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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have been really stupid, new car

136 replies

OldGrinch · 25/08/2019 11:07

Not really an AIBU but need to vent. I am currently on a personal contact hire lease for my car which is coming near the end of contract. The car went in for a service last week and the dealer asked me if I wanted to pop in for a "chat" afterwards. Now I know this was a v bad idea as they only ever want to flog you another new car and I couldn't really afford it. Work had spoken to me about doing some extra hours so possibly more money in future but nothing confirmed. Anyway, I thought I would just go for the chat with car dealer which was utter stupidity in itself. I have ended up signing an order form for a new car for September, I don't want the car anymore, but don't think I can cancel as signed the agreement on dealers premises. Also work have now said the extra hours won't be possible after all Sad. Has anybody been in a similar situation and managed to get out of it? I know I've been a massive twerp.

OP posts:
Rivkka · 25/08/2019 16:00

Phone them up if you don't want to go in

gingersausage · 25/08/2019 15:55

Why does the same thing always happen on these threads, whereby people are so eager to get their point across, they don’t bother to read the previous posts, and see that 30 other people have already stated the exact same thing. It's a fascinating sociological insight. It wouldn’t be so bad if the repetitive answers were actually correct!

WaxOnFeckOff · 25/08/2019 15:49

Just say the truth. A change of job circumstances has meant that it's no longer affordable so you'll need to cancel the order for the new car but you are hoping to do a deal on keeping the one you currently have . I'd also add that you've been really pleased with the service and are hoping to be back at some point for a new car when the job situation resolves itself.

BubblesBubbly · 25/08/2019 15:48

🤣 @leghairdontcare

BubblesBubbly · 25/08/2019 15:48

Ooh I hate situations like this op. To the point where I mainly shop online! Just walking in to a car sales garage would be stressful as I know they’d make a beeline

PorterBella · 25/08/2019 15:46

Phone them, op and in your head act as if you're doing it for
someone else whose life depends on cancelling it.
You can do this.

leghairdontcare · 25/08/2019 15:30

Don't go in again, you'll probably buy two cars.

thenightsky · 25/08/2019 15:13

Don't go in there if it makes you more nervous... just deal with them on the phone.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 25/08/2019 15:01

Just say you're cancelling. You don't have to explain yourself.

Original poster
OldGrinch · 25/08/2019 15:00

What should I say?

OP posts:
Original poster
OldGrinch · 25/08/2019 15:00

I am going to have to contact them and be assertive aren't I? Even the thought of going in there makes me feel total panic.

OP posts:
NotYourHolidayDick · 25/08/2019 14:50

Op seriously chill out. An order form mean nothing. DH is business manager for a prestige brand and this is literally an every day scenario. Really.

Just call them and say you can't proceed. You haven't got to be grumpy or state your rights ffs. Just be nice and assertive.

You aren't tied into anything. Honestly. Mountain and molehill.

ChicCroissant · 25/08/2019 14:43

So have you spoken to them, OP?

Does your current car have another 18 months on the contract, that's not near the end IMO.

PotteryLady · 25/08/2019 14:39

Go in and cancel - you did not initiate this, they asked you to go in - tell them before it's too late. Face to face.

Chivers53 · 25/08/2019 14:37

OP try not to feel too bad and just learn from it, I did the same, yes they didnt physically pressure me into it but they have training on how to persuade people to buy. Lots of people get caught out, and whilst it's not their fault, it's easily done. I would call them or pop in, they might offer you something else which is more manageable, I would do it asap though.

Original poster
OldGrinch · 25/08/2019 14:29

Thanks for the replies, I feel like such an idiot. Part of me was longing for a shiny new car and I just got carried away with it all. Wasn't forced or coercion. I have got to learn to say no. The problem is I have cider pockets and champagne taste as my DM would say. Am looking at the paperwork I have signed and it's a Vehicle Order Form signed in dealer premises. No deposit paid. Is it best to write to them or go in? Original idea was to buy my current car and pay balloon payment in 18 months which would be more manageable financially. Feel like such a fool Sad

OP posts:
apacketofcrisps · 25/08/2019 14:23

What exactly have you signed up for? A new pcp?

itiswhatitis12 · 25/08/2019 14:00

Car sales wife here
As long as it's not taxed or registered to guy it's fine to cancel
They might try to put you off / make it difficult but just insist. Tell them that the payments would put you in financial difficulty and you would struggle to pay essential bills as a result

flumpybear · 25/08/2019 13:59

I've
Done something similar with tiles - felt bullied into it, had the 14 days cooling period thankfully so do that. We both need to toughen up to these sales people!

OtraCosaMariposa · 25/08/2019 13:56

You also need to be more specific about the type of agreement you have taken out. AFAIK if it's a PCP (a personal contract plan) where you use your current car's value as deposit, pay a monthly fee and then either a balloon payment at the end or hand it back to start again, that counts as a credit agreement and regulated under the Consumer Credit Act. There should be a cooling off period for all credit agreements.

However OP has been a bit vague about what she's actually signed so that may be completely irrelevant.

Any decent dealer is going to let you cancel though.

CallmeAngelina · 25/08/2019 13:43

As ever, there are a lot of people piling onto the thread with little or no knowledge of the actual law here.

LadyRannaldini · 25/08/2019 13:35

I thought that the 14 days grace period didn't apply if you signed on their premises, sorry if it's true.

HepzibahGreen · 25/08/2019 13:31

Of course you can cancel. Just go down there and if they refuse at first make a fuss. Never mind statutory blah blah. MNetters love rules but in real life almost no business would force the lease through once you have said you can no longer afford it.

CallmeAngelina · 25/08/2019 13:30

If you currently have a PCP on an existing car, what would you have been intending to do with it at the end of the lease? Pay the balloon payment? Or hand it back (possibly with no equity)? And if you hand it back, what are you then going to drive?