Consumer Credit Act - advice
Consumer Credit Act - advice
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Blue62

Original Poster:

10,149 posts

174 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
My nephew has taken out a lease agreement on a new car, but delivery has now been pushed back for a fourth time, meaning if it does actually turn up this time it will be six weeks after the original date. He ordered the car because he starts a new job and the delay is causing him obvious grief.

He asked me for advice (his father passed away and I’m a sort of surrogate dad) and sent over the contract, it states that either party can cancel at no cost if ‘the manufacturer exceeds the delivery date by more than 10 weeks’. It does not detail what the cost would be inside the ten week period, which I find odd.

I’ve tried to find out if the ten weeks is reasonable, my understanding was that 28 days is the norm in circumstances such as this, but I’m struggling to find anything to support this. My view is that he’s going to have to suck it up and wait, or suffer some penalty, but his dilemma is that he needs the car for his new job (no public transport routes) which starts imminently. Anyone know his rights? Thanks in advance.

Welcome.

16,718 posts

58 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
He is as the contract he signed is accepting the terms and conditions of delivery?


Blue62

Original Poster:

10,149 posts

174 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Welcome. said:
He is as the contract he signed is accepting the terms and conditions of delivery?
Yep, but my question is are the terms reasonable? I thought the norm was 28 days in these matters, just wondering if he challenge it.

Sebring440

3,044 posts

118 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
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Blue62 said:
I thought the norm was 28 days in these matters,
Why ever do you think that?

He's signed a contract, the terms are quite specific. Best get hold of this contract and read it through.


mmm-five

12,025 posts

306 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
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Can he not hire a car, for a week at a time until his arrives...using the saving from not paying for the lease car yet?

Mr Whippy

32,157 posts

263 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
He has read the contract, if you read to 2nd para.

The issue is no clarity on penalty if cancelled before the 10 weeks stated.


Ime, if they say 10 weeks, assume 10 weeks. Then pleasantly surprised if it’s less.

Blue62

Original Poster:

10,149 posts

174 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, I’ve read the salient part of the contract and it states 10 weeks, but doesn’t detail any penalty if you want to cancel before that deadline. Poor lad ordered the car in May on the basis of delivery mid August, no explanation for delay apparently. He can and will have to hire, but it’s going to be way more than his leasing costs.

No idea why I thought 28 days is the norm, maybe goes back to when we had an issue with leasing equipment in my business, but it’s a few years back,

Welcome.

16,718 posts

58 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Is it a VW?


Blue62

Original Poster:

10,149 posts

174 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Welcome. said:
Is it a VW?
Yep, an Up!

Sheepshanks

39,036 posts

141 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Is the finance with VWFS? It used to be routine that they’d loan a car if it was late but they mostly stopped when WLTP emissions regs came in and messed up delivery on lots of cars.

Welcome.

16,718 posts

58 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Blue62 said:
Welcome. said:
Is it a VW?
Yep, an Up!
Yeah it’s a bit of a tricky one.

I know that many VW dealers are getting customers to sign a vehicle registration form (not a v5) to stop dealers shill ordering and VW want the customer details before the order is accepted, and if the customer cancels they can sometimes charge a cancellation fee.

Having said that, because of stock shortages some dealers will cancel without charge.


mcpoot

1,240 posts

129 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
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AdamIM

1,267 posts

48 months

Monday 25th September 2023
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Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59

BertBert

20,845 posts

233 months

Monday 25th September 2023
quotequote all
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Just wondering why you are assuming the deal was done remotely?

AdamIM

1,267 posts

48 months

Monday 25th September 2023
quotequote all
BertBert said:
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Just wondering why you are assuming the deal was done remotely?
Because most car leases are 'off premises'. If this is not the case then i would cancel due to unreasonable delays. The law is very clear-he has an out

mcpoot

1,240 posts

129 months

Monday 25th September 2023
quotequote all
AdamIM said:
BertBert said:
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Just wondering why you are assuming the deal was done remotely?
Because most car leases are 'off premises'. If this is not the case then i would cancel due to unreasonable delays. The law is very clear-he has an out
That does rather depend on whether "time is of the essence" was part of the contract. Cancelling due to unreasonable delays may not be the slam dunk exit you appear to think it will be.

AdamIM

1,267 posts

48 months

Monday 25th September 2023
quotequote all
mcpoot said:
AdamIM said:
BertBert said:
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Just wondering why you are assuming the deal was done remotely?
Because most car leases are 'off premises'. If this is not the case then i would cancel due to unreasonable delays. The law is very clear-he has an out
That does rather depend on whether "time is of the essence" was part of the contract. Cancelling due to unreasonable delays may not be the slam dunk exit you appear to think it will be.
I'll politely disagree.
I have given the OP the answer he needs, he can take it on board or not-i'll leave you to it smile

mcpoot

1,240 posts

129 months

Monday 25th September 2023
quotequote all
mcpoot said:
AdamIM said:
BertBert said:
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Just wondering why you are assuming the deal was done remotely?
Because most car leases are 'off premises'. If this is not the case then i would cancel due to unreasonable delays. The law is very clear-he has an out
That does rather depend on whether "time is of the essence" was part of the contract. Cancelling due to unreasonable delays may not be the slam dunk exit you appear to think it will be.
Politely disagree? That is so refreshing on PH as it so rare for someone to do that nowadays.

Happy to agree to disagree and await the outcome if the OP decides to go that route.

Blue62

Original Poster:

10,149 posts

174 months

Tuesday 26th September 2023
quotequote all
AdamIM said:
Hello Blue 62,

Your nephew certainly can cancel via Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013(which now incorporate Distance Selling Regs). Assuming the 'deal' was done remotely he has 14 days from DELIVERY, not from signing. The practicality of this means he can cancel anytime up to 14 days after taking delivery, i.e now.

The broker will no doubt try and retain any admin fees and you could pursue as the law is on your side.

I hope that helps.

Adam

Edited to add-The same regulation also deals with late delivery. So whist you don't need to lean on this provision (unless you signed in-person) it would be persuasive as to unreasonable delays. Yes we are looking at a car here not something lost in the post however it is clear what the spirit of the regulation is. If it's 30 days beyond the expected delivery then I would say it is reasonable to cancel. Notwithstanding the fact they have missed multiple revised dates.

You could also argue the 10 week clause IS unreasonable, the test being it creates unnecessary burden on the consumer. And it clearly does otherwise you wouldn't be posting wink

You could always wait and see if they manage to come in under the 10 weeks just to make recovery of admin fees a slam dunk. Or just cancel in writing and request the fees back

Edited by AdamIM on Monday 25th September 11:59
Thanks Adam, just picked up this post and appreciate your input. My nephew certainly did the deal remotely, as you’d expect and to be clear we are dealing with late delivery. I’ve read his contract and it’s a little ambiguous, he had 14 days to cancel after signing the contract (which has past) but AIUI he has 14 days to reject after delivery, but that’s not clear in the contract. It’s also odd that there’s an implication of penalty iv he cancels within the ten week window but no detail.

I’ve forwarded your helpful response and leave him to pick this up tomorrow, I’ve advised him to push to find out what the penalty would be and confirm that he can reject within 14 days after delivery. My thought being that if they realise he will do this there’s no point in holding out now. He’s found a car in stock via another source that he can be driving within days. Thanks again and to other interested parties, it’s what PH does best.

AdamIM

1,267 posts

48 months

Tuesday 26th September 2023
quotequote all
Hi Blue,

They've used a standard on-premises contract-it's not a mistake( and there will be a std 'this contract doesn't diminish your statutory rights'). They don't want to disclose anything more. He definitely has 14 days post delivery and as you say, if the game is up, why fight it. It's just more work for them. I would suggest he doesn't ask what his rights are, rather he asserts his rights. Just mention something like, i've spoken to Citizens Advice and they will pause for thought. Don't ask for his admin fee back, tell them to refund it forthwith. They may not, to see if you pursue it. A MCOL will usually resolve it smile

Good luck