Settled with Vallarta Market on car damage today

[Hugh R]

Wifey had a 2012 Mazda 3 with 500 miles on it. A few years ago, while at the local Hispanic Supermarket on of their clerks let a dozen shopping carts get away from him and smacked the crap out of the L/R of the car. Vallarta told us that we parked in the parking lot at our own risk. They didn't have any signs stating this. They blew us off and we took them to court and they finally settled three years later for $3,800. Including the car repairs by Mazda, a rental car for a few weeks and diminution of value since it had been damaged. We didn't make a claim to our insurance company since we didn't want our rates jacked up.

In retrospect I think I should have turned it over to my insurance carrier. But it looks like we're going to net about $1,000 for our hassle. If they'd just offered to fix the car, it would have cost them about 1/2 of what they settled for.

Plus a lot of my upscale friends who knew how we were treated quit shopping there.

Do you really want to turn away the "rich" people in the area who are just starting to shop at your supermarket which has mostly less well off Hispanic shoppers? Not a good business plan.

[craigster59]

Glad you made out. I live just up the street from there, probably my favorite market. Good prices, great meat counter and produce. The "hot food" area is great, all kinds of great Mexican soups and entrees. Try the chicharrones carnudo, those babies are addicting.

[Baz]

TWO thumbs up Hugh!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Wifey had a 2012 Mazda 3 with 500 miles on it. A few years ago, while at the local Hispanic Supermarket on of their clerks let a dozen shopping carts get away from him and smacked the crap out of the L/R of the car. Vallarta told us that we parked in the parking lot at our own risk. They didn't have any signs stating this. They blew us off and we took them to court and they finally settled three years later for $3,800. Including the car repairs by Mazda, a rental car for a few weeks and diminution of value since it had been damaged. We didn't make a claim to our insurance company since we didn't want our rates jacked up.

In retrospect I think I should have turned it over to my insurance carrier. But it looks like we're going to net about $1,000 for our hassle. If they'd just offered to fix the car, it would have cost them about 1/2 of what they settled for.

Plus a lot of my upscale friends who knew how we were treated quit shopping there.

Do you really want to turn away the "rich" people in the area who are just starting to shop at your supermarket which has mostly less well off Hispanic shoppers? Not a good business plan.

Hugh, if they think that way, they will be miles ahead of anyone else, but they don't. I found most do not plan very well for the future, forget growth. sorry I sound like a real siht head for saying this, but its the truth.

[Hugh R]

I think that if they deny claims like this from 99% of their Hispanic clients, the clients won't take them to court.

I talked to the Manager of the local Safeway and he is personally authorized to settle such claims for up to $2,500 without going up the chain-of-command.

I liked going there and over the last three years they probably lost a few $thousand of my business alone.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I think that if they deny claims like this from 99% of their Hispanic clients, the clients won't take them to court.

Take out the word Hispanic and change it to about 95% and you're probably right. That's the logic behind it; most people will not bother or report it to their insurance. If it happens to an old PU truck, (or any vehicle really), who really cares about the dent?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I liked going there and over the last three years they probably lost a few $thousand of my business alone.

I hear ya.

I once started taking automotive classes at a school on the fringes of town.
Down the block was a chinese joint. Only place around, and I love (american)chinese food. Cool.
The first day of class I sat down and waited to be served. Place was empty. I waited and waited 20-30min.
The waitress walked out rather than take my order. No white guys allowed I guess.
I left and never returned.
I took classes at the nearby school for the next year or two.
I thought about going back in, talking to the owner, and flashing a tall stack of twenties. "Here is what your waiter cost you this year".

[Hugh R]

Denis, No, I think in this case I am correct. You go to the Safeway, four blocks away and its mostly newer upscale vehicles. At the Vallarta Market, not so much.

Like I stated at the Safeway, the Manager told me he could go up to $2,500 for damages on his own judgement.

I don't want to stereotype, but IMHO, Hispanics are generally less prone to make a stink about things than white people. They tend to tolerate longer lines for service whether at a government agency or at a store. I've seen this first hand in the USA and Mexico.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Glad you made out. I live just up the street from there, probably my favorite market. Good prices, great meat counter and produce. The "hot food" area is great, all kinds of great Mexican soups and entrees. Try the chicharrones carnudo, those babies are addicting.

We have one a couple exits from work...the 2 lb carnitas dinner feeds my fat ass well and 3 other employees my size. SUCKS they pulled that...it's funny tho...if youre a weto and you speak to them in spanish...customer service is about what you'd expext at a high end jewelers. When people talk of "White Priviledge" this comes to mind.

[Arizona_928]

If people were honest and had some integrity the world would be a better place. Just a little bit of money, and the worse of society is exposed.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Wifey had a 2012 Mazda 3 with 500 miles on it. A few years ago, while at the local Hispanic Supermarket on of their clerks let a dozen shopping carts get away from him and smacked the crap out of the L/R of the car. Vallarta told us that we parked in the parking lot at our own risk. They didn't have any signs stating this. They blew us off and we took them to court and they finally settled three years later for $3,800. Including the car repairs by Mazda, a rental car for a few weeks and diminution of value since it had been damaged. We didn't make a claim to our insurance company since we didn't want our rates jacked up.

In retrospect I think I should have turned it over to my insurance carrier. But it looks like we're going to net about $1,000 for our hassle. If they'd just offered to fix the car, it would have cost them about 1/2 of what they settled for.

Plus a lot of my upscale friends who knew how we were treated quit shopping there.

Do you really want to turn away the "rich" people in the area who are just starting to shop at your supermarket which has mostly less well off Hispanic shoppers? Not a good business plan.

I too know exactly which store your talking about,,,,I can guarantee you for every one of your "Rich" friends who won't shop there, two new Hispanics have moved into the area and will.....There's a reason those stores are in certain areas, you really aren't their target audience.....

[Hugh R]

I'm sure you're correct. But I'm also pretty sure the reason they moved from old town Newhall to their new location on Lyons Ave was to attract new/more business. Virtually no "upscale" people went to their old location, but it was always packed with non-whites. Perhaps I used the term "Rich" indelicately.

[creaturecat]

jeez Hugh.
i see no real reason to even mention the "hispanic" angle.

[sc_rufctr]

If you really want to make a point... Find out who the owner is and send that person a letter describing what happened and why you wont do business with them.

Letter writing still works. (It doesn't have to be hand written)

[rusnak]

tell them that you and your plethora of friends won't shop there until they shape up. Period!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Try the chicharrones carnudo, those babies are addicting.

thanks, now I'm all hungry.

Brand new car, I get it Hugh, glad it worked out. But why would your insurance go up in a no-fault incident if you reported it? That's why you have insurance.

[Hugh R]

SC, its a fairly large Corporation, I did call the company and their Risk Management person knew about the incident and basically said "You park at your own risk, goodbye".

Shaun, like I said earlier in retrospect, I would have done the insurance claim. I did talk to my insurance carrier when it happened and their body shop wanted to "pull and fill" the dent. Meaning bondo or some such junk. The car had 500 miles on it and I didn't want to go that route.

I didn't mean anything bad about the Hispanic thing, just an observation (my daughter's God Parents are 100% Hispanic). My point was about a public relations/marketing perspective of an ethnic supermarket moving into to, and taking a huge (and successful) chance in an area where they have not done business before. "Most" crackers around here won't go into a market where very little or no English is spoken, too much hassle/uncertainty. My point was Vallarta Markets should have done everything they could to right a wrong. One bad Yelp review can hose a company.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

jeez Hugh.
i see no real reason to even mention the "hispanic" angle.

I beg to differ the "Hispanic angle" was the whole point. Read my comments above.