Strange conversation with car salesman.

[Blib]

I'm just about to buy a car on finance. The first time I've ever done so. It will be a Fiat 500TA dual logic. The last thing I needed to do before signing on the dotted line was to drive an example with that exact engine/gearbox configuration.

To this end, I popped into my local dealer this afternoon as the salesman had told me last week that a car would be there for me to try. Unfortunately, the car wasn't available.

I wasn't too concerned as I'm in no real rush and I can wait a couple of days for the test drive. However, I thought that while I was there, I'd nail down the final finance details. I'd changed the car's spec. slightly from the one he'd originally quoted me on and so I asked him to recalculate the monthly payments. This, roughly, is what happened next;

Salesman: It's not worth recalculating the payments as Fiat are changing the finance costs from October 1st.
Me: But, I'll probably be signing the order form and finance papers within the next seven days.
Salesman: It is not when you sign the order form and finance that counts, it is when Fiat deliver the car. It is highly unlikely that your car will be delivered before the end of September and so you'd best wait until then before ordering as I won't know what the charges will be until near the end of the month when Fiat send the new figures to us.
Me: So, if I had signed the papers last week, you could not guarantee the finance charges unless there was a physical car delivered to me before the end of the month?
Salesman: Yes. Come back in the last week of September and we'll recalculate the charges.

And, that's how we left it. As I mentioned, I've not done a finance deal before. The only reason I'm doing it is for tax reasons, suggested by my accountant. So, I'm not au fait with these things.

But, it doesn't make any sense to me. Shirley, when I sign a contract with Fiat in September, they would honour it, even if they couldn't deliver the car until the new quarter? Do I really have to wait until the end of September to order my car? Is that how it works with finance? Or is it to do with some arcane salesman bonus lore?

I can see what he's getting at. But, I just want to buy a car.

Any guidance on this would be most appreciated.

[VERN UK]

Sounds like he has hit his September sales target to me?? very strange sounds bks to me

Oh and October will be the start of thier quarter 4 too

Edited by VERN UK on Tuesday 11th September 18:34

[CampDavid]

Try a different dealer. To be honest, you're kind of going about this the wrong way.

Find the car(s) you want
Hammer out the deal whichever way you can. There are hundreds of places to buy from, go with the one that will offer the best combo of price and service. As a clue, that isn't our man here.

[Blib]

Right. Strange thing is, his was the cheapest deal by quite some margin now he's gone all cool on it. I didn't ask about the servicing.

Noob mistake?

[uncinquesei]

They can't invoice it until it arrives and the finance docs can't be sorted until it's invoiced. If the car doesn't arrive until October and the finance rates are changing he won't be able to give the precise details until then. Unfortunate timing I think, nothing underhand.

[Mojooo]

Hmm. I am fairly sure the Consumer Credit Act will say something on this topic

There are strict rules for providing information in credit agreements and I am pretty sure making stuff up after the customer has signed is not part of it (just imagine the abuse).

[Blib]

uncinquesei said:

They can't invoice it until it arrives and the finance docs can't be sorted until it's invoiced. If the car doesn't arrive until October and the finance rates are changing he won't be able to give the precise details until then. Unfortunate timing I think, nothing underhand.

This I can understand. It's just that if Fiat do not have a car that fits the spec. in the country, then they can't do a finance deal as they won't know the cost. Can it be as boring as that? Shirley, they'll lose sales? They may lose me.

[Save Ferris]

uncinquesei said:

They can't invoice it until it arrives and the finance docs can't be sorted until it's invoiced. If the car doesn't arrive until October and the finance rates are changing he won't be able to give the precise details until then. Unfortunate timing I think, nothing underhand.

This.

[uncinquesei]

Blib said:

uncinquesei said:

They can't invoice it until it arrives and the finance docs can't be sorted until it's invoiced. If the car doesn't arrive until October and the finance rates are changing he won't be able to give the precise details until then. Unfortunate timing I think, nothing underhand.

This I can understand. It's just that if Fiat do not have a car that fits the spec. in the country, then they can't do a finance deal as they won't know the cost. Can it be as boring as that? Shirley, they'll lose sales? They may lose me.

It's just the way it goes sometimes. If they haven't got any cars in the country that would suggest to me that aren't too bad overall... It's a familiar situation in franchises with a long lead time unfortunately.

[Deva Link]

Blib said:

This I can understand. It's just that if Fiat do not have a car that fits the spec. in the country, then they can't do a finance deal as they won't know the cost.

That's correct. I run a Merc and this is a constant complaint on the Merc forums as MB heavily support finance deals rather than discount the cars.

The deals always end at the end of each quarter and no-one knows for sure if they'll be the same next quarter so the only way to be certain of taking advantage is to buy a car from stock.

[Mojooo]

Presumably on your first visit he ran through finance figures with you?

Presumably when you were going to pick up the car in October and the finance figures had changed he would have made this crystal clear to you before allowing you to sign?

[HTP99]

Save Ferris said:

uncinquesei said:

They can't invoice it until it arrives and the finance docs can't be sorted until it's invoiced. If the car doesn't arrive until October and the finance rates are changing he won't be able to give the precise details until then. Unfortunate timing I think, nothing underhand.

This.

Rubbish, I sell a well known brand of car and if I do a deal in September, whether cash or finance and the finance rates or discount will be changing in the forthcoming quarter and the car was going to be delivered in the new quarter, last quarters deal would stand, it has been the same for the two other marques that I have worked for too.

I don't know whether he is doing something dodgy, hit his target for his quarter and now wants you for next quarter or whatever, it all sounds odd to me.

Take your business elesewhere.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

uncinquesei said:

It's just the way it goes sometimes. If they haven't got any cars in the country that would suggest to me that aren't too bad overall... It's a familiar situation in franchises with a long lead time unfortunately.

Sounds strange to me, the last time I bought a new car it had a 5 month lead time yet the price was agreed inlcuding extras etc on the day of the sale.

(Surely you pay the price Fiat are charging for the car at the time of sale?)

[Blib]

Well that does make some sense to me. However, i've managed to arrange a test drive tomorrow with another dealer. Let's see what that salesman will say when see him.



Actually, this other chap has been trying to sell me a more expensive model that I don't really need. Rather than the one I want. Maybe this dealer has a couple in stock?

[Blib]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Sounds strange to me, the last time I bought a new car it had a 5 month lead time yet the price was agreed inlcuding extras etc on the day of the sale.

(Surely you pay the price Fiat are charging for the car at the time of sale?)

Yes, agrred if I was paying cash. But, on finance?

[AtticusFinch]

It may be that he had been offering a cracking deal on a stock car for September delivery. Now you won't/can't take a car for sept he will not be able to honour the package anyway.

If you want a "deal" ask him for what's available now. If you want to choose your exact spec you may have to pay the going rate.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Do you sign the finance deal at time of sale or time of delivery?

( Honest question as I have never bought a car on finance )

[LouD86]

Bilb, if you want service and honesty, and to drive a Dual Logic Twin Air, would you be happy to use a Portsmouth Dealer? My friend Andy (ex colleague) a very very nice chap, will look after you well, and they have a D/L TA as a demo, he knows his deals inside out, and will treat you like an utter gent.

Message me if you would like to know more

Lou

[LouD86]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Do you sign the finance deal at time of sale or time of delivery?

( Honest question as I have never bought a car on finance )

Normally 48 hours beforehand, although with some places, same day is allowed

[pinchmeimdreamin]

LouD86 said:

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Do you sign the finance deal at time of sale or time of delivery?

( Honest question as I have never bought a car on finance )

Normally 48 hours beforehand, although with some places, same day is allowed

So you agree a price for a car,wait for it to be delivered.
Then get told its going to cost you more.