If you do allow the dealer to keep the car for a week, get something in writing that specifies:

1) Your compensation

2) That they are liable for any and all damage

3) When you will take delivery

4) Any other compensation agreed on (loaner car, etc.).

ALWAYS get things in writing. Always.

 

Unless you are allowed to pull up a sleepijng bag next to it. I wouldn't. Maybe for 3 years free maintenance....maybe

 

Its only a < 30k dollar car .. just let them have it and take the 500. Its not like a Ferrari or something where damage is priceless. If someone messes up your car its insured and you can squeeze money out of them.

 

I get bent out of shape if I go to an electronics store to buy something and the box is damaged!

Damage is damage. Anything can be repaired, but you will never know it was a 700 pound man that crushed your seats.

 

Let's think of it this way:

You get paid money to let your car sit for another week. Personally, 1 week goes by so fast I don't even remember doing anything in the last seven days. People come in and say, nice car! Maybe they touch it or sit in it. If it's roped off then they don't. I would guess nobody would sit in it comparing it to cars at auto shows, and dealerships where they're locked.

Instead you drive it home. You drive it a lot of places. You park it. People come along and say, Nice car. They touch it. Maybe they even sit on the hood. Who knows what they'll do. Maybe they'll attempt to steal it. My argument is that you can't lock your car in a safe and have it never be exposed to dust, much less rain, rocks, hail, mud, snow, people, their pets, potholes, speed bumps, and whatever other crap is out there.

 

To use a phrase from Charlton Heston.

"From my cold dead hands...."