I agree that it doesn't make sense to get ugly about it. I work in a service business and people can get pretty upset when their high end computer systems are down. So when they start yelling and screaming, I simply remind them that the clock is ticking. If you are losing money while the system is down, how is yelling at me getting the system back up. I have to get the focus back on the objective, to repair the system.
You must do the same thing with the car. You must go in with one objective: "To have the car repaired as good or better than it was when it went to the dealer." And you have to get the service manager to agree to your reasonable expectation.
Before you go in half cocked, see what they want to do.
Pictures are a good idea. I still believe a third party expert checking out there work is a good idea as well.
Like I said, it covers both you and the dealer.
If they do excellent work, then you will diminish the value of the car more by driving it and enjoying it than the dealership has done by bending some metal and breaking some plastic.
Just be reasonable and tell them what it takes to make you happy. Tell them you want them to be successful so you can be happy that you are working with a good dealership. Tell them you would hate to stop doing business with them because they won't make a bad situation, no fault of your own, right.
If they won't, then get the lawyer, etc.
But you have to convince them it is in their better interest to give you excellent service and workmanship.
Cheers,
TB
Tony Boner
Personal: 98cdw27@charter.net Work: tony.boner@sun.com
Saving the computer world from WinBloze as Unix/Solaris/Java Guru
http://www.sun.com 1998 Contour SVT Pre-E1 618/6535 Born On Date: 4/30/1997
Now with Aussie Bar induced mild oversteer.