Standard car not in stock, dealer wants deposit to order one
Discussion
Just ordered a Merc E Class Estate 220 CDI Bluetec SE Auto in obsidian black. No extras, just as it comes. Factory build, expected sometime in November
Two dealers within pence of each other on the deal (which is a lease via Mercedes Finance)
Different approach from 2 dealers regarding deposit
Dealer 1 (that I chose to go with) wanted the paperwork signed and approved by Merc FS and has then ordered the car. First payment (of the 3 from the 3+23) to be collected by Merc FS 'a couple of days after you get the car'
Dealer 2 (that is nearer and, all other things being equal, would have got the order) wanted the paperwork signed and approved by Merc FS and £1k from me as a deposit before ordering the car. That £1k would be refunded on the day the car was handed over and the first payment (of the 3 from the 3+23) to be collected by Merc FS 'a couple of days after you get the car'
Dealer 2 was adamant that no deposit from me = no car. I was adamant that there was no deposit from me on a standard spec, standard colour car that they haven't got one of in stock.
I suppose I can make the case either way, but it seemed an odd thing to lose a sale on to me, particularly as a deposit was never even mentioned by Dealer 2. I mean, it is not as if they wouldn't find a home for the car elsewhere is it?
Two dealers within pence of each other on the deal (which is a lease via Mercedes Finance)
Different approach from 2 dealers regarding deposit
Dealer 1 (that I chose to go with) wanted the paperwork signed and approved by Merc FS and has then ordered the car. First payment (of the 3 from the 3+23) to be collected by Merc FS 'a couple of days after you get the car'
Dealer 2 (that is nearer and, all other things being equal, would have got the order) wanted the paperwork signed and approved by Merc FS and £1k from me as a deposit before ordering the car. That £1k would be refunded on the day the car was handed over and the first payment (of the 3 from the 3+23) to be collected by Merc FS 'a couple of days after you get the car'
Dealer 2 was adamant that no deposit from me = no car. I was adamant that there was no deposit from me on a standard spec, standard colour car that they haven't got one of in stock.
I suppose I can make the case either way, but it seemed an odd thing to lose a sale on to me, particularly as a deposit was never even mentioned by Dealer 2. I mean, it is not as if they wouldn't find a home for the car elsewhere is it?
Not being willing to pay a deposit screams 'no commitment' from you- and bit wanting to have financed approved?
On top of that, a factory order for a car that without even the most obvious extras (navigation for example) would be absolute death if for some reason you couldn't take delivery.
I'd be asking 10% deposit myself. BTW, I think you have crossed wires regarding the payment profile. Typically you will pay the 3 months on delivery (not 1 now and the other 2 a couple of days later) and the balance of the payments start 60 days after signing.
On top of that, a factory order for a car that without even the most obvious extras (navigation for example) would be absolute death if for some reason you couldn't take delivery.
I'd be asking 10% deposit myself. BTW, I think you have crossed wires regarding the payment profile. Typically you will pay the 3 months on delivery (not 1 now and the other 2 a couple of days later) and the balance of the payments start 60 days after signing.
Edited by TVR1 on Monday 1st September 22:01
medieval said:
I think the OPs issue is more one of the disparity - would not all main dealers apply a uniform approach?
Whilst the franchise is the same they're likely two different companies who can set how they work. I for one would be taking a chunky deposit before ordering one like that, especially bearing in mind if it is a customer order it will go fully paid meaning the manufacturer will want paying for it immediately unlike a stock car where you get 180 days to sell it before you need to pay for it. stumpage said:
What options do you want with an E class? the standard spec covers the basics. Leather, Comand Sat Nav, climate, Bluetooth.
Sat Nav is an option, but not one I'd pick myself. I'd only want to add the driving assistance pack for adaptive cruise control. Basic spec includes auto 'box, heated seats, electric mirrors, parking sensors, DAB radio etc.Oh sorry I must of misread the standard spec sheet where it says COMAND Online system with Media Interface (Saloon has the same as the estate).
Which is....
COMAND Online system with Media Interface
Includes radio, single CD / DVD, 7-inch colour display, hard disk drive (HDD) navigation with 3D map display, live traffic information and European map data updates free of charge for the first three years, Speed Limit Assist and Linguatronic voice control. Internet-enabled mobile phone required for Emergency Call System (eCall), Mercedes-Benz apps and in-car Internet access for Facebook, Internet radio, sending routes from Google™ maps to the vehicle, news and weather reports. Also includes SD memory card slot, 10 GB music register and MP3 compatibility.
Media Interface allows connection and control of portable media devices (e.g. MP3 player, USB storage media). Cable included for iPod® connectivity
And you're also correct about the leather. Nappa leather is an option the standard trim is just leather.
Which is....
COMAND Online system with Media Interface
Includes radio, single CD / DVD, 7-inch colour display, hard disk drive (HDD) navigation with 3D map display, live traffic information and European map data updates free of charge for the first three years, Speed Limit Assist and Linguatronic voice control. Internet-enabled mobile phone required for Emergency Call System (eCall), Mercedes-Benz apps and in-car Internet access for Facebook, Internet radio, sending routes from Google™ maps to the vehicle, news and weather reports. Also includes SD memory card slot, 10 GB music register and MP3 compatibility.
Media Interface allows connection and control of portable media devices (e.g. MP3 player, USB storage media). Cable included for iPod® connectivity
And you're also correct about the leather. Nappa leather is an option the standard trim is just leather.
Edited by stumpage on Tuesday 2nd September 10:28
JPJPJP said:
I mean, it is not as if they wouldn't find a home for the car elsewhere is it?
You might be surprised. If your chosen spec was something the dealer could shift easily the chances are there would be one (or several) in stock across the UK. The fact that there isn't suggests that your desired spec is 'unique' and is not something the dealer wants to be stuck with if you cancelled.Obsidian black is probably the second most popular colour after Silver, the 220 diesel is a popular engine and whilst estates are not as popular as saloons there is still good demand for them so it must be the lack of certain options that makes the dealer think that it will be hard to shift.
It's normal for the initial rental (the "3", or increasingly often "6") to be debited from you rbank account by the finance company a few days after handover once the contract with them has begun.
Likewise it's normal for a dealer to request a deposit upon ordering (whether refundable at handover as here or as part payment of the full balance) a vehicle, whether in stock or factory ordered.
The first dealer was the exception to the norm in NOT requesting one, especially on a personal lease deal as buyers often carry on shopping around after placing their order with a dealer, especially when no deposit that may be lost has been placed.
Likewise it's normal for a dealer to request a deposit upon ordering (whether refundable at handover as here or as part payment of the full balance) a vehicle, whether in stock or factory ordered.
The first dealer was the exception to the norm in NOT requesting one, especially on a personal lease deal as buyers often carry on shopping around after placing their order with a dealer, especially when no deposit that may be lost has been placed.
JPJPJP said:
I mean, it is not as if they wouldn't find a home for the car elsewhere is it?
And you know this because and if that was the case why haven't both the dealer and Mercedes UK got loads of them in stock waiting to be sold? We never take an order without a deposit, it shows commitment form the customer and we don't want to be lumbered with a car that we didn't want in the first place that we have to pay for in 7 days (I think) after it has arrived. Whats to stop a customer ordering a car with no deposit and then finding a better deal on a physical car a few weeks later and going for that, at least if they have committed £500-£1000 they will thnk twice about pulling out.
current E class is very well specced out of the box - the SE version has leather and command (which includes sat nav) as standard
I am not saying that either business model is right or wrong, but I am surprised that one dealer was insisting on a deposit, whilst the other hasn't even mentioned it
this car is to replace another mercedes that is coming to the end of its lease
anyway, the order is in now and the finance approved, just waiting for confirmation of the delivery date now
like onesickpuppy, this current car - the one that is going back soon - was signed for, arrived and the payments then collected by DD. No deposit was requested by the supplying dealer
there aren't many of this car in stock because production has only just started (new engine), demonstrators are still rare in fact
I was under the impression that signing the finance proposal was me committing to the car / deal. I wasn't aware it was possible to back out from that point without significant penalties.
I am not saying that either business model is right or wrong, but I am surprised that one dealer was insisting on a deposit, whilst the other hasn't even mentioned it
this car is to replace another mercedes that is coming to the end of its lease
anyway, the order is in now and the finance approved, just waiting for confirmation of the delivery date now
like onesickpuppy, this current car - the one that is going back soon - was signed for, arrived and the payments then collected by DD. No deposit was requested by the supplying dealer
there aren't many of this car in stock because production has only just started (new engine), demonstrators are still rare in fact
I was under the impression that signing the finance proposal was me committing to the car / deal. I wasn't aware it was possible to back out from that point without significant penalties.
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