Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Capitol CEG a good dealership who will honor the paint warranty

hey folks,

well, i've been posting in the problems forum about my bad experiences trying to get an area of paint (1"x2") on the driver's side front fenderwell repaired under warranty [less than 2 yrs/old with 17K on the odo]. the clear coat there exhibits a cracking/flaking pattern, is not scratched, and there are no dents. in some parts of the 1"x2" region, the clear coat has come off altogether. it seems obvious to me that it is a paint defect.

however, because my car was purchased in New Jersey, i don't know to whom i should bring it.

i started by trying Koons Ford, but they flat out told me that it can't be proven that it's a paint defect, and that they wouldn't repair it. on the same day i dropped my car off, they also turned-away a woman with a '00 Focus whose roof was quite obviously peeling from no fault of her own.

i then went to Sheehy of Springfield, but that was a waste of time because not only was the service clerk terribly rude, the service manager didn't even know what a "clear coat" was, and therefore did not know how to handle my concern. he just looked at me like an idiot when i tried explaining, standing there with the blankest stare in the world. after he said something like, "what?", i believe i booked.

so i guess the question is that based on your experiences, especially those of you who have had similar problems with paint which have been corrected under warranty, which dealerships can you recommend? i am looking for one who is a bit more compliant and perhaps understanding of those of us who particularly care about our vehicles and can sympathize with enthusiasts.

geez, sounds like a bit of a personal ad, but any recommendations you could make would be very helpful. thanks.

Koons is terrible! They are right behind my house here in Sterling and I'll never go there again (except to look at the Saleen Stangs...). Try Tysons Ford on Rt. 7, see if they are any friendlier to you. They have been decent to me, and I go there whenever I have problems.

Try Ted Britt (Fairfax RT50).....Or World of Ford (Alexandria RT1)

Supposedly the best around the area.

Ed

FYI Thats Oursman World of Ford!

-Andy

I took mine to Ted Britt Ford and got tons of crap. Wouldn't take it there again. I am going to try Jerry's Ford soon. Will let everyone know what I find.

I also have been to Ourisman World of Ford in Alexandria, its where I bought my SVT. I have been happy with them. If you do go there, ask for Jim McNutt. I can't really vouch for the other techs as I have no experience with them.

DO NOT go to Sheehy Fraud in Gaithersburg.

My list of carelessness, neglect and poor workmanship is too long to get in to.

I will be trying Century Ford in Rockville next week.

well, i just called Ted Britt, and although the manager/paint specialist seemed pretty nice over the telephone, he basically gave me every other reason to go elsewhere, stating that it would take "4-5 days for a photo to be sent to a district manager for evaluation", and then "another 4-5 days for the body shop we work with to take a look at it - that's about 2 weeks you won't have your car, sir". basically dragged his foot on this one.

so i then called-up Oursman - the first one i should have gone to, since the clerk gave me an emphatic invite, saying that it happens with these cars, so far reaffirming the good things those of you who have recommended Oursman have said. i will remember to ask for Jim McNutt, and i am hopeful that my luck will run better there.

. . and as for Sheehy, i wouldn't go to any based on my experience at their Springfield location.

thanks, and i will keep you all posted as well.

dcl...

The big black service writer is the man. He knows how to motivate the techs to get off their a$$es and get to having you car ready. So if you walk in and he's available:

Use him.

I also bought my Contour there and used them for the entire warranty period. Used Merchant's after the warranty was up though.