New Truck - Noticed Cosmetic Damage - Thoughts?

[hunt1up]

So the other day I traded my Chevy 1500 with 113,000 miles. I am historically a used car buyer, but the last couple have been new since trade values were generous and I know where the vehicle has been. I found another similar spec'd Chevy at the dealer in town, haggled some, and made the switch. I drove it 1/2 mile to my house and was looking it over. Right away I notice paint chips. Two small ones in the edge of the hood and one on the front fender, about 3/4" long. Someone had done a half baked job of brushing some touch up paint on it.

I was not impressed, so the next morning I text the sales manager. He quickly agreed that a new truck shouldn't have defects and they will make it right. They offered to have their "Ford Factory Certified" body shop(they own both brand dealerships) repaint it. I'm assuming that'll require a painted hood and a painted fender. While I appreciate the willingness to fix it without question, it's not sitting right with me.

Friends say to demand a replacement truck. They'd certainly have to go find one as they don't have another like it. I explained to the manager that the RIGHT fix is for them to find me a replacement. He said, "Let us make an attempt to paint it and if you don't like the work we will work with you." Whatever that means, a discount? A replacement? I told him I'd like to think on it a little more.

So, what say you?

Leave it as-is, perhaps ask for some money off? Let them paint it, hope it looks fine, and go on my way? Be respectful and firm and demand they take it back?

I know it's a first world problem and it's not going to change the functionality of the vehicle. I know I'll add my own scratches and things over time. But I'd never pay full price for something with defects or repair, and they'd never be able to sell something at full price in that situation. I'm torn on how to move forward.

 

[NV HUNTER]

Let them paint it and see if you are happy.

Vehicles are shipped on trucks and can get rock chips. It happens very often ( I worked in a dealership Bodyshop).

 

[wapitibob]

Take the paint job, you aren't getting a replacement truck.

 

[CorbLand]

Probably going to be a long, hard road to get a new pickup out of it. Take the paint job.

I would push for being able to take it to someone you trust though. If it’s a dealer approved shop, remember that the dealer is the customer not you and the body shop’s loyalty is to the customer.

Also might be a good bargaining chip to get a free extended warranty, even if it’s just for the paint.

 

[Bugger]

It’s just paint, let em paint it.

Also might be a good bargaining chip to get a free extended warranty, even if it’s just for the paint.

Good point, if it’s a factory issue of a bad paint job and not just rock chips in transit, request an extended warranty on that so you don’t have to wait for a potential recall by Ford.

 

[hunt1up]

Thanks for the replies guys. I agree that “give me a new one!” would be a hard sell. The damage doesn’t appear to be rock chip. It looks more like someone dropped something on it.

I think what chaps my ass a little is I’m pretty sure they knew and hoped I wouldn’t say anything. They cleaned truck before I bought it, and once all the paperwork was done and I was ready to leave, they took it back in the shop for 30 minutes and didn’t tell me why. I brought this up to the sales manager and he said he requested they clean it again as it wasn’t good enough. So several people laid eyes on it, the detail guy cleaned the thing twice. The sales manager said, “the detail guy probably didn’t realize it was a new truck.” So it was either intentional withholding of information or just laziness. Hard to say and I’ll probably never know.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Sure looks like they touched it up

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Looks like the mark left on my bumper after they installed the factory winch on my F250...They touched it up. My transmission and transfer case didn't make to 60k...paint would be the least of my worries. Get the extended warranty!

 

[Jbehredt]

That nasty. Let them paint it but make it known that it needs to be factory correct. undetectable. That will hopefully get it into the hands of a the top techs and a good refinish job will actually be better (more durable) than the bare bones factory paint.

 

[hiker270]

Had about a half inch scratch on the rear door of my new crew cab truck. Did'nt notice it till I got it home. Took it back the next day and they said no problem we'll fix it. They did and I could'nt even see where the scratch was. Next new truck had a tiny chip out of the bottom of the tailgate. Its still there, figured it was'nt even worth fixing.

 

[hunt1up]

Sure looks like they touched it up

Yeah someone slopped some touch up paint over it. So someone was aware and chose not to mention it.

 

[Schmo]

That nasty. Let them paint it but make it known that it needs to be factory correct. undetectable. That will hopefully get it into the hands of a the top techs and a good refinish job will actually be better (more durable) than the bare bones factory paint.

I agree. Let them fix it, but demand absolute perfection. When you pick it up, park it in the sun, and look at it from different angles to make sure you got an absolute paint match. If they can’t do it, be very persistent until you get it corrected.

 

[180ls1]

That's no "easy miss." Sheesh.

Makes a guy wonder what else they are hiding and covering up.