New Car Sale - Dealer ****ing around...
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Just want your opinion.
New car purchase (brand new). Cash sale.
The car was a stock car and I was advised as the car being at a depot with delivery miles (10, 20 ish). The car was agreed to be ready for collection this week, but this was delayed by the dealer. First Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Friday.
The dealers been pretty slack about getting back to me on some questions and options etc. (ordered the wrong floor mats and got my address wrong, additional key etc). I chased on Thursday where I was told the car won't be ready till next week and i'll get a call Monday. I advised that won't work as i'm busy/away next week, so it's this week or beginning of April (which doesn't work for the dealer wanting the car sold before the end of the month).
Then yesterday morning I get a call saying the car's ready, registered and I can collect. I arrange to pop down after work. I turn up as agreed only to be greeted by the salesman who said he has some bad news / good news.. Bad news is that they've been having "system issues" all day and they have been unable to register the car so I can't collect it (the car is in stock and I saw it - more on that later. The good news is that they'll get me in a loan car until mine is sorted once I've completed the paperwork and paid for the car - I declined.
I left it with them to call me today with a solution. Which I am awaiting.
Onto the car. It's actually done 90 miles (which I believe sub 100 is still classed as a new car). But the drivers seat base is scuffed (likely a rivet from a pair of jeans), the drivers side sill is lightly scuffed (feet dragging in and out most likely) and there is a chip next to the drivers door handle. All of this points to a demo car or showroom car - Not what I was told.
I'm half tempted to cancel the sale and go elsewhere (there are other cars). The car is cheap, the right spec and local - but there is an identical car a few hours away at a similar price - But I know that is a showroom car so comes with the same risks. Am I being over sensitive here by being disappointed and a little angry? Or cutting my nose off to spit my face if I cancel the sale?
TL;DR - Right car, right price - dealer playing games - do I continue or go elsewhere?
Just want your opinion.
New car purchase (brand new). Cash sale.
The car was a stock car and I was advised as the car being at a depot with delivery miles (10, 20 ish). The car was agreed to be ready for collection this week, but this was delayed by the dealer. First Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Friday.
The dealers been pretty slack about getting back to me on some questions and options etc. (ordered the wrong floor mats and got my address wrong, additional key etc). I chased on Thursday where I was told the car won't be ready till next week and i'll get a call Monday. I advised that won't work as i'm busy/away next week, so it's this week or beginning of April (which doesn't work for the dealer wanting the car sold before the end of the month).
Then yesterday morning I get a call saying the car's ready, registered and I can collect. I arrange to pop down after work. I turn up as agreed only to be greeted by the salesman who said he has some bad news / good news.. Bad news is that they've been having "system issues" all day and they have been unable to register the car so I can't collect it (the car is in stock and I saw it - more on that later. The good news is that they'll get me in a loan car until mine is sorted once I've completed the paperwork and paid for the car - I declined.
I left it with them to call me today with a solution. Which I am awaiting.
Onto the car. It's actually done 90 miles (which I believe sub 100 is still classed as a new car). But the drivers seat base is scuffed (likely a rivet from a pair of jeans), the drivers side sill is lightly scuffed (feet dragging in and out most likely) and there is a chip next to the drivers door handle. All of this points to a demo car or showroom car - Not what I was told.
I'm half tempted to cancel the sale and go elsewhere (there are other cars). The car is cheap, the right spec and local - but there is an identical car a few hours away at a similar price - But I know that is a showroom car so comes with the same risks. Am I being over sensitive here by being disappointed and a little angry? Or cutting my nose off to spit my face if I cancel the sale?
TL;DR - Right car, right price - dealer playing games - do I continue or go elsewhere?
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 24th March 09:35
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 24th March 09:37
Well, sounds a little patronising but you know what you're being offered that car for with the niggles it has vs. what you can buy a car for that may have a similar set of niggles vs. what it would cost to buy a truly brand new one.
£200 discount for scuff marks and a small paint chip? Probably not.
£200 discount for scuff marks and a small paint chip? Probably not.
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: Well, sounds a little patronising but you know what you're being offered that car for with the niggles it has vs. what you can buy a car for that may have a similar set of niggles vs. what it would cost to buy a truly brand new one.
£200 discount for scuff marks and a small paint chip? Probably not.
Not patronising at all - I need some honest, straight talk. And I agree with what your saying as this car is a known quantity. £200 discount for scuff marks and a small paint chip? Probably not.
That's weird I thought I'd typed more than that.
What I meant to say was what's the discount both as a figure and a percentage?
£200 off for those niggles and I might just say "give me a new car".
£6000 off and perhaps I'd put up with them.
Also is it a car where there are 50 similar ones if you drive an hour or is it pretty unique and you have a choice of 3 nationwide?
It's difficult as I know sometimes you want to tell the dealership to sod off just for messing you around, but you also have to try to think is it really the dealerships fault vs. you're unlucky to have got a poor salesperson or you really have encountered a set of unlucky coincidences totally beyond their control - malice v stupidity and all that.
What I meant to say was what's the discount both as a figure and a percentage?
£200 off for those niggles and I might just say "give me a new car".
£6000 off and perhaps I'd put up with them.
Also is it a car where there are 50 similar ones if you drive an hour or is it pretty unique and you have a choice of 3 nationwide?
It's difficult as I know sometimes you want to tell the dealership to sod off just for messing you around, but you also have to try to think is it really the dealerships fault vs. you're unlucky to have got a poor salesperson or you really have encountered a set of unlucky coincidences totally beyond their control - malice v stupidity and all that.
Thanks guys. You share my sentiments.
The the car is pretty much the spec I’d order from new, but £3k off list. So it is cheap.
The other car is 1.5 hours away, identical spec and £200 cheaper list price so I’d get it £600 cheaper if I haggled hard enough.
For me cost, hassle and convenience are all deciding factors.
I’m awaiting a phone call back from them this morning with their proposal. They’ve already offered me a free service, but I was going to go independent so it has zero value to me.
The the car is pretty much the spec I’d order from new, but £3k off list. So it is cheap.
The other car is 1.5 hours away, identical spec and £200 cheaper list price so I’d get it £600 cheaper if I haggled hard enough.
For me cost, hassle and convenience are all deciding factors.
I’m awaiting a phone call back from them this morning with their proposal. They’ve already offered me a free service, but I was going to go independent so it has zero value to me.
Convert the offer of free service into GAP insurance, or alloy wheel/tyre insurance (if you were going to get it anyway). Get them to sort the chip and scuff (or pay you to use chipsaway etc).
Regards the 90 miles on the clock - i was once told that some makes of cars have a service facility to roll back the mileage when its been used as a demo - it was explained to me that it had limitations, ie, could only roll it back three* times and had to be under 100* miles each time (* cant remember the exact miles/times quoted). So, basically, any 'new' car sold, could have been used for a couple of test drives and the final buyer, potentially unaware.
Regards the 90 miles on the clock - i was once told that some makes of cars have a service facility to roll back the mileage when its been used as a demo - it was explained to me that it had limitations, ie, could only roll it back three* times and had to be under 100* miles each time (* cant remember the exact miles/times quoted). So, basically, any 'new' car sold, could have been used for a couple of test drives and the final buyer, potentially unaware.
Thanks chaps.
Insurance and GAP is already sorted on the car. I have experience of the service dept at this dealer and let’s say it’s best avoided.
I don’t want a smart repair on a new car.
I’ve heard that dealers can roll back mileage. The difference here is that I now know the cars been used. 90 miles is potentially a good few test drives, and if you’re testing this type of car it’ll will have been ragged from cold. I’m now knowingly buying a car which has likely been used for test drives and that is something I need to consider. I’m not buying the car to lease for a few years then it’s someone else’s problem, it’s a potential long term keeper.
I’ve seen the car, so it’s not been repaired as far as I can see (and I have a keen eye).
With that being said, I’ve spoken to the other dealer. Identical car. Sub 20 miles, but it is a showroom car so has the risk of scuffs. £600 cheaper though..
Insurance and GAP is already sorted on the car. I have experience of the service dept at this dealer and let’s say it’s best avoided.
I don’t want a smart repair on a new car.
I’ve heard that dealers can roll back mileage. The difference here is that I now know the cars been used. 90 miles is potentially a good few test drives, and if you’re testing this type of car it’ll will have been ragged from cold. I’m now knowingly buying a car which has likely been used for test drives and that is something I need to consider. I’m not buying the car to lease for a few years then it’s someone else’s problem, it’s a potential long term keeper.
I’ve seen the car, so it’s not been repaired as far as I can see (and I have a keen eye).
With that being said, I’ve spoken to the other dealer. Identical car. Sub 20 miles, but it is a showroom car so has the risk of scuffs. £600 cheaper though..
EnthusiastOwned said:
I’ve heard that dealers can roll back mileage.
No, they can't.Doesn't sound too bad. Sounds odd that they didn't just tell you on the phone.
See what they offer. Even though you were going to go independent for your servicing, the first free is still £100+ saved right? Then get a little more off for the issues, explain it will be paid for and reg by the 31st and enjoy the car.
Sales cancelled. I told them about the other car and they told me to go buy it. They then admitted someone is there looking at the car now (from 9am this morning) who wants it and they asked if they could sell the car to them. I said go for it. (it sounds to me like they delayed knowing someone wants to look at the car today and have got a better sale).
My deposit will be returned and I have placed a new deposit on the other car, I'm setting off soon to look at it.
I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet.
My deposit will be returned and I have placed a new deposit on the other car, I'm setting off soon to look at it.
I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet.
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 24th March 11:55
EnthusiastOwned said:
Hi Guys,
Bad news is that they've been having "system issues" all day and they have been unable to register the car so I can't collect it (the car is in stock and I saw it - more on that later. The good news is that they'll get me in a loan car until mine is sorted once I've completed the paperwork and paid for the car - I declined.
This is the "alarm bell" bit for me. They want you to pay for it before it's ready, and try to trick you into this by offering you a loan car. If you took this then it becomes vary difficult to back out. You were right to decline.Bad news is that they've been having "system issues" all day and they have been unable to register the car so I can't collect it (the car is in stock and I saw it - more on that later. The good news is that they'll get me in a loan car until mine is sorted once I've completed the paperwork and paid for the car - I declined.
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 24th March 09:35
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 24th March 09:37
They are treating you like scum, so do the same to them, walk away.
It was an Abarth.
It was a stock car apparently supplied by Abarth at a better price to get them out for 18 plate. I bartered them down, hard. £2k off the discounted price (which was already heavily discounted). So I suspect I’d had them on the line so it wouldn’t have taken much to better my offer.
I went to view the other car and put a deposit on that. Pick it up next week. It had a few marks from being in a showroom, but got it cheap enough that I’ll get it professionally detailed and still be quids in.
Blessing in disguise.
It was a stock car apparently supplied by Abarth at a better price to get them out for 18 plate. I bartered them down, hard. £2k off the discounted price (which was already heavily discounted). So I suspect I’d had them on the line so it wouldn’t have taken much to better my offer.
I went to view the other car and put a deposit on that. Pick it up next week. It had a few marks from being in a showroom, but got it cheap enough that I’ll get it professionally detailed and still be quids in.
Blessing in disguise.
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