Ford of Lomira

I purchased a 2012 used F-150 from Van Horn Lomira end of January 2019. Within the first 800 miles all the paint started peeling off the tailgate. they originally told me they usually don't cover paint. I made an appointment with service dept end of March regarding a recall and also asked them to have the manager look at the tailgate. I left them the following note
To Whom It May Concern:

My F-150 is here for the transmission recall. I purchased it here about 2 months ago. I bought it during that cold stretch at the end of January. I do have a concern however. I called your sales manager about a week ago when I made this appointment for the recall issue. I mentioned the paint was coming off the tailgate. He mentioned we usually don’t cover paint. While I can appreciate this answer – it is not one I would give a customer. I would think you would first look it up to see if indeed you did paint the tailgate. If I traded this vehicle in today I would think you would paint the gate before you sold it. I don’t think it is unreasonable for a customer to ask the question. From my point of view I have 1000 miles on this car and 25% of that is back and forth to your dealership. If indeed you did paint the tailgate I feel you should fix it. From my perspective the paint was fine on this vehicle for 7 years, I purchase it and it just happens to pick the first 800 miles I own it to fall off. In a way I hope you did paint it. If you didn’t paint it – it may indicate a much larger problem and I should go to Ford for answers. I don’t think I or any other customer would pay what I paid for a used vehicle which may have an inherent paint problem. Please have your sales manager look at the tailgate and let me know your thoughts. I can be reached at my cell 414-397-1218. If I’m unable to answer, please leave a message.

Thank you,
Jeff Behrens
I dropped the vehicle off on Sunday on Tuesday I got a call from Van Horn asking if I was satisfied with the work they did. I explained I live 60 miles away and you still have the car. I explained which was mu vehicle and I'm waiting to hear about the paint on the tailgate. I was told they sent it to the paint shop. Never heard anything and on Friday I called to see what's happening. They told me after calling the mgr at home or his cell it would cost $1100 to fix. I would be responsible for $450 an they would pay $650. I said OK give me $650 and I'll get it painted down by me. They refuse they wanted to paint. I left the car there a few more days why I decided what to do. I emailed back and forth and became concerned they were not being truthful with me. I eventually just picked it up and called Ford case number *** service mgr ***. They insisted I take it to Ford so they could look at it. I did (***) and they also gave me an estimate for $633.84. The highest of my 6 estimates. My two lowest were for $400 each. The rest were under $600. Ford corporate never got back to me even though I followed their procedures. The man at *** explained Ford wont do anything they will try to just get us to do the work at a lower price. I explained to him why you guys? my beef is with Van Horn not ***. I have emails available between Van Horn and myself. I feel Van Horn was being disingenuous with me under the guise of some sort of customer service. No one came close to the $1100 price range to fix. Eventually I did get it painted for the $400 by Quality, *** also quoted the $400. I'm happy with the vehicle and have only 3,000 miles on it since January. I use it only for hunting and fishing, but my thought about Van Horn Lomira have been eating away at me. I can send estimates and copies of email between myself and Van Horn If you would like. I would not have paid $400 more for this vehicle.