[mannymazz]

So I returned my BMW 435 2 weeks ago to pick up my 440. The car had 14000/30000 miles and was in great shape. This week I receive a bill for 400$, I called to find out why I was assuming it was for slight curb rash, I was mistaken it was for a scratch I never recalled being there but that's besides the point, attached I have a pic from their email, as you can see it's hard to even find the scratch. I am clearly being overcharged what can I do to fight this any help is greatly appreciated!!

[IMG][/IMG]

[Wires]

I think your only recourse would be to talk to the general manager or BMWNA. That does seem a little ridiculous though.

[Michael Schott]

Did they do a pre-return inspection and not note this? If so tell them to pound sand.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Did they do a pre-return inspection and not note this? If so tell them to pound sand.

Unfortunately no, I rushed the process and didn't get a chance too. Regardless the size of the scratch and location is clearly minimal. They have it as a large scratch which is why the cost is 400$.

[613Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Did they do a pre-return inspection and not note this? If so tell them to pound sand.

+1, that's the tiniest nick I've ever seen on a car from what I can tell in the picture. If they bother filling it, it'll cost them a buck's worth of touch up paint. Utterly ridiculous that they'd try to nickel and dime a repeat customer like that.

[wrickem]

I'd definitely call them, that is ridiculous, you can't even see it, and as others have said, you're a repeat customer. I'd bet they'll waive it. Worth a try.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I'd definitely call them, that is ridiculous, you can't even see it, and as others have said, you're a repeat customer. I'd bet they'all waive it.

I said exactly this, repeat customer, extremely low mileage well taken car of car. The rep I spoke to claimed nothing they can do but clearly this damage is a joke. It took me 5 minutes to even find the damage.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by 613Bimmer

+1, that's the tiniest nick I've ever seen on a car from what I can tell in the picture. If they bother filling it, it'll cost them a buck's worth of touch up paint. Utterly ridiculous that they'd try to nickel and dime a repeat customer like that.

Yes exactly if I would of seen this I would of put touchup paint, but clearly it's nearly impossible to see. Best part is I just measured the area of my car and the potential length of the scratch is tops 4 inches.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by 613Bimmer

+1, that's the tiniest nick I've ever seen on a car from what I can tell in the picture. If they bother filling it, it'll cost them a buck's worth of touch up paint. Utterly ridiculous that they'd try to nickel and dime a repeat customer like that.

+1

It's not like they send these cars to professional detailers to get paint corrected before putting them on the lot. It will get hit with a touch-up paint stick by a dealership employee just before lunch break.

[xantdieselx]

Definitely seems excessive although its hard to see anything in the pic. I would call BMWNA and bitch.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by xantdieselx

Definitely seems excessive although its hard to see anything in the pic. I would call BMWNA and bitch.

This is the only picture they supplied to me, I am literally dumbfounded. I hope they waive it or at least reduce it. I'm considering asking for a bill of repair maybe to help my case, or just trying to deal with a manager.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by mannymazz

This is the only picture they supplied to me, I am literally dumbfounded. I hope they waive it or at least reduce it. I'm considering asking for a bill of repair maybe to help my case, or just trying to deal with a manager.

Maybe they assumed that, since you rushed the trade-in and skipped the pre-inspection, you were the type of buyer who would just get the bill and pay it without any question. I'm not blaming you. I'm just thinking maybe they're trying to slip this past you and figured you for an average buyer who does whatever the dealership tells them? I'm trying to guess here, because this is egregious. Not sure what they're thinking...

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Maybe they assumed that, since you rushed the trade-in and skipped the pre-inspection, you were the type of buyer who would just get the bill and pay it without any question. I'm not blaming you. I'm just thinking maybe they're trying to slip this past you and figured you for an average buyer who does whatever the dealership tells them? I'm trying to guess here, because this is egregious. Not sure what they're thinking...

Yea this makes sense to me, they trying to get one passed me because I skipped the inspection. Wether or not that scratch was there, 400$ is an absurd amount I have never heard of such a thing for such a minor scratch. Maybe if I had a large dent on a panel but this is a small thin scratch at the very bottom of the car.

[turboawd]

watch them charge the next user for the same scratch.

[PushingRedline]

Originally Posted by mannymazz

Yea this makes sense to me, they trying to get one passed me because I skipped the inspection. Wether or not that scratch was there, 400$ is an absurd amount I have never heard of such a thing for such a minor scratch. Maybe if I had a large dent on a panel but this is a small thin scratch at the very bottom of the car.

This could be what they are doing...We traded in my wife's Kia lease for another a little while back. When we purchased the new lease there was a 3 month pull ahead (we turned the lease in 2 months early). A couple months after I received a bill for 2 months that was left on the original lease. I obviously did not pay and called Kia. They said they would send it to their reviews team. A month later I received a bill that was much lower because the 2 months had been removed. Sometimes companies just hope you miss it or don't want the hassle and just pay it.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by PushingRedline

This could be what they are doing...We traded in my wife's Kia lease for another a little while back. When we purchased the new lease there was a 3 month pull ahead (we turned the lease in 2 months early). A couple months after I received a bill for 2 months that was left on the original lease. I obviously did not pay and called Kia. They said they would send it to their reviews team. A month later I received a bill that was much lower because the 2 months had been removed. Sometimes companies just hope you miss it or don't want the hassle and just pay it.

So do you recommend I fight and not pay it. They told me it's due by jan 28 but do not want it sent to collections.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by mannymazz

So do you recommend I fight and not pay it. They told me it's due by jan 28 but do not want it sent to collections.

Seriously? Why would you want to just lay down & say screw me now? $400 in your pocket that you earned is better than your $400 in their pocket that they just spent money on a stamp for.

[drummerlauw]

Wait...so if you skip the pre - return inspection, it is the same like agreeing with whatever BMW wants to charge you? I thought there is a list of "lease-return" discrepancies that BMW will accept as normal wear and tear....

[CIWS]

Lesson here children - do not skip your lease end inspection no matter how good of condition you think your car is in. Get them to declare any discrepancies there in your presence and show them to you.


Sorry OP that you've gotten yourself in this situation. It's possible that scratch wasn't on the car when you turned it in, but it is now, and if it is they can try and point the finger at you to cover it. Although I doubt they would do more than have their touch up guy work on it. You can try and dispute it, good luck with it.

[mannymazz]

Originally Posted by CIWS

Lesson here children - do not skip your lease end inspection no matter how good of condition you think your car is in. Get them to declare any discrepancies there in your presence and show them to you.


Sorry OP that you've gotten yourself in this situation. It's possible that scratch wasn't on the car when you turned it in, but it is now, and if it is they can try and point the finger at you to cover it. Although I doubt they would do more than have their touch up guy work on it. You can try and dispute it, good luck with it.

There is definitely a possibility the scratch was there and I didn't notice, after seeing the pic it is hard to see it at all. Regardless damage that minor should not be $400 to fix.

[IndotagSwizz]

that's a shady dealership, specially if you got another car from them

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by mannymazz

There is definitely a possibility the scratch was there and I didn't notice, after seeing the pic it is hard to see it at all. Regardless damage that minor should not be $400 to fix.

If they were going to have their paint shop do it, I could see where they might bid that cost. But in the real world I doubt they would actually send it to them. As I mentioned before probably just something their touch up person would tend to.

If you could still get access to the car I'd have them show it to you and take that cute little plastic wheel BMW sends toward the end of the lease.