Florida Porsche Dealer Wrecks Customer's Car and Doesn't Care

One of the best places online for Porsche owners is the Rennlist, a locally-operated but international Porsche forum.  The members are among the most knowledgeable Porsche people anywhere, and they help each other like Amish at a barn-raising.  Recently, a list user had a bad experience with a Porsche dealer. Not your routine bad car dealer experience (who would bother writing about those?), but a remarkably bad one.  Story, with corrections, after the jump.

It's not resolved yet, so this tale is open-ended.  In brief, the customer -we'll call him G.- had his Porsche flat-bedded to the the dealer for mechanical work.  While test-driving it, the technician turned left against oncoming traffic and took the hit you see above. No one was hurt.  The police issued the technician a citation for the improper turn.

The dealer estimated the damage at $6,000 and offered to fix G.'s car in their own shop, of course.  When he inquired about compensation for the diminution in value, they gave him the run-around.  After several calls or meetings with people at higher and higher levels of responsibility in the dealership, he finally got to the owner - who called him a little girl.  Well, to be more specific, the dealer said something like, "You're acting like my 15 year-old daughter."  Another Rennlister later proposed that the perfect response would have been, "Why? Does she complain when you to try to fuck her?"  But that's beside the point.  (I told you it was a good forum.)

The estimate turned out to be about $10,000, and the dealership is refusing to step up on the diminished value.  We'll see what happens.  Several of the lawyers on the board are urging G. to get counsel, myself included.  Stay tuned.

Moral?  I don't know.  Car dealers suck?  It's not much of a moral if you already have it internalized, but there it is.

Correction: I originally wrote that the higher damage estimate was from a third party, but it wasn't.  The $10,000 estimate was from the dealer that damaged the car.

Update: The car owner has named the dealership as The Collection in Coral Gables, Florida. So far, it looks like The Collection is well on the way to losing a bunch of customers.  Many Rennlisters live in that area and some have announced their intent to boycott the place.  If anyone from The Collection wants to tell another side of the story, feel free to email or comment.

Update 2: I originally wrote that the dealer [the Collection] denied the existence of diminished value.  I was wrong.  The dealer simply said it would be hard to prove.  That's factually accurate; it is hard to prove.  But that's not the point.  G. shouldn't have to prove anything.  The dealer should readily and quickly acknowledge that there will be diminished value after the repair, and he should work with G. to come to an agreement about it.  The Collection should make all assumptions in the customer's favor.  That's how one should treat customers.

Final Update: The Collection responded.  (Go to end of thread for their letter.)  It's not resolved yet, but they appear to be talking.

Comments

[Racedriven]

Providing that this story is 100% true and it happen, then there is two ways to look at it..
1. Since the car was in the dealerships posession while the technician was driving it and had an accident, then the dealership should pay to fix it back to the way it was when it came into the shop.
2. Since the technician made the driver mistake (to say the least), then the technician's insurance company should have to pay for the repairs.

Either way, this is not the car owners fault and now the car owner should sue that dealership for $10,000 plus all court, lawyer and etc fees.

This is not customer service at all, best thing for the dealership to do rightnow is to admit they did it, pay for the repairs and say they are sorry and hopefully they will not loss anymore business...customers do remember things like this..See Yeah!

[carpundit]

Well, the tech was working so his insurance company won't touch this. It's all on the dealership. I hope he can work it out without suing, because his lawyer's fees will dwarf his recovery.

[ken gorin]

Posted in reply to the situation and rennlist responses:

Dear Rennlist Forum Members,

I am Ken Gorin, president of THE COLLECTION in Coral Gables, Florida. It has never been our practice to discuss our customers publicly. However, since Mr. Gittlemen has opened these discussions, I felt it best to respond.

THE COLLECTION prides itself in providing its customers with the highest level of customer service. Client care is, and always will be, our number one priority. We recognize that the situation with Mr. Gittleman was unfortunate and have swiftly taken the necessary steps to ensure his satisfaction in the resolution of this matter. The same day of the accident, the claim was reported to our insurance company. The car was promptly and professionally appraised by the insurance company’s adjustor and our insurance company has agreed to pay for both the needed repairs and diminished value in this regrettable accident. In addition, we wholeheartedly encourage Mr. Gittleman take his vehicle to the body shop of his choice.

Most importantly, we are thankful that there were no personal injuries as a result of this accident.

It is unfortunate that certain members of this forum have seen fit to make personal attacks against myself and my daughter. These comments are outrageous, hurtful, unwarranted and defamatory. We will not publicly respond further to these attacks. Instead, we will stand behind our outstanding reputation as one of this country’s preeminent luxury automotive dealerships.

Ken Gorin, President

THE COLLECTION

[beni]

Good site - you\'re a pretty good writer.r

[robin]

Big thanx to webmaster!5

[iou]

Excellent web site I will be visiting often.u

its only a automobile

if you dont know how to repair it dont buy one,(chicago porsche technition 28yrs0 i laugh at all the clowns that think they know it all about their carreas or 944s, when i repair mine i pay very little
, and when i need another ride i buy those that are wrecked
, repair them drive em , i save thousnads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hillari]

Good site - you\'re a pretty good writer.t

The Collection is absolute GARBAGE!!!! My family and I have owned a few cars which we purchased at the collection and i must say that the place is an absolute disaster! Not only did they crash my vehicle, but also another belonging to a relative of mine. My father and I both refuse to buy anything from the collection, and i know several people who agree as well.

[Car Dealer Finder]

The comapny should be broughtin the courtt if it doesnot pay for what mishap they have done. They should know their fault

[Raji Thampi]

Hi Mr. Gorin,
You are one guy who is trying to swim against the tide. You think US public is not ready to accept Tata? Well then try to run and hide. If you have enough guts, well then move off the JAg dealership since from today it is official. And finally who are you, Sir, to decide to whom Ford should be selling thier things? To best of my knowledge, you are not in the board of Ford.
And oh, yes. Remember IBM? FYI, it is now owned by Lenova, from China. After all USA has only 500 years of history to talk about and culture to think about. So small time guys like you can talk the talk but can never walk the talk.
RT

[Brittany]

GET A FUCKING LIFE YOU LOSERS!
[email protected]

[sarah]

wow!

[james blake]

Ya,it's great to follow this pretty site.It's regarding a dealer asking for some compensation amount from the Owner.Some other things are also descirbed irrelevant of the topic....
james blake
Used Cars

[james blake]

I think something gone wrong with car's dealer.Hope everything goes well and the dispute among them resolves soon.
blake
[url=http://used.gov-auctions.org]]Used Cars[/url]

[desmondgale]

I like cars very much and i want to ride in the nights. Because it is a calm going time. I had collected many pictures of the cars.
============================================
desmondgale

Auto Auctions

who cares

His a LOSER, look what I found on him.

COURT CASE: F08020634
State Case#: 132008CF0206340001XX Name: GORIN, KENNETH GORIN DOB: 12/25/1955
Date Filed: 06/09/2008 Date Closed: 00/00/0000 Warrant Type:
Hearing Date: 10/24/2008 Hearing Time: 930 Hearing Type: R
Courtroom: REGJB-JUSTICE BUILDING, ROOM#:4-3
Address: 1351 N.W. 12 ST
Next Case:
Previous Case:
Judge: LEBAN, MARK KING
Defense Attorney: ROTHMAN, DAVID
Bfile Section: F019 File Location: COURT Box Number: -
Seq# Charge Charge Type Disposition
1 COCAINE/POSSESSION FELONY
2 CANNABIS/POSN/0-20 MISDEMEANOR
3 DRUG PARAPHERNA/POSN MISDEMEANOR

[shane]

Hello there, Can any one suggest some good websites that can assist in finding a good rate for auto insurance? I have found a great website that has helped me find an incredible rate,

http://www.carinsuranceassistant.com/index.php?id=New+Car
they give you the best rates from lots of local providers

[1990tegg]

and the funny part is he just got arrested again (05-27-2009 in the evening) for indecent exposure with another man....

and the plot thickens... LMFAO

[El Chapo]

Ken Orin; Indecent exposure while 'orinating'.

[Generic Viagra]

what happen with your car!!

[Viagra Online]

Hello what happend to youre car The estimate turned out to be about $10,000, and the dealership is refusing to step up on the diminished value. We'll see what happens. Several of the lawyers on the board are urging G. to get counsel, myself included. Stay tuned.have that in mine
John B. Barnhart

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