What do you think?

[HoustonFarrier]

Last year, we traded in a Chevy Uplander, which was purchased on a GMAC "SmartLease" plan. We bought a Chevy HHR. So, here we are 8 months later, and GMAC is hounding us for additional $1500 for what they are calling "...above normal wear and tear...". Scratches on the Uplander, rock chip on windshield, no key fobs for the remote entry, etc. This Uplander was in MINT condition. It did have a rock CHIP on the windshield, which is $35.00 to repair. All the keys and fobs were turned in with the vehicle. There was NO mention at signing that there was ny damage to the Uplander, nothing saying we COULD be liable for anything....PLUS....the dealership had the vehicle, so if there ARE scratches, whose to say they didn't happen there? We have a "free and clear" on the lease. The dealership is dodging it....seems all the managers are "in meetings" when we call. Looks like we'll be talking to a judge about this one.

Steve

[grandmadeb]

Have they waited 8 months to let you know they think you owe them money? If so I think I would tell them that too much time has gone by and you have a free and clear on the lease. Sounds like they are feeling a revenue crunch and are looking for ways to get more money, but 8 months later is ridiculous!! My father always told me that car dealers and lawyers were legal thieves!!

[JackieB]

We had a situation like that ourselves one time. My wife reminded the dealership of the concept/law of "strict liability". The way I understand this is that if they didn't bring these things up and document them when you turned in the vehicle, then they are liable because they had possession of the vehicle. Our complaint was with Ford and they did drop it immediately afterwards. They were trying to charge us $1,100 for a repair that we were sure one of their mechanics caused.

[oursarge]

We had the same thing with Ford, we fought it they dropped it. Our dealership went to bat for us though. Ours was in almost perfect condition, no scratches, inside was almost perfect since hardly anyone ever sat in the back [An Explorer], the seats were a little dirty in the front but it was the material, you touched it and it left hand prints. When Ford sent us a thing when we first got the vehicle my husband complained about the seat fabric. The thing was almost like new when turned in, the dealer agreed then their inspection people came up with all this stuff including dirty seats [Which the dealership said they'd clean and didn't] long story short we didnt' pay a dime. They backed off because they were going against everything in the original agreement. Just looking for more ways to make money.

Good Luck, with all the issues these car companies are having you'd think they'd try to make people happy and not mad.

[TLC97]

That is why leasing is not a good option. My understanding is they are supposed to document any issues with you when the "trade" takes place, if not brought up then I am pretty sure they are up a creek with no paddle.

[Country Girl 43]

I would fight that one tooth and nail! They are just trying to squeeze more money out of you. Such scam artists!!!

[Cat]

Fight it. As far as you know in that 8 month time the dealership may have had one of their own sales people driving the car. My dad used to get a free car to use at one of the dealerships and trust me, he didn't take the best care of them.

[fire1]

I'm pretty sure there is a like stutue of limitations, you have a certian window of time in which they can say there is something wrong with the vehicle. 8 months is horse poo. I would make a big stink cause they are full of it. The final paperwork when you turned it in shoulod be the end of it, you are no longer responsible for it. The judge will see it your way if it goes that far.:)

[PaintedHearts]

I would tell them to take a flying leap off a cliff or to stick it where the sun don't shine. :D