dbg@u1100a.UUCP (D B Grooms) (04/13/84)
Dealer-applied rustproofing is known for being a huge rip-off. A number
of suits were filed not long ago against New York auto dealers for cheating
people on rustproofing. Dealers typically charge a reasonable fee for
rustproofing, however the "rustproofing" job is usually very poorly done
(if done at all!). You may pay full price for a minimal, haphazard job
performed to minimize material and labor costs.
My bad experience was with Hudson Toyota, Jersey City, NJ. I bought
a new car and had them apply rustproofing. I did not expect problems since
they said they had a Ziebart franchise and offered the Ziebart lifetime
warranty. However, upon taking the car to the local Ziebart dealer for
inspection, I was informed that they would not validate the warranty since
much of the car was not rustproofed AT ALL. After several calls and letters
to their home office, Ziebart finally re-rustproofed the car. My original
problem was caused by the car dealer, not by Ziebart.
The bottom line is to avoid dealer-applied rustproofing and have
it applied at an independent rustproofing shop that offers a good
warranty.
David Grooms
Bell Communications Research
{ihnp4,houxm,pyuxww}!u1100a!dbg