Buying a car but collecting later
Discussion
Earlier today I called a main dealer about an approved used car they had for sale. I explained that it was just what I was after, exactly the right spec which doesn't crop up too often, so I would be happy to pay for it there and then with no messing about haggling. FWIW it was just under £40k so nothing to most PHers, but a reasonable amount to mere mortals. Anyway the rub was that due to it being awkwardly located in Northern Ireland, and with me being busy with all sorts at the moment, it would likely be early-mid October before I could go over and get the thing.
Given that I know that they have had this particular car on their books for several months already, in which time they've reduced the price several times, and given it's a convertible that they might want rid of given summer is now over, I thought they might not mind it knocking around their lot for another few weeks if it meant they could actually sell it. But I was told a flat no, if I bought it I would need to pick it up within a week or so, and that was that.
Now I know that it's their business, and they can say that for any reason they like or indeed none at all. And I know that I could buy it anyway and then just not turn up to collect until early/mid October. And maybe I'm just hopelessly naive. But it just made me wonder - what is the reason likely to be as to why they laid down that timescale? I guess I was just a bit surprised at the lack of any desire to come up with a solution, given that the other main dealers I've dealt with (Toyota and Volvo if it matters), have always seemed really helpful.
Given that I know that they have had this particular car on their books for several months already, in which time they've reduced the price several times, and given it's a convertible that they might want rid of given summer is now over, I thought they might not mind it knocking around their lot for another few weeks if it meant they could actually sell it. But I was told a flat no, if I bought it I would need to pick it up within a week or so, and that was that.
Now I know that it's their business, and they can say that for any reason they like or indeed none at all. And I know that I could buy it anyway and then just not turn up to collect until early/mid October. And maybe I'm just hopelessly naive. But it just made me wonder - what is the reason likely to be as to why they laid down that timescale? I guess I was just a bit surprised at the lack of any desire to come up with a solution, given that the other main dealers I've dealt with (Toyota and Volvo if it matters), have always seemed really helpful.
One issue is a numpty selling it again, it does happen. Or damage risk, should have been collecting a brand new Ranger on Tuesday, only to be told after payment it is damaged, no surprise, they come off the transporters damaged very often.
As you are prepared to pay for it anyway, without viewing, arrange to have it delivered to you, either by the dealer or arrange yourself, delivered hundreds like this with no issue, and often driven a part ex back, it seems the new way lol.
If it has been in stock a while I would be viewing it, only an hour flight, I suppose it depends where you are, you cannot find a day to visit a dealer, probably open 7 days a week ?
As you are prepared to pay for it anyway, without viewing, arrange to have it delivered to you, either by the dealer or arrange yourself, delivered hundreds like this with no issue, and often driven a part ex back, it seems the new way lol.
If it has been in stock a while I would be viewing it, only an hour flight, I suppose it depends where you are, you cannot find a day to visit a dealer, probably open 7 days a week ?
I wouldn't be surprised if they have been bitten by this before - customer buys car then never collects it, dealer ends up in a world of pain having to store the car and being liable for any damage done to it. Either that or someone buys the car, turns up to collect weeks later and promptly rejects the car due to whatever.
I would bet that the policy is due to the behaviour of customers in the past.
I would bet that the policy is due to the behaviour of customers in the past.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Probably a tiny bit of extra work for them to accomodate you so they can t be arsed.
That seems very true of Scottish dealers and why I deliver so many there, the customers say if the spec is not in stock they cannot be arsed, Could be busy enough to turn away business I guess ?Not sure I’d pay that much for a car and leave it kicking around the dealers for a few weeks, unless you have an explicit video showing its condition.
Even than, if you got there and there was damage, the what?
Having said that, we bought our last car remotely with videos and paid a deposit and settled the rest when we had seen it in the flesh and with the option of a deposit refund if we found something that wasn’t picked up.
I can understand both sides though.
Even than, if you got there and there was damage, the what?
Having said that, we bought our last car remotely with videos and paid a deposit and settled the rest when we had seen it in the flesh and with the option of a deposit refund if we found something that wasn’t picked up.
I can understand both sides though.
venster70 said:
You could gamble on it being still there nearer the time you can go and collect it, if they've already had it for several months,
Like you say, most people aren't looking to buy a convertible at this time of year.
They may even lower the price again!
This is what I'll be doing, it's been there for months already steadily reducing in price so could well be there for a while yet. Although as luck would have it another one I'd be happy with has popped up on Autotrader for a very keen price on the mainland - probably somebody trying to get ahead of the winter convertible market as opposed to chasing it down! And I must admit the price to get a third party to deliver it is less than I thought, so I may investigate that further too.Like you say, most people aren't looking to buy a convertible at this time of year.
They may even lower the price again!
If you offered to pay 100% of the asking price and would pay for it there and then , other than perhaps a bit of hassle storing it and maybe Insurance concerns ( whose policy is it being put on ?) I’ve no idea why they would refuse that offer ?!
If you didn’t want to pay anything other than a deposit I could perhaps understand it.
If you didn’t want to pay anything other than a deposit I could perhaps understand it.
alscar said:
If you offered to pay 100% of the asking price and would pay for it there and then , other than perhaps a bit of hassle storing it and maybe Insurance concerns ( whose policy is it being put on ?) I ve no idea why they would refuse that offer ?!
Quite, that was indeed the offer so I was surprised at how flatly they turned it down. The chances of somebody paying that sort of amount for a car and then not showing up must be vanishingly small, and re storage like I said it's been there for months and quite likely will for a while yet anyway! But hey ho, I can live with it! 119 said:
Not sure I d pay that much for a car and leave it kicking around the dealers for a few weeks, unless you have an explicit video showing its condition.
Even than, if you got there and there was damage, the what?
Having said that, we bought our last car remotely with videos and paid a deposit and settled the rest when we had seen it in the flesh and with the option of a deposit refund if we found something that wasn t picked up.
I can understand both sides though.
It all depends who you are buying from, main agents would want payment in full or a finance payment before it leaves, if they were quiet would have jumped at the deal probably, if not someone else will come along. I think most dealers would, never had to wait for payment when delivering for them. Even than, if you got there and there was damage, the what?
Having said that, we bought our last car remotely with videos and paid a deposit and settled the rest when we had seen it in the flesh and with the option of a deposit refund if we found something that wasn t picked up.
I can understand both sides though.
I have delivered my own cars on a deposit, refundable, providing non refundable transport costs are deducted, never happened that way though, I make sure every detail is known to the buyer, they go away every time.
Once I did it without a deposit, a BMW 118d soft top I had for too long, you get a feel for the buyer and he did not use internet banking.
Got there, he made tea, handed me the cash, which was exactly 1k too much lol, I gave it back, as I was about to leave he said how happy he was to get out of his 2006 Focus, I asked what he wanted for it, 500 he says, quick look, deal done, it was a tidy auto, something in demand in London, maybe not so much in Skegness, I advertised it while having a break and it was gone the following morning for 1500. Anyone believe in Karma lol. It even had a full tank of fuel that more than got me home, paying a train fare seemed a fair trade lol.
Edit : I did the no deposit thing a couple of months ago, with a C15 Romahome, ironically to a guy in NI, I dropped it at Holyhead, there was no way he could refuse on condition, miles and price including delivery, a very happy camper lol.
Edited by anyoldcardave on Thursday 18th September 17:24
Is their worry not the distance selling rights where you could still return / reject the car when you pick up or 14 days after you decide to pick it up.
They could sit for a month on it sold yet customer rocks up mid October and reject the car looking for a refund ?
Not saying you would be doing this but can see their reluctance if this is a possibility.
Off-premises / distance sale The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, defines a distance sale to be a contract where the purchase of the goods is conducted off-premises , such as an online purchase. In an off-premises /distance sale, the customer has 14 days after delivery of the goods to cancel the order. If the business does not inform the consumer of their 14-day right to cancel, then the consumer will have up to 12 months after delivery of the goods to cancel the order. Additionally the consumer does not need to provide a reason for cancelling
https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge/can-i-...
They could sit for a month on it sold yet customer rocks up mid October and reject the car looking for a refund ?
Not saying you would be doing this but can see their reluctance if this is a possibility.
Off-premises / distance sale The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, defines a distance sale to be a contract where the purchase of the goods is conducted off-premises , such as an online purchase. In an off-premises /distance sale, the customer has 14 days after delivery of the goods to cancel the order. If the business does not inform the consumer of their 14-day right to cancel, then the consumer will have up to 12 months after delivery of the goods to cancel the order. Additionally the consumer does not need to provide a reason for cancelling
https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge/can-i-...
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