I was very pleased with the customer service I received - Pamela
I was very pleased with the customer service I received when purchasing my second-hand car, but unfortunately this level of support did not continue after the sale was completed. Only two months later, the battery failed, leaving me stranded and requiring assistance from CAA. They replaced the battery at a cost of $320 out of pocket and confirmed that it was the original factory battery, already at the end of its lifespan.
When I contacted the manager, Will Colbert, I was informed that the battery had been “working fine” at the time of purchase and that inspections are limited to checking for corrosion, installation, and leaks. According to policy, if a battery powers the vehicle, it is not replaced.
While I understand the policy, I was disappointed that a simple test was not performed during the inspection. In fact, within minutes I was able to verify by checking the serial number and date, taking a picture and uploading the information to ChatGPT, that the battery was well past its expected lifespan.
This could have been identified in advance, saving me from being stranded, missing work, calling CAA, and paying for an avoidable repair. In good faith, I requested that the dealership cover at least half of the $320 replacement cost, especially since I discovered that the extended warranty I purchased with the car does not cover the battery. I believe this would have been a fair and reasonable resolution.
I have already accepted responsibility for another repair—the link kit replacement, $150 which may have resulted from driving over a pothole. However, being sold a vehicle with its original expired battery—despite two safety inspections, one in Ontario and one in Quebec—was both unexpected and disappointing, and not in line with the level of service I had initially experienced.
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