Ok, so I have a tear in my top in the usual area where the bar rubs and my car is under the original warrany still... Pretty simple right?

I took it to dealer #1 and had them look at it. They said they contacted their Honda rep and they stated they would replace the top. I then found out that they outsource the work to an upholstery shop nearby. I was not comfortable with this based on feedback from other on that upholstery shop.

I then called dealer #2 across town and found out that they have done many of these, do it all on site and are a lot more knowledgeable about the issue and doing the work. So I make an appointment with dealer #2 and tell them I went to another dealer and they Honda rep approved the replacement.

About an hour later I get a call back from the svc advisor at dealer #2 to tell me me that I have to go to dealer #1 to get the work done because I went there first with the problem.

Is there any sense to this? Should I not be able to go to any Honda dealer I want for the work???

I am holding off on the work and contacting Honda but I was wondering is anyone else has ran into this.

Thanks In Advance!

 

If warranty coverage functions anything like service recalls do, the problem is that dealership #1 had already ordered the parts when you visited them and explained your issue. When you visited dealership #2, they tried to order the part under your VIN and noticed that dealership #1 had already ordered the part. Dealership #1 has already paid for the parts and filled out the work order for your replacement soft top and they won't get reimbursed for their expenses until they have completed the work.

The only solution I can think of is visiting dealership #1 and seeing if they are willing to release the parts and work order to dealership #2.

 

What if I just wait 6 months to have it fixed and bring it to dealer #2...?

 

I don't think that will work... I had a similar issue, but with the AP1 tail light recall. I went to dealership #1 because at the time, it was the only dealer I trusted. I had a clutch issue and brought it to dealership #2 because I didn't want to risk further damaging the car by traveling the extra 25 minutes to dealership #1. The clutch replacement took about a week to complete because the parts I needed weren't in stock. Since my appointment with dealership #1 was the day after I brought my car in, I had to cancel. About 5 months passed and I brought it into dealership #2 which I now trust and is only 5 minutes away from me and asked them if I could do the recall. They looked up my VIN and told me I would have to go to dealership #1. I asked if it were possible to have dealership #1 ship the parts over to dealership #2 because the Honda delivery van passes by dealership #1 on the way from the parts warehouse to dealership #2. They told me I would have to talk to dealership #1 about it. I then call dealership #1 and they told me they had paid for the parts and filled the work order so it was not possible for them do that.

I'm not sure if Honda dealerships in the states function differently than up in Canada, but judging from your situation it seems to be a very similar case to mine. Nonetheless I would still give dealership #1 a call and see if it would be possible to have the parts brought to dealership #2 to install. Perhaps even offer to pick up the parts and drop them off at dealership #2 as added incentive.

 

Call honda of america. Tell them you want to close your Warranty issue with dealer number 1 and tell them you want to go to dealer number 2.

 

I am going to call dealer #1 and be honest with them about the issue.
If they do not let it go I will call Honda directly.

Thanks for the advice!

 

be honest about the situation.... call honda of america and tell them your not comfortable with aftermarket shop performing repair work on your vehicle under basic waranty, and that you would like to have an OEM part installed on your vehicle, as outlined under your basic warranty.


OEM WARRANTY = OEM PARTS

 

Well dealer #1 said OEM parts would be ordered through the dealer. Problem is joe blow upholstery would be taking the car apart.

Honestly, I do not trust an upholstery shop vs. a Honda tech to gut the interior and reinstall a new top.

 

Most likely an upholstery shop has done it more times and is way better then a honda dealer. you said you dont trust that upholstery shop, that is a different issue.

 

So far you haven't said why you don't want to have the top replaced at the Honda authorized upholstery shop. I had my seats re-done at a Honda authorized shop and they did great work. When I get my new soft top I'll go back.

Does this shop have a bad reputation for installing tops? If so then maybe you should provide your Honda dealership with that info in support of your claim