That's terrible. Did you find out when you got your bill? Was it difficult getting the credit card company to reimburse you? Hope everything's okay now.
Dave, sounds like Dell and Chase were on top of it.
Years ago, my credit card issuer called me and asked if I purchased at a particular stereo chain. Turns out thieves got my wife's card number and started charging several thousand worth of stuff. The card issuer detected the pattern and called to verify the purchases. Once they knew it was stolen numbers, they automatically issued new cards and instructed us on how to handle the situation. Almost painless.
Based on your experience, I think I'll reserve one card for automatic payments and carry a different card in my wallet.
About 9-10 years ago my cell phone service provider notified me that they had changed my number because I had been "cloned". They knew my normal usage was minimal, and usually local in NJ, so when my number started making calls all over the US, mainly to Fla. and Cal., they automatically cancelled it and contacted me, issuing me a new number. Someone had run up about $3000 in charges in a weeks time. Luckily they caught it and took the appropriate actions, and I wasn't liable for any of it.
At that time (almost 1.5 year ago) I found about the fraud only when got my bill. Nowdays I'm checking my cards via web on almost daily basis. My credit card number got stolen in Kissimee, FL where I stayed 1 day and 1 night in Oct 2001. The actual card was not stolen. I reported to credit card company 3 places where I used my card in Kissimee(motel, diner and grocery shop) when I stayed there... hope they got the crooks arrested. The damage was almost $1000, but credit card refunded it in full. No, I did not get Subaru points (it was Subaru MBNA) for that.
Yeah, juice, I did, but the rear doors on the Studebaker XUV slide rather than open outward. The handles happen to be at the front of the door, not unlike a minivan's.
Yeah, who knows really? The reason van and minivan doors slide is a matter of convenience to the user; schlepping big things in and out of the side of the van without having to swing a big door out into traffic. This wouldn't seem to the be issue with a mega SUV.
I still don't know who this is targeted toward or who will pay $75K for it. As I commented earlier Studebaker wasn't seen as a high-end luxury car maker after WWII. They did build some luxury models in the '20s, '30s and early '40s but not during the lifetimes of their potential target market. I personally wonder if mroe than the prototype will ever see the light of day.
What follows is the epic saga of the repair job on my slightly crumpled Forester (please skip if not interested):
Remember my low-speed accident last month where I tagged the back end of a taxi and what should have been minimal damage wasn’t because the Forester nose-dived under the taxi’s bumper and absorbed the impact with its grill etc. I got three estimates that were all pretty close so I thought I’d play it safe and go with the dealer’s body shop (they also promised the quickest repair time). Well I took my Forester in two weeks ago today for what was supposed to be a 5-day repair job and just got it back this evening! What took you so long you ask? Well let me tell you. When I called the first Friday to ask if the Forester was ready for pick-up, I was told that it was still in the paint booth and wouldn’t be ready until the following Tuesday (no explanation for the delay given). So I called back on Tuesday and was told that it wouldn’t be ready until midday Wednesday. So I called back on Wednesday and was told that (get this) they had ordered and painted a 98-00 model hood and didn’t realize their mistake until they tried to mount it onto my 01 Forester. So now I’m told that they have to paint the right hood but that I’m their top priority and it should be ready on Thursday. Guess what? You got it, I call late Thursday afternoon and am told that my Forester is next in line for the paint booth (what happened to being their top priority?) and will be ready Friday. So I call Friday and am told that my Forester will be ready for pick-up (finally) after 5:00 PM. So I show up at the appointed time and the body shop tech is still putting everything back together but I get to inspect the work and everything looks okay. They even steam-cleaned the engine bay and it looks as good as new. So I go in to pay and shortly thereafter the tech wheels my Forester around to the door for pick-up. Finally I slide in behind the wheel and prepare to head home. But wait, what’s that light flashing on the dash? Why it’s the CEL (doh!). Meanwhile the body shop tech has already high-tailed it out of there for the day and there are no Subaru mechanics to be found. So I have no choice but to leave the Forester at the shop and am sent off with a promise that someone will call me on the morrow after they hook up the diagnostic equipment. Is anyone surprised that no one called me? Finally today I get a call (only the second time in this whole saga that they’ve been proactive enough to call me) that my Forester’s ready. The explanation given is that the body shop tech mistakenly hooked up the connector to the diagnostic module, which confused the engine and caused the CEL to flash (does that sound plausible?). Anyway, after waiting what seemed like forever, I finally have my Forester back home. Needless to say, I won’t be using that dealership (Royal Automotive Group in Decatur, GA) for any future bodywork. The end.
Well Frank, that's good to know. I've taken my '03 Forester to Royal for a couple of new car warranty items and have noticed that they NEVER call (as they say they will) to let me know when the part's in, etc. Since they're only a couple of miles away though I guess I'll keep going there for non-essential stuff. Hope your paint job outshines the experience.
My insurance company has a contract shop. No need for estimates, just bring it there and they'll take care of it.
When my wife smashed her Jeep, we dropped it off and it was ready as promised. She absolutely raved about how polite and sensitive they were as well as doing a great job. A perfect match on the Char-Gold paint.
My head is spinning from reading that. My insurance company has a contract shop like Jim mentioned. It turned out to be the same place I had planned to take it to anyway.
Bummer, Frank. Next time, call and leave a message that says "this is Frank from the NRA, you know, the gun collector, and I needed my Forester soon..."
I think I had you beat, though. On my Miata remember there was a gap near a window trim piece, which they then broke trying to close the gap, and GLUED it back together, as if that would be OK. They had to order a new one and put that on.
But wait, there's more! They forgot the center alloy wheel cover, which had been scratched, and which I had to ask for 3 times before they finally put it on.
They also had some overspray, which I asked them to clay off.
Jim- Yeah I live less than 2 miles away so I thought it would be real convenient to use Royal. Ha! I think the service was better before when it was Conley Subaru.
What really frosted me was the fact that they kept promising that my car would be ready "tomorrow" so I kept postponing a trip I had planned. But because it took so long I ended up canceling the trip. Had I known up front how long it was going to take, I could have gone ahead using a rental car. The other thing that really got me was not only did they almost never call; it took repeated daily calls on my part before I could get an answer as to my car's status. One time in particular really got my goat; I called and after being placed on hold for 5 minutes got disconnected. Called back and the receptionist/secretary finally told me that my car wasn't ready. She then got down right resentful when I asked her if she could find out when my car might be ready. It was like, why should I need to know that? And don't call us we'll call you. Not!
He probably did think it would be ready. The real problem is they probably have some 17 year old earning minimum wage ordering parts for them.
I suggest going direct to a wholesaler yourself. Then have the parts shipped direct to a body shop you trust. That way, you can't blame anyone but yourself if you order the wrong hood, and I'm sure you knew the 2001 hood was different.
Plus you save money. But you went with a dealer, and yeah, you tend to expect better service given their prices.
Ouch. That's one bad series of experiences. I've posted recently regarding my sad saga's at Flatiron Subaru in Boulder. Different problem (lousy QC), same outcome (extremely aggravated customer).
I called SOA and filed a formal complaint. SOA got back to me within 24 hours, stating that my issue had been entered into their internal database, and asking if there was anything they could do for me to resolve the situation.
I thought that was professional - it certainly took the sting out of the experience for me.
Kate- I vaguely remembered your ordeal but didn't remember that it had taken 3+ months! Louisville slugger? Heck I'd have been checking the Yellow pages for bulldozer rentals! ;-)
Well, Kana and I moved into our new home this Saturday. We took some days off last week to shuttle small stuff from our old to new location and saved the big stuff for when our friends and family showed up to help.
I had originally reserved a 17' UHaul truck w/auto tranny, but all they had was a 24 footer with a stick. The truck was a serious beater. The sides were all torn up from people taking turns too tight. The radiator leaked constantly requiring me to keep a big bottle of water handy. Suprisingly, the clutch was rather forgiving. The throws were super long and it's short gearing required starts in 2nd or 3rd. I don't think the truck was capable of speeds over 45mph.
Anyway, with a total of 12 people, we were able to get all of our stuff in the truck and out in about 4 hours tops. My friends even stayed around to help us unpack making the transition even smoother.
Our cat has been a little freaked out by the whole move, unsurprisingly. She was the last thing to go from the old place. It was kind of funny watching her wander around our old place with an expression on her face that seemed to say "somethings different here".
And so our saga with our first home begins. Last night we had a downpour here so I promptly walked around the house to check for any problems. Our home has an older solar water heater on the roof and to my dismay, there was a very small trickle of water coming down one of the support anchors. We were planning on removing it when we re-roofed, but it looks like it's going to need to go a little sooner. I'm hearing money go out the door (or roof) already!
I'm hoping on catching up with some sleep this week so I'll be ready for my marathon this Sunday. Wish me luck!
Congratulations on the new digs. Financially it will take a year or two for you to get back on solid ground. After that, you will be so glad you took the plunge.
Congratulations on completing the move. Our cats got a little confused too, but adjusted quickly. The funny part was watching them encounter stairs for the first time!
Yep, you'd better get used to money getting sucked out of your wallet.
Good luck on the marathon. Keep us posted on the results!
Basket of canned goods to tide you through the 'lean' times? .. lol As one who went from house to apartments for several years and back to house last year ... IT'S WONDERFUL ISN'T IT??? (Imagine banks letting us live in their houses ... )
Sorry to hear about the CC dave. What's shakin everyone?
Just got back Sunday night and was tied up Monday and catching up on work Tues. So I've finally made it back here.
The track event at VIR was totally awsome. 17 turns, Saturday we had torrential downpours all day with 40-50mph crosswinds. The subies in our group did great. On Saturday the only car to pass me was a 911turbo.
Cars of note that I passed on saturday: Several M3s Several Camaros A vette Z06 Mazda RX7, 626 Honda Del Slow Several Mustangs
Even in the dry I was able to keep up with the above mentioned cars, just in the straights they pulled away having a better HP->weight ratio.
Congratulations Ken! Owning a home is a very rewarding and satisfying experience. And while there will certainly be some unexpected expenditures in your future, over all you'll come out way ahead.
There is going to be a 2/3-day class at Summit Point put on by the BMWCA May 10-12. You have to sign up this saturday if interested. Here is a link to the event:
Well it turns out I was a bit premature in assuming that the final chapter in my repair saga had been written
When I picked up the Forester I inspected the front end pretty closely and was satisfied that they had done a good job. However, it didn’t occur to me that I should inspect the rest of the vehicle. Doh! Yesterday on the drive home I discovered three inch long scratches in the tint on the rear window that weren’t there before (I noticed when the Forester was in the repair bay that the back was open and was being used to store parts). So when I got home I decided to go over the car more thoroughly and immediately noticed a series of marks (4 feet in length) running down the driver’s side molding. I went to rub them off and quickly discovered that they were actually scrape marks, which had removed the paint down to the gray plastic. Argh!!!! I’m taking the Forester back in today to have the shop look at it but am fully expecting them to deny all responsibility.
Ken on your "castle". Try not to overwork yourself fixing it up. You will burn out and then do nothing for a year. Hopefully you have a garage that the car sits in. Oh, and we had to replace our roof 6 months after moving in too!
Frank - hang in there. If you time it right they will finish just before spring and you will have a clean, waxed car.
Comments
-Brian
That's terrible. Did you find out when you got your bill? Was it difficult getting the credit card company to reimburse you? Hope everything's okay now.
Ken
Years ago, my credit card issuer called me and asked if I purchased at a particular stereo chain. Turns out thieves got my wife's card number and started charging several thousand worth of stuff. The card issuer detected the pattern and called to verify the purchases. Once they knew it was stolen numbers, they automatically issued new cards and instructed us on how to handle the situation. Almost painless.
Based on your experience, I think I'll reserve one card for automatic payments and carry a different card in my wallet.
Thanks for sharing.
Jim
Len
BTW we have a winter storm warning in effect today, forcasting 30 centimeters or more snow mixed with freezing rain yuck.
Cheers Pat.
I didn't even pay attention to the Outbacks or the Baja. Shame on me!
-Brian
Cheers Pat.
Cheers Pat.
Ed: you notice the suicide doors on that Studebaker Hummer clone?
-juice
The Honda Element has true "suicide doors."
Ed
Any how, with that styling, I doubt that will be a problem. I read $75 grand though, ouch.
-juice
I still don't know who this is targeted toward or who will pay $75K for it. As I commented earlier Studebaker wasn't seen as a high-end luxury car maker after WWII. They did build some luxury models in the '20s, '30s and early '40s but not during the lifetimes of their potential target market. I personally wonder if mroe than the prototype will ever see the light of day.
Ed
Bob
Remember my low-speed accident last month where I tagged the back end of a taxi and what should have been minimal damage wasn’t because the Forester nose-dived under the taxi’s bumper and absorbed the impact with its grill etc. I got three estimates that were all pretty close so I thought I’d play it safe and go with the dealer’s body shop (they also promised the quickest repair time). Well I took my Forester in two weeks ago today for what was supposed to be a 5-day repair job and just got it back this evening! What took you so long you ask? Well let me tell you. When I called the first Friday to ask if the Forester was ready for pick-up, I was told that it was still in the paint booth and wouldn’t be ready until the following Tuesday (no explanation for the delay given). So I called back on Tuesday and was told that it wouldn’t be ready until midday Wednesday. So I called back on Wednesday and was told that (get this) they had ordered and painted a 98-00 model hood and didn’t realize their mistake until they tried to mount it onto my 01 Forester. So now I’m told that they have to paint the right hood but that I’m their top priority and it should be ready on Thursday. Guess what? You got it, I call late Thursday afternoon and am told that my Forester is next in line for the paint booth (what happened to being their top priority?) and will be ready Friday. So I call Friday and am told that my Forester will be ready for pick-up (finally) after 5:00 PM. So I show up at the appointed time and the body shop tech is still putting everything back together but I get to inspect the work and everything looks okay. They even steam-cleaned the engine bay and it looks as good as new. So I go in to pay and shortly thereafter the tech wheels my Forester around to the door for pick-up. Finally I slide in behind the wheel and prepare to head home. But wait, what’s that light flashing on the dash? Why it’s the CEL (doh!). Meanwhile the body shop tech has already high-tailed it out of there for the day and there are no Subaru mechanics to be found. So I have no choice but to leave the Forester at the shop and am sent off with a promise that someone will call me on the morrow after they hook up the diagnostic equipment. Is anyone surprised that no one called me? Finally today I get a call (only the second time in this whole saga that they’ve been proactive enough to call me) that my Forester’s ready. The explanation given is that the body shop tech mistakenly hooked up the connector to the diagnostic module, which confused the engine and caused the CEL to flash (does that sound plausible?). Anyway, after waiting what seemed like forever, I finally have my Forester back home. Needless to say, I won’t be using that dealership (Royal Automotive Group in Decatur, GA) for any future bodywork. The end.
-Frank P.
P.S. Thanks for allowing me to vent.
-Brian
- jim
My insurance company has a contract shop. No need for estimates, just bring it there and they'll take care of it.
When my wife smashed her Jeep, we dropped it off and it was ready as promised. She absolutely raved about how polite and sensitive they were as well as doing a great job. A perfect match on the Char-Gold paint.
Jim
-Dennis
I think I had you beat, though. On my Miata remember there was a gap near a window trim piece, which they then broke trying to close the gap, and GLUED it back together, as if that would be OK. They had to order a new one and put that on.
But wait, there's more! They forgot the center alloy wheel cover, which had been scratched, and which I had to ask for 3 times before they finally put it on.
They also had some overspray, which I asked them to clay off.
It's OK now so at least their work held up.
-juice
What really frosted me was the fact that they kept promising that my car would be ready "tomorrow" so I kept postponing a trip I had planned. But because it took so long I ended up canceling the trip. Had I known up front how long it was going to take, I could have gone ahead using a rental car. The other thing that really got me was not only did they almost never call; it took repeated daily calls on my part before I could get an answer as to my car's status. One time in particular really got my goat; I called and after being placed on hold for 5 minutes got disconnected. Called back and the receptionist/secretary finally told me that my car wasn't ready. She then got down right resentful when I asked her if she could find out when my car might be ready. It was like, why should I need to know that? And don't call us we'll call you. Not!
-Frank P.
I suggest going direct to a wholesaler yourself. Then have the parts shipped direct to a body shop you trust. That way, you can't blame anyone but yourself if you order the wrong hood, and I'm sure you knew the 2001 hood was different.
Plus you save money. But you went with a dealer, and yeah, you tend to expect better service given their prices.
-juice
I called SOA and filed a formal complaint. SOA got back to me within 24 hours, stating that my issue had been entered into their internal database, and asking if there was anything they could do for me to resolve the situation.
I thought that was professional - it certainly took the sting out of the experience for me.
-brianV
Just thought Frank P may feel better now...
-juice
Cheers Pat.
-Frank P.
Wow, sorry you had to go through all that fixing up your Forester. I hope things are okay now.
Ken
I had originally reserved a 17' UHaul truck w/auto tranny, but all they had was a 24 footer with a stick. The truck was a serious beater. The sides were all torn up from people taking turns too tight. The radiator leaked constantly requiring me to keep a big bottle of water handy. Suprisingly, the clutch was rather forgiving. The throws were super long and it's short gearing required starts in 2nd or 3rd. I don't think the truck was capable of speeds over 45mph.
Anyway, with a total of 12 people, we were able to get all of our stuff in the truck and out in about 4 hours tops. My friends even stayed around to help us unpack making the transition even smoother.
Our cat has been a little freaked out by the whole move, unsurprisingly. She was the last thing to go from the old place. It was kind of funny watching her wander around our old place with an expression on her face that seemed to say "somethings different here".
And so our saga with our first home begins. Last night we had a downpour here so I promptly walked around the house to check for any problems. Our home has an older solar water heater on the roof and to my dismay, there was a very small trickle of water coming down one of the support anchors. We were planning on removing it when we re-roofed, but it looks like it's going to need to go a little sooner. I'm hearing money go out the door (or roof) already!
I'm hoping on catching up with some sleep this week so I'll be ready for my marathon this Sunday. Wish me luck!
Ken
(same exact story, BTW....again)
Steve
Yep, you'd better get used to money getting sucked out of your wallet.
Good luck on the marathon. Keep us posted on the results!
Craig
"Home Sweet Home"
-Dave
Bob (who paid off our home last year.)
-Brian
As one who went from house to apartments for several years and back to house last year ... IT'S WONDERFUL ISN'T IT??? (Imagine banks letting us live in their houses ... )
Only if we pay!
Congrats Ken. The big bonus is that it didn't raining during your move!
Jim
What's shakin everyone?
Just got back Sunday night and was tied up Monday and catching up on work Tues. So I've finally made it back here.
The track event at VIR was totally awsome. 17 turns, Saturday we had torrential downpours all day with 40-50mph crosswinds. The subies in our group did great. On Saturday the only car to pass me was a 911turbo.
Cars of note that I passed on saturday:
Several M3s
Several Camaros
A vette Z06
Mazda RX7, 626
Honda Del Slow
Several Mustangs
Even in the dry I was able to keep up with the above mentioned cars, just in the straights they pulled away having a better HP->weight ratio.
Pics are at http://teamiac.com
-mike
-Frank P.
http://www.njbmwcca.org/sched.htm
http://www.njbmwcca.org/graphics/Joint_Event_App_2003.pdf
A bunch of us are planning on doing it from NY/NJ so hopefully some of you can do it also.
-mike
When I picked up the Forester I inspected the front end pretty closely and was satisfied that they had done a good job. However, it didn’t occur to me that I should inspect the rest of the vehicle. Doh! Yesterday on the drive home I discovered three inch long scratches in the tint on the rear window that weren’t there before (I noticed when the Forester was in the repair bay that the back was open and was being used to store parts). So when I got home I decided to go over the car more thoroughly and immediately noticed a series of marks (4 feet in length) running down the driver’s side molding. I went to rub them off and quickly discovered that they were actually scrape marks, which had removed the paint down to the gray plastic. Argh!!!! I’m taking the Forester back in today to have the shop look at it but am fully expecting them to deny all responsibility.
-Frank P.
Good luck!
Bob
-Dennis
Congrats, though. Didn't you feel proud the first time you slept overnight? :-)
Sounds like fun, mike. Was the track all dry?
More snow today. Just a dusting but it's so cold that it's sticking. Traffic was very heavy. I'm the only one here in my dept so far!
-juice
Frank - hang in there. If you time it right they will finish just before spring and you will have a clean, waxed car.
Greg