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Bought a new Prius, signed up for 'Finishing Touch'

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by bye_gas_guzzler, Jul 14, 2013.

  1. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    I recently bought a new Prius. The dealer offered me this product for the paint called "Finishing Touch" and I signed up for it. However, I still haven't made an appointment to have this service done. From what I read (see thread below), this is nothing but a scam from the dealer and does not do anything special to protect the paint. I also read it leaves "swirls" on the paint.

    (Since I am new, I can't post direct links. The thread I am referring to is called "New Car Exterior/Interior Care Confusion" and is posted in this forum)

    The price was $700.

    My question is: If the dealer claims this service is non-refundable and does not want to refund me my money for this service that hasnt' been done on my car, should I have this "Finishing Touch" done on my car? Or should I simply suck it up and take the $700 as a loss and not have this service done in order to preserve my car's paint?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! i wouldn't take the dealers word on non refundable. speak to the salesman and ask for the manager if you have to. some states have a 3 day decompression policy, check with consumer affairs. sounds like a scam to me. all the best!(y)
     
  3. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Get a refund! Take it to a professional detailer if you are looking to have something done. It will probably cost you less and it will be a much better job.
     
  4. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    PURE PROFIT for the dealer..................... get your money back
     
  5. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    What is this 3 day decompression policy?

    I bought the car on July 4th.

    It sounds like it is very do-able that I am able to get my money back if this service hasn't been done yet. However, what would everyone recommend in the worst-case scenario that I can't get my money back (again, worst case but I will do everything I can to get my refund) as to whether or not to get the service done? Again, from what I've read, the service sounds like it does more harm than good on your car.

    Thanks all!
     
  6. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Worst case, see if they will give you credit in the parts department for some TRD upgrades (Rear Sway, Prius Plus kit). Hopefully they are reasonable and will refund you since no work has been done. Did you finance it?
     
  7. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    Great comment. I actually did not think about getting credit with the dealer for future parts. In the worst case scenario, I would have taken it as a loss if the dealer wouldn't have suggested it (very doubtful).

    Yes, I did finance it. I have already called the bank who has my loan and they said they would process this without a problem. All the dealer has to do is some paperwork and write a check to the bank. The bank would then post the amount as a payment to my loan. Seems pretty easy to me all the dealer has to do is cooperate.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a 'cooling off' period due to people being pressured to make purchases and regretting it when they leave and think it over. check with your ag's office. as far as the service, i have no experience, but toyota paint is pretty tough and i have never felt the need for an aftermarket product.
     
  9. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    if this stuff worked there would be a line to get
     
  10. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    What does ag stand for?

    I am in California and there is no such law for new cars, only a 2 day period on used cars valued under $40k. However, this is for returning the entire car. I can't find anything that talks about cancelilling an option that hasn't been installed. It seems it's up to the dealer.
     
  11. TsKarma

    TsKarma Junior Member

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    If refund is not an option, then would other folks here recommend exchanging the credit for the Toyota platinum warranty?
     
  12. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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  13. Ct. Ken V

    Ct. Ken V Active Member

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    bye_gas_guzzler,

    ag stands for attorney general. (my shortest answer ever!)
     
  14. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    Maybe call the local news channel about scams................
     
  15. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    Update:

    I spoke with the General Manager this morning and he agreed to let me cancel the "Finishing Touch". I'm waiting to hear back from them on the paperwork that needs to be done.

    Fingers crossed!
     
    MPGnutcase likes this.
  16. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    That's good to hear. Dealer's have enough of an image problem to deal with. I'm assuming they didn't make the "Finishing Touch" as part of your original negotiation and weren't counting on but as gravy. I think they usually wait until you sit in front of the finance guy for the hard sale. In the end there wasn't anything out of their pocket so any goodwill helps on their part.
     
  17. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    Congrats I getting your money back..............
     
  18. bye_gas_guzzler

    bye_gas_guzzler New Member

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    That is what happened in my case. I wasn't even aware of such a product until I'm sitting with the finance guy and he sweet talks me into it. Let me tell you, these guys are very good in their sales pitches!
     
  19. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    The Finance guy make his money on getting you a loan from the bank, any other warranties and this bullshit paint thing.
     
  20. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Finance Guy = the Sith Warrior of car sales