Sometimes, results speak for themselves…without needing to take credit.

Here’s a timeline of a recent case one of our dealers faced:

-9/13: Dealer purchased a 46K mile Cadillac with “upper engine noise.”
-9/17: Vehicle delivered.
-9/19: Vehicle arbitrated due to engine lock-up.
-9/26: Openlane requested the vehicle be taken to a Cadillac dealer for diagnosis—at the dealer’s expense.
-10/1: Arb case closed without resolution.
-10/4: Dealer files a complaint with Openlane corporate.
-10/4: Complaint registered with AAR.
-10/9: ACH received for $2450—without any explanation or prior communication.

Here’s what the dealer shared in their complaint to Openlane:

“I purchased the vehicle, took it for a test drive, and the engine locked up. I filed an arbitration, but it was closed with no response. Openlane wanted me to take it to a dealer for a non-reimbursed inspection, but that made no sense…it would’ve cost $1,000 and more than 5 days of downtime. After a long line of back and forth, it felt like I was getting nowhere.”

After reaching out to AAR, we registered the complaint on 10/4. By 10/9, the dealer had received the $2450 adjustment…no explanation, no communication.

Now, we can’t say for certain that AAR’s involvement pushed the auction to resolve the matter, but the timeline is clear…and we’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

In the end, it seems the dealer got what they were hoping for—just a bit faster than expected.

Sometimes, having an advocate in your corner is enough to get things moving in the right direction.

Let us know if you’ve ever faced similar issues or how you’ve navigated them. Your stories could help others avoid similar frustrations.

Be sure to follow us and register as a dealer.

It’s free for any dealer in the United States and Canada