What would you write on a sign if you were picketing a car dealership?

Question

The dealership refuses to fix my vehicle under warranty. Finally after 4 months they figured out the problem by sending it to a mechanic at a different dealership. They want to put in a reused junk yard motor, because Maine law says you can refuse used parts and because it devalues the car and mechanics said NOT to let them put in a rebuilt motor, I said no, fix the engine or replace the car. Since i said no they took my loaner away. The problem started the day I bought it (check engine blinking) and it's been 16 months and still I'm waiting, 4 of those months it's been in the shop and I had make my car payments to their auto financing and pay insurance for a car I can't drive! Now I had to buy another car to drive as they took the loaner away.

What do I put on the picket sign? I am picketing them for the next 2 or 3 days. (I am also handing out letters to people who ask questions).

Answer 1

This is what I had to do I got big white poster board and drew a big lemon on it, that says it all!

Answer 2

I don't know whether you bought a new or used car or what kind of car it is but you do have some recourse. Most vehicle manufacturers have a customer satisfaction number you can call if you have a problem with a dealer. Most states also have a lemon law in place. If you have already exhausted these options and are going to picket them I would only suggest you choose your words carefully and do not say anything slanderous or defamatory!

Document everything that you can. Write down everything you remember, every conversation you had with them, gather every piece of paper you have pertaining to this issue. Post a listing on Craigslist asking if anyone else had had issues with the same dealer. You need to find a knowledgable person that can help you organize all of your info and research facts pertaining to lower value due to the used engine etc. If you can find a shop owner that is willing to support you that is even better. Go down to the local court and file a case against them. Hope this helps.......good luck!

Answer 3

did you  talk to manufacter some have lemon law which they buy back the car did you talk to serice manager the dealership i worked for wouldnt have done this most dealerships dont like bad podlicity if you decide to picket them i would be very carefully they could sue u

Answer 4

Here is what you probably do not want to read, but don't picket the dealership. Simply because it does more damage to your character than it does to the dealership. People driving by will generally look at you and think "what is that nut's problem"

A more effective solution is a letter to the editor in the local news paper and also a letter into any news paper from any community that dealership serves. Dealerships do not like negative publicity in a news paper. It is also far more professional than picketing. Try to just state the facts in your letter. Do not use terms like "they ripped me off". You want to look professional and not vindictive.

Next I would contact whatever the state of Maine has that is similar to California's Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair. Auto repair facilities do NOT like to be bothered with a visit from a Department of Consumer Affairs. This is because they make a day of it. They won't just review your case when they visit the dealer, they may want to review repair orders that have been recently closed by the service department to make sure all I's are dotted and all Ts are crossed. This always shows up as a strike against the shop which is public record. Once again, this has a far worse affect than picketing.

My next course of action would be to file a lawsuit against the sales and finance department for the payments you made while the vehicle was down for repairs. They may want to settle out than to go to court. Once again, nothing beats the publicity of a law suit. It has far greater affects than a picket.

Answer 5

DON'T BUY FROM (Whoever) THEY ARE RIP OFF MERCHANTS!

Also, take them to a consumer claims tribunal if you have one where you live.

Answer 6

Stick to the facts, but hit them hard.  Don't say anything that is an opinion or conclusion, but just the facts.  How about ____ (dealer name) will not honor warranty.  If you can find a public place (off of their property) and shout to their potential customers, they should give in.  Also before you do this (or at the same time), email the whole story to the manufacturer and the consumer affairs office in Maine.  It might be better for legal reasons, to write it as a letter (snail mail) to manufacturer and consumer affairs office and send a copy to the dealer informing them of your actions.