So here's the deal:

This morning (took the day off), and I brought my Prelude and then later my S2K to my dealership (D&C Honda, Tenafly NJ) for routine maintenance (oil, trans, diff).

ANYWAY. . .

After the dealer finished working on my S2K, they proceeded to park it in the customer pick-up area behind a Honda Pilot.

As a result, the driver of the Pilot ( some woman w/ her kid in the car) proceeded to back into/over the front bumper/hood of my S and then DROVE AWAY!!!! Right before I got outside to pick up my car. . .

I called the Police, filed a report, etc. . .

But, here's the kicker. The dealership (which after 2 cars and 9 years of service I WILL NO LONGER using) told me that "We're not responsibe". . . "The same thing could have happened if I had parked at the mall". . .

However, as I see it. . .

1. The Woman was wrong for hit/run and responsible for the damages to my S (by the way, the local police department called her, she went to the police station gave a statement saying that she didn't realize she hit my car. BUT the police DID NOT issue a summons for leaving the scene of the accident ). . . So, I should seek damages from her. . . In addition, I'm probably going to file a the compliant that the officer didn't

2. That said, the dealership was still in posession of my car!!! And didn't return my car in the condition that it was given to them. . . And, didn't take a reasonable amount of care with my property. So, I think that in many ways they are equally responsible for repair costs to my car. . .

Any thoughts. . . Comments. . .

In addition to the financial aspect, the fact remains that my S (which is just shy of 4 years old/with only 17K miles, and no scratches) IS F*CKED!!!!!!

Because its Silverstone, I have a really bad feeling that once its repainted, it will never look the same Which leaves me extremely frustrated!!!!

Anyway, any comments, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. . .

Thanks.

 

Did this happen on the dealerships lot and did they park it where it stood? I will ask my friend Mark in the morning - he owns several deaership including two Hondas!

 

Yes. It happened in the dealership lot. And yes, a worker in the dealership's service department parked the car where it stood.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

Man...

I feel for you.

I'm assuming if it was under the dealers wing, They should be responsible. They parked your car in an unsafe place

But I'm not really sure... GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

 

ya it should be the dealers responsibility. You didnt't park it there. They did. I would call honda corporate up as well and see what they have to say

 

I also say it is the dealerships fault, being as they parked the car there and you had not signed to pick up the car. As long as you hadn't paid/signed anything to pick the car up, it was basically their car. I had a similar event happen with my Formula about 4 years ago, not hit by a car but a idiotic service guy bent the whole convertable top. As long as you have not yet picked up the car or paid/singned anything tell them you refuse to pay for it and it is thier car. Then get the manager and demand the number to Honda. They will know you are serious and will fix your car to keep you from reporting them. If not call Honda they will set the dealership straight.

 

the situation with the dealer falls under bailment law.

bottom line, they possesed the car, and are thus responsible. "we're not responsible" doesn't fly, especially if said after the fact and a sign is not prominently displayed.

 

thats get a good lawyer.....seriously...

 

dealer rater

 

I wok at a toyota dealership, and this is the best thing to do. Go down there and demand to speak to the manager, and if things still don't come around then ask for the owners number, and honda's. Then they will treat you like god, and catter your every desire. It seems once you mention you are going to contact the owner, and the company they get freaked out, and they should fix it.