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Complaining About a Car

Here are some useful do's and don'ts on complaining that will get you much farther on fixing your lemon problem.

• Be factual about your problems. Present them in a chronological order.
  
  
• Be as brief as possible. If you write a letter keep it to a maximum of one page.
  
  
• Don't talk about the history (good or bad) about past cars you have owned. It doesn't matter for this situation.
  
  
• Don't give ultimatums. It turns people off immediately. Don't make demands on "what if this doesn't fix it this time"
  
  
• Don't threaten a law suit. Even if you already have an attorney and he is filing today. Law Suits are a matter of course in this business and once you threaten a lawsuit you will find very little cooperation.
  
  
• Be reasonable in your expectations. If you don't like the way something fits tell the dealer and he'll pass the information along.
  
  
• Don't ever tell the dealer that you have had the problem since day one. Let the facts speak for themselves.
  
  
• Don't go into that "American quality vs Japan quality" It doesn't really apply, and the quality of both vehicles are basically equal.
  
  
• Know that every vehicle ever made has unique characteristics. If a dealer tells you you have a characteristic he's probably telling you the truth. Depending on the characteristic depends on what other course of action you may have.
  
  
• If you have an intermittent problem that the dealer can't duplicate please work with them on pin pointing the exact conditions when it happens. Keep a note book and write down date, time, temp outside, how long you have been driving the car, how many miles you have driven that day, etc.
  
  
• It is possible that the dealer you are working with is in fact a "bad" dealer. You can always see if another one in the area will help you out. But keep in mind that non-selling dealers are reluctant to take on other dealers "heat" cases.
  
  
• Believe it that if you've got something coming, you most likely will get something if you remain civil and make your point rationally and logically.
  
  
• Don't put any lemon signs or banners on your vehicle to "declare" your lemon. It is better to have your dealer be your advocate then alienate them for future help.
  
  
• If the dealer does a good job helping you, send a note of thanks to them. If you do take the time to say thanks, you'll be remembered next time you are in and treated even better.