brocco

Car at the dealer for a few days waiting on parts, they’ve been keeping me informed as to the status of parts. Dealer is close by so I’ve driven by from time to time just to make sure the car is kept inside. This afternoon took a ride noticed it was outside, no big deal thinking they’d move it in later. On a whim I drove by after dinner and noticed it was still outside in an unsecured lot, dealer was closed. Noticed the mirrors weren’t folded and sure enough was able to open the door only to see my key fob in the open cup holder, also notice a water bottle on the passenger seat, car was rained on and interior wasn’t as clean as when I dropped it off. I’m pissed to say the least. I locked the car took the keys and came home. Don’t want to put anyones job jeopardy but WTF. 1st thought is to go there in the morning and get the Service Advisor and Service Manager in a room and ask them for “ their best story” then rip them a new one. They have serviced all my Vette’s without issue
How would you handle this ?

gr8diver

They might not know whats going on...id find out first and let them know they owe an interior/exterior detail job when the repairs are completed.

davecallaway

Why would the car be moved around if you are still waiting for parts to be delivered? With a water bottle on the seat I think your car was taken for a joy ride. Did you check the mileage on the car when you locked it up vs the mileage on the paperwork when you dropped it off? Sounds fishy to me.

NextOne

Gross negligence to leave any car unlocked with the keys in it. I'd have a meeting first thing in the morning with the Service Manager and let him know such.

brocco

Definite detail job
i thought the same thing about a possible joy ride

brocco

NextOne, that was my 1st thought to go there in the AM and pull the Service Advisor and Manager in an office and say “Give me your best story”

16falcon

Let us know what their “best story” turns out to be.

JABCAT

Oh no, the car was rained on - really?. Guess what it gets rained on sitting outside at Bowling Green as well. They are under no obligation to keep your car inside if it is not being worked on, and they don't owe you a detail or anything or anything for that matter.

Now the vehicle being left unlocked with the key inside does warrant a conversation with the dealership management. Bring the car back when the parts arrive & they are able to perform the necessary work. There doesn't seem to be any reason for the vehicle to be there in the first place if the parts aren't available.

Avanti

I had a similar experience with another brand. The "lot" wasn't secured, so when I found it thusly I drove it home, never contacted them, and never went back... simple. If you couldn't get your Vette out of the lot I'd have taken pictures/video and gone directly with it all to whomever is physically in-charge of the facility the next morning, then to whomever/wherever are the corporate biggies--yeah, and I've done that, too. Research has suggested that about 10% of any profession are incompetent, perhaps your dealership is on the high end.

brocco

You sound like such a pleasant person

Thank You Sir May I Have Another

Sub Driver

You asked for opinions...

I agree with him. Being rained on outside is nothing, you arent entitled to anything from that. The real issue is being left unlocked with keys in the car.

tsigwing

PDR set to record? I would check it.

Thunder22

guaranteed that the response will be "sorry sir, it was a mistake"

and then crickets.

srobert910

wow, did they ever contact you? Did they report the car as stolen? What happened?

NJMikeC8

In the 20+ years I've owned Vettes in New Jersey I have dealt with 4 Chevrolet dealerships for service. Without naming names, only one was what I would consider good and even they weren't perfect.

I think you definitely have reason to question why your car was left unlocked with a water bottle on the seat, but whatever the explanation is, I wouldnt't use that dealer again.

I believe that the issue you faced is what many of us have come to accept. Namely that our cars cost the same as BMWs, Mercedes and Lexus, but our dealership is Chevrolet and Chevrolet will always cater to a lower price point customer 75% of the time. We will always expect better treatment, but rarely receive it.

When my C8 is delivered, I plan to have Ciocca service the car. The Atlantic City delaership is all Vettes and from what I heard from a buddy, they treat the car and the customer right.

Good luck.

JABCAT

I am actually a very pleasant person, who doesn't get worked up because my car was left outside and rained on. I also don't think I'm entitled to free things because of such. I know it pains people to hear, but the Corvette isn't any more special than a Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Blazer, etc. and as such owner's aren't entitled to any special treatment.

As I stated in my previous response, if the vehicle is drivable, there is no reason for it to be sitting at a dealership waiting on parts. The service department can call you when the parts arrive and schedule your service. Agreed the issue is the car being unlocked with the keys in it, but unless something was stolen or damaged, the owner isn't entitled to any sort of compensation for that faux pas either.

activevette

Having BMW and Mercedes I'm not any more impressed with those dealers either.

ZR1Bob

Lots of good opinions here (which you did ask for). I tend to agree with some that you should stop by the dealership and inquire politely why it was unlocked with a water bottle on the seat, the key fob in the cup holder (inviting theft or joy ride) and dirtier that when you left it. As suggested it might be a good idea to check the mileage to see if it has been driven much since drop off. Also, as suggested, why not just take it home while waiting for parts, unless there is other service needed during the wait. If you are pleasant to deal with I suspect the Service Manager would be helpful to you. He will surely recognize that he has dodged a bullet with the key left in an unlocked car. He is also likely to be happy that you brought the key back. Just my $.02. Let us know how you resolved it with the dealership. --Bob

NJMikeC8

Hmmmm, I guess it depends on the individual dealership.

My wife had a Lexus and currently a Cadillac. In both cases the service she/we experienced there was much, much better than Chevrolet. Again, I think Corvette is a luxury sports car stuck in a family vehicle oriented division of GM. Just my 2 cents.

CJ Willys

I’d have photographed the FOB in the car, yesterday, then driven it home. Today, text the photo to the Service Manager.
Car would never return to that dealer.