(Sorry, posted in wrong forum originally.)

Hi all,

I've owned my lovely '08 Rabbit for less than 24 hours now and I already have a windshield crack! I noticed in upon driving home after delivery. Its at the VERY bottom of the windshield so I didn't see it during test driving/inspection. Apparently no one at the dealership saw it either??

Upon driving home, a rock was kicked up and made a very small chip. Of course I inspect the windshield when I get home and find the HUGE crack. WTF? (The crack is no where near the chip.) The dealer is replacing it for free, but they are sending Elite Safelite Autoglass from Denver this afternoon, and I've read on these forums that Safelite isn't very good??? But they are who the dealer made the appointment with and there is 4 years left on my warranty (certified pre-owned), AND I got the ding & dent warranty, so either way it would have been covered. It would be in their best interest to send someone good right?? Am I freaking out about nothing, or should I try to insist it be done at the dealer's service center?? I looked online and this Safelite has mixed reviews. Not very reassuring!

Thank you for helping a Rabbit Newbie! I'm sure I'll be frequenting these forums often!

-Kez

You can try and request OEM glass, but chances are your dealer has nobody to replace glass on premesis. Our dealer outsources the glass work and they come to the dealer and do it there. Just be sure you have it on record that they replaced it and whether or not they used OEM glass. Should there be a problem or a leak down the road, you have paperwork.

congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the VWOC...

Thanks! Well, safelite just left! I have to say, from my VERY untrained eyes, the new windshield looked the same, with some added tinting to the top - I guess a shade visor type of tinting. I never notice those anyways as I'm too short for them to really be of any use. Now I just like to think that my car is even MORE new ;-)

takes some photos of the added tint. i'm curious to see what was installed. do you see a vw logo on it anywhere (in a corner)?

I'll try to take some pics this wknd. No VW logo that I can remember. The guy said it wasn't a VW part.

So get this - just got off the phone with the Finance guy from the VW dealership. He "accidentally" gave me the 48-month rate instead of the 60-month rate, and said I either needed to switch to 48-months or accept the new rate. I told him "What kind of business accidentally undercharges someone, then calls them up and says 'you need to come back and pay me more money'? I signed paperwork that said 3.9%. Deal is done. Your problem, not mine." He even tried to guilt trip me into saying that he would personally pay for it. Um ok, fine.

Beware Gebhardt VW in Boulder, CO! Sketchy!! Good thing I love the car!

VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY common rip off technique. I'm glad you didn't fall for it! The Nissan dealer here has been doing that and guess what....they are FLOODED with lawsuits now, made the papers and headlines is a BAD way.

they actually gave me the keys and sent me on my way when i purchased the car. except i didn't give them any money (it was a cash deal). so after the sales guy put the monster mats in, he shook my hand and told me to enjoy the car.

i told him, i know this is going to come up sooner or later, however, the girl inside never took my money. he asked if i did the paperwork and such and i told him "yes, we did lots of paper work. then she sent us to you because you had the keys". he did the face palm at that moment and we walked back inside.

they get ahead of themselves sometimes, they are human. however, a deal is a deal. make sure you get an upgrade out of the deal if you feel it is necessary to rectify this matter.

i personally would let the higher-ups at the dealership figure out a solution in your favor, or take the car back entirely.

then you go to the next dealership and get you a brand new one, with vw glass :)

edit: a brand new 08 model that is, what color did you get?

Well even if was an honest mistake - giving me the wrong rate - I just can't believe they would actually call and try to get me to agree to the higher rate... and then ARGUE with me and try to guilt trip me! So wrong.

Unfortunately Colorado has no 3-day rule for cars, so I can't take it back. And now I'm even wondering if I want to take it there for service. Probably not. Which sucks, cause they are convenient (close to home and work.) Might have to go back to Subys after this! =\

Many people do not know this but the sales adn service departments are two different animals. Service is what MAKES THE DEALER MONEY, sales is just there so they can claim to sell cars. Very little money is made on new vehicles and a decent amount is made on used cars. Some sales departments don't give a rats butt if you come back for service as they already made a buck off you.

http://www.ucan.org/blog/gasoline_autos/automobiles/avoid_auto_fraud_when_sellers_can_cancel_a_car_dea lership_financed_contract

Interesting link. I'll have to look at the language on my contract. They called again today but did not leave a message. The way the finance guy made it sound was that he basically messed up and gave me the wrong rate and Volkswagen wasn't too happy about that. (Whether this story is true or not is up for debate.) I basically said that that was between him and Volkswagen, not me. I guess if they can't work it out and decide to cancel the purchase contract, that does suck, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one. My credit is excellent, and if the difference really is $400 between the two rates over the life of the loan, I think it is worth taking that hit to have a happy customer. If they take back the car, I certainly won't be buying another VW, no matter how much I like the car. At this point it is about customer service. Just let me enjoy my new car!!

i'll keep my fingers crossed for you on this side. it wouldn't be cool if you can't enjoy your rabbit or any other vw on account of some negligent beings. i'm not one to hold grudges, however, if you are going to do so in this case, do it towards the right party. so if it doesn't work out, you can give the rabbit/golf another chance, with a different dealer.

good luck...

Just thought I would post a quick update. I haven't received any more phone calls since last Saturday when they called but did not leave a message. I also haven't received my payment book, or registration card from the county, so I guess I'm just waiting. First payment is supposedly due on May 9th. Hopefully I get that payment book soon!

Final update, hopefully.

I filled out an online customer satisfaction survey they sent me. Sales manager called to discuss the service I received. He admitted that they knew about the windshield, their windshield guy was out sick, and that it should never have been sold in that condition. He apologized for finance guy's attitude, and offered up my first oil change for free so I will come try their service (well actually, I had to ask.) He also confirmed with VW credit that the deal did indeed go through, as at this point I have yet to receive anything in the mail. So take that for what it's worth. I'll check out their service department when I'm due, but I don't know that I would ever buy a car from them again. At the very least, I would be SUPER cautious and vigilant.

Thanks everyone for your concern/support. This is the first time I've bought a car by myself, and it's been quite the learning experience! In fact, if so much money wasn't on the line, I'd dare say I've enjoyed it. Feel much better prepared for next time.

Now to start enjoying my awesome new Rabbit :-)

...
Now to start enjoying my awesome new Rabbit :-)

that's what i wanted to hear :)

glad things are balancing out for you and congrats on standing your ground...

I'm very happy for you! Glad everything worked out well in the end.

I just read this for the first time and got so angry....salesmen are snakes, period. Dont ever believe a word they say either.

Also welcome to the vw club, its better than the subaru club, u went from riding in the luggage compartment to first class.