Your word against the shops !

Sorry to hear that.

I cant imagine that the shop had much to do with the wheel damage. I can see an bad tow driver making a mistake though.

Don't just assume either of them caused this though. You have to take on part (if not all) of the responsibility as owner of the vehicle.

I would bet that the repair shop owner is blamed for several things a week that he had nothing to do with. The tow driver did have his hands on the car, and it may be something he did, but what do you want him (as a tow operator) to do? You cant tie down a car without touching it. Securing a car to a tow truck is major stuff. It is not something that is done lightly. You car cant be towed on a pillow. It requires contact of some sort.

I hate this for you, and I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but if your going to be that detailed you have to get a trailer & tow it yourself.

 

If your shop washed the car for you before you picked it up, they may have put it thru one of those touchless automatic car washes..........problem is.........your C2 Turbo has a wide rear axle and it sounds like the lotman or attendant could have scuffed it upon entering the car wash against the guide rails on the sides where your wheels should fit...or don't.

Seen it happen...even done it myself with a new 928 GTS years ago.

 

"i wonder if you do your own car,house,plumbing,and other repairs ? "

Yes, I do all that myself, and more.

Again, I hate that it happened for you, but you did have the car towed. And it is not a touchless operation. Some risk is assumed. It is the awful truth. I wish that we could trust that every contracted vendor would take care of our stuff as much as we the owners do, but that is not the way it works in most cases.

Keep in mind that if someone made a mistake at the shop they should fess up, no doubt. But just because they are not admitting fault does NOT mean that they did it. The shop may not have had anything to do with it. Heck, a brick could have fallen off a truck & hit your rim. Another shop customer could have backed their Ferrari into your Porsche & not told anyone. Some nut kid could have beat your car with a tire-iron while no one was watching...

I really wish I could tell you what happened exactly, but you may never know.

Anyhow, what are you looking for out of this? You just want your rim fixed right? As I see it there are three parties involved. See if you can get the wheel refinsihed and split the cost three ways.

That or just fix it yourself and forget it.

BTW... I had a 1991 C2 turbo (PCA National Parade Concour winning C2 turbo). I had the car in a shop for some minor warranty work. When I got the car back I noted that the intercooler had been used as a tool tray for the tech. The intercooler required a full repaint & a large percentage of the vains needed to be re-straightened. This was a perfect car mind you. I hated that it happened, and I know the shop did it. It just taught me that I needed a better shop. There are good ones out there ya know. You just have to find one near you.

 

In this case without any proof it sounds like you're SOL. I think that you said it, that it requires you going over the car with the driver and the shop to point out any previous damage. Why not make up a form for the guy to sign for future? It's like renting a car and they make you complete the prior damage form. If a driver or shop refuses to cooperate I'd not do business with them. Sorry for the hard lesson

 

Send the wheels in for refinishing...like Wheels America or somwhere like that...

I'm dropping one over today...gf rashed against the curb....


You need to find a towing company and develope a relationship....I've done that and even when it's not the same driver, they know me by my long time association...that's the best way...

I keep spare wheels for all my cars....things you are prepared for rarely happen!!!!

 

last time I got towed I used a disposable camera which I always keep in the car and went round the whole car before the driver got close. Total record, no argument! (which was saying somethingcos he was French and I'm English!!!)

 

I agree - learned my lessons with the Mercedes and shop #1, and now with each new car and new shop I just lay out my expectations up front and have a walkaround the first time out. Then if something happens the shop cannot say they weren't aware. I like to think I'm not a jerk about it; rather I have simply explained that I have been less than satisfied elsewhere and share my expectations.

I should think that if this shop wanted your repeat business they at least might try to cut you a deal or give you an oil change coupon or something. Apparently they have enough business without yours.

Cheers
Kevin

 

Must own a tow truck company

 

"...The point is even if they know they screwd it up they still won't acknowledge it,do you agree here or not !.."

Well, if you know for a fact that they did it, and they wont fess up, then that is a bad deal for sure. I agree if that is indeed the case. The burdon of proof would be left up to you then. What proof do you have to present?

Keep in mind, I am on your side, I want your wheels to look as good as new, but you must tell me more than "they were perfect (except for one scratch) before it left home."

Also... What is this: "...I am a member of a local PCNA and in our meets we are always talking about the shops and all that. Btw don't forget people pay lot more attention to bad experiences then to good ones..."

Your going to bash on this owners shop and you dont have any proof that he or his staff may have done this to the rims? Is that fair? The guy may have a family to feed, and your going around half cocked trying to reduce his cash flow? Not good form my Porsche friend.

I am on your side, and I am as car nuts as the next guy, but gather more facts before you point fingers. The world can do without more poison.

"...Must own a tow truck company ..."

LOL. Close!

 

Fact is, if the tow company and the shop both deny damage you know your car did not have when it went in, one of them is lieing.

As a practical matter, you don't have much recourse because you can't prove it was either entity.

 

Ask a dealership--any dealership--what day the wheel guy comes.

One of the first things that a dealership does to prep a "previously owned" car for resale is to refinish its wheels. Most dealerships find it cheaper to farm the work out to someone who travels around with a trailer.

They usually do good work and are inexpensive. You can ask either the shop or the towing company to share the expense, or simply forget about them and pay for the fix. You'll be satisfied with brand-spankin-new looking wheels long after you miss the money.

 

Exactly.....