Tocky on 26/3/2011 at 02:36
I got nearly 500 thousand out of a Sierra. I had to replace the trans at 200 but other than that it was golden. Most miles ever on anything and it was still running when traded in. I think your folks problem was dealing with a crooked asshole. A whole transmission brand new would only run between 2000 and 2500 so what I figure is he had it rebuilt by some SFB and billed GM for a new trans under warranty and pocketed the difference. Four times. The fact he screwed his own family cements the idea in my mind.
You could throw yourself on the mercy of megabucks corp (good luck) or threaten convincingly via a lawyer for out of court settlement but I figure out of warranty out of mind.
Renzatic on 26/3/2011 at 04:38
One plus side to all of this is that they hadn't spent quite as much on repairs as I originally thought. It's $6500 counting the current complete rebuild, which isn't quite as bad, but still too much for a problem that should've been fixed the first time around.
Anyway, I've just walked in the door, did a little research, and learned that quite a few people have had very similar problems with Prebul. Most of them didn't get any compensation whatsoever. Trying to do so, at least directly through his old company, would be like drawing blood from a stone. The only thing I can think of doing is harassing GMC directly, and hope we get a little tidbit out of the deal. They won't be getting much more.
Trading it in is probably the best option. Though mom and dad are on this get out of debt completely and quickly as possible kick, which having a new car payment kinda goes against. But oh well, I'll see what I can do. One thing I've learned recently, from my legal woes, and watching other people getting ripped off left and right (seems to be a popular hobby these days) is that being cordially tenacious to the point of obnoxiousness, and having the spectre of a lawyer floating behind your back does wonders for getting things done. I'll see what I can do, I guess.
PeeperStorm on 26/3/2011 at 05:49
Quote Posted by Renzatic
...and having the spectre of a lawyer floating behind your back...
He died from an inflammatory nodule on the brain after a judge ordered him to cyst and decease.
Renzatic on 26/3/2011 at 08:58
It's not really a spectre. I just threw a sheet over a broom, put a flashlight underneath it, and a barrister wig on top. For added effect, I'll get a second person involved (usually a real lawyer) stick it up around corners and wave it around to achieve maximal ghost realism.
Scares the shit out of people for some reason. I guess no one wants to get sooooooooo'd.
...oh damn, I'm corny.
nickie on 26/3/2011 at 20:11
Are there no consumer watchdogs or citizen's advice bureaux or anything like that in the US that you could contact for advice? No ombudsmen type people?
I've always found that contacting the top dog is helpful. Trouble is the top dogs generally hide themselves well.
gunsmoke on 28/3/2011 at 21:53
Quote Posted by SD
I can't help with your problem (sorry) but your parents must be the last people on Earth to realise that American cars are shit.
My '02 Honda Accord is in Mt. Sterling getting its transmission replaced (not repaired) as we speak.
I am DONE working on transmissions. Fuck that. I do the clutch on my drag car, but FUCK automatics.
Renzatic on 30/3/2011 at 03:24
Sorry for taking so long to reply, everyone. Since Friday, I've been having One Of Those Weeks TM, and haven't felt like really getting indepth on what's been going on.
...and since I'm still in the midst of One Of Those Weeks TM, I'm gonna be pretty brief.
Semi long story short, my mom found an email link to GM Customer Service. She asks me, begs me, to write them an email, since I "seem to be better at doing this things". So, I do what was asked of me, and write them an email. Since I'm having One Of Those Weeks TM, the anger and righteous indignation required for better letters of complaint came naturally to me. I don't think I directly threatened blackmail, or mass firebombings, or any other severe acts of retribution, but I'm sure at least a few implications slipped in between the margins somewhere.
Hell, I can't remember what I typed. I was in a fugue state for most of that day anyway.
So yesterday, GM calls mom and dad. Saying that they're so sorry, and they'll try to remedy the situation. They recommend a local GM Authorized Dealer, and say that, while they can't guarantee they'll repair the transmission free of cost, they'll still do everything within their power to make things right. The truck's been delivered, and now they're waiting on the response.
Hopefully this'll be it.
Tocky on 30/3/2011 at 04:43
Dear GM,
I'll do everything in my power not to drag you through costly litigation in order to make things right considering it has been repeatedly taken to an authorized dealer who failed to fix the problem and overcharged for the privilage. Naturally I can't gaurantee the costs you will incur will be less than had you simply done the right thing to begin with but I will have my lawyer send you a nice form letter which will soothe you while we take your money. I hear the judge is a Ford man.
Sincerly,
pissed
Renzatic on 31/3/2011 at 00:21
Sincerely pissed indeed.
They got the response today. The dealership want to give my parents a $2000 incentive on another new GM vehicle. Yeah. The truck itself is in near showroom condition, and would probably net at least $6000 in trade...if the transmission worked. But because the transmission is busted, it isn't worth shit, so they recommend we take the $2000 to buy another $20,000 ($32,000 as it turns out) vehicle which will probably crap out after 10,000 miles.
What happens then? OH SO SORRY IT HAPPENED AGAIN! WE'LL GIVE YOU AN INCENTIVE TO GIVE US MORE MONEY OLOLOL! DEEETTTRRROOOIIIITTTT FOREVER! CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK!
I don't think they're taking the offer.
Nicker on 31/3/2011 at 00:36
Well, Renz, I am going to reiterate. If the underlings are unable or unwilling to remedy the situation, bypass them and go to the very top. Shit effects greater change when it rains down from above than when it bubbles up from below.
