expect you to honor it. If you fail to do so I will pick up the car, and we will settle the difference in small claims court. I am deeply disappointment in bait and switch with someone that I have worked with for many years."

 

What relationship were you concerned about? If there were a relationship to begin with, they would not have done what they did right?

Talk to GM directly and don't take the car back until satisfaction reached including escalation for obvious false advertisement and bait and switch.

 

You're the guy on solid ground - in writing! - so don't roll over when you don't have too...

Kevin

 

@FrancisK what was the part number of the front shock they supplied? If it was 247207, give me a ring at Ricambi America.

 

I used to own an auto repair shop in CA. There you have to submit a quote in writing and have it signed. If you go over the estimate, that has to be agreed upon before the work continues. And if you provide less parts or service than what's on the quote that has to be disclosed on the final invoice and the money discounted.

If the shop doesn't do this the owner doesn't have to pay. Its that serious that shops follow the rules, so they do. I don't know the rules of that State but if you don't have a signed invoice for the quote, they could be in pretty big trouble. In CA they certainly would be.

The reason I bring this up is its a legal issue, not just "a misunderstanding" or incorrect email. If a repair shop fails to do the work provided, there's legal ways to correct this. And most shops want to avoid that at all costs if they are the ones in error.

Not sure this helps but I would show the email to the GM or Service Manager and see what they say as the first step. And a little research on signed invoices for authorization of auto repair work in your State might be useful.

 

Michigan... dealer and auto maker "friendly" state.

 

The email clearly states (assuming you posted verbatim) "new shocks/springs" if these needs to go to small claims court, I find it hard for a judge not to point in your favor. Clearly the cost here is the dealership may blacklist you, and worse, you lose the case.

I would try to settle the matter amicably, you might have to meet somewhere in the middle. Sometimes the best outcomes are when both parties are not entirely happy, but the relationship preserved.

 

Demand springs. It's in email. Your action is based on what they wrote. You are 100% in the right.

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(py1xapuv1whsvfhkkvavo1fv))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-act-300-of-1974

This is the web address for the Michigan State Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act.

I scanned through it and see several sections they violated, again if the facts are as you related. Have a look, the law is on your side here.

Not having an official signed estimate is not an issue for you, the email is still a contract. I am bound by them. Agencies fully understand in this era we often never meet and email is as good as you signing a document in my office for these purposes.

 

To be clear, the claim being made by the service department of a main Ferrari dealer, is that whoever types their emails is so stupid they don't know how to differentiate between what parts they are and are not changing? Give me a break. In 2024, if a dealership emailed me a written estimate and I relied on it and they change the terms later we have a problem that they created and they have an ethical (and possibly legal) responsibility to fix.

 

If there’s no work order then you didn’t authorize any work to be done.