We had our new car into General RV to have a base plate installed. Well two hours later I get the call. We had a slight problem that we're going to take care of. While drilling a hole the tech hit your transmission cooler line. We ordered the part and will fix it tomorrow morning.So my response was, you're not mechanics and that is a new car with 600 miles on it. You're not touching that and I want it taken to the dealer. Well we can't drive it was the reply. Then call a flatbed out and have it towed. So I get the call today they won't have it back until tomorrow. Their offer to the help fix the problem they caused is a $100 off a $1120 bill. So I tell them I want it noted on the paperwork I sign that they're responsible for any further unseen damage caused by their Base plate installation. Their reply was, oh ... That's the car dealers responsibility. I guess you didn't hear what I said, any other damage associated with your install. They were very quick to pass it off to someone else. I can assure I will go over that car with a fine tooth comb. The funny part (and shame on me for keep coming back there) is. They damaged one of our fivers by hitting it with a new motorhome years ago. On another one years back we took it in for some plumbing work. When I came to pick it up and review the workmanship our refrigerator was Missing. Only a blank spot where it used to be. They screwed up and got the wrong fiver. So it cost them $2000 for a new fridge.The reason I keep going back is I haven't found anyone better nearby. They have been very cooperative resolving the accidents. But it is irritating. The funny part is I jinxed myself. I commented to my wife after dropping it off. I wonder what'll happen this time.

Screw me once, shame on you. Screw me twice, shame on me.

I think you like punishment. one time and I,d be gone. and they should pay the hole repair job on the tranny.

Doctor every time I punch myself it hurts !Well don't do that anymore.....

I agree. If there were any better dealers close enough it would be a no brainer. There aren't.

If it were me, I would have made the installation of the base plate part of the deal from the auto dealer from the get go. They would much better know where and how to drill holes necessary for the install.

They damaged our new car installing the base plate

kalynzoo
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
Fixing the error and offering a few bucks for your trouble seems fair. Would you sign a blank liability check? I would assume that if a problem comes up down the line you could hold them accountable if appropriate.
Brodie3Az
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
powderman426 wrote:
If it were me, I would have made the installation of the base plate part of the deal from the auto dealer from the get go. They would much better know where and how to drill holes necessary for the install.

Sad thing is, the dealership would most likely have used someone else, such as General, to do the install anyway and charged more that the $1200.
cpmath
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Funny I got our baseplate installed for $156.00, plus the cost of the baseplate which I believe was around $345.00. I think you got ripped off.
obgraham
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Stick to RV places for towing installations. I don't find dealers know very much about towing equipment, towing requirements, and what extra wear it might place on the vehicle.

I understand this place had a bad rep with you, but they did fix the problem and gave you lunch money also. What else could they do?
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2014
I guess you just gotta laugh it off and wait for the next one to come along, coulda been worse, they could have drilled a hole in the tranny.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2014
et2 wrote:
hotbyte wrote:
Are you saying the cooler line replacement was $1120 at auto dealer?

General RV is paying the damage repair- at what cost is beyond me. The base plate install and break away cable cost $1120. They discounted it a $100 for my troubles.

So they got it fixed, at no cost to you., and then gave you $100.00 off, and you are whining about what???
abc40kids
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
The way I see it, they messed up and they had it fixed..... at the dealer, like you asked them to. I'm sure the RV dealer's techs could have easily changed that line with ZERO problems. Other posters are correct, most dealerships do not touch aftermarket at all, they sub it out every time and you pay the markup. I have an aftermarket shop with 3 guys that do nothing but pick up vehicles from the dealer for all kinds of things. People make mistakes and if at my shop I would have fixed it myself and you could have taken it to the dealer if you wanted it double checked. It was a very simple fix...
Heavy_Metal_Doc
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
I think the OP is lucky the RV place was honest about the situation....to many places (RV or Automotive or Towing company or anyone else hwo might have had a customers vehicle for some reason) would have patched that line up with a chunk of hose over the hole and never told the customer a thing about it....people outside the service and repair industry have very little idea what unreported damage and half baked repairs are done every day....
Horizon170
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
Not wanting to upset you but I think you made a mountain out of a mole hill. Accidents happen and my wife could probably replace that hose if given the time. To each his own.
DSDP_Don
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
I'm with the last couple of posters. I think you're making a big deal out of what occurred. They made a mistake, admitted to it, fixed it and then gave you $100.00 off.

Why didn't you install it yourself? The answer is because it a difficult job. I just did one last week for a friend and went through a dozen drill bits trying to drill the mounting holes through the spring steel bumper insert.

I doubt that they drilled a hole in the transmission line so that they could aggravate you.

I would be upset about it, but work it out reasonably with the dealer. I'm guessing you're talking a little tougher here on the forum than you did with the dealer, because if I were the dealer, your attitude would have shut me down and not offered anything back, but your finished car.