Somebody is a Thief!

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 11:35 AM

I just bought a used Jeep from a dealer.
When I looked a the Jeep as a trade in while it was being worked on in the shop the salesman even made a point of showing me the high end Optima battery under the hood. I worked behind a parts counter and sold them at one time and knew that they were expensive.
I took delivery yesterday and looked under the hood this AM and was amazed to find that someone had swapped out that new Optima for a very used Die Hard.

It does happen, I have had things taken while my car was being serviced. I noted an item was missing when I picked the truck up and went right back to the dealership as the car had only been there 2 hours. I told them I was going to search everyone of the work spaces and cars of the employees until I found my item (a small ham antenna that was unscrewed) and they told me I could not do that and I ask them who was going to stop me. They had a quick talk with the kid that did my service and he went out to his trunk and got my antenna. He was fired needless to say.
I have a call into the GM of the Jeep Dealership and I am awaiting a call.
Somebody has some explaining to do. I suspect we have a mechanic that just got himself a new Optima battery!

I am betting I get a new battery out of this.

Freestyle713 · 03-08-2012, 11:39 AM

Damn. Id be pissed. I would go back to the dealership and not leave until theres a brand new optima under my hood.

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 11:42 AM

The General Manager was not in and I left a message to call without tipping anyone off.
Just a thief that they may or may not catch in the process.
Always check your car or truck before you pick it up.

flying_bosun · 03-08-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keninaz

I just bought a used Jeep from a dealer.
When I looked a the Jeep as a trade in while it was being worked on in the shop the salesman even made a point of showing me the high end Optima battery under the hood....

I took delivery yesterday and looked under the hood this AM and was amazed to find that someone had swapped out that new Optima for a very used Die Hard.

I have a call into the GM of the Jeep Dealership and I am awaiting a call.
Somebody has some explaining to do. I suspect we have a mechanic that just got himself a new Optima battery!

I am betting I get a new battery out of this.

Somebody's got some serious 'splaining to do!

As a side note, you may want to replace it with a diehard Platinum battery. Optima moved production down "south" a few years back and the word is that they are now officially cr@p. The DH Platinum is the new go-to battery. There's several threads on this very topic.

Good luck with the dealer. I'd be letting the manager know that the cops just might be getting involved, too. Theft and fraud are keywords that come to mind.

IndyBlueWK · 03-08-2012, 11:56 AM

Used to work in a dealership...stuff happends all the tme... thats why they have yous sign that paper before any work is done...

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyBlueWK

Used to work in a dealership...stuff happends all the tme... thats why they have yous sign that paper before any work is done...

Yep, I know, my father was a dealer for many many years. And it happens and the only way for the dealership to try to catch somebody like this is for the customer to report it.
And I don't care what paperwork is signed, when something is unbolted from my car being serviced and I know when it was done and in the time frame shown above I am going to get it back.
That dealership that had the employee steal my antenna said I could not search anyone. I told them to call the Sheriff if the liked, he is the wife's cousin, but I am getting my antenna back and now!

Keep in mind with the battery theft that I did not own the Jeep yet, but I had a deposit on it as I saw it being worked on. And if I have to I will pull up the original owner's name and call him to verify that he had an Optima battery in it.

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying_bosun

Somebody's got some serious 'splaining to do!

As a side note, you may want to replace it with a diehard Platinum battery. Optima moved production down "south" a few years back and the word is that they are now officially cr@p. The DH Platinum is the new go-to battery. There's several threads on this very topic.

Good luck with the dealer. I'd be letting the manager know that the cops just might be getting involved, too. Theft and fraud are keywords that come to mind.

Funny, it's a Die Hard Platinum that is now in the jeep. But as I said you can tell it's used.

Indy · 03-08-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keninaz

Y

Keep in mind with the battery theft that I did not own the Jeep yet, but I had a deposit on it as I saw it being worked on. And if I have to I will pull up the original owner's name and call him to verify that he had an Optima battery in it.

It doesn't matter. It was part of the vehicle when the offer was made/deal was struck. Removing value from an item afterwards is a no-no in contract land. You have to pass it in the condition it was in, or better.

Mildly related. When I bought my YJ oh so many years ago, the salesman took the jeep to get washed and fueled, gone forever. Turns out that he was also using the trip to deliver an 8ball of coke.

To an undercover DCI agent

Who I worked with.

Made for a good laugh when we were in the gym once we connected him and the delivery with my new jeep.

I miss that jeep, I always felt happy when I turned on the defrost

2006_Sport · 03-08-2012, 01:00 PM

Good riddens, Optima is garbage. Stay with the die hard but try to get money back from the dealer since your battery got stolen.

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 01:22 PM

I just don't want a new battery that has been replaced with a used one.
I have no idea what the status of this Die Hard is, but it's an older battery.

2006_Sport · 03-08-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keninaz

I just don't want a new battery that has been replaced with a used one.
I have no idea what the status of this Die Hard is, but it's an older battery.

Easy, if it dies. Go to sears and have it replaced lol. They have a warranty.

Granted Idk if you need a receipt for it or not to do so.

**Boreal** · 03-08-2012, 01:30 PM

I just replaced my Die Hard under warranty a few months ago. They did have to locate my purchase transaction in the computer before they would give me a new one.

2006_Sport · 03-08-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boreal

I just replaced my Die Hard under warranty a few months ago. They did have to locate my purchase transaction in the computer before they would give me a new one.

Well there goes my idea

kolky · 03-08-2012, 02:06 PM

You have every right to complain but I would take the DieHard Platinum over the Optima....

keninaz · 03-08-2012, 02:24 PM

I did not pay that close to the date code on the Optima when I looked at it but I remember thinking it's brand new and I should have to worry about a battery right away.
The battery that is now in the TJ looks old and a little swollen to me, not a good sign.

I am however beginning to think that after several hours that the GM of this dealership is not going to return my call. I know he is there but he will not return my call. He doesn't know the subject yet however.
Oh well, if they don't call I guess it's on to the BBB (they are not a member, I checked) and the police to file a theft report if they will even take one.
Here in AZ theft of this small amount is only a misdemeanor, and considering I had not purchased the Jeep yet they may not even take a report.

But I can make a pain in the *** out of myself and I am retired and have the time to make an issue out of it if that's what is required.