Need a bit of advice BMW used approved purchase

[mr2turbogts]

So after a bit of advise please, not sure if I've been a bit silly here.

I saw a car that I wanted to purchase via BMW used approved website, car was in Southampton in live in North Essex.

Just had some surgery, and while recovering was email/phones/whatspp regarding the car, everything seemed all in order, so did a deal over the phone and placed a 1k deposit, no issue with this.

Now I am collecting the car on Friday they are asking me for the funds now, where I was planning to transfer fund on collection day once I had seen the car and everything is as described.

I understand they wont release the car until funds are cleared and they sometimes there is delays etc, however I am not comfy paying in full for a car that i've not seen.

What's the best way to deal with this?

Hindsight, you view the car then buy, but that's not the situation I am in,

I am fairly confident with this being BMW used approved everything will be ok, but paying a lot of ££ without even seeing the car does bother me.

[SteBrown91]

Its standard practice now as there isnt someone from accounts to check the funds have cleared on weekends etc. Also prevents issues with people hanging around waiting for ages if theres a transfer delay.

[paul_c123]

Tell them what you told us - that you’d like to see the car before full payment. There is no real reason for more than a very minor (say up to 30 mins) delay between payment and cleared funds showing for them, assuming it doesn’t get blocked by your bank. To counter this, check your transaction limit.

[interstellar]

Yep, you are in charge, they can ask whatever they like but you dont have to agree.

I wouldnt pay in full if I hadn't seen it either but likewise I wouldnt turn up at 530 wanting to dive it home - some would expect that.

I think you are good. If you are arriving at lunchtime then tell them thats what you want to do, they cant enforce that. If they try, I expect the car might not be top top.

[Googie]

Suspect that's more the dealer trying to ensure no delays with receipt of monies on the day. I paid an AUC balance on the day a year ago although I had seen the car. On the basis that your bank is aware that you are making a largish transfer I would pay the balance on the day in your position.

[samoht]

I think dealers will generally suggest that you send the money over in advance, for the reasons given, but if you prefer to wait and see the car before handing over the money, and are happy to accept any resulting delay, then they'll be ok with that.

[Chris_i8]

I had the same last month, also BMW 'approved' used.

I told them I would transfer the balance once I'd seen/driven the car in person.
Transferred the funds once happy and by the time I had digitally signed all the forms stating that I declined the usual gap, tyre insurance, paint protection etc they confirmed they'd received the funds.

Make sure you take your time in looking over the car - don't let them rush you, just because it's 'approved' doesn't guarantee much judging from my recent experience.

Good luck & enjoy!

Chris

[mr2turbogts]

Thanks all.

Made me feel a bit better, was starting to question if i'd done the right thing.

[fflump]

Up to your bank account's Faster Payments limit the transfer should be instantaneous so just double check your limit.

[mr2turbogts]

So told them my position this is there response

In relation to payment, we do require cleared funds 48 hours prior to handover. Unfortunately, we have experienced many occasions where banks have delayed or held large payments for several hours, and this causes significant delays to vehicle invoicing and handover. If the funds are not received today, I would be unable to get the vehicle invoiced for Friday

[Leftfootwonder]

SteBrown91 said:

Its standard practice now as there isnt someone from accounts to check the funds have cleared on weekends etc. Also prevents issues with people hanging around waiting for ages if theres a transfer delay.

This is the answer. I had exactly the same recently, albeit with a Skoda dealer. They aren't even allowed to do handovers on the weekends as the admin people aren't in.

[interstellar]

mr2turbogts said:

So told them my position this is there response

In relation to payment, we do require cleared funds 48 hours prior to handover. Unfortunately, we have experienced many occasions where banks have delayed or held large payments for several hours, and this causes significant delays to vehicle invoicing and handover. If the funds are not received today, I would be unable to get the vehicle invoiced for Friday

I would walk, they are being unreasonable.

[Magic919]

I wouldn’t play their game. I paid mine by debit card on the day I collected. I needed to call the bank, but hardly a long delay.

[Shooter McGavin]

Given your physical restrictions, can they not do a walkaround video for you? A pal of mine bought an approved used Porsche via distance selling, the video they sent him was meticulous in its detail so he was happy to transfer funds in advance on this basis.

The last time I bought a BMW AUC (2008) I paid the full balance of £38,995 on my debit card on the day of collection, having cleared it with the bank in advance so that they knew the transaction was going through. It really wasn't an issue and that's nearly 20 years ago.

This seems a bit "computer says no" of notorious difficult for the sake of it Sales Admin people.

I would hardball them with "I will be there at 9am to inspect the car and pay the balance. Please make sure your admin team are ready to complete the transaction."

Does it say anywhere in their sales T&Cs that they must have funds cleared 48hrs in advance? If not tell them to Foxtrot Oscar. You can bet this rule would not apply if you walked in and offered to buy something at 4:45pm on the last day of a quarter when they are chasing target.

Edited by Shooter McGavin on Wednesday 8th April 15:26

[South tdf]

If you let me know the model, colour and last couple of reg digits I might be able to pop by later and take a look.

Alternatively if you pay and it’s wrong it’s a distance sale anyway so they would have to refund you.

[raspy]

mr2turbogts said:

So told them my position this is there response

In relation to payment, we do require cleared funds 48 hours prior to handover. Unfortunately, we have experienced many occasions where banks have delayed or held large payments for several hours, and this causes significant delays to vehicle invoicing and handover. If the funds are not received today, I would be unable to get the vehicle invoiced for Friday

Walk away. It’s not worth the risk of picking it up, finding a defect, and then arguing about when they can fix it.

I’m also searching for a BMW approved used car, and because I’m a tech nerd, I do my own extensive check in person with the car to make sure everything works.

I’m rather shocked that I’ve found problems, even though the car has been through their multipoint check. I think they just check basic stuff like headlights work, no strange clunks

If I put a deposit without seeing a car, I would tell them I’ll transfer the balance once I see the car at collection.

Buyer beware!

[Dog Biscuit]

Shooter McGavin said:

Given your physical restrictions, can they not do a walkaround video for you? A pal of mine bought an approved used Porsche via distance selling, the video they sent him was meticulous in its detail so he was happy to transfer funds in advance on this basis.

The last time I bought a BMW AUC (2008) I paid the full balance of £38,995 on my debit card on the day, having cleared it with the bank in advance. It really wasn't an issue and that's nearly 20 years ago.

This seems a bit "computer says no" of notorious difficult for the sake of it Sales Admin people.

They don't want debit card payments these days. Its all bank transfer.

On the topic here, there's no way I'd pay for a car without seeing and driving it. Not a chance

[Shooter McGavin]

Dog Biscuit said:

Shooter McGavin said:

Given your physical restrictions, can they not do a walkaround video for you? A pal of mine bought an approved used Porsche via distance selling, the video they sent him was meticulous in its detail so he was happy to transfer funds in advance on this basis.

The last time I bought a BMW AUC (2008) I paid the full balance of £38,995 on my debit card on the day, having cleared it with the bank in advance. It really wasn't an issue and that's nearly 20 years ago.

This seems a bit "computer says no" of notorious difficult for the sake of it Sales Admin people.

They don't want debit card payments these days. Its all bank transfer.

On the topic here, there's no way I'd pay for a car without seeing and driving it. Not a chance

Of course, mobile banking by phone wasn't really a thing back then. If I were the OP I would just stick to my guns ... "have the car ready for me, I will pay on the day".

[119]

Did this with a ln AUVW.

Paid a deposit for it, went up a week later to collect and paid the balance couple of days before.

However, I did have it in an email from the salesman that if it wasn’t as described when we arrived to collect, we could have a full refund.

Turns out it was as described so no refund needed.

[interstellar]

South tdf said:

If you let me know the model, colour and last couple of reg digits I might be able to pop by later and take a look.

Alternatively if you pay and it s wrong it s a distance sale anyway so they would have to refund you.

I am not sure it’s a distance sale if he goes and collects it on there premises and signs the paperwork. He’s just sending money up front.

Only if they deliver it would he qualify?