Can seller up price after deposit paid?

[Straight6DOHC]

This is the first time I've ever bought from a (used car) dealer and perhaps I've not been particularly savvy. I put a 'holding' deposit on a car. That conversation was conducted over the phone. The car is hundreds of miles from me and I have not been to see it. It's advertised for £X on Autotrader and the dealer's own website. I've paid a mechanic to inspect the vehicle and I've now bought a flight to view it myself. It will be 5 days from paying deposit to viewing car. The mechanic took a picture of the car and there is a higher price displayed in the car's windscreen. If the car is to my satisfaction, I'd buy it there and then. I don't think I'm in the greatest position to haggle on the price which I feel would be the advertised price. What if the dealer says he now wants the price displayed in the windscreen - an extra £500?
Am I being fleeced? Can he do this?

[Wooda80]

Just print or screenshot the advert at the lower price.
It's common practice, but against Trading Standards advice, for the dealer to have one price in the window for showroom walk-ins and a lower price on the internet to to be of appeal to more people.
If you wish to go ahead then just confirm figures with the dealer based on the advertised price. If he says he "made a mistake" with the internet price then he cannot keep your deposit.

[Straight6DOHC]

Thanks for the advice. As I understand it, the verbal agreement about the deposit was that he would not sell the car to someone else until I'd gotten to see it. We agreed that if I didn't like the car, I'd get the deposit back.

[steve-5snwi]

Given you have paid a deposit have they sent you a receipt that shows the outstanding amount payable upon collection ?

[snake_oil]

Quite often see cars advertised at a lower price than a sticker in the window. Presume it's a sales tactic to make you think you're getting a bargain.

[Toed64]

snake_oil said:

Quite often see cars advertised at a lower price than a sticker in the window. Presume it's a sales tactic to make you think you're getting a bargain.

If a passer-by falls in lust with a car that they see from the pavement, or if someone goes to a dealership specifically to find a car, they frequently won't check the internet for the advertised price, so the dealer has the opportunity to charge the higher screen price.

OP, save the internet advert, the dealer will be obliged to honour the price posted in the advert.

[Straight6DOHC]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm feeling more assured now.

[RSTurboPaul]

Could be worth screenshotting the advert / converting the webpage to PDF, then emailing the dealer to point out the discrepancy and seek clarification (if you want to be direct) or to request confirmation of the remaining balance following the deposit paid (if you want to be less direct)?

That will ask the question and also evidence what the the advert said and when it was in existence, should you need to prove at some point in the future that you're not making it all up.

Did you pay your deposit on credit card? If so, and if the dealer refuses a refund or drags their heels, you should be able to initiate a chargeback.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Sunday 11th February 21:01

[DoubleD]

snake_oil said:

Quite often see cars advertised at a lower price than a sticker in the window. Presume it's a sales tactic to make you think you're getting a bargain.

Yep this. You see the advert and the car had a higher price in its window, but now they have conveniently reduced it to save you haggling.