The Most Common Consumer Complaints I Hear - The Podcast And Video

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 07/16/2015 at 09:00 • Filed to: None

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People call my office all day long looking for help with consumer problems. That’s what I get for having a website which offers to help consumers with their problems. One thing I have noticed is that the same problems pop up over and over again. So, I did this week’s podcast on the 5 Most Common Consumer Complaints I hear.

And I know that there are some who can’t listen to a whole podcast (or watch the accompanying video) and will wonder, “Pray tell, What are the most common complaints you hear?!”

I could refuse to tell you here but I am a nice guy after all. They concern: Used cars, New Cars, Other big ticket items, that Non-existent right to return something within 3 days and Auto Repairs. So, in the podcast I explain what those problems are and what the short answer is to the problem.

And I will tell you this (in case you haven’t figured it out yet): It is not my primary goal that you call me after these things have happened to you. I am hoping that you will hear my lecture podcast and avoid getting ripped off in the first place. It is always easier to save your money than it is to sue someone to try and get it back.

With that in mind, here is the podcast:

https://soundcloud.com/stevelehto/top…

And, here is the video:

And, this is pretty cool. This past week the podcast crossed the 50,000 listens threshold. That is as if every living soul in Battle Creek, Michigan, tuned in for a listen. Imagine the power I wield!

(The top pic is a Turbine Car I photographed. No one complains about those.)

Follow me on Twitter: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Hear my podcast on iTunes: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we’re not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn’t act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.

factsonly1 > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:20

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Ugh, why a podcast? I guess I’ll skip it. Please type words next time.

SteveLehto > factsonly1 07/16/2015 at 09:27

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Believe it or not, there are people who don’t like all that wordy stuff.

But, I have noted your request.

Thanks.

1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:27

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You talked about the Federal Lemon Law covering anything sold with a warranty. Out of curiosity, does that include electronics? I know that most times a electronic purchase won’t be worth to sue if its a lemon, but say you bought a $7,500-$10,000 computer/TV. Would that be actionable to sue if it turned out to be a lemon under Federal Lemon Law?

Hirsch > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:28

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Title washing!!

LeonMF > factsonly1 07/16/2015 at 09:29

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Yeah, I appreciate that video and audio are highly ranked by google and it can be easier to talk to a microphone than type out a long post but... I don’t listen to podcasts or watch videos.

It’s a personal preference that probably puts us in the minority.

Birddog > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:30

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Haven’t had time to listen yet. I do have a question though.

Is one of the “consumer” complaints about how horrible it is that they have to listen to a Podcast?

Seems like a recurring complaint.

SteveLehto > 1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! 07/16/2015 at 09:31

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If it came with a warranty and was sold as a consumer product, yes.

SteveLehto > Hirsch 07/16/2015 at 09:32

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Is that a question or does the concept just make you want to shout?

SteveLehto > Birddog 07/16/2015 at 09:33

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Interestingly not at my office. But here, yes. The funny thing is that the podcast has been listened to over 50,000 times now (and this is the 40th episode). So some people must enjoy it.

Can’t please everyone.

haveacarortwoorthree > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:33

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If my wife washes anything, I’m happy!

spookiness > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:33

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Wait, the Turbine Car had coil springs and not torsion bars? I’m appalled.

SteveLehto > spookiness 07/16/2015 at 09:36

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I suspect it had something to do with the assembly process.

1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:36

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huh...whaddya know. I learned something new today. On a related note, is there a rule of thumb on what value is worth suing for? Say above $1500, $2500, $5000?

AKA, what would be the lowest amount that would be worth it to you/your client (disregarding suing to “sticking it to the man)?

Illegal Machine > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:37

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I’ll give this a listen this morning. Thanks, Steve!

Hirsch > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:41

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Makes me want to shout! I’m the guy that emailed you about the Dodge Ram I bought in 2005 that had it’s title washed.

SteveLehto > 1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! 07/16/2015 at 09:42

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Tough call. There are attorneys who will file any case where statutory fees are available (because the fees are not tied to the amount of recover). I don’t care for those because they often become a quagmire (especially if I don’t know how that defendant will choose to defend itself).

SteveLehto > Hirsch 07/16/2015 at 09:43

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It happens a lot. We really do need some Federal action on this.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:47

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I agree with his statement, but for the reason that if I’m sitting around or have downtime at work it’s far easier to stare at words on a screen than to dig out my headphones/earbuds/whatever and become incommunicado to everyone around me for a few minutes at a time to listen to it.

Hooperdink > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 09:56

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The only complaint I have about the Chrysler turbine is why don’t I have one in my driveway? ;) I’ve lusted after it since I went to the World’s Fair. I enjoyed your book about the Turbine also!

SteveLehto > LeonMF 07/16/2015 at 09:58

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I don’t care about google. It’s actually EASIER for me to write pieces (note that I write two or three a week for these various sites but only do one podcast which is never more than 20 minutes in length).

I worked in radio for many years and for me, it is FUN to do a podcast. As I note in this one, I have written extensively on all of these topics before. Some people do enjoy hearing this stuff explained. I have had people request topics they want podcasts on - topics I have written about.

SteveLehto > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/16/2015 at 09:59

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I hear you (figuratively speaking). But there are people right now who are driving. They can listen to a podcast but really shouldn’t be reading.

SteveLehto > Hooperdink 07/16/2015 at 09:59

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I concur wholeheartedly.

Triborough > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:22

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I thought this was going to be about consumers complaining about podcasts and videos. Seriously, I am tired of clicking on something interesting and seeing it is a video or podcast which I don’t have time for. I can read the words much quicker.

SteveLehto > Triborough 07/16/2015 at 10:25

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I tried to warn you by putting “The Podcast And Video” in the title.

TheCraigy > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:31

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Good podcast.

Years ago in the car business, I remembered hearing salesmen talking about the 3 day return period as if it was fact. I never could find that law on the books in my state.

r1teway > Hirsch 07/16/2015 at 10:33

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How does a buyer learn of a washed title?

r1teway > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:35

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I think your are awesome for your care, concern, and ethics Steve. Thank you for sharing very valuable information with me and so many others.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:36

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Having words and such makes it difficult to get your thoughts when we are in offices.

Words on the other hand, are much easier to read and not disturb everyone else in earshot. :)

Adam Panzica > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:37

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My guess is that many people that browse Jalop in the morning do so from work, where they typically can’t listen to podcasts/watch videos.It’s not just you, every author that posts video/audio only articles during the work day gets similar complaints.

SteveLehto > TheCraigy 07/16/2015 at 10:41

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Thanks for the note. I get at least one call a week about that.

SteveLehto > r1teway 07/16/2015 at 10:41

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Thanks for the note. I appreciate it.

SteveLehto > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/16/2015 at 10:43

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Yeah, it’s a trade off. People who drive or are out running can’t read the written pieces.

I might try and coordinate these pod/video casts with a written piece each week. But if I did that and managed to make everyone happy, that old adage (about it being impossible to please everyone) would no longer be true. Not sure if I want to be responsible for that.

drdude > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:44

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Talking until you’re blue in the face...

Triborough > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:44

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But it was worded like that is what the complants were about.

SteveLehto > Adam Panzica 07/16/2015 at 10:45

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People read the internet at work?!

I have to rethink my world view!

I get it. I usually do cover this stuff in writing elsewhere. I just don’t understand the comments that go like this: “I don’t like podcasts. Stop doing them.”

Does that same person call up the TV station and say, “I don’t like your shows. Turn off your transmitter.” ?

drdude > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:45

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not until they fix the whole “I want this thing street legal, but my state sucks” thing.

Kit cars, “offroad” motorcycles, etc...

SteveLehto > drdude 07/16/2015 at 10:45

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I KNEW IT!

SteveLehto > drdude 07/16/2015 at 10:47

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It would be really easy for the Feds to pass uniform titling laws. But you know how politicians are about doing “simple” things.

SteveLehto > Triborough 07/16/2015 at 10:47

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You thought I did an entire podcast on how people don’t like podcasts? Or should I write an article about that?

Dolby109 > Triborough 07/16/2015 at 10:50

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You can always listen to a podcast/video while doing other things...so it doesn't have to take extra time at all.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:51

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I’ll just have to develop some decent text-to-speech software. :)

Adam Panzica > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:51

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I mean, I’d hope they’re saying “I really wish you’d post a transcript with the podcast since I enjoy the topic and want to know the story,” rather than “I wish you’d stop doing podcasts completely.”

pierce is a b > haveacarortwoorthree 07/16/2015 at 10:52

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umm...do your own damn laundry?

jks > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:55

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Thanks for the podcast. I didn’t think I would have the patience to listen to the whole thing but it was very interesting and I learned a few things.

DennisReynoldsGoldenGod > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:57

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Steve, don’t listen to them. The podcasts are great and if they find pressing play on their phones too taxing, they can’ t be helped. Also, would complaining about the medium of delivery be your new consumer complaint?

drdude > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:58

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Then you would have freak states like cali.. trying to lock down everything. Meanwhile free states still want people to register their ATVs and Dirtbikes so we can legally drive down the road to the trailhead. You have people across the country building cool one offs and kit cars that are able to be titled where they are, but not able to be titled in other states.

By the current laws, its a pain, but the same issues that can “wash” titles, also lets some of us keep the freedom to do the hobbies we enjoy.

drdude > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:58

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no. we ask them to include closed captioning for the hearing impared.

FeistyFieSTa > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 10:59

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I love the podcasts, personally. I think that a 20-minute podcast written down would be a HUGE block of text. Plus, the podcast is easy - just plug in headphones and I can go about “working” while listening in the “background”.

I do like your written articles for shorter topics though, as well!

SteveLehto > Adam Panzica 07/16/2015 at 11:02

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Astonishingly, some internet commenters aren’t as polite as we might hope.

SteveLehto > jks 07/16/2015 at 11:02

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Thanks. I appreciate the note.

SteveLehto > DennisReynoldsGoldenGod 07/16/2015 at 11:03

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Like I say, You get what you pay for!

Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > drdude 07/16/2015 at 11:06

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Yeah, there’s always the tradeoff. I’d like to see a simple (HA!) Federal standard that says, “There are different Title Designations. Regular, Salvaged, Wrecked. All states must use these three and any state that retitles a vehicle from another state MUST carry over the designation from the other state.”

Then you have standard for how to take a wrecked vehicle and salvage it, and so on.

ozkar0rtiz > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:18

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Love your podcast!!.

Can you comment on selling a car in payments to a friend ? Do you know what steps it takes to make it a safe Transaction for both parties?

Thanks in advance.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:22

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I generally like podcasts, but writing it up too allows me to read at work or on my commute.

SteveLehto > FeistyFieSTa 07/16/2015 at 11:23

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Thanks. One drawback is I do not use a script (I assume that is fairly obvious). So in written form, I would have to clean it up and rewrite it - which would seem silly since I have convered so much of this elsewhere.

These are descigned to get the information across in an accessible manner for those who don’t mind listening to something (or watching when I do a video component).

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:24

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That really was a great listen. Thanks for putting it together. I have a question, and figured it would be easier to bother you here instead of on the phone.

A vehicle I own (2004 Corvette) has developed a fuel leak that’s likely related to the Special Coverage Adjustment issued in 2010. Unfortunately, General Motors only covered repairs for 10 years from the day the car went into service or 100,000 miles. The 10 years is up, but I’m nowhere near 100k miles. I’ve talked to some other owners that have experienced this issue recently and tried to get GM to budge on the limits, but were unsuccessful. Do you have any advice for attempting to get something like this covered, even partially, by GM? It seems to me that the safety aspect alone would/should be enough to have a full-blown recall done.

SteveLehto > ozkar0rtiz 07/16/2015 at 11:27

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Thanks for the note and that is an interesting question. Technically, it is such a complicated topic I would not recommend it to anyone. I did do a story a while back about one such deal - and how it went wrong.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/corvette-custo…

SteveLehto > BDoc 07/16/2015 at 11:29

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A fuel leak and it’s not subject to a recall? How odd. How much would it cost to fix otherwise?

If there is no mandated recall, the best you can ever do is go back to the selling dealer and plead your case nicely. Ask for a zone rep (or whatever GM calls them these days) and see if they won’t help. It’s a shame to let someone who pays that much for a car be treated this way.

tr6rtiger > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:37

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Love the Turbine Car!

SteveLehto > tr6rtiger 07/16/2015 at 11:39

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So do I! I wrote a book about them and, as a result, I have a TON of pictures. I took that of the one owned by the Detroit Historical Museum (it is now on display at the Gilmore).

tr6rtiger > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:43

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I have it, have read it a couple of times. Looking forward to the Daytona book you’re working on.

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 11:51

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Thanks for replying so quickly!

On cost, I’ve seen anywhere from $1100-2000 from different forum members. I’m waiting to hear back whether it’s for sure this crossover tube & quick connector fuel leak, and the written estimate for repair cost that will come with it.

No mandated recall as of now. Just the issuance of the coverage adjustment. GM narrowed it down to a very specific range of VINs on the Corvette and Cadillac XLR that’s supposedly due to a manufacturing defect. I’ve got a list of contacts to call should this be the issue, but I’m not extremely hopeful of an outcome in my favor. Though, maybe the recent H3 recall will help them reconsider vehicle safety. However, that’s probably just wishful thinking.

SteveLehto > tr6rtiger 07/16/2015 at 11:52

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Thanks. I also have a book on Tucker which is coming out next year. There are some similarities between Tucker and Trubines. Among other things the fleet sizes. 55 Turbines were built; 51 Tuckers (if you count the Tin Goose).

Hirsch > r1teway 07/16/2015 at 12:21

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In my case, I managed to get in touch with the original owner who told me the vehicle had been totaled in a side impact collision. Then, according to Carfax, the truck changed hands between a bunch of different dealers, about 7 or 8 times in less than a year. At some point the fact that it had a salvage title was omitted, so the next time it changed hands it had a clean title.

No one ever confessed to title washing, but all the evidence I had suggested thats what happened.

atx > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 12:53

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I don’t think the issue is the podcast. They’re great; keep doing them! It’s that the only “exclusive” media format should be text. When content is unavailable except in video/podcast/narrated voiceover/endless 20+ item slide decks, it’s not accessible to people who rely on accessibility devices, slow/capped/firewalled connections, or just people who prefer the fastest and most direct way of digesting information: reading.

Doing a podcast version of an article or an extended discussion is a great idea, but forcing people to listen to 40 minutes of talking in order to extract 5 minutes of information is sometimes troublesome.

SteveLehto > atx 07/16/2015 at 13:04

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Yes, I get that. And 99% of what I do in the podcasts is covered elsewhere. What I should do (and will try to do in the future) is hotlink in the articles which cover what the podcast covers. I just thought that was a bit pretentious. “Here’s my podcast. Go read my stuff too!”

I may even try to do the trifecta: A Car Buying piece with an accompanying podcast and video cast - all available at the same time.

haveacarortwoorthree > pierce is a b 07/16/2015 at 14:00

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umm ..., I do. That’s why I would be happy if my wife washes anything.

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 15:51

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Speaking with GM now. Turns out it was a leak at the quick connector where the fuel tank cracked (part of the special adjustment coverage). The dealer wants $3472.12 to fix it.

SteveLehto > BDoc 07/16/2015 at 16:24

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Wow. See if GM will help you. Go through the dealer (After they have said they won’t help) and have them get to the zone rep. Talking to people at the 800# in the owner’s manual is not the same thing.

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 16:33

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I contacted GM. They opened a case number, and are in the process of contacting the dealership. I asked for the zone rep’s contact info at the dealership (even though I knew I wasn’t getting it), and they said they weren’t at liberty to give that out.

I still can’t believe that 06-09 Cobalts, G5s, Equinoxxes and Torrents can have their fuel leak repaired (fuel pump module) regardless of mileage or time, but the 2004 Vettes can’t.

SteveLehto > BDoc 07/16/2015 at 16:34

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They can’t give the number out. But they CAN contact him for you. Is there a salesman or sales manager there you know? Work with them. The 800# thing with the case # is almost worthless.

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 16:43

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There’s a service advisor that I usually work with. Though, he seems to be following the lead of the service manager, and that guy is telling me all they can do is maybe discount parts or labor.

Without those guys in my corner, I’m not sure what else I can do. They basically hold up the special coverage adjustment, point at the 10-year deadline and say “sorry” but there’s really nothing we can (or have to) do.

SteveLehto > BDoc 07/16/2015 at 17:09

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This is the selling dealer? Go to your salesman (if he’s not there, find the sales mgr.)

Shiarlis > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 17:21

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What my eyes looked like when I realized what it was. Kinda see a minion face too.

SteveLehto > Shiarlis 07/16/2015 at 17:30

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This was a LITTLE on the subtle side but I knew many people would recognize it.

jmjr07 > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 18:03

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Is the sixth most common question about what kind of dressing you use on your Lehto slaw? Very informative video, thanks!

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 18:18

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I didn’t purchase the Corvette from this dealership, nor am I the original owner. It’s the local dealer where I currently live, and has/had a good reputation within the Corvette community due to the work their Vette technician does.

SteveLehto > jmjr07 07/16/2015 at 18:59

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Thanks!

slaw > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 20:42

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There are also people who are hearing impaired. A transcript would be appreciated.

slaw > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 22:24

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Mind you, that’s not a demand, just a request. I like reading what you post. It’s just that this move toward video content by everybody is leaving some folks behind. YouTube’s auto-caption feature needs a whooooooooooooole lot more work.

DinoTheDinosaur > SteveLehto 07/16/2015 at 22:42

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I appreciate all the work you put into this series, video, podcast, and blog posts all. I personally am a fan of the written form since I usually pull into Jalopnik alongside multiple other sites or blogs, and I like to jump from article to article. I can’t always finish an article in one sitting as I might be officially “at work”, or perhaps someone is knocking at the door, or the phone is ringing, whatever, but it’s far easier for me to pick up a written piece in the middle after a 10 minute, 10 hour, or 10 day delay than stopping a vid/podcast midstream and picking it back up later.

For all the others out there blarging and kvetching and saying “oh em gee, like, your 10 minute podcast must be SO many words, I would hardly be able see them all!!!!1!” ... what took you 17 minutes to SAY (even at your fast rate of speech, Steve ... wow, you talk FAST!) would take me about 5 minutes to READ.

SteveLehto > factsonly1 07/17/2015 at 17:32

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lehtos-law-tra…

SteveLehto > LeonMF 07/17/2015 at 17:32

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lehtos-law-tra…

SteveLehto > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/17/2015 at 17:33

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lehtos-law-tra…

SteveLehto > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/17/2015 at 17:33

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lehtos-law-tra…

SteveLehto > slaw 07/17/2015 at 17:33

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/lehtos-law-tra…

slaw > SteveLehto 07/17/2015 at 22:35

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Thank you, I really appreciate this.

BDoc > SteveLehto 07/22/2015 at 23:40

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Just as a follow up, the GM Executive Office has offered 20% off the dealer cost. Which is really just an additional 10% off the dealer said they might be able to give me. Short of a full recall or class action, I don’t see help coming my way.

SilverBRADo totaled his beigeslushboxmatrix > SteveLehto 07/29/2015 at 12:14

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I read your articles and listen to your podcasts. You can make everyone happy...