What's reasonable?

[hed]

I think people here shouting "demand a new truck" may be going a bit far, these are still new vehicles. That said you should not accept a "repaired" vehicle. You're paying for a new car here and should get one.

If the tailgate and lightbar was damaged, they need to replace the tailgate and light bar. Everything will match as it's all still new, they should have the parts, it's basically still in the factory. There's no fundamental difference between replacing parts on a new car with other new parts. Logistically this might mean a different truck while they replace parts on that one, but either way makes no difference, you would have a newly built car with all new parts.

Unfortunately this is a potential issue with our reservations being likely at or under the cost of construction. If they piss you off and tell you to go pound sand they're saving money, which isn't an amazing position for us to be in. If you refuse a delivery you've done them a favor.

Thanks for the thoughts. I think the truck was dropped off in Atlanta for repair. The guide mentioned our vehicle being "dropped off at an Atlanta body shop for a quote". Perhaps the truck was damaged close to us or on the way to the Atlanta SC for prep?

At this point I think it is going to be a heck of a fight to get a new vehicle.

As I mentioned in my other response, what I am going to do is just wait until next week when I should theoretically take delivery and do a good once over. If there are issues at drop off I will contact my guide and tell them I am refusing the truck and have waited long enough for the current one. That I think a new vehicle is warranted. If that is refused then I guess I'll have to decide if I want to try and sell it for a profit or just kick it back and get a refund.

I won't worry about the price change for a new Rivian as I will not come back to the brand for the foreseeable future. I will also cancel my wife's RS1 preorder as well(hey, someone will get theirs sooner).

Rivian has many opportunities to get this one right. I am not unreasonable and did not come out of the gate demanding a new truck. What I expect is my truck to be 'right'. No panel gaps, no noticeable paint defects or interior trim issues, no warning lights going off. Things I may have been more accepting of if I hadn't already been waiting a month for an already damaged new vehicle. Otherwise, I will want a new truck because in that scenario I will feel I had waited an inordinate amount of time and they still couldn't get it right.

Your point is valid and how I feel, I paid for a new truck and the expectations of what that is and nothing less, which is what I will accept, nothing less.

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[hed]

Just heard back from our guide. The truck is back from the body shop and is ready for delivery ASAP.

But....

There is one very little scratch below the driver's side window. I was asked if I would be open to taking delivery and opening a ticket to have service fix it later.....

The truck was at a body shop, why in the world didn't they just fix the scratch then? If it happened afterwards, then send it right back. I think I've done enough time in Rivian limbo to at least be somewhat a priority.

If it's such a small scratch, why wouldn't they just send me a picture of the scratch? I mean we all have phones with cameras, how long could that take? If it's that tiny maybe I won't care.

Why would I want to accept delivery now and have it fixed later? It will still take the same (or more) amount of time, I would just be postponing it. Besides, Atlanta is over 200 miles away. Is Rivian going to flatbed the truck for a tiny scratch? Or is a service tech going to come to our house and drive it to/from Atlanta (and put over 400 miles on the thing)?

I have formally requested details about exactly what was damaged during delivery and how it was repaired so I can ascertain how bad the damage was.I want to get this information before I take delivery. If my guide cannot get that for me I asked to be put in contact with someone who can give me this information.

Veterans of auto forums read about these kind of things happening and most of us get lucky and avoid it, looks like I am paying penance for my historical good fortune.. lol

 

[hed]

I did get some more insight via my guide. Apparently the entire tailgate was replaced. For the scratch to be fixed the entire driver's door has to be repainted (re-dipped). I wonder how long will the repainting take?

I am asking for a new vehicle to be assigned.

 

[DaveA]

I did get some more insight via my guide. Apparently the entire tailgate was replaced. For the scratch to be fixed the entire driver's door has to be repainted (re-dipped). I wonder how long will the repainting take?

I am asking for a new vehicle to be assigned.

That's one hell of a scratch....that was the issue with mine...said there was no way they could match all the places it needed repainting... Sorry man, that's frustrating.

 

[hed]

That's one hell of a scratch....that was the issue with mine...said there was no way they could match all the places it needed repainting... Sorry man, that's frustrating.

Thanks. We need to form a support group..haha

 

[Attesan997]

Just heard back from our guide. The truck is back from the body shop and is ready for delivery ASAP.

But....

There is one very little scratch below the driver's side window. I was asked if I would be open to taking delivery and opening a ticket to have service fix it later.....

The truck was at a body shop, why in the world didn't they just fix the scratch then? If it happened afterwards, then send it right back. I think I've done enough time in Rivian limbo to at least be somewhat a priority.

If it's such a small scratch, why wouldn't they just send me a picture of the scratch? I mean we all have phones with cameras, how long could that take? If it's that tiny maybe I won't care.

Why would I want to accept delivery now and have it fixed later? It will still take the same (or more) amount of time, I would just be postponing it. Besides, Atlanta is over 200 miles away. Is Rivian going to flatbed the truck for a tiny scratch? Or is a service tech going to come to our house and drive it to/from Atlanta (and put over 400 miles on the thing)?

I have formally requested details about exactly what was damaged during delivery and how it was repaired so I can ascertain how bad the damage was.I want to get this information before I take delivery. If my guide cannot get that for me I asked to be put in contact with someone who can give me this information.

Veterans of auto forums read about these kind of things happening and most of us get lucky and avoid it, looks like I am paying penance for my historical good fortune.. lol

I'd be a lot more accepting if you were proactively given information with solutions. But it sounds like its all piecemeal which makes things even more frustrating. Why would someone want to accept a vehicle with a scratch so bad the whole door has to be repainted? It sounds like you'd just be punting the problem down the road to a time when its truly your vehicle and inconvenience.
It should have been presented as: Here's all that was/will need to be fixed on your truck followed by the timing needed for the work to be completed. We can give you a loaner R1T in the meantime or compensate you in some other reasnable way, but we understand if you'd rather us unwind things and match you with a new vehicle.

 

[hed]

After discussion with my guide today they are trying to locate a new vehicle in my area and fixing the one I technically own. I was told both might be available around 4/28. I said my preference was for a new truck. After the back and forth I get the feeling they are going to try their best to get me to accept the repaired one.

I'll reach out middle of next week to see where things stand. If Rivian sticks with trying to get me to accept the repaired truck I will speak to someone higher up and explain why most people who are familiar with the circumstances agree a new vehicle would be warranted, and then go from there. I also offered to entertain a different color R1T if it helped facilitate getting a new truck.

 

[DaveA]

After discussion with my guide today they are trying to locate a new vehicle in my area and fixing the one I technically own. I was told both might be available around 4/28. I said my preference was for a new truck. After the back and forth I get the feeling they are going to try their best to get me to accept the repaired one.

I'll reach out middle of next week to see where things stand. If Rivian sticks with trying to get me to accept the repaired truck I will speak to someone higher up and explain why most people who are familiar with the circumstances agree a new vehicle would be warranted, and then go from there. I also offered to entertain a different color R1T if it helped facilitate getting a new truck.

I'm getting my RESV (Rivian Emotional Support Vehicle) loaner on Saturday...and I won't give it back till mine is perfect. Unless its Silver...if its Silver with stripes I'll give it back..

 

[Bobthebuilder352]

After discussion with my guide today they are trying to locate a new vehicle in my area and fixing the one I technically own. I was told both might be available around 4/28. I said my preference was for a new truck. After the back and forth I get the feeling they are going to try their best to get me to accept the repaired one.

I'll reach out middle of next week to see where things stand. If Rivian sticks with trying to get me to accept the repaired truck I will speak to someone higher up and explain why most people who are familiar with the circumstances agree a new vehicle would be warranted, and then go from there. I also offered to entertain a different color R1T if it helped facilitate getting a new truck.

Once you get your new truck, please post the vin of the old one since there’s a good chance one of us will get it.

 

[DaveA]

After discussion with my guide today they are trying to locate a new vehicle in my area and fixing the one I technically own. I was told both might be available around 4/28. I said my preference was for a new truck. After the back and forth I get the feeling they are going to try their best to get me to accept the repaired one.

I'll reach out middle of next week to see where things stand. If Rivian sticks with trying to get me to accept the repaired truck I will speak to someone higher up and explain why most people who are familiar with the circumstances agree a new vehicle would be warranted, and then go from there. I also offered to entertain a different color R1T if it helped facilitate getting a new truck.

Yeah, I prodded for a new one as well and they vouched for the repairs being done and kinda glossed over it. Its not something they want to do, for sure.

 

[hed]

I'm getting my RESV (Rivian Emotional Support Vehicle) loaner on Saturday...and I won't give it back till mine is perfect. Unless its Silver...if its Silver with stripes I'll give it back..

Yeah, I prodded for a new one as well and they vouched for the repairs being done and kinda glossed over it. Its not something they want to do, for sure.

Hating it for you.

I think a possible (?) advantage in my case is I had not taken delivery yet. But who knows.

 

[DaveA]

Hating it for you.

I think a possible (?) advantage in my case is I had not taken delivery yet. But who knows.

Yeah, you do have that as you haven't signed on the dotted line on the delivery paperwork.

Rivian wasn't kidding about the Adventures we'd be taking.

 

[av8or]

It’s going to be very interesting to see if Rivian tries to make this up to you two somehow. I would at least think they could give you PPF or paint warranty for as long as you own it or something.?‍

 

[Scoiatael]

After discussion with my guide today they are trying to locate a new vehicle in my area and fixing the one I technically own. I was told both might be available around 4/28. I said my preference was for a new truck. After the back and forth I get the feeling they are going to try their best to get me to accept the repaired one.

I'll reach out middle of next week to see where things stand. If Rivian sticks with trying to get me to accept the repaired truck I will speak to someone higher up and explain why most people who are familiar with the circumstances agree a new vehicle would be warranted, and then go from there. I also offered to entertain a different color R1T if it helped facilitate getting a new truck.

What a mess. I'd insist on a new vehicle. Not worth getting the vehicle for a few days then sending it to a body shop for the door to be fixed.

 

[hed]

What a mess. I'd insist on a new vehicle. Not worth getting the vehicle for a few days then sending it to a body shop for the door to be fixed.

Guide couldn't understand either.

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