Mis selling of GAP insurance
Discussion
Recently had a very bad dealer experience when it came to this. Even with the new rules imposed a very high pressure technique was used.
I was even told I couldn't complete on the purchase without it. Knowing this was nonsense I ignored it.
But...
The way it was handled would probably persuade most people into it, so what should I contact the dealer principle direct, or go straight to the manufacturers head office in the UK?
I was even told I couldn't complete on the purchase without it. Knowing this was nonsense I ignored it.
But...
The way it was handled would probably persuade most people into it, so what should I contact the dealer principle direct, or go straight to the manufacturers head office in the UK?
I'd go to the dealership manager first, if no joy, then probably the FCA or the financial ombudsman rather than the manufacturer.
Having said that, I probably would've walked out if some prick told me that I couldn't purhase a car from them without buying the GAP insurance. I hate being lied to!
Having said that, I probably would've walked out if some prick told me that I couldn't purhase a car from them without buying the GAP insurance. I hate being lied to!
I'd have been tempted to...
Say OK and walk out.
Await call from salesman who is stuck with a registered car and no buyer, and offer to complete at amount less 3x the cost of the GAP insurance. Just to make a point.
But then I can be an arsey customer if they want to be arsey and misleading sales.
I have no problem with good, even pushy sales people, but ones that fundamentally mislead and mis-sell... (this is not a car dealer bash - it applies everywhere). I've been in sales all my life so much prefer an open positive negotiation where each side explains what they need to close the deal.
Say OK and walk out.
Await call from salesman who is stuck with a registered car and no buyer, and offer to complete at amount less 3x the cost of the GAP insurance. Just to make a point.
But then I can be an arsey customer if they want to be arsey and misleading sales.
I have no problem with good, even pushy sales people, but ones that fundamentally mislead and mis-sell... (this is not a car dealer bash - it applies everywhere). I've been in sales all my life so much prefer an open positive negotiation where each side explains what they need to close the deal.
Agree with Vaud.
Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
tony wright said:
Agree with Vaud.
Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
Ahh but that is slightly different. That is an open negotiation, you chose not to participate and close the deal. Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
You could have taken the initiative and said "I'll sign today for x", x being your lowest price for your satisfaction. You had no risk.
A car purchase where people have already taken out loans, sold old car, etc is a bit different?
Vaud said:
tony wright said:
Agree with Vaud.
Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
Ahh but that is slightly different. That is an open negotiation, you chose not to participate and close the deal. Recently asked for a double glazing salesman from a specific company to visit as I'm actually wanting to replace doors and windows in my house. An hour and a half later we started at 13k, then special offer etc dropped to 8k. Another 20mins of me saying not interested down to 6k and asking him to leave. His bosses then rang the next day and the following day resulting in the price dropping down to 3.5k but by then I was so pissed off with them I told them to shove it, irony was if they had offered the 3.5k in the first place I would of seriously looked at.
You could have taken the initiative and said "I'll sign today for x", x being your lowest price for your satisfaction. You had no risk.
A car purchase where people have already taken out loans, sold old car, etc is a bit different?
Open negotiation b
ks. Common technique used by the bigger companies in that business to con the elderly and unwary.They'll use every trick in the book including misleading, almost fraudulent, finance deals; getting the boss to call while the salesman is 'negotiating', with a 'once only offer' if you sign there and then. And so on.......
As bad as internet scammers IMO.
The main dealers aren't much better. I was told that GuardX at £500 was so good I'd be crazy not to buy it. Really? Anyone who would pay £500 for a £25 product is the crazy one. I wonder if many do?
REALIST123 said:
Open negotiation b
ks. Common technique used by the bigger companies in that business to con the elderly and unwary.They'll use every trick in the book including misleading, almost fraudulent, finance deals; getting the boss to call while the salesman is 'negotiating', with a 'once only offer' if you sign there and then. And so on.......
As bad as internet scammers IMO.
The main dealers aren't much better. I was told that GuardX at £500 was so good I'd be crazy not to buy it. Really? Anyone who would pay £500 for a £25 product is the crazy one. I wonder if many do?
But what is the solution? Hard to cap profits. Hard to ban selling. I genuinely have no idea as to the solution.
But I do know the the poster I was responding to is probably not in the vulnerable group, blessed as he is with PH.
I have almost completed the purchase of a brand new car - Dealer was very upfront and before he even offered me anything like diamondbrite (£450) GAP (£500) and a load of other stuff, he said that he had to tell me it was all optional and that even if I wanted to add anything, he had to leave it 48 hours before he could ask me my decision, it definitely felt like they had been pulled up over mis-selling.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
Trixxz said:
I have almost completed the purchase of a brand new car - Dealer was very upfront and before he even offered me anything like diamondbrite (£450) GAP (£500) and a load of other stuff, he said that he had to tell me it was all optional and that even if I wanted to add anything, he had to leave it 48 hours before he could ask me my decision, it definitely felt like they had been pulled up over mis-selling.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
They've not been pulled up on it, they're just doing it properly. I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
I do enjoy it when dealers throw 'x' amount more thousands on a product when you are thinking about it.
Looked at a newer car nearly a year ago. Car was up for £7995. After a chat about the vehicle, the salesman trotted off and then turned up with a piece of paper stating over £9k. This was the cost of all the juicy extras that we simply couldn't live without.
Looked at a newer car nearly a year ago. Car was up for £7995. After a chat about the vehicle, the salesman trotted off and then turned up with a piece of paper stating over £9k. This was the cost of all the juicy extras that we simply couldn't live without.
Butter Face said:
Trixxz said:
I have almost completed the purchase of a brand new car - Dealer was very upfront and before he even offered me anything like diamondbrite (£450) GAP (£500) and a load of other stuff, he said that he had to tell me it was all optional and that even if I wanted to add anything, he had to leave it 48 hours before he could ask me my decision, it definitely felt like they had been pulled up over mis-selling.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
They've not been pulled up on it, they're just doing it properly. I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
Buying a new car recently, the salesman mentioned gap insurance, alloy wheel cover etc, we discussed it like adults, asked for a quote on the gap insurance, turns out we could get it cheaper elsewhere,which he couldn't match, took the alloy wheel cover as others won't cover 21" diamond polished, and explained we would take the car to our detailer for sealant etc., everybody went home happy.
berlintaxi said:
Butter Face said:
Trixxz said:
I have almost completed the purchase of a brand new car - Dealer was very upfront and before he even offered me anything like diamondbrite (£450) GAP (£500) and a load of other stuff, he said that he had to tell me it was all optional and that even if I wanted to add anything, he had to leave it 48 hours before he could ask me my decision, it definitely felt like they had been pulled up over mis-selling.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
They've not been pulled up on it, they're just doing it properly. I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
Buying a new car recently, the salesman mentioned gap insurance, alloy wheel cover etc, we discussed it like adults, asked for a quote on the gap insurance, turns out we could get it cheaper elsewhere,which he couldn't match, took the alloy wheel cover as others won't cover 21" diamond polished, and explained we would take the car to our detailer for sealant etc., everybody went home happy.
ks" are lying. I've been selling cars for 13 odd years and not once have I had someone act like that when it comes down to the extras, even the difficult and full of themselves customers aren't like it; they understand I am just doing my job.
As for the OP, I would report it to the FCA; what the salesman is doing is against FCA regulations and it gives us all a bad name, even if you wanted GAP it cannot be processed for 48 hours; the cooling off period.
It's the same with it being included in the finance quote or added on to the screen price; against FCA regulations.
There may be a time when we have to suggest that it is possible it can be purchased cheaper elsewhere and we may also have to disclose our commission; both of those going a bit too far mind.
On the other hand some dealers can be refreshingly honest and easy to deal with. My current Jag, I told the salesman up front - no frills, no extras Im paying cash so lets get to the bottom price and close the deal.
He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
Dodsy said:
On the other hand some dealers can be refreshingly honest and easy to deal with. My current Jag, I told the salesman up front - no frills, no extras Im paying cash so lets get to the bottom price and close the deal.
He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
Exactly the same here. A polite no and he just said 'Fair enough. Sign here to say I've offered it to you and explained everything'He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
Vaud said:
REALIST123 said:
Open negotiation b
ks. Common technique used by the bigger companies in that business to con the elderly and unwary.They'll use every trick in the book including misleading, almost fraudulent, finance deals; getting the boss to call while the salesman is 'negotiating', with a 'once only offer' if you sign there and then. And so on.......
As bad as internet scammers IMO.
The main dealers aren't much better. I was told that GuardX at £500 was so good I'd be crazy not to buy it. Really? Anyone who would pay £500 for a £25 product is the crazy one. I wonder if many do?
But what is the solution? Hard to cap profits. Hard to ban selling. I genuinely have no idea as to the solution.
But I do know the the poster I was responding to is probably not in the vulnerable group, blessed as he is with PH.
I'm not too worried for myself, I don't consider myself to be 'in a battle' or being 'tough' about these situations; I do take almost everything I'm told by the sales folk with a pinch of salt and check things independently, if I haven't already researched things or been aware of them.
I do have sympathy for folk like my late FIL, who was scammed more than once by car salesmen into buying very expensive, almost useless 'extras' sold on very misleading, if not blatantly untrue, claims.
Let's not kid ourselves. We all know why these things are pushed, we all know what the true motivation of those pushing them are and where their loyalties lie. Perhaps it would be no bad thing if every buyer did prepare for a battle before he went to buy, he will almost certainly lose out if he doesn't.
Dodsy said:
On the other hand some dealers can be refreshingly honest and easy to deal with. My current Jag, I told the salesman up front - no frills, no extras Im paying cash so lets get to the bottom price and close the deal.
He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
Even this annoys me. I am in the process of buying a car from a main dealer, and I have to sign a piece of paper confirming I have refused the offer of finance etc. I cannot see a reason why I should have to do this. They have told me it is an FCA requirement, but that just seems like nonsense to me.He gave me a very fair price then told me he has to offer me a load of stuff like gap insurance, finance, tyre insurance etc but he'd get through it as quick as he could. So he got me a coffee and I read the paper for 10 mins while he sat opposite and read out all the stuff. Once he'd finished I just had to sign a form to say it had all been offered and I declined and that was it.
Truffles said:
Even this annoys me. I am in the process of buying a car from a main dealer, and I have to sign a piece of paper confirming I have refused the offer of finance etc. I cannot see a reason why I should have to do this. They have told me it is an FCA requirement, but that just seems like nonsense to me.
Slightly o/t but I had this from Carphone Warehouse when buying a new phone. I was buying it outright, so not on contract, and was made to sign documents saying they had offered insurance but I didn't 'need'it; this was on the basis they are FCA regulated. It struck me as very odd as I was buying outright, and (perhaps irrationally) I wasn't very happy about doing it. I strongly questioned the requirement to do this, but couldn't leave the shop, with the phone, without signing. Them's the rules.
Does it happen when you buy a TV, fridge etc. from shops that also facilitate insurance on those items?
berlintaxi said:
Why do the majority on here see this part of car buying as a battle, does just saying "no thanks" or having a conversation about it reduce the size of their manhood or do they have to show how "tough" they can be in front of their other halves?
I would imagine the OP, or anyone else in that situation would of said no several times. How many times are you supposed to say "no thanks"? Are you supposed to be polite to a person sat in front of you blatantly lieing to your face, trying to extort money from you for his own personal gain?Trixxz said:
I have almost completed the purchase of a brand new car - Dealer was very upfront and before he even offered me anything like diamondbrite (£450) GAP (£500) and a load of other stuff, he said that he had to tell me it was all optional and that even if I wanted to add anything, he had to leave it 48 hours before he could ask me my decision, it definitely felt like they had been pulled up over mis-selling.
I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
If you are getting a brand new car why do you need GAP insurance? Does your car insurance not cover you for the first year for a new replacement car if written off not recovered? Im also in the same shoes but not taking GAP out.I have sorted GAP for £125 and the cars going straight to the valeting guy I use for sealant etc for £150 Most of the other stuff they offered like Key cover, I get through my bank.
I was pleasantly surprised after all the horror stories you here about, like the OP.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff