Tips on Buying Cars: new car with paint damage, touch ups, paint damage


Question
Eight days ago I bought a new 2008 Honda Accord.  After washing it for the first time I noticed a number of small nicks of chips that had already been touched-up.  The touch-ups were done well, however, I was not told that the car was touched-up...I thought I was buying a new car! I have to look close to find the touched up areas, and have found well over 10 touch-ups. I have an appointment Tuesday with customer service and don't know how to present my concerns or know what to ask for in return.
thanks for your help!
Cort

Answer
Check your owners manual and warranty to see if touch-ups are mentioned there; most manufacturers will state that "a few" hand-applied touch-ups are part of the normal new-car preparation.  To be fair, I don't think anyone could reasonable expect even a brand-new car to be delivered in 100%, absolutely-perfect condition.  You've said yourself that you really had to look to find them, and you'll no doubt develop at least that many on your own in the first six months of driving.  The real question here is whether or not 10 or more touch-ups are reasonable.  Although it seems excessive to me (I never delivered a new car with that many in the 25 years I was a salesperson), here's what I'd be looking for: something in writing from the dealer that, if these touch-ups don't hold and lead to rust, they'll repair them so to prevent further corrosion of the vehicle.  That was the point of the dealer's service dept performing the touch-ups in the first place.