Was it a pulley style where you get up onto tracks and put your car in N or hand washed?
Car wash damage
Hi! The fuel door was opened and ripped off my 2019 GLA 250. The car wash is denying responsibility. Are they at fault??
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It’s a stationary one that you pull your front tire into the holder and put car in N and the brushes/water moves around you.
Any chance the car was unlocked during the wash? Sounds like it wasn’t touchless, so a thought could be maybe the brush pushed on the fuel flap to open it on one pass by and then ripped it off the next pass. If you say got out of the car to throw something away before the wash, and didn’t go over 10mph driving into the bay, the car would still be unlocked unless you physically pressed the button. If this were the case, idk how you’d go about making the carwash take responsibility.
If you’re sure the car was locked, only way I can think of trying to make them take responsibility is telling them that the fuel flap is locked when the car is and make a fuss about how it’s an anti-theft feature and there’s nothing to really grab onto around the flap and since it was locked there’s no chance of it randomly popping open
Unfortunately they’ll probably do anything they can do not take responsibility and I’d guess even have a ‘wash at your own risk’ or something similar around the premises.
Good luck!
If you’re sure the car was locked, only way I can think of trying to make them take responsibility is telling them that the fuel flap is locked when the car is and make a fuss about how it’s an anti-theft feature and there’s nothing to really grab onto around the flap and since it was locked there’s no chance of it randomly popping open
Unfortunately they’ll probably do anything they can do not take responsibility and I’d guess even have a ‘wash at your own risk’ or something similar around the premises.
Good luck!
Thanks!!Any chance the car was unlocked during the wash? Sounds like it wasn’t touchless, so a thought could be maybe the brush pushed on the fuel flap to open it on one pass by and then ripped it off the next pass. If you say got out of the car to throw something away before the wash, and didn’t go over 10mph driving into the bay, the car would still be unlocked unless you physically pressed the button. If this were the case, idk how you’d go about making the carwash take responsibility.
If you’re sure the car was locked, only way I can think of trying to make them take responsibility is telling them that the fuel flap is locked when the car is and make a fuss about how it’s an anti-theft feature and there’s nothing to really grab onto around the flap and since it was locked there’s no chance of it randomly popping open
Unfortunately they’ll probably do anything they can do not take responsibility and I’d guess even have a ‘wash at your own risk’ or something similar around the premises.
Good luck!
Hello,Any chance the car was unlocked during the wash? Sounds like it wasn’t touchless, so a thought could be maybe the brush pushed on the fuel flap to open it on one pass by and then ripped it off the next pass. If you say got out of the car to throw something away before the wash, and didn’t go over 10mph driving into the bay, the car would still be unlocked unless you physically pressed the button. If this were the case, idk how you’d go about making the carwash take responsibility.
If you’re sure the car was locked, only way I can think of trying to make them take responsibility is telling them that the fuel flap is locked when the car is and make a fuss about how it’s an anti-theft feature and there’s nothing to really grab onto around the flap and since it was locked there’s no chance of it randomly popping open
Unfortunately they’ll probably do anything they can do not take responsibility and I’d guess even have a ‘wash at your own risk’ or something similar around the premises.
auto detailing bethesda md
Good luck!
This will be hard to explain. Is there any formula or percentage one can expect for dollar amount of damage claims? On minor (not deep) scratches we get blamed for, we explain it wasn't our fault, then use rubbing compound to take out. Customers seem to be appreciative of this. On deeper unexplainable scratches that customers swear weren't there, we have developed a relationship with a nearby auto body (who we wash cars for at reduced price) give us a fair price for removal. Side mirrors that show previous damage are fairly easy to explain to reasonable people why they broke. But I'm talking about larger claims, like rear enders, rear glass and rear wipers, etc. We know sales volume play a role in these numbers, but are there any industry formuls or facts? Thanks to you wise ones for sharing insight! P.S.- Cameras only help us so much as their quality is just O.K.
I recently had to resort to an atypical "full contact" commercial wash given our drought imposed ban on home washes (they supposedly filter/recycle water).
The operator made sure my fuel flap was closed and also asked me to fold-in the exterior mirrors. I presume this is a current litigation risk aversion safeguard as in years past folding the mirrors was not a requirement (and back then far fewer vehicles with folding). Although for the best as a couple times in the past the flailing cleaning straps have forced the mirror in the opposite direction (thankfully designed to "break away" in such manner).
Alas very difficult to prove your fuel flap damage case unless they have a clear camera recording which in a wash area is unlikely. But don't be deterred in the attempt ("hope for the best, but plan for the worst"). One of the reasons I usually avoid such washes, to include "touchless."
The operator made sure my fuel flap was closed and also asked me to fold-in the exterior mirrors. I presume this is a current litigation risk aversion safeguard as in years past folding the mirrors was not a requirement (and back then far fewer vehicles with folding). Although for the best as a couple times in the past the flailing cleaning straps have forced the mirror in the opposite direction (thankfully designed to "break away" in such manner).
Alas very difficult to prove your fuel flap damage case unless they have a clear camera recording which in a wash area is unlikely. But don't be deterred in the attempt ("hope for the best, but plan for the worst"). One of the reasons I usually avoid such washes, to include "touchless."
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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