Dealer Mistake - What Should I Do?!
Discussion
Hey Guys,
I got a call from my Fiat dealer this morning, at first I was excited because its less then two weeks until my expected delivery date for my new Punto Evo so I thought they would be calling me to say its in the country and give me a pick up date but I couldn't be more wrong!! Instead I was informed that there has been an order error on my new Punto Evo and that it has been ordered in the 5 door model instead of the 3 door that I had wanted..... I'm really not happy about it and the garage has asked if I'm wanting to take the 5 door or not. I'm down at the garage on Wednesday because the sales manager has asked if im willing to pop in and he will "see what he can do for me"..... What do you guys think I should do??
DD
I got a call from my Fiat dealer this morning, at first I was excited because its less then two weeks until my expected delivery date for my new Punto Evo so I thought they would be calling me to say its in the country and give me a pick up date but I couldn't be more wrong!! Instead I was informed that there has been an order error on my new Punto Evo and that it has been ordered in the 5 door model instead of the 3 door that I had wanted..... I'm really not happy about it and the garage has asked if I'm wanting to take the 5 door or not. I'm down at the garage on Wednesday because the sales manager has asked if im willing to pop in and he will "see what he can do for me"..... What do you guys think I should do??
DD
doogz said:
Marf said:
I think you should get the car you ordered and not accept anything less 
This. You asked for a 3 door. Not a 5 door with a years free servicing or whatever they're going to "do for you"Up to you to decide on if you want it or not and work out a deal if you do.
If you want the three door i'd try to haggle into the deal a courtesy car for the period between the expected delivery of the delayed car and when it actually arrives.
Audi did this for me earlier this year and from the TT forum it appears all VAG group were doing it after factory shutdowns meant longer wait times than originally quoted. Fiat are, obviously, different but it's a starting point as your car will be worth less due to the delay etc. worked for me!
If you want the three door i'd try to haggle into the deal a courtesy car for the period between the expected delivery of the delayed car and when it actually arrives.
Audi did this for me earlier this year and from the TT forum it appears all VAG group were doing it after factory shutdowns meant longer wait times than originally quoted. Fiat are, obviously, different but it's a starting point as your car will be worth less due to the delay etc. worked for me!
This happened to a colleague of mine who ordered a new Alfa Mito. She ordered the Veloce, special colour and interior combo and individual options (she was coming out of a MINI). When it arrived (!) the dealer realised it was a Lusso instead, and then tried to get her to take it because they would have difficulty selling the Lusso given the way it was specced up!
She told them to jog on and they ordered a Veloce for her.
She told them to jog on and they ordered a Veloce for her.
How much longer will you have to wait for the 3 door that you originally ordered if it has to be reordered anew by them now instead of X weeks ago when you placed your original order?
I'd either be asking them to honour the PX price given for my current car, even though it's coming a month or whatever longer (so a loss to them as it drops in value), or to take your PX in at the agreed time of original supply and they supply you with a free loan car until your correctly ordered 3 door arrives, whenever that may be.
They cocked up and by the contract of sale you agree to, are obliged to supply you with the stated vehicle. They can not do so without a new agreement having been made and you are within your rights to hold them to the terms of that contract and any loss arising from doing so is their problem. Otherwise they are technically in breach of contract and you are entitled to a full refund of your deposit.
Or see what they're prepared to offer on the five door as it's a completely different deal to start talking about at this stage so needs to work in your favour to a greater extent than your present one in order to entice you to accept the change of ordered spec/cancellation of that contract and transfer of deposit to the new deal.
A human error has occured, the advantage is entirely yours, so make the most of it. My best suggestion as such is therefore not to accept their first offer as they are the ones on shaky ground.
I'd either be asking them to honour the PX price given for my current car, even though it's coming a month or whatever longer (so a loss to them as it drops in value), or to take your PX in at the agreed time of original supply and they supply you with a free loan car until your correctly ordered 3 door arrives, whenever that may be.
They cocked up and by the contract of sale you agree to, are obliged to supply you with the stated vehicle. They can not do so without a new agreement having been made and you are within your rights to hold them to the terms of that contract and any loss arising from doing so is their problem. Otherwise they are technically in breach of contract and you are entitled to a full refund of your deposit.
Or see what they're prepared to offer on the five door as it's a completely different deal to start talking about at this stage so needs to work in your favour to a greater extent than your present one in order to entice you to accept the change of ordered spec/cancellation of that contract and transfer of deposit to the new deal.
A human error has occured, the advantage is entirely yours, so make the most of it. My best suggestion as such is therefore not to accept their first offer as they are the ones on shaky ground.
As has been said, they are in breach of contract and legally one can make a strong argument that they need to ensure you are no worse off. That includes the fact that you now have to wait longer.
Assuming the 5 door is worth more than the 3, and you want a 5 door, accept it but don't pay a penny more.
If you want the 3 door, then it looks like you are going to have to wait for it. That being the case, either ask for your deposit back and additional compensation for breach of contract, or wait and say you expect them to compensate you to the tune of the cost of renting a similar car for the time period of the delay. Depending on how pushy you want to be, mention breach of contract and court.
Also, might be worth contacting Fiat UK and seeing what they have to say about it.
Assuming the 5 door is worth more than the 3, and you want a 5 door, accept it but don't pay a penny more.
If you want the 3 door, then it looks like you are going to have to wait for it. That being the case, either ask for your deposit back and additional compensation for breach of contract, or wait and say you expect them to compensate you to the tune of the cost of renting a similar car for the time period of the delay. Depending on how pushy you want to be, mention breach of contract and court.
Also, might be worth contacting Fiat UK and seeing what they have to say about it.
ZeeTacoe said:
redstu said:
Marf said:
"Better" is a)subjective and b) irrelevant if he ordered and still wants a 3 door.
True, 3 door cars can look better but apart from a coupe were always the base option. If he wants a 3 door then that's what he should get.
and should be slightly stiffer too.DD, wouldn't believe a word the dealer is telling you bar the fact that the version of the car is not available. Sounds like what has actually happened is, there's no 3 door versions on order by Fiat UK for your original agreed delivery date and wouldn't be surprised that there's none till the new year.
It does beg the question why the 3 door is unavailable (no matter what I suspect), maybe because it's more popular than the 5 door.
Whatever you do, remember you're the man with the money
It does beg the question why the 3 door is unavailable (no matter what I suspect), maybe because it's more popular than the 5 door.
Whatever you do, remember you're the man with the money
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