Dealer wants me to sign finance before seeing car...but
Discussion
Found a car I wanted, spec was exactly what I wanted - paid reservation deposit and main dealer begins prep for the car, which for this manufacturer (Porsche) involves a 111 point check (as all of them seem to now) and 'Optical Refurbishment'.
I have yet to see the car in person - but the manufacturer is one thought of in high regard (not mentioning the dealer until this is sorted), and the reviews all seem extremely good.
Anyhow, was meant to collect today - however yesterday, I get an email saying that while the car was having the alloys refurbed, the driver side door was damaged. They sent it straight to their bodyshop at their expense and will have it ready for next week. I get these things happen so, fine, I suppose.
I asked for pictures of the damage... that question seems to have been ignored... however they're now offering to cover travel for collection, tax, warranty extension, ceramic coating etc.
Reason for the post: I get an email today confirming what will take place next week - and part of that is me signing financial paperwork BEFORE the grand reveal of the car, which has been damaged - would you trust it? (I'm pre-approved and signed majority of the stuff via email beforehand anyway, but don't want to be tied in before seeing it, is that unreasonable?) Kind of ruins the experience as it's my first porka, and first car I'm buying from main dealer... ffs
I have yet to see the car in person - but the manufacturer is one thought of in high regard (not mentioning the dealer until this is sorted), and the reviews all seem extremely good.
Anyhow, was meant to collect today - however yesterday, I get an email saying that while the car was having the alloys refurbed, the driver side door was damaged. They sent it straight to their bodyshop at their expense and will have it ready for next week. I get these things happen so, fine, I suppose.
I asked for pictures of the damage... that question seems to have been ignored... however they're now offering to cover travel for collection, tax, warranty extension, ceramic coating etc.
Reason for the post: I get an email today confirming what will take place next week - and part of that is me signing financial paperwork BEFORE the grand reveal of the car, which has been damaged - would you trust it? (I'm pre-approved and signed majority of the stuff via email beforehand anyway, but don't want to be tied in before seeing it, is that unreasonable?) Kind of ruins the experience as it's my first porka, and first car I'm buying from main dealer... ffs
Sorry but I would want to be seeing picture of the damage before I sign on the dotted line for the finance.
I would also want to inspect the repair before signing for anything as well.
Unless it’s something super rare and difficult to obtain then I would be talking with the salesman / dealer principle / manager and explaining my stance in no uncertain terms that I’m not signing for anything until I have seen the car.
If they don’t like it / won’t provide images then what are they trying to hide and do you want to do business with people like this at sale time let alone 6 months down the line when / if something goes wrong.
I would also want to inspect the repair before signing for anything as well.
Unless it’s something super rare and difficult to obtain then I would be talking with the salesman / dealer principle / manager and explaining my stance in no uncertain terms that I’m not signing for anything until I have seen the car.
If they don’t like it / won’t provide images then what are they trying to hide and do you want to do business with people like this at sale time let alone 6 months down the line when / if something goes wrong.
No way. The only possible reason for not letting you see it before you sign is that they know there's a possibility you'll back out of the deal or renegotiate the price.
Frankly, if this were me, I'd be telling them I want to see what you're proposing to sell me, because the original sale wasn't a car that had been damaged and repaired. If they won't let you, walk away. Unless its a McLaren F1 LM, I promise you there is another car of similar spec and colour out there to be had instead.
Frankly, if this were me, I'd be telling them I want to see what you're proposing to sell me, because the original sale wasn't a car that had been damaged and repaired. If they won't let you, walk away. Unless its a McLaren F1 LM, I promise you there is another car of similar spec and colour out there to be had instead.
highdr8 said:
I have yet to see the car in person - but the manufacturer is one thought of in high regard (not mentioning the dealer until this is sorted), and the reviews all seem extremely good.
You are right to be cautious, once you have signed the finance you are fully committed to the purchase.Buying a car sight unseen is putting an awful lot of trust in the dealer, now the car has suffered damage and a repair I think the sight unseen trust is in the bin because the condition is now unknown.
Porsche do like to make a bit of a fuss, car under sheet, photo of the proud owner taken, etc, etc but they now need to prove the vehicle condition again from scratch in my view.
As for Porsche in high regard, my arse they are selling an image but underneath they are just a second hand car dealer in a posh frock and will stitch you up very politely without a second thought.
Vsix and Vtec said:
No way. The only possible reason for not letting you see it before you sign is that they know there's a possibility you'll back out of the deal or renegotiate the price.
Frankly, if this were me, I'd be telling them I want to see what you're proposing to sell me, because the original sale wasn't a car that had been damaged and repaired. If they won't let you, walk away. Unless its a McLaren F1 LM, I promise you there is another car of similar spec and colour out there to be had instead.
This. It's also suspicious that they are offering a package of free benefits, which makes me think the damage is much more than a bit of paint correction.Frankly, if this were me, I'd be telling them I want to see what you're proposing to sell me, because the original sale wasn't a car that had been damaged and repaired. If they won't let you, walk away. Unless its a McLaren F1 LM, I promise you there is another car of similar spec and colour out there to be had instead.
highdr8 said:
I asked for pictures of the damage... that question seems to have been ignored... however they're now offering to cover travel for collection, tax, warranty extension, ceramic coating etc.
That seems a lot for an OPC to give away if the damage is pretty minor.What colour is the car?
Massive no from me, as others have said I doubt this is a scratch.
I have seen Porsche have the front of a car repainted due to paint chips and it being a totally different colour.
Personally I would insist on seeing accident damage photos, if they can't provide them then they can do one.
Plenty of non crashed ones out there
I have seen Porsche have the front of a car repainted due to paint chips and it being a totally different colour.
Personally I would insist on seeing accident damage photos, if they can't provide them then they can do one.
Plenty of non crashed ones out there
Think signing the finance a few days in advance is pretty standard - releases the funds to the dealer otherwise they are releasing it without payment
The damage and checking quality of work is another thing, i'd want to see the quality etc prior to signing anything - even 'approved' cars can be shoddy
The damage and checking quality of work is another thing, i'd want to see the quality etc prior to signing anything - even 'approved' cars can be shoddy
Trevor555 said:
It's a distance sale.
They'll simply unwind the finance if you say you don't want it when you go to collect.
You are not tied in at all at this point.
As above, you will have a 14 day cooling off period. If they have already offered you so much without a request, I would ask them how old the tyres are and get new ones thrown in, or get the next service for free.They'll simply unwind the finance if you say you don't want it when you go to collect.
You are not tied in at all at this point.
Trevor555 said:
highdr8 said:
I have yet to see the car in person
It's a distance sale.They'll simply unwind the finance if you say you don't want it when you go to collect.
You are not tied in at all at this point.
Edited by MDMA . on Saturday 15th November 19:47
1000% no. Kudos to them for telling you, although as someone else has mentioned the fact they’re offering so much would make me suspicious that it’s more serious than they’re implying.
But remember it won’t be Porsche who are doing the paintwork, it’s being farmed out to their ‘approved’ bodyshop.
This would be enough for me to stop buying the car based on pretty much every bit of paintwork I’ve had done in the last 10 years (paintwork not matching, crap in the paint, overspray, poor fitting trims if the door panel needs to be removed…..).
But remember it won’t be Porsche who are doing the paintwork, it’s being farmed out to their ‘approved’ bodyshop.
This would be enough for me to stop buying the car based on pretty much every bit of paintwork I’ve had done in the last 10 years (paintwork not matching, crap in the paint, overspray, poor fitting trims if the door panel needs to be removed…..).
Thanks all for the replies. Think my head can get a bit clouded by the car buying experience, just a bit of impatience from me I suppose.
Anyhow, I've taken the advice and won't be signing anything and will be skipping the fuss handover to inspect the car in person to make sure I'm happy before anything takes place.
Also, I've emailed again asking for images of the damage before I go down there. Like a few have mentioned, if it's light and the repair is good then I'm probably not too fussed. But if it's had a bad time of it and the repair is even slightly shoddy then it'll be another few weeks on autotrader...
Anyhow, I've taken the advice and won't be signing anything and will be skipping the fuss handover to inspect the car in person to make sure I'm happy before anything takes place.
Also, I've emailed again asking for images of the damage before I go down there. Like a few have mentioned, if it's light and the repair is good then I'm probably not too fussed. But if it's had a bad time of it and the repair is even slightly shoddy then it'll be another few weeks on autotrader...
Would you have signed the finance docs if they hadn’t told you about the damage, or if the damage hadn’t occurred?
Seems to me you are taking a heck of a risk buying a used car unseen at the other end of the country, be it a Porsche or a Nissan!
With any used car, there’s bound to be some imperfections that they hope you won’t notice. You really need to view the car in person before committing to buy imo!
Seems to me you are taking a heck of a risk buying a used car unseen at the other end of the country, be it a Porsche or a Nissan!
With any used car, there’s bound to be some imperfections that they hope you won’t notice. You really need to view the car in person before committing to buy imo!
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