Getting fired

[jhandsum2001]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? CA
I bought a 99 Chevy malibu 8-04 from a dealership and it died 2 weeks later. I was late for work 11/2 hours that day. The dealer accepted the car back and I got a 2000 Chevy Venture instead 10-04 after 6 trips back to the dealership at 120 mile round trip each time and no gas reimbursement.In the dration I had a loaner from the dealership.They gave me a due bill for several repairs on the Venture. They told me it was ready I went to pick it up and it wasn't. I was late for 30 mins for work. The alternator died and I was again late for work 2 1/2 hours. The dealership service shop replaced it with a faulty alternator which died two days later. I was late for work 2 hours that day. Next the starter had a loose wire diagnosed by a passing mechanic and it started. I was late 15 mins that day.
The vehicles were purchased AS/IS with due bills for dealer repairs. Also the Venture seems to have been in a major accident because the hood and front bumper have a different shade of maroon than the rest of the vehicle which for some reason is only obvious under a particular shade streetlight. Another indicator is the steering veers sharply to the right even though I took it back on two occasions and was told the control arm was replaced and 2 alignments done.The causes of failure were not part of the due bills. The dealership paid for rent-a-cars each time and also when they used the after-market warranty for the alternator repair they waived the deductible. The reason I had to stick with it was I have really bad credit and they were the only ones who would finance and also trade-in a vehicle which was inoperable.
I have been placed on written warning for termination because of the occurrences (5) and length of my tardies 15mins-2 1/2 hours.
I have had the Venture for approx a month 1/2 and 3000 miles.
My issues are, if the vehicle was involved in a major accident shouldn't the dealer be aware by Carfax for example and shouldn't they notify potential buyers. Can I have them reimburse me for gas and lost wages and also if I am fired and can prove these occurrences were a result of these defective vehicles can I sue the dealership and at this point this has nothing to do with being stranded with my 3 children under 5 yrs old and friends chaueffeur me around at times? .

 

[jpritchett81]

Honestly you would be wasting your time and money trying to pursue a claim against the dealership.

1. When a vehicle is presented to you "as is", it is your responsibility to have it inspected by a certified mechanic before you buy. Caveat Emptor.

2. A Carfax report is good to have but a Carfax shouldn't be used in lieu of an inspection. Not all accidents will post to Carfax anyway.

3. Thoughts of suing the dealership because of the tardiness will be a waste of time. It's your responsibility to report to work on time. Being late because of car troubles won't get you very far with most companies.

 

[jhandsum2001]

Gettin fired

Points 1 & 2 are clear. However, if during the normal course of business they sell "AS/IS" vehicles in purported "good" working condition to the public aren't they beholden to a higher standard of reliability and safety in the product they sell, "buyer beware" or not?.Otherwise they could sell any old bucket and kill any number of people, ergo Firestone tires and the Ford Explorer rollovers or the Ford Pinto.
Maybe I'm wrong, but in law 101 I was under the impression those providing goods/ services to the public have greater liability and consumer laws give the benefit of the doubt to consumers.
It is my responsibility to get to work on time......that's my employers standpoint which is absolutely correct.On the other hand if there are mitigating circumstances caused by a 3rd party wouldn't that 3rd party be responsible ? e.g I go to pick up my vehicle because I'm told it's fixed but have to wait for an hour to be told it won't be ready, time to get a rent-a-car thru trickle effect causes tardiness. Or the dealership replaces the alternator which conks out two days later leaving me stranded and late 2 1/2 hours. The point I am questioning is if there are repetitive incidents based on defects in the quality of goods/ services provided by a merchant aren't they liable for ensuing consumer issues. I understand private party sales inherently are at the buyers risk, in this regard do car dealerships have carte blanche?.

Wait, don't tell me, if used, I should have gotten 200 point inspected, Starmark certified vehicle?