Anyone know how I would go about fighting this?

jsxtreme

Administrator
Staff member
I'll try to keep this short as possible.

I turned in a leased 2013 GMC Terrain to Sellers GMC and leased a new 2016 GMC Terrain.

Sales man washed the vehicle, looked it over and saw no damage that was outside of the normal wear and tear. He thought it was in great shape.

Fast forward a month I get a letter from Ally stating there was damage to the rear quarter. I call my sales guy, he pulls up the photos from the 3rd party inspector to see the damage and there is no damage there. He calls Ally and spoke to them about it. They didnt see the damage either in the photos. He calls me back, tells me to toss the letter and not to worry about it. All set.

Today (about 6 weeks later) I get a phone call from Ally collections that I still owe for the damages. I pull up the photos to see this damage myself, there is no damage. The panel they claim is damaged looks perfect.

I called Sellers back today, spoke to a manager. He looked at the photos, saw no damage and is going to speak to his Ally rep to try to get this charge removed.

If they don't remove the charge, what should my next course of action be? Im not going to give in and pay them just to make this head ache go away. Lawyer up? Small claims court? I dont know how to approach this if they don't overturn this charge.
 
Im not 100% sure of the next step. If the dealer reported that you turned it in with no damage (AND there is documentation), you signed a document that stated there is no damage, you should be covered. I would go up the chain at Ally. Talk to the managers and manager's manager. This seems pretty cut and dry.
 
Never signed a document that there was no damage as far as I remember. Dealer doesn't have a say. Its the 3rd party inspector that documents any damage.
 
I'm having the same issue with Chrysler Capital right now on a lease turn in. Door got scratched after the dealer took possession. I was told by my salesman to dispute it and eventually they will drop it. Good luck.
 
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This happened to me when I turned in my 05 Sierrra at Mattick. I had the service manager look over the vehicle and sign off on it, which they didn't want to do.

Fast forward a few months I get the turn in inspection from GMAC and the front bumper was completely cracked and hanging off. Looked like a porter hit one of their huge parking blocks. They called the service manager and confirmed he inspected it and it was perfect. GMAC removed the charges immediately, but told me this was my "one freebie". Blah blah blah....

Their turn in policy was to leave the car there and their inspectors come and look at them at a later date. I was to trust that the dealer wouldn't damage it in that time. I'm glad I didn't.
 
Although I do make it a point to turn in a lease car as dirty as possible and about 30 min. before closing on a Monday or Thursday. They'll sign just about anything to get you out the door...:lol:
 
If the onsite dealer cannot act as an authoritative representative for the 3rd party inspector, then how can the 3rd party inspect the vehicle without you being present? Seems like a racket/scam.
 
When I was at Mercedes, we had to perform a Lease turn-in inspection for all of the cars going back. It paid .5 hrs and we documented all flaws, dings, service history and condition of wear items (tires/brakes). I don't think the customer got a copy, pretty sure it was internal and was also sent to corporate for documentation. Im wondering if they have anything like that at your dealer.
 
So how does a person protect themselves? I have two leases to go back in the next two years. One FCA, one GM. I don't trust them enough to just drop them off and hope for the best.

Dennis
 
A photo with a date stamp showing the plate was removed and on the date you turned the car in (you have to sign off on the turn in). I'd certainly try to get someone at the dealer to sign off that there is no damage if that's the case.
 
If you have more trouble with Ally let me know, one of their recent retirees attends my church and I can talk to her Sunday to see who you should talk to. She may not know since she was on the finance side working directly with dealerships.
 
Dont deal with Ally, from all I've seen and heard about people with their lease turn in and trying to sell their vehicle, it seems like nothing but a headache.
I'm sure its probably not possible to not deal with them, but thats my thought.
What a PITA!
 
Dont deal with Ally, from all I've seen and heard about people with their lease turn in and trying to sell their vehicle, it seems like nothing but a headache.
I'm sure its probably not possible to not deal with them, but thats my thought.
What a PITA!

This is the first time I've had an issue with Ally, thankfully the new vehicle is through GM financial. But that's beside the point now, I've got to figure this out.
 
I have a Ram going back tonight from Ally. It has one small mark above bumper. We'll see how this one goes.
 
Some of these lease deals are amazing and extremely tempting, but stuff like this is what scares me from pulling the trigger
 
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