Dealers are caught between a rock and a hard place. Since Fisker has stopped paying them for the warranty repairs, they have to decide whether they want to take the risk of not being paid ever, or to find a way to keep providing service. They are basically victims of the FA debacle as much as the rest of us are. IMHO.
Just Paid for Warranty Service
Fisker Santa Monica charged me $225 today to fix an "Exterior Bulb" warning. I was told a pin in the wiring harness was loose. I was told I would be charged $1100 if the tail light assembly needed to be replaced.
I haven't yet decided on my course of action with regard to this charge for warranty repair, except I will never purchase a car from any of Sullivan's dealerships.
I haven't yet decided on my course of action with regard to this charge for warranty repair, except I will never purchase a car from any of Sullivan's dealerships.
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At least they are still taking your car in at all. Some owners are stuck driving HOURS to find a dealer that will even look at the car.
That seems a bit outrageous. Having bought several cars from the LACarGuy suite of dealers, I think this is terribly short sighted of Mike.
$225 for a bulb replacement? $1,100 for a tail light? Insane.
$225 for a bulb replacement? $1,100 for a tail light? Insane.
SoCalGuy, to be fair, it wasn't a bulb replacement. There are no bulbs in our taillights, all LED's. If it's the fix that I believe it was, the bumper has to come off to access the rear of the taillights where the connector is. Then the problem can be fixed. I've had to repair at least 2 cars this way because of the same issue.
Of all the Fisker dealers that one would think would honor the warranty and service commitments, it would Fisker of Santa Monica. My guess is that they sold more Karmas than any other dealer including some very high-profile clients.That seems a bit outrageous. Having bought several cars from the LACarGuy suite of dealers, I think this is terribly short sighted of Mike.
$225 for a bulb replacement? $1,100 for a tail light? Insane.
Apparently Mike made the business decision to risk the negative 'word of mouth' and conserve his bottom line. Meanwhile, there are other Fisker dealers happy to not only service their own customer's Karmas (but others as well) - at no charge. I don't get it.
My guess is that Mike aka LaCarGuy just figures with his other 10 dealerships, he can take the hit on pissing off a few score of Karma owners and still make a decent living. Very short-sighted indeed.
The email we (Fisker of SM customers) received last Friday from Mike was a welcome (first) attempt at communication but it should have been titled - "Why it sucks to be me (the guy that owns 11 dealerships)".
Dear Fisker Owner,
Sorry for the delay in getting this to each of you. My communication with Fisker Automotive (F.A.) has been more difficult lately. During their struggles to find a buyer or investors, they cut their staff back dramatically. Today, F.A. agreed to at least communicate with me on a weekly basis, even if it is just a quick update of what is, or isn’t going on with them.
As of Thursday the 19th, F.A. was still negotiating to A) go into Chapter 11 BK or B) go into a “structured” BK with a plan to come out, or C) an outright investor/buyer. I would say B) the structured BK is the most probable, in my opinion.
We were forced to suspend doing warranty work as of April 9, 2013. Parts were not available, and we were no longer getting reimbursed for performing warranty work. We operated in that mode (not getting paid from F.A.) for over 30 days. Clearly, this is not a sustainable position for the dealer body. F.A. is now attempting to fill parts orders, and we would need to charge the customer for service work as we will not be paid by F.A. Although unfortunate, this would at least be an attempt to keep cars running. When the BK settles (if that is what happens) the customer can then go through some sort of stated process by the court.
We are aggressively pursuing options to support you. It appears there is limited to no opportunity to salvage us; the dealer. All of my interest is dedicated to a structure that would continue to support your Karma.
I will send a weekly update, even if it is short and depicts no discernable change.
Very Sincerely,
Mike
@Sandy odd that I did not receive that email despite SM being my home dealer. In any event, if Mike charges for service, he should do so at cost rather than the normal dealer service rates which are generally pretty well inflated.
I never got an email. I know they do have my email address.
I agree. Under the circumstances, they should reduce their hourly rates to the less inflated nondealership pricing. Everyone knows it costs twice as much to make a repair at a dealership than a regular auto repair facility. Otherwise, they are actually profiting from the lack of the warranty!@Sandy odd that I did not receive that email despite SM being my home dealer. In any event, if Mike charges for service, he should do so at cost rather than the normal dealer service rates which are generally pretty well inflated.
Check with the California Motor Vehicle Board. http://www.nmvb.ca.gov/Fisker Santa Monica charged me $225 today to fix an "Exterior Bulb" warning. I was told a pin in the wiring harness was loose. I was told I would be charged $1100 if the tail light assembly needed to be replaced.
I haven't yet decided on my course of action with regard to this charge for warranty repair, except I will never purchase a car from any of Sullivan's dealerships.
I hate to say it, but I believe that dealers may be obligated under the state law to provide the warranty service even if the manufacturer doesn't pay.
I know it sucks to be the dealer, but they made a good profit on the car and you have a sales contract which was signed by the inducement of a warranty. You paid THE DEALER for the car and the warranty. You didn't pay FA, the dealer did. After making $8-$10k off your sale, would it have hurt to fix your car?
Also, you may want to read this site: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/songbev.shtml There are many items that relate to motor vehicles. So you may want to spend some time reading it.
Sorry to hear you had to pay.
We're in the same boat here in Atlanta, but I'm not going to let our dealer off the hook that easily.
Bill
i just paid my dealer, Fisker of Palm Beach, $415.00 to repair a window channel that came loose, and was impeding the operation of the window. Aprrox. 4 hours work.
They were courteous, and responsive. Also gave me a loaner car to use n/c.
Do not expect them to pick up the entire cost of the repair, but they should have discounted the labor to their cost. Intend to speak to the owner of the dealership.
Issue of responsibility is very interesting--think this will be resolved after the bankruptcy. I understand laws vary from state to state.
They were courteous, and responsive. Also gave me a loaner car to use n/c.
Do not expect them to pick up the entire cost of the repair, but they should have discounted the labor to their cost. Intend to speak to the owner of the dealership.
Issue of responsibility is very interesting--think this will be resolved after the bankruptcy. I understand laws vary from state to state.
This may get out of hand quick.i just paid my dealer, Fisker of Palm Beach, $415.00 to repair a window channel that came loose, and was impeding the operation of the window. Aprrox. 4 hours work.
They were courteous, and responsive. Also gave me a loaner car to use n/c.
Do not expect them to pick up the entire cost of the repair, but they should have discounted the labor to their cost. Intend to speak to the owner of the dealership.
Issue of responsibility is very interesting--think this will be resolved after the bankruptcy. I understand laws vary from state to state.
Dealers are profiting from Fisker's lack of fulfilling their agreement WITH THE DEALER.
The dealers took a chance too. But the difference is that they made a profit by selling you a car.
Do you think your local dealership is even going to look at your car again after you've taken aggressive or legal action against them?Check with the California Motor Vehicle Board. http://www.nmvb.ca.gov/
I hate to say it, but I believe that dealers may be obligated under the state law to provide the warranty service even if the manufacturer doesn't pay.
I know it sucks to be the dealer, but they made a good profit on the car and you have a sales contract which was signed by the inducement of a warranty. You paid THE DEALER for the car and the warranty. You didn't pay FA, the dealer did. After making $8-$10k off your sale, would it have hurt to fix your car?
Also, you may want to read this site: http://www.dca.ca.gov/acp/songbev.shtml There are many items that relate to motor vehicles. So you may want to spend some time reading it.
Sorry to hear you had to pay.
We're in the same boat here in Atlanta, but I'm not going to let our dealer off the hook that easily.
Bill
So you are implying dealers will not work on a car they sold just because a customer is trying to get what was paid for? (A warranty)Do you think your local dealership is even going to look at your car again after you've taken aggressive or legal action against them?
They would be foolish to take that route because the damages would just add up even more.
I'm not going to be bullied into shutting my mouth and just leave my wallet open so a dealer can profit further from Fiskers problems. I doubt there are many owners who will tolerate this either. I assume most buyers are type A guy's who won't be pushed around either.
This is an open forum and I hope other owners will find ways of getting what they paid for too. While it may sound extreme to call out dealers who have made a business decision to not support the products they sold, I believe this kind of pressure is very important.
But you are free to pay for service. I won't.
Depends what your goal is. If you want your car fixed and to drive it then many would rather pay and get their car up and running instead of following a path that may not solve your immediate problem (broken car). Many people just want to drive their car, you can do what you want but a lawsuit is not going to fix your vehicle.So you are implying dealers will not work on a car they sold just because a customer is trying to get what was paid for? (A warranty)
They would be foolish to take that route because the damages would just add up even more.
I'm not going to be bullied into shutting my mouth and just leave my wallet open so a dealer can profit further from Fiskers problems. I doubt there are many owners who will tolerate this either. I assume most buyers are type A guy's who won't be pushed around either.
This is an open forum and I hope other owners will find ways of getting what they paid for too. While it may sound extreme to call out dealers who have made a business decision to not support the products they sold, I believe this kind of pressure is very important.
But you are free to pay for service. I won't.
So true.Depends what your goal is. If you want your car fixed and to drive it then many would rather pay and get their car up and running instead of following a path that may not solve your immediate problem (broken car). Many people just want to drive their car, you can do what you want but a lawsuit is not going to fix your vehicle.
Everybody hang in there---this is going to resolve. I am fairly optimistic, and that like the Phenix, a new Fisker will arise from the ashes of bankruptcy.
At worst the parts and diagnostics are valuable, and some entrepreneur will pick those up and create a service company for us, albeit, at a cost to us. Better than dead Fiskers
At worst the parts and diagnostics are valuable, and some entrepreneur will pick those up and create a service company for us, albeit, at a cost to us. Better than dead Fiskers
I sent this to LA Car Guy (Mike Sullivan) this morning (in response to his email of April 19 - posted earlier in this thread).
Mike,
Thanks for outreach. I know a lot of fellow Karma owners who bought from you did not receive this email – please ensure the email list is updated for future communications.
Perhaps in your next email you could address to the owners how your decision to not honor the warranties squares with California consumer warranty law.
Song-Beverly, California’s consumer warranty law, requires the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle leased or sold with a manufacturer’s written warranty to repair the vehicle during the warranty period so that it conforms to the warranty. Should the manufacturer go out of business, the seller (car dealer) must live up to the warranty.
Full text here: http://www.calemons.com/california-lemon-law-basics/
Full readout of the civil code here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1792-1795.8
Regards,
Rick
Mike,
Thanks for outreach. I know a lot of fellow Karma owners who bought from you did not receive this email – please ensure the email list is updated for future communications.
Perhaps in your next email you could address to the owners how your decision to not honor the warranties squares with California consumer warranty law.
Song-Beverly, California’s consumer warranty law, requires the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle leased or sold with a manufacturer’s written warranty to repair the vehicle during the warranty period so that it conforms to the warranty. Should the manufacturer go out of business, the seller (car dealer) must live up to the warranty.
Full text here: http://www.calemons.com/california-lemon-law-basics/
Full readout of the civil code here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1792-1795.8
Regards,
Rick
Here is one company trying to break that barrierEverybody hang in there---this is going to resolve. I am fairly optimistic, and that like the Phenix, a new Fisker will arise from the ashes of bankruptcy.
At worst the parts and diagnostics are valuable, and some entrepreneur will pick those up and create a service company for us, albeit, at a cost to us. Better than dead Fiskers
https://www.hybridsupportsolutions.com/
If you were to bring your car into the dealership I work for before any work is preformed right on the spot you will be giving an estimate for the work or if the dealership is going to cover it under a good will . Let me ask you this if you bought your car from another Dealer and bought your car in for work do you think the dealership should charge you ? Remember you bought the car at another dealerSo you are implying dealers will not work on a car they sold just because a customer is trying to get what was paid for? (A warranty)
They would be foolish to take that route because the damages would just add up even more.
I'm not going to be bullied into shutting my mouth and just leave my wallet open so a dealer can profit further from Fiskers problems. I doubt there are many owners who will tolerate this either. I assume most buyers are type A guy's who won't be pushed around either.
This is an open forum and I hope other owners will find ways of getting what they paid for too. While it may sound extreme to call out dealers who have made a business decision to not support the products they sold, I believe this kind of pressure is very important.
But you are free to pay for service. I won't.
1 - 20 of 57 Posts
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