Car wash B.S

[wingzero]

So I'm coming back home from school yesterday in my civic (my 240's got way too many miles on it and I don't wanna spend any money on the KA if it breaks down), I stop by a texaco to fill up on gas, and I figure "what the hell, might as well get it washed too" I usually was it by hand but I'm too busy this weekend. After going in and getting the car washed, the sign said "please exit", I drove forward and I heard a bump, it didn't sound like anything too bad. I went all the way home, after I got out of the car, I saw the bumper had come off on the right side, because my apexi N1 exhaust was pushing all the way up now. I jacked the car up and saw that the exhaust piping was damaged in the middle of the A-pipe, the beginning of the mid-pipe, and the beginning of the Axle-back section was crushed, only one of the rubber hangers was still hooked up, the others wouldn't push back that far. I took it back to the station, and the manager said there's nothing in the car wash that could've done something like that, even though I just went back there today to review the video of my car being washed and it clearly showed my bumper and muffler intact as I entered the car wash, and the muffler angled all the way up as I was exiting, and manager tried to feed me some b.s. about not seeing anything wrong with it. He said If I wanna take this any further I've got to deal with the corporate branch or whatever. I don't wanna drag this out any more than I have to, but it doesn't seem like this guy's gonna give, what do you guys think I should do?

[Emperor]

If its worth it to you, go all the way. I work retail, and when you bring it to corporate, it always goes your way. and hell there is a freaking video of it.

[that180guy]

Ask for a copy of the video and take it to the small claims court. The Judge should definately be on ur side upon seeing the video.

Corporate branch?! ha. Has nothing to do wif it. It is his station outta the chain, there fore supposedly he supposely suppose to deal with it.....I think (correct me if im wrong)

[wingzero]

Yeah it is, but he says the car wash is run by someone else, but the guy just reeked of b.s. though.

[Dano]

dude, get a copy of the video, crawl up their *** if u have to...thats gonna be ure only hope.

-Dan

[Freakmech]

get a copy of the video and then callsome lawyers. a lawyer will gladly take on this case with no money up front and he will get you a plenty of money to cover his fee and a new exhaust no problem. if there is a video this is a open and shut case. seriously

[Dano]

yep, and that faster u act on it, the better chance u have.... cuz most ppl wont care about it if u put it off for a while...

-Dan (dont know where im goin with that, i really need to start goin to bed earlier)

[s14sr20det]

That is some ****ed up ****.

[wingzero]

I know, cause when the muffler went up, it burned the rear bumper and totally ****ed up my rear lip, which they now discontinued for my model civic. But I really appericiate all the help from you guys. Yeah I guess I'll try to get a copy of the video tomorrow. I'm actually pleasantly surprised, I was almost certain someone would say something like "serves you right for driving a honda". If only K was here......sniff.....

S14sr, hows the prelude doin' bro? Damn thats a nice ride! I drove my brother's prelude to school today because I think the exhaust might fall off the civic, man that car got me there in like no time, if only it was rwd.

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

dont count your blessings yet wing......it's only a matter of time till K's vulture eys fall on this thread. Then I'm gonna get some marshmellows and toast away at your flaming carcass.

sue the hell out of then man. You have all the proof you need. Get a supena (sp) for that tape if you have to.

[ninjak84]

Ask for a copy of the video and take it to the small claims court.

You won't even need a lawyer, just a VCR in the court room.

[DAEDALUS]

I'll bet hard currency that the video won't be easily obtained. I highly expect more BS. "I lost the video" "It's store property" "We recorded over it" "I won't give it to you". If you actually get the video, don't get a lawyer. They work on contingency, and in all likelihood you will not be able to get any more than what it costs to fix your ride. No such thing as punitive damages in this case. You're not injured and nothing criminal took place. In small claims cases, the court usually sides with the plaintiff against a business, but be concise. Like Ninja said, just hit play. Show reasonably padded dollar amounts that you can validate, like with written shop estimates. Don't try to inflate your claims, or ask for more because of BS reasons. Too many people try this, thinking they'll get *most* of what they're asking, but it works against them in most cases. Unless you can prove a loss of income, the courts will usually deny compensation for your time and aggravation.

[red240ne]

I sort of agree with DAEDALUS, in that it may not even be worth it to take this to court. My dad deals with stuff like this all the time, and it ends up being more of a hassle than anything. Cases like this drag on forever because they don't get court dates right away, considering they're not as important as other cases.

My dad dealt with a case where his client was run over by a city vehicle. The city vehicle then drove away, and a witness helped my dad's client. You would think that this would be a big money case right?? Well, my dad got this case over 2 years ago, and I don't think they're anywhere near closing it. I think my dad has actually lost money in the process, and he doesn't expect a big payoff when it ends.

It shouldn't be hard to obtain the video though, because evidence like this would be crucial to a judge. If the car wash place doesn't have a good reason for losing the video, then I'm sure the judge won't be too happy.

[Mayhem_J30]

couldn't you just turn it in to your insurance then let them deal with the station? that's how they make money (besides robbing you) they sue people

[red240ne]

couldn't you just turn it in to your insurance then let them deal with the station? that's how they make money (besides robbing you) they sue people

I doubt the aftermarket exhaust would be covered by insurance.

[Mayhem_J30]

I doubt the aftermarket exhaust would be covered by insurance.

that could be debatable as window tint is covered and it's aftermarket. so is aftermarket stereo systems, speakers, paintjobs.

[red240ne]

I was talking to a guy about window tint yesterday. He does window tint. Well, I asked him if tint makes the car's resale value go down, but he said, "no, it actually makes it go up". I had to disagree with him though. What do you guys think? Consider window tints that fade to chrome or shiny color. Not everyone would want that.

[wingzero]

I sure as hell wouldn't, not the silvery "limo tint" anyways.

I just got a call today from some guy at the corporate office, and he says that they won't pay me or can't be held responsible because there's a sign outside that says they're not responsible for any damage to your car, but its not somewhere you'd look at before going in the car wash, its on the wall all the way up before you enter? This would probably make it harder to have a case against them, I dunno, this is just really annoying, all I wanted was to have my car washed.

[fenrisx]

I sure as hell wouldn't, not the silvery "limo tint" anyways.

I just got a call today from some guy at the corporate office, and he says that they won't pay me or can't be held responsible because there's a sign outside that says they're not responsible for any damage to your car, but its not somewhere you'd look at before going in the car wash, its on the wall all the way up before you enter? This would probably make it harder to have a case against them, I dunno, this is just really annoying, all I wanted was to have my car washed.

If an old lady can sue McDonalds b/c she spilled the coffee she bought there and got third degree burns..then you shouldn't have TO much of a problem. Well, you might..but anythings possible these days.

[Syntax360]

if there is a sign, I seriously doubt they can be held responsible :-(. I think they pull out all that "you shoulda known the rules before you used our equipment" kinda thing. In the end, ur responsible for understanding the risks of things when the information is available..... my 2 cents

[y3llows14]

Have you guys heard the story where this guy sued some woman because she gave him HIV from raping her? What the hell...he raped the woman and actually have the balls to sue her?

[Bubba1]

Wing. Sorry about your trouble at the carwash. That sucks. But you will have problems collecting if you pursue it legally. You won't win a punitive damage complaint, as they were upfront with warnings. As far as compensatory damages, remember, even if you win, you'd still have to pay your attorney who will take a percentage of any winnings. If the repairs are just a few hundred bucks, I say bite the bullet and get it done, less hassle. You could report them to the BBB, and tell your friends not to use them based on your experience, but that's about it.

red240ne. No one that's trying to sell you window tint will ever tell you their work reduces your car's value. Whatever value increase/decrease would be very minor at best. But how much value depends on the quality of the tint job and where you're located. If it's a cheapie job, you're not helping value. If you live in Miami where dark tinting is almost a necessity, yeah it might help a little. If you live in NJ which has towns with limits on the darkness of window tint, and a large segment of people that do not consider tinting an improvemt, it might reduce the value as the next owner may want or need to remove it.

[big jon's 240]

This i why i always wash my car at home. I worked at a car wash when i was a kid, and you would be suprised at some of the **** that goes on when you cant see your car. ( I vaccumed up the key to this ladies lexus once, and then told her she forgot to leave me her key. :devil ) But they are right about the sign, we ahd one, as do most car washes. Its mostly for things like antennas and mirrors that have a bad habit of falling off. But it is a cover all, so i think you may be screwed man.

You can always go back and rob the place!

[Get240DiZzY]

Have you guys heard the story where this guy sued some woman because she gave him HIV from raping her?

Or the story about the guy who had sex with a girl he picked up at a bar, and 3 days after the cops showed up at his house because the girl had multiple personalities and claimed he had raped one of her personalities, even though her other personality had conceded. He got jail time, but I don't remember how much.

Kinda off subject, but interesting nonetheless.

[stretch240sx]

ok IMO i think you are SOL. sorry about it, it suck but at least it didnt happen to your 240 :rolleyes

oh and the woman that sued Mc donalds was because they didnt hav e a warning and she was lawsuit happy. and since the car wash has a warning that would kill your case dead in the water.

and the rape case is like the robber who breaks into a house and then falls down the stairs and then sues em for damgase and lost income because while he was in the hospitol he couldbe hitting other houses...

[that180guy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by y3llows14 "]Have you guys heard the story where this guy sued some woman because she gave him HIV from raping her? [/QUOTE

ahahahahhhaahah :asmile :asmile funny shiat. shows to say the level of stupidity in the world.

You guys remeber the one bout the husband cheating on the wife and she found out, n she chopped of Jr. ? Dude got lucky and they where able 2 reattach it. I think he also sued.....the pain.......

[wingzero]

What can you say, the world is a ****ed up place. I remember hearing a story about some guy who robbed an old lady's house, and while leaving, he tripped and broke his leg, he sued her and won. No one likes a sneaky, slimy son of a ***** lawyer until they need one.

I just took my civic to a local muffler shop, the guy charged me $170 to hammer it out, they did a pretty good job too, I'll post some pics later. it looks almost normal, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies, that's why I love this place! Hmm, but I might give some thought to robbing the place, as far as I'm concerned that was $170 that could've gone towards my sr20, luckily tax refunds aren't too far away. Whatever, thanks again guys.

[luis240sx]

I say follow through, you have the tape! For anyone else with a dropped ride avoid machine car washes, I was told once at the wash that my car was too low and could get damaged and thats all it took, no matter how busy I am I just wait and wash it myself. My car is only dropped about 2 inches.