Imagine your beloved and reliable vehicle gets rear-ended. Everyone is okay but now you need repairs. After waiting for what seems like forever, you finally get to pick your car up! You grab the keys and get in.
Oh no! Something is not right. To your dismay, you smell mold and rot, find items in the center console that are not yours, see scratches on the dash, marks on the glove box, scratches on the trunk, and notice several unexplained miles added to the odometer, for starters. And it gets much worse: after close inspection and video camera review, the entire vent system contains mold, the glove box has mold, a heating element has mold, roaches have been found in the car, water spots appear in the engine bay, the rear passenger-side shade no longer goes down, and the documentation from the dealership raises even more questions—including a note stating that water damage was observed in the vehicle, apparently moisture under the seat barrier. When the service team even knows and admits it is bad, even management, it is a problem and must be addressed.
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Have you ever picked up your car from a dealership or mechanic and immediately sensed that something seemed off? The issues you notice at first might only be the beginning—and understandably upsetting. Imagine walking up to your car, ready to drive away after service, expecting everything to be corrected, and then… things go wrong. Terribly wrong.
After reaching out to the dealership or body shop—possibly dealing with multiple people—they may seem interested in fixing the issues. But are they really? Do they genuinely want to ensure your vehicle is returned to you in the right condition? Are they willing to invest the time, money, and resources required to make things right?
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· Check for scratches and other marks on the vehicle. · Check for prints on the glass, you’d be surprised at what you find after getting your car back. We have even seen footprints on the windshield. · Check the interior, exterior, and engine bay for damage. · Check for replacement parts, that too can happen. |
Or are these businesses more likely to offer a minimal gesture and then ignore or deflect the problem, relying on attorneys to dispute any allegations of wrongdoing? Could they even go as far as to hide evidence, lie, or shift the blame onto you?
First Things First, Protect Yourself!
The first thing to do before handing over your vehicle to any auto mechanic is to take a video of the inside and outside of your vehicle. Do so with a timestamp app if you can. It is vital to take a photo of the odometer reading as well. It’s not uncommon for a mechanic or other employee to drive your vehicle for personal use. Not kidding. Before leaving your vehicle, wash it, fill it with gas, clean the interior, it will be easier to find any potential problems with the vehicle when you pick it up. Go over any paperwork you sign and get copies or take images of the documentation you are required to sign.
Time to pick up your baby.
When you arrive, take a video of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and take a photo of the odometer—again, using a timestamp app if possible. The metadata on your videos and images should already record accurate information, but a timestamp app places the date and time directly on the media, removing any doubt about when they were taken. If you file a complaint, their attorneys will almost certainly try to poke holes in your story. In fact, based on many people’s experiences, some employees and attorneys will flat‑out lie, act disingenuously, and feel emboldened simply because so few people hold them accountable.
Document everything you find. Do not give them an opportunity to wiggle out on a technicality. Images and videos presented in court are difficult to dispute and paint a narrative that is difficult to discredit. Keep in mind that the attorneys will try anything, including lie—and often under the guise of “doing what’s best for the client,” even if that means twisting facts or outright dishonesty.
When reviewing the paperwork, make sure the odometer reading is correct and note any issues they have disclosed. If there are any problems you have found, note them directly on the paperwork they ask you to sign. Go over the issues with management if they are available; getting answers immediately can be invaluable. Record your conversations if you can, even if you never share it. These recordings can help you recall details or provide talking points later, just as people record conversations and take video at the scene of an accident. The situations are similar: your vehicle has been damaged, and it must be documented—because businesses can, and do, lie, fabricate, ignore, twist, and make matters worse. Be mindful of laws in your area about recording and documentation, even though it can be considered an “incident” you might need consent to record if others are around, even in public places, business parking lot, etc. Speak with an attorney in this space if you have legal questions.
Therefore, you must protect yourself from their bullying tactics—and that means documenting the truth. Trust me, businesses do lie, and many are quite comfortable doing so. It may not happen every time, but it does happen. As members of the community, it is up to citizens to hold these companies accountable when they fail you. When a business repeatedly harms the community and its profits are affected, change can happen. Management can be replaced, ownership can sell—or, when deserved, the business may even go bankrupt. Some companies earn that outcome.
Note!! If there is a hurricane or bad weather that might impact the area your vehicle is in, if it is at a dealership or shop, make sure that it will be placed indoors.
Important!! If you need your vehicle right away and repairs are necessary, get them done. Obtain quotes from several reputable shops and have your vehicle repaired. Keep all receipts, quotes, and any documentation. The company—or companies—that wronged you will likely dispute the costs, criticize the repairs, and undermine the value of your vehicle if it becomes a total loss. This is why you must remain reasonable in your assessment of your vehicle’s value. Do not exaggerate. Let the business be the one to look unreasonable by using false comparisons and hyperbole.
They Won’t Fix it! What Now? Social Media!
If after you have tried everything with those that destroyed your car, you still find yourself in a situation where the business refuses to help, there are things you can do. It’s vital that you proceed without exaggeration—and never lie. Accuracy is your strongest asset.
When a business stops taking responsibility for the damage they caused, you must make your experience visible to your community and others who may be affected. This helps everyone. Public reviews, social‑media posts, and formal complaints create a record of what happened and can pressure businesses to respond professionally. Provide images and video of the damage but remember do not to lie or exaggerate. This is your opportunity to set the stage for moving your case forward. Be accurate, stay respectful, but stand your ground. Make sure you tag the businesses on reviews when you can, so they know you are serious about what happened and you are motivated to hold them accountable.
Platform-Specific Tagging Tips:
- Facebook & LinkedIn: Type "@" and start typing the business name, then select from the list. If the business name is hard to find, use their specific handle (e.g., @{HandleName}).
- Instagram & X (Twitter): Use the exact handle or username, such as @BusinessName.
- Best Practices:
- Verify the Tag: Ensure the name becomes a clickable link (often turns blue on Facebook) to confirm it is properly tagged.
- Accuracy: Tagging the wrong business, especially with similar names, reduces the effectiveness of the review.
- Be Specific: For local businesses, ensure you are tagging the correct branch or location.
Where to Share Your Experience
Google Reviews- these are important! I suggest starting here.
- Be completely honest—no exaggeration or hyperbole.
- Expect the business to deflect or misrepresent your complaint; this often works in your favor if the matter escalates.
- Include photos and videos whenever possible.
- Comment on others’ reviews to help spread awareness.
- Encourage friends and family to respond if the issue affects them.
- If the business is a franchise, submit a review to the corporate office as well.
Yelp
- Same guidance as Google Reviews: be factual, clear, and calm.
- Add images and video to support your claims.
- Comment on related reviews to help others understand the pattern.
- Have friends or family note how the issue affected them, if applicable.
- Notify the franchise’s home office when relevant.
Meta (Facebook)
- Remain factual and professional.
- Add photos and videos of the damage.
- Engage respectfully on community posts and related pages to raise awareness.
- Encourage others who were impacted to voice their concerns.
- Have friends and family respond to your review and others’ comments on what happened and how it impacted them if applicable.
- Contact the home office if the business is part of a franchise system.
- Post images, short videos, or stories documenting what happened.
- Tag the business so they are aware of your concerns.
- Share your experience on relevant posts to expand visibility.
- Involve friends or family if they have insight or were affected.
- Notify franchise headquarters if applicable.
YouTube
- Consider posting a video of the damage and your experience.
- Be calm, factual, and clear—let visuals tell the story.
- Comment on related content to broaden awareness.
- Encourage others to engage respectfully.
- Notify the franchise home office if applicable.
X (Twitter)
- Share photos, videos, and a concise explanation of what happened.
- Tag the business so they cannot claim ignorance.
- Interact with relevant posts to ensure your story is seen.
- Have others support your posts if they were affected.
- Contact the franchise headquarters as needed.
Other Platforms
These can also be valuable for visibility:
- Mastodon
- Truth Social
- TikTok
As always, if the business is part of a larger franchise, notify corporate leadership or Home Office.
Government Agencies & The Better Business Bureau
You can also file complaints with state and federal agencies. These organizations may not always resolve the issue directly, but they document patterns of misconduct and can force companies to respond.
State Attorney General
- Search for the AG in the state where the issue occurred.
- Provide only factual information.
- Include images and videos if available.
- Notify the franchise home office as well.
State Consumer Protection Agency
- Look for the department that oversees vehicle‑related complaints.
- Remain factual and professional.
- Provide supporting evidence.
- Contact the franchise headquarters if applicable.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- File your complaint with the correct business location after verifying you find the main location or company you had the experience with.
- Understand the BBB is funded by businesses, not consumers, so they are not a consumer‑advocacy organization.
- Still, the BBB is a helpful place to publicly document what occurred.
- Notify the franchise home office if appropriate.
Important!!
Be prepared to respond to follow‑up questions or rebuttals promptly. Keep your documentation organized in a timeline so your complaint is clear, logical, and easy to follow.
Industry Specific Websites
Posting on industry related sites helps other customers and industry professionals understand what happened. Remember, all guidelines for social media, Government and BBB apply here as well.
Consider submitting reviews or reports to:
- Cars.com
- CarFax.com
- Edmunds.com
- DealerRater.com
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com)
- CarGurus.com
If the company is a franchise, notify the parent company as well.
After You’ve Shared Your Story—What’s Next?
Engage With Your Community
Community awareness matters. You can pursue additional research through public information sources, often referred to as OSINT (Open‑Source Intelligence). You have Free Speech, use it!
You may:
- Research individuals involved using publicly available information.
- Share your experience with their local community—professionally and respectfully, these bad actors might go to church, bowling league, community, or city council meetings, etc. Ask questions then, see if there is anyone else harmed by these folks.
- Check with their neighbors, family members, etc., they may have some information that might help understand why you are not being helped. It could be systemic.
- Highlight the impact of their actions, never using hyperbole or personal attacks.
Being creative, factual, and composed strengthens your credibility.
Use Social Media Strategically
Platforms like LinkedIn can help you connect with former employees who may have insight into:
- Past misconduct
- Poor business practices
- Previous customer complaints
- Evidence or knowledge of your claim/experience
This can help establish patterns of behavior.
Research Legal History
Check state, county, and municipal court records to see whether the business (or individuals involved) has a history of lawsuits or aggressive legal tactics. Finding out who they are through OSINT is a promising idea as well. Identifying the law firm that represents them can provide additional avenues for learning how they operate.
You can also research publicly available information about those involved; however, always act legally, ethically, and respectfully.
- Important!! Consult a local attorney to understand what is permitted in your area. This information is not legal advice, and we are not providing legal advice or services, only general guidance for documenting and sharing your experience and holding bad actors responsible.
- Important!! This process can take time—sometimes years. But if you stay organized, patient, and committed to the truth, it can be worth it.
Take them to Court!
If all else fails and you still can’t get a resolution, it’s time to check with attorneys in your area. Just know that big law firms usually take only the cases they can make a lot of money from, that’s simply how much of the legal world works in my experience. You may need to reach out to civil litigation firms, consumer‑advocacy attorneys, or even your local Bar Association. Each state has one, and they can point you in the right direction. It is not a guaranteed solution, honestly, it is about a 50/50 shot but it is worth adding to your list of people to contact.
At the end of the day, you are not just fighting for your vehicle, you’re standing up for yourself and for everyone who might come after you. Businesses that mistreat customers count on silence, exhaustion, and people giving up. But when you document everything, speak the truth, stay organized, and refuse to be bullied, you take away their power.