Author Topic: Here's how my day goes........... (Read 4446 times)

divemaster127 · « **on:** April 03, 2007, 03:31:56 pm »

So I dropped my wife's car off at Firestone for new tires. I just received a phone call that firestone left the car in neutral when they raised the car up up the rack. From what I was told over the phone the car rolled off the rack at a height of 5' & hit another car. Also the drivers door was left open & it was torn off. The employee said the car's not totaled BUT....so I'm leaving work to see how BAD my wife's car is. (at least it wasn't my truck)
dm

tommy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2007, 03:34:08 pm »

I've only read about stories like that in the funny papers.

Sorry to hear that.

CCM · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2007, 04:01:15 pm »

Man that sucks!!! I used to work at Sears when I was in high school and college and believe it or not, that happened more than once in the few years that I worked there. Sears auto center was never a safe place for a car!

Chris G · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2007, 04:05:04 pm »

Bummer. Not that it helps you, but imagine the crap the Firestone guy is going to have to endure from now on (assuming he keeps his job).

BobA · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2007, 06:54:04 pm »

I hope you get your car fixed, a rental until it is and YOUR TIRES SHOULD BE FREE.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2007, 07:35:09 pm »

I assume you mean 5' not 5"?

That sucks...

DrewKaree · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2007, 07:46:57 pm »

Don't they use the "picker arms" kinda lifts to change tires? What...I mean.....how......sheesh

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:39:56 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on April 03, 2007, 07:46:57 pm

Don't they use the "picker arms" kinda lifts to change tires? What...I mean.....how......sheesh

I agree, it doesn't make sense. To change tires, you can't lift the car from the tires, or lift it in any such way that it could roll off of anything. The wheels should be in mid-air and not supporting the car.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2007, 09:14:21 pm »

I was not there to see exactly what they did but i saw the car its bad & at the body shop my wife is driving a cobalt rented for the next 3 to 4 weeks, until the car is repaired
dm

TOK · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2007, 09:32:29 pm »

Holy crap. Look at that really well when you get it back. I'm going to take a wild-ass guess that it's a unibody car and could be structurally mangled from a 5 foot fall.

I have a not-quite-as horrible story. I had a Mustang GT that was recalled for catalytic converter issues. I dropped the car off, but had my mom drop my wife off to pick it up. They didn't latch the hood, she didn't notice, and the hood blew straight up and ripped off at about 45 MPH. I'm not sure if I was more pissed off that they could have killed my wife or that they messed up my car.

DrumAnBass · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2007, 11:15:37 pm »

Wow thats crazy Divemaster; hope they repair it right...

Another horror story:

My dad had a Caddy and the local dealer offered free pick ups and returns for service. The kid from the dealer driving the car totalled it on the way to his house... Luckily they had a few spare Caddys laying around ;-)

4Aaron GE · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2007, 03:28:05 am »

Do you have pics of the damage? I too am having trouble with how this magic hoist works.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:45:21 am »

Quote from: 4Aaron GE on April 04, 2007, 03:28:05 am

Do you have pics of the damage? I too am having trouble with how this magic hoist works.

Likely an alignment rack. You drive the car onto a ramp b/c the car has to have weight on the wheels to set the alignment. Then you have hydraulic lifts on the rack that can pick the front or back of the car up (but they probably either hadn't gotten that far or had finished that part).

Like this - http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/racks/4718T/index.htm (although older racks work off a hydraulic pit rather than above ground).

I imagine the shop will make things right by you, but it's not any fun in the mean time.

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:10:09 am »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on April 03, 2007, 08:39:56 pm

I agree, it doesn't make sense. To change tires, you can't lift the car from the tires, or lift it in any such way that it could roll off of anything. The wheels should be in mid-air and not supporting the car.

Only if they have half a brain. Clearly, here, they don't. Bummer. Unless they were going to do the alignment and had already done the tires. Or did she also ask for an oil change or some sort of inspection?

Dude, they rented her a Cobalt? Is that ten speed or twelve? Unless my wife went in on a bike I'd have demanded a better rental. No point in letting her get killed while she waits for them to fix their mistake.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:36:38 am »

here car is a 05 Nissan altima, & firestone offered her a free 40 point inspection...that is when the mishap took place.
dm

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:38:55 am »

How are they compensating you for your trouble?

divemaster127 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:52:14 am »

Right now all they have offered is full repairs & rental fees, we have not pursed anything past that yet.
dm

shardian · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:55:07 am »

In this case, it might be in your best interests to consult a lawyer. It is doubtful that car will ever be the same.

ChadTower · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:55:22 am »

You absolutely should pursue more than that. I mean hell they haven't even offered the tires for free?

divemaster127 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:59:02 am »

no, in fact the manager told me after the repairs are done, we can come back & purchase the tires if we wish still, since firestone did not get that far
dm

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:00:12 am »

There is no way in hell a car is going to fall 5 feet and ever be the same. Demand a replacement vehicle of the same year or newer...period. If they give you ANY ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, tell them you will be contacting a lawyer. Replacement would be A LOT cheaper for them than to get sued.

The bottom line though is it will be an INSURANCE call...they (the shop) will have little to say about whether you get a new vehicle or not.

I CERTAINLY wouldn't be accepting the old car back.

...and why didn't you get some pix for us poor ---daisies--- (and yourself for evidence)?

ChadTower · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:03:24 am »

That's about right, I would be having my insurance company all over that. Looks like they're trying to obfuscate the process to minimize their liability. Are they trying to do repairs in "their shop" or is it one of your choosing? In a case like this, choosing a sympathetic indy body shop can really, really, really help you out.

(+_+) · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:12:05 am »

Didn't the post say 5" yesterday. 5' is a completely different story. I'd be freaking out. You should definitely insist that an independent body shop look at is just in case the car is frame bent. If it is, your wifes car will never drive the same. Hopefully everything works out.

ChadTower · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2007, 10:15:00 am »

Keep in mind your insurance company, if you do not involve them, will cancel your coverage. This is substantially changing the value of your car and their liability ratios due to possible frame damage.

hypernova · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:02:48 pm »

Quote from: divemaster127 on April 04, 2007, 09:36:38 am

here car is a 05 Nissan altima, & firestone offered her a free 40 point inspection...that is when the mishap took place.
dm

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess the car failed on most of those points.

I agree with everyone else. Get the insurance involved before it's too late, or you may be risking you and your wife's well-being (and any kids if you have any.)

missioncontrol · « **Reply #25 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:26:20 am »

yep, you really should get your insurance company involved... A 5 foot fall, you car will most likely not be the same... I'd demand a replacement rather than repairs...

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2007, 07:58:16 am »

Quote from: hypernova on April 04, 2007, 07:02:48 pm

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess the car failed on most of those points.

Well, if it didn't before, it probably will now.

(Point taken).

"If it ain't broke, take it apart anyway and lose some of the pieces and then it will be"

ChadTower · « **Reply #27 on:** April 05, 2007, 08:47:18 am »

Even if they rebuild it perfectly, his 2005 car has lost substantial value. That alone needs to be compensated. His car now has a major accident in its history.

clanggedin · « **Reply #28 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:42:19 pm »

You need to make sure the vehicle doesn't have frame damage. IF it does then you have lost thousands in resale value.

No reputable dealer will touch a frame damaged vehicle. They will probably offer you half of book value if you try and trade it in.

ChadTower · « **Reply #29 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:13:36 pm »

They'll do it anyway as soon as they pull up the Carfax and see a major accident even if there is no frame damage.

RayB · « **Reply #30 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:21:40 pm »

Keep something in mind when reading this advice... If you have your insurance company handle the situation, you will be handing over all right to sue and receive compensation over to your insurer (they make you sign a waiver that says so). They will give you whatever satisfies you, but then THEIR lawyers will be negotiating with [Sears?] and possibly reap in a bigger settlement.

Educate yourself on your options and quick. Try a free consultation with a lawyer and see what they say. Then choose your course of action. (And every day that goes by the damage to [Sears?] image is less.If you haven't, you should have taken photos. You'd get alot more than just "free repairs" if you mention getting the local news media to cover your story.

IANAL!!!

ChadTower · « **Reply #31 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:23:00 pm »

Quote from: RayB on April 05, 2007, 03:21:40 pm

IANAL!!!

Sadly, he's already had to take most of that.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #32 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:34:11 pm »

Quote from: RayB on April 05, 2007, 03:21:40 pm

Keep something in mind when reading this advice... If you have your insurance company handle the situation, you will be handing over all right to sue and receive compensation over to your insurer (they make you sign a waiver that says so). They will give you whatever satisfies you, but then THEIR lawyers will be negotiating with [Sears?] and possibly reap in a bigger settlement.

Educate yourself on your options and quick. Try a free consultation with a lawyer and see what they say. Then choose your course of action. (And every day that goes by the damage to [Sears?] image is less.If you haven't, you should have taken photos. You'd get alot more than just "free repairs" if you mention getting the local news media to cover your story.

IANAL!!!

You also are caught between the fact that if Firestone is actively having your car repaired, it is much harder to prove how much damage was actually done vs. how much damage they say was done, but on the other hand, they won't want to hold off on fixing it and keep you in a rental car while you debate which legal avenue you want to pursue.

I agree with the advice on consulting with a lawyer.

clanggedin · « **Reply #33 on:** April 05, 2007, 03:58:50 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on April 05, 2007, 03:13:36 pm

They'll do it anyway as soon as they pull up the Carfax and see a major accident even if there is no frame damage.

If the vehicle has frame damage then it has to be posted on the title. BRANDED TITLES ARE BAD!!!

Only accidents that are over $1000 in damage that are reported to the insurance company or have a police report filed are posted to Carfax and Autocheck.

You'd be surprised what I have had to arbitrate at the auto auction even though the title was clean.

ChadTower · « **Reply #34 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:02:58 pm »

Quote from: clanggedin on April 05, 2007, 03:58:50 pm

If the vehicle has frame damage then it has to be posted on the title. BRANDED TITLES ARE BAD!!!

My car has a "recovered theft" title. It was stolen twice before 8000 miles. That killed my ability to recover my money if I wanted to sell it. Luckily, 100k later, it's still reliable, and at this point the title is probably moot.

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #35 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:07:59 pm »

Quote from: clanggedin on April 05, 2007, 03:58:50 pm

If the vehicle has frame damage then it has to be posted on the title. BRANDED TITLES ARE BAD!!!

Also, while frame damage is the correct terminology, the 2005 Altima is unibody and thus much more likely to suffer "frame damage" than a car that actually has a frame.

ChadTower · « **Reply #36 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:43:45 pm »

"missing frame"


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Author Topic: Here's how my day goes........... (Read 4446 times)

tommy