Camaro owner records mechanics abusing car

[Bates]

Voice recording of the incident here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4Dh_82kMM&feature=plcp

"When you own a sports car, you inevitably get a little paranoid about how it's treated when in the care of strangers. One South Carolina man was worried enough that when he took his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS in for service at a Chevy dealer, he hid a voice recorder in the car. He was right to be worried: The recorder caught mechanics doing burnouts and discussing how to make the owner pay for a ruined clutch the car didn't have before coming in. Now the Internet Justice League has taken the wheel.William Clark says he took his Camaro to Best Chevrolet-Kia in Easley, S.C. for a clunking noise in the car's six-speed manual transmission. After a previous visit to a different dealer, his Camaro had died shortly after Clark retrieved it; while he suspected the staff at that dealership of joyriding, he had no proof at the time.

This time, the voice recorder hidden in the door pocket catches employees doing several burnouts and hard launches in the Camaro; Smith later says the techs drove it harder in 20 minutes than he had in three years. Once back in the shop, the mechanics realize the Camaro's clutch has been fried, and come up with a plan to blame the damage on Smith, saying to "write it up as him buying a (expletive) clutch," while saying another part failed under warranty so that General Motors would pay for its replacement.

Smith says he's taken his evidence to the dealer and Chevrolet customer service; the dealer offered to reassess the damage or take the Camaro as a trade-in on another car, but refused Smith's demand to buy the car back. Smith says Chevrolet customer service washed it hands of the problem, saying it was an issue between him and the dealer. As of the last update, the car's smoked clutch remains untouched.

Unfortunately for Smith, there's few other steps he can take that don't end in court. Dealers are regulated by states; Clark can file a complaint with South Carolina officials, but even with an audio recording the assessment of damage isn't so clear-cut as if the mechanics had wrecked it on a test drive. Instead, other Camaro owners have taken up the cause, posting Smith's video to the dealership's Facebook page and otherwise making noise about the problem.

You can hear the entire exchange, including the profanity, here. A lawyer for Best Chevrolet, in a request to Yahoo Autos to take down this story, told us in an email that the audio was "misleadingly edited." Clark has said the dealership has threatened to sue him over the audio, but has also spoken with him about buying the Camaro back. The dealership may soon learn that in the Internet era, one burnt clutch can create quite the stink.

UPDATE: General Motors says in a statement that if the recording is valid it does not condone the behavior described, and that it is "actively working closely with the dealer to resolve this situation to the customer's satisfaction."

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/camaro-owner-records-mechanics-abusing-car-scheming-damages-152707580.html

[Errly Dabbin]

I just saw this on my other forum... We were just talking about this in my automotive class the other day, and damn it happened... I would be piisssed.

[AutobahnRacer]

Can't trust anyone nowadays.

[TNTramair]

what a bunch of scumbag techs.

[mcperson2k]

When I was going to school in TN, I saw this A LOT. I couldn't tell you how many times we would walk past dealer garages, and see all kinds of cars, from minivans to a yaris, sliding around and doing burnouts on the smooth surface of the garage.

[Foolinaround]

I don't understand why its so hard to not drive in other customers cars like an asshole? As an advisor myself this makes me agitated; you wanna be able to trust your techs,then they do this ****.

[99corvette]

Posted this video the other day on another site I go on a lot. This has gone viral. From what I have heard is the owner made the video private due to the dealership agreeing to buy his car back, but now they changed their mind again. The original video is back up on youtube again.

[inteva6184]

If this sound clip is real those guys are about the dumbest sob's around. I find it hard to believe they killed a clutch in just 20 minutes of abuse unless it was already just about done.

[Bates]

If this sound clip is real those guys are about the dumbest sob's around. I find it hard to believe they killed a clutch in just 20 minutes of abuse unless it was already just about done.

It's not that hard to kill a clutch if you know what you are doing lol.

[c7scayman]

I took my car to the body shop to fix a dent in rear bumper. I was rear ended at a red light.

When I picked up my car a few days later, the body shop specialist said "This is a fast car. The exhaust sounds great. I drove it around when I was running errands."

He basically confessed to me that he took a joy ride in my car. I didn't know how to react in that situation. I let it go since he charged me 1/3 the cost of other body shops.

[Bates]

I took my car to the body shop to fix a dent in rear bumper. I was rear ended at a red light.

When I picked up my car a few days later, the body shop specialist said "This is a fast car. The exhaust sounds great. I drove it around when I was running errands."

He basically confessed to me that he took a joy ride in my car. I didn't know how to react in that situation. I let it go since he charged me 1/3 the cost of other body shops.

As far as I know that is standard practice for a mechanic. Driving it around town (not beating on it) is a great way to make sure the car is running properly. Sometimes a quick trip around the block after fixing a car isn't always going to be enough to make sure everything is okay and safe. My mechanic takes cars on the highway after certain jobs because you just need to test the car at higher speeds.

[Mr.2jz-GE]

Hire professionals not idiots. That's why I am scared to go to dealerships.. Yay for knowing how to work on your own car :D

[AutobahnRacer]

@2JZ Noooo ****tt.

[99corvette]

The guy says he went through all 6 gears without using the clutch.

[c7scayman]

As far as I know that is standard practice for a mechanic. Driving it around town (not beating on it) is a great way to make sure the car is running properly. Sometimes a quick trip around the block after fixing a car isn't always going to be enough to make sure everything is okay and safe. My mechanic takes cars on the highway after certain jobs because you just need to test the car at higher speeds.

But this guy was not a mechanic. This was a body shop. He just popped out a dent and repainted the rear bumper. He had no business driving my car.

[SHOdude]

found another like since the OP's seems to be taken down, this is disgraceful the only way you should EVER launch a customers car is if its built for racing and ment to launch and the complaint is about the launch itself, even at that you should rip the diff apart first and if nothing seems wrong after a visual inspection take it for a test. thats horse **** I'd take it out of their salary, but what can you really expect when dealer ships would rather hire the jackass straight out of UTI rather then a seasoned tech just because they can pay them less...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRJsjrz6Duo

[WolfsFang]

when i went to do a timing belt on my evo i got it back with 150+ miles on it. Started screaming at the techs so they gave me 1/2 off. Then my car started to run lean as soon as i turned it on in their parking lot. Fuel pumped died and then they stripped bolts changing the fuel pump. So i just kept yelling at them and i got the fuel tank for free :)

[EvlEgl]

My father works for Land Rover...And it's common practice for him to take home a customers car for the night...But to ensure the problem he was working on was fixed. Usually he takes them home if they throw CEL's or are "Making" Noises...But he always treats it like his own car and takes care of them and makes sure he does his best to not harm it in anyway.

He has only ever had one accident in his 30 Plus years of being a Mechanic. And he got T boned by a Girl who ran a stop sign back in 87'.

But this behavior with the camaro, I told my dad about it and it made his blood boil...he said the only cars you beat on are the ones that haven't been bought yet...They had a whole lot full of camaro's to test drive if they wanted...why **** with a customers pride and joy?

And it just goes to show you how ****ty dealerships can be...To not compensate this guy and to try and wash there hands of it without fixing it...Oh I'd be ****ing HOT!!

[WolfsFang]

he said the only cars you beat on are the ones that haven't been bought yet...


thats basically the same **** as what these techs did to the camaro. Someone is going to buy those cars and they might have problems down the road due to this. The ONLY car you beat on are your own and rentals.

[AutobahnRacer]

thats basically the same **** as what these techs did to the camaro. Someone is going to buy those cars and they might have problems down the road due to this. The ONLY car you beat on are your own and rentals.

Well it was a constructive post until the last part lol

[01NightHawk]

A friend of mine had his STi at a dealer for some repairs - they wanted to take it for a "joy ride" and asked him why the car only hit "x" amount of RPMs when they brought it back.... thankfully he was smart and changed his limiter prior to bringing it in for a repair. They point blank admitted to beating on the car because it was modified.


Can't stand dealerships...

[jpalamar]

The few times I've had to drop my cars off for work I've always told the tech to make sure he drives the car hard after the repairs to make sure the car is solid. My only request is that they don't launch or roast the tires.

I've never had any issues because of this.

[WolfsFang]

A friend of mine had his STi at a dealer for some repairs - they wanted to take it for a "joy ride" and asked him why the car only hit "x" amount of RPMs when they brought it back.... thankfully he was smart and changed his limiter prior to bringing it in for a repair. They point blank admitted to beating on the car because it was modified.


Can't stand dealerships...

Dam that is a really smart idea.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[PAFirefighter11]

I've worked for more dealerships than I can count on two hands. Most of the other employees were very good with customer cars. It was usually the dealer owned cars that were beat on, obviously prior to purchase of a customer. Some of my best friends are techs at current dealerships and I know they would not do anything like this. However, they are car guys that give a **** about their rides... and respect others.

However, now that I think about it.. one of our dealer trader sales reps totalled a company Viper, and then a customer Viper on 73 in Blue Bell...

[EvlEgl]

thats basically the same **** as what these techs did to the camaro. Someone is going to buy those cars and they might have problems down the road due to this. The ONLY car you beat on are your own and rentals.

I disagree :-p

I see your point...But The sheer fact that noone owns the cars on the lot yet already makes it less conducive than what these assclowns did.

You think people that work at dealerships of all makes and models dont take out cars and beat on them that havent sold yet? It may not be the techs...but I can sure as hell put money on a sales rep/manager taking any car you can think of for a test drive.

If someone gave you the keys to an unbought performance car off a dealer lot and said go drive it you wouldnt rip on it at all?

[EvlEgl]

I've worked for more dealerships than I can count on two hands. Most of the other employees were very good with customer cars. It was usually the dealer owned cars that were beat on, obviously prior to purchase of a customer. Some of my best friends are techs at current dealerships and I know they would not do anything like this. However, they are car guys that give a **** about their rides... and respect others.

However, now that I think about it.. one of our dealer trader sales reps totalled a company Viper, and then a customer Viper on 73 in Blue Bell...

Case in Point...

[OutToWinPAHC]

I wish we knew what happened at the end of all this.

[jpalamar]

I wish we knew what happened at the end of all this.

Dealer bought the car back from the guy for slightly above KBB. The profits were dontated to charity.

[Supraru]

A friend of mine had his STi at a dealer for some repairs - they wanted to take it for a "joy ride" and asked him why the car only hit "x" amount of RPMs when they brought it back.... thankfully he was smart and changed his limiter prior to bringing it in for a repair. They point blank admitted to beating on the car because it was modified.


Can't stand dealerships...

Was this at Rafferty Subaru? This sounds identical to what happened at our dealer. My friend did a short block on this kids modded sti. He said he was going to break it in and get it tuned then bring it back for inspection. Kid came back when it was due and the job came back to my friend since he did the engine work and recommended the inspection.

He saw the kid out front when he got in the car and he told him he got it tuned and was all happy and was telling him how awesome it pulled. He then told him on his test drive he didn't care if he got on it to feel the power but just don't beat the hell out of it. When my friend turned onto Rt 3 (4 lane highway) He figured it was fast so he saw his chance to pull out and pulled out. When he got on it to make it up the hill and to get up to speed so cars didn't hit him the limiter kicked in and he pulled over fast so cars doing 60 mph didn't rear end the car.

My friend pulled the car in pissed and told me he put on the valet mode on his cobb ap and this was after he told him he could get on it. Wouldn't have been funny if the cars hit him and killed him leaving his wife and 4 kids fatherless. He didn't even care to floor it but since he was ok'd he figured why not. I guess joke was on the kid because since he changed maps his readyness monitors weren't set and he had to pay extra money to have them set.

[Supraru]

Dam that is a really smart idea.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Great idea till it almost kills someone.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Dealer bought the car back from the guy for slightly above KBB. The profits were dontated to charity.
assflapping again i see

[inteva6184]

Great idea till it almost kills someone.

Actually sounds pretty funny to me. Maybe next time he wont pull in front of fast moving cars.

[Supraru]

Actually sounds pretty funny to me. Maybe next time he wont pull in front of fast moving cars.

Wow you're stupid. 8 am on west chester pike. There is no such thing as no cars coming.

[inteva6184]

Wow you're stupid. 8 am on west chester pike. There is no such thing as no cars coming.

Honestly i thought about mentioning how you make some of the dumbest posts ive seen on the forum but i took the high road. Now im just going to say it stop posting while youre ahead because you may possibly have down syndrome.

[jpalamar]

assflapping again i see



http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/camaro-owner-records-mechanics-abusing-car-scheming-damages-152707580.html

[Supraru]

Honestly i thought about mentioning how you make some of the dumbest posts ive seen on the forum but i took the high road. Now im just going to say it stop posting while youre ahead because you may possibly have down syndrome.

Yes me questioning someone's friends bad experience at a dealer which sounds very similar to what happened at our dealer is completely dumb. Congrats on being dumb.

[DaveSTi]

Happened to my old STi. Traded it in to Kelly Mitsubishi on Lehigh Street for my old Evo X. The techs broke the short shifter on the car and complained about transmission issues after the trade-in because they were beating on the car. The service advisor even admitted to me that everyone in the dealership had a go at the car and told me how fast it was and how great of a job I did building it. Then he wanted me to setup an appointment to bring my Evo in for service. I grabbed my key and walked out never to return. I wouldn't trust those techs or dealership with anything I own....even if it technically was their property after the trade....joyriding and beating on my old STi and breaking it (!!) prior to resale....pretty ****ty.

[J240]

I'm the one that Suparu is talking about.
I built the motor at work and test drove it to make sure everything was good. and it was. Customer took the car and came back in some time later to get an inspection. So I have to drive the car( not JOY RIDE it). When the customer is writen up for work he told my writer "I just had it tune and he can take it out and see how it is just don't beat on it."
So the writer told me and Okay really? so get in the car go to pull out and 3500rpms hit a wall and it takes me a few seconds to realize what just happened. In those few seconds was enough time for the traffic to get to where I was. Had just enough time to pull to the side. That **** spookied me. Look I'm fine with a customer doing that, but let the person know, not say "see how it feels". I only had to drive the car up the street and back. I was able to drive it just fine once I knew the limiter was set where it was. The customer wasted his own time by doing this though. He said later that he flashed it in the parking lot when he got here. Well I ran the IM test and it didn't pass cause none of the readiness monitors were set, cause of him flashing it.
I don't care about beating other peoples cars. I can do that to my own car every day if I want and I have no interest in even taking a chance of breaking some ones car. Your cars not worth my job to me. So for some Moron to say "Can't stand Dealerships" is a close minded idiot. You think taking a car to an independant means what? Your car won't get test driven(joy ride)? They have to drive it for Inspection too, just like us. And asking a customer why their car only did 3500rpm's was at the time a fair question to ask.

[01NightHawk]

Was this at Rafferty Subaru? This sounds identical to what happened at our dealer. My friend did a short block on this kids modded sti. He said he was going to break it in and get it tuned then bring it back for inspection. Kid came back when it was due and the job came back to my friend since he did the engine work and recommended the inspection.

He saw the kid out front when he got in the car and he told him he got it tuned and was all happy and was telling him how awesome it pulled. He then told him on his test drive he didn't care if he got on it to feel the power but just don't beat the hell out of it. When my friend turned onto Rt 3 (4 lane highway) He figured it was fast so he saw his chance to pull out and pulled out. When he got on it to make it up the hill and to get up to speed so cars didn't hit him the limiter kicked in and he pulled over fast so cars doing 60 mph didn't rear end the car.

My friend pulled the car in pissed and told me he put on the valet mode on his cobb ap and this was after he told him he could get on it. Wouldn't have been funny if the cars hit him and killed him leaving his wife and 4 kids fatherless. He didn't even care to floor it but since he was ok'd he figured why not. I guess joke was on the kid because since he changed maps his readyness monitors weren't set and he had to pay extra money to have them set.



After receiving the following PM from you, I took the time to look back into my posts to see what you were talking about.

"You never responded back? I see you're right in a area as well so I can only assume your story came from Rafferty. My suggestion is at least get the story right before you spout off misinformation and look like a douche."

I'm really a non-confrontational person.... so here it is in the open for all to see. - please don't "assume", since that makes you just as much in the wrong as I would be for (in your words) "not getting the story right"

I don't know what dealership it was, I was just sharing a situation that happened to a friend - and what I had posted was exactly how it was explained to me. If that was an incorrect recollection of what had happened, than I don't know what you want me to say. Sorry for your friend being completely fine and you wanting to blow some steam off on me?

For all we know, this may have been a coincidence. Since during the time this all happened - the car was not in PA.

Said friend did not return to whichever dealership did the work after getting the car back. He had the car inspected by a small shop and sold it afterwards, wanting to get rid of the bad taste tuner cars had left in his mouth.

I'm not out to make enemies here, but receiving that PM really rubbed me the wrong way.


My opinion on not standing dealerships is not because of that one situation. I would never base it on someone else's experience, since I have plenty of my own. That just happened to be the first that had come to mind.

Mods and fellow enthusiasts - I apologize for taking this thread OT and understand if this post were to be deleted.

[Honduh]

Im a tech. I drive customer cars hard after repairs because I rather the car break on me rather than break down on the customer on the side of the road. If the car breaks from few seconds of hard acceleration it was probably about to break anyway. But there is a difference from driving hard and beating on.

[jpalamar]

Im a tech. I drive customer cars hard after repairs because I rather the car break on me rather than break down on the customer on the side of the road. If the car breaks from few seconds of hard acceleration it was probably about to break anyway.

Thats exactly how I feel to. When I let me people drive my car they always baby it because they don't wanna break it. I always tell them if it breaks on them it would do the same on me.

[Aegis]

this is why i dont trust most garages