Lease return problem

[rjmel]

Just returned a car a few weeks ago from a lease. The car sat on the dealer's lot for a week before the inspector went out to assess the car's condition. A couple of months ago we were sent a card in the mail with a hole in it. It said that any dent/ding that fits inside that hole is considered "normal" wear/tear and we would not be charged for repair. We went over the entire car with that card and the few little scratches/dings ALL fit inside the hole.

Today I just got the inspection report along with a bill for damages. It says there is a 5" dent on the rear quarter panel/Pickup box (whatever that is) and they want $220.00 to fix it. Now we took great care of that car. The salesman who sold us the car always told us that whenever we took it in for service. There was a SMALL ding on the fender/qtr panel that was 1" across (stray shopping cart) and fit inside the circle. The lease attendant at the dealer (different than the one we bought from) even went over it with the card himself to verify the size after we told him the ding was there. No paperwork was given to us upon return of the car. I have since found out that they should've provided us with some after it was signed by both parties.

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do? There's no way I'm paying for this. It was a SAAB by the way, inspected by SGS Automotive Services, returned to Saab of Sherman Oaks, CA.

[davidlane]

I hate to tell you this, but with nothing documented when you returned the vehicle, what ever the documented condition of the vehicle was when it was inspected is the official record.

[RamJet502]

Did you take any pictures of the dent?

[montrealvue]

If you left it on their lot and they signed you gave it to them, then it's their problem. If you didn't have them sign that it was left in their possession and anything after the fact is their responsibility, then you are SOL. The dealer has probably been using it as a loaner and they are trying to get you to foot the bill for damage.

[redstuff]

Too funny...but not funny at all. A co-worker returned his leased Caravan a couple of months ago...same exact deal. Dealer he returned it to was different than the one he leased it from. "Do you need to sign or need us to sign something before we go?" 3 times they asked. "No," they were told. The lease manager wasn't there, so a salesman took it back in. It sat on their lot for 3 weeks before it went back to Toronto, and then 2 weeks later he got a bill for over a grand. He ended up getting it down to $600 or so...but he paid. You've got no leg to stand on. SOL is right. Suck it up and pay...and never do it again. Make them sign something or don't go home. You got off lucky at only $220.

[redgtconv]

I will be returning my leased Cadillac within the next 2 months and I am also concerned. This is my 3rd GMAC lease and I have never been billed a cent in the past. However, a couple of weeks ago we went to a local Cadillac dealer in South Florida. Someone had returned an STS, the same car we have. It looked like it had just been detailed. Really clean and in perfect condition, showroom new. But there was the inspector going over that car with a microscope. And he was writing things down, as he is laying on the floor and looking over every inch of that car from every possible angle. My wife and I looked at each other in shock. It is apparent that GMAC is trying to recover as much money as possible, any way possible. Our car was well taken car of and is in good shape. But, it would not shock me to get a bill for something from them. I have always taken pictures of the cars I have returned, and I plan ot do it again. I have also had the dealers sign a paper verifying that I returned the car with no visible damage. However, since GM has pretty much stopped leasing, I will probably not get another Cadillac. Therefore, it is unlikely the dealer will sign that paper again. So the photos will be my only defense.

[mbukukanyau]

This will drive customers away. For me, honest business practice is huge. If I see even 1 bad comment about a dealer, even, service for my car there is out of question, unless I suspect the person saying it is just another gold digger.
You need to tell us the name of this dishonest dealer, so others may be warned.

[mgguzik]

I hate to say this but I think you are going to be stuck with that bill. I turned in a 2005 Grand Prix earlier this year that was in show room condition except for the tire wear. I used the gauge in the lease book to check the tires and what I checked looked fine to me, so I turned it in without replacing the tires. The 2003 Impala we leased had almost no tread left and I never received a bill so all was good. A few weeks after I turned in the GP, I received a bill for 3 worn tires at a cost of 375.00. I called and told them that I checked the tires with THEIR gauge, but they told me that they checked every groove and had pictures posted if I wanted to check there findings . They did offer me a discount of 50.00 if I wanted to pay it all at once, but I told them that I would be paying it off in installments (just my wat of making them wait for it). If I would have known that they were checking so closely, I would have put the cheapest set of garbage tires on it I could have bought (would have been way less than 375.00). If they keep leasing cars, this will make allot of potential customers think twice.

[PAULSTS1]

The first level of protection is documentation. When you leased the car, you signed your life away, they didn't give you the car then later sent the papers. Before you left the car, just like any other "rental" because this is what a lease is, all damages should have been documented, estimated, then signed off.

No they can't make you pay, but they can send the damage amount to a Collections Agency and ruin your Credit, the next purchase or lease you get, the additional cost, will make you wish that you would have paid the bill and got the sign-off in full. Consider the $220 a cheap lesson, and thanks for telling all of us "What never to do."

[pontiacjs]

I have had similar expieriences with a few of my customers cars. All you need is for your salesman to call GMAC and tell them the damage was not there when the vehicle was returned. Then he will have to file a police report and fax a copy to GMAC. GMAC will then waive your damages. It takes a few weeks and your salesman will have some work to do, but it can be done. Hopefully you have a good relationship with him.

[MrCritical]

GMAC will waive the damages, or charge the dealer for them?

Another fine reason for 90% of the public not to lease cars.

[tirediron]

I always recommend to take pictures of all the tires, windshield, and the sheet metal to CYA. Its simple and easy to do.

There are tire companies that will hook you up with used tires that will pass inspection for cheap too.

Also, dont blame the dealers either, unless they're total tools and crooks, they're not joy-riding in your lease turn-ins. GMAC took them out of the picture a long time ago, they are basically doing GMAC a favor (for free) by taking in their vehicles, filling out their paperwork, now with a stupid electronic signature pad btw.

[prowlerjc]

Yet another reason I've never leased a car.

[Dave B]

A friend of mine leased a car and the same thing happened. He was stuck with a bill for $500 for damage.

My GF"s daughter's husband also almost had a problem. Inspector looked at it and actually checked everything and I mean everything. Spent about an hour. It had a little tear in the passenger leather seat. They argued for a half hour and the inspector finally let it go. I was standing there watching. Oh boy. I would NEVER NEVER EVER even consider a lease on any car and in fact have never ever leased one in my life. Never will.

[redlipp]

typical, gm should send customer copy's of lease turn in material to have the turn in dealership and customer to both sign off on, most dealerships have someone in the business office check them in, most could give a crap less if customers get billed for anything after the fact, especially if they weren't the selling dealer,it is not uncommon for gm to not send anyone out the evaluate the vehicle for 30-60 days, i had one lease company come out and pick up a unit 1 year and 6months after the lease customer returned the car, i am not bsing on that either, the real shocker was i was actually able to find the keys, everyone in general are so inept and can care less, it makes you wonder how anything ever gets done, the only way to make sure you stand a chance is go back to your selling dealership and have everyone in the freakin store sign off on something, even the mechanics in the back, good luck!