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AIBU?

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Original poster

WIBU to replace my car after six weeks?

238 replies

Tattsyrup · 25/05/2017 18:53

I bought a used car in April and since then I've been trying to convince myself that I like it, but the fact is that I don't like it. I don't want it.
I bought it unseen, having been shown a different vehicle (same make and model, but a slightly flashier version). There was definitely a fair bit of bullshitting from the salesman going on too.
If I sell the car I'll lose around £2000, plus I'd have the expense of replacing it with a car I actually like. I took out a small loan to buy the car, and I owe £4500 on that.
WWYD? AIBU to be considering selling it and buying something better?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
BobbinThreadbare123 · 25/05/2017 20:33

I suggest you look up the Sale of Goods Act. You ought to be able to return the car for a full refund without affecting your statutory rights. You haven't had it long; tell the dealership you want the car you asked for!

araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:33

if you decide to change your car, i beg you to do some more research on the cars before spending another few grand.

without wishing to be too harsh, you have come over as completely clueless about something you just spent £9000 on and too late are you asking questions.

there are thousands of cars for sale, spend time researching, never believe a buy it today or it will go special offer type thing and if you arent confident, take someone with you that knows more and can help

araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:34

"You haven't had it long; tell the dealership you want the car you asked for!"

she got the car she ordered

specialsubject · 25/05/2017 20:36

If you can prove you were told you would get all the extras, and then were told to order the wrong car, that's well worth pursuing.

Missing the point, but I am delighted to hear you can still buy cars without aircon and with manual windows!

Cakeisbest · 25/05/2017 20:38

Kick up a fuss, he misled you, in fact he downright lied to you. Go see CAB, send dealership a firmly worded letter that you want a replacement for the same car you were shown except the colour and if not you will pursue with trading standards, etc. See what they do, if not satisfactory see Tradin standards, if still no joy tell them you're going to local papers, consumer TVs shows etc. It was clear to the salesman you needed the buggy to fit, which it did when you tried it, so why does it now not fit - because they sold you a completely different model of the car!

angryladyboobs · 25/05/2017 20:40

Who the hell buys a car unseen?!

araiwa · 25/05/2017 20:41

Who the hell buys a car unseen?!

lots of people

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 25/05/2017 20:46

Yep, you've been completely had. If you came across as unsure about cars to the dealer as you do on here, they did indeed see you coming a mile off. They probably had that car sitting on their forecourt for ages and were just waiting for the perfect clueless buyer to come along to offload it onto.

Can you go back to them with a knowledgeable and preferably mouthy friend and explain that you think you were mis-sold? Mention trading standards or whatever they're called nowadays.

You can have my seven year old Freelander if you like for £9k. It's definitely got air conditioning and electric windows. No sat nav but it's got blue tooth. That's about what it's worth!

LightastheBreeze · 25/05/2017 20:56

I think if you had done your research you would have realised that you wouldn't have got a 2016 Astra estate with a high spec for under £9k unless it had done v high miles. The price you paid was probably about right for what you bought, a nearly new car for a low price.

Wolfiefan · 25/05/2017 21:02

I'm confused. I ordered a car (from across the country) through a dealership. When it arrived I didn't like it as much as the one I had on the test drive. I knew it was a lower spec but it was just so basic. So I rejected it. They found me one of a higher spec.
Not sure what your rights are once you've accepted and bought the car.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 25/05/2017 21:13

Auto Trader online is good for comparing cars. You can see the spec for each model and roughly what they go for.

TeenAndTween · 25/05/2017 21:20

re size of boots.
When I was looking for my ford focus, some cars had space save tyres under floor of boot, some no spare types at all. Made a big difference to size of boot. maybe the same with your Astra?

I'd ask to see senior manager. Explain you feel you have been missold and see what they can do wrt upgrading you so you don't take too much of a loss.

RestingBitch · 25/05/2017 22:34

If you sell it privately you may get more than via a dealer, however it will need to be clear of finance. If you got the car via car finance you will need to pay this off before you sell, if it was a simple loan via the bank you will be fine.
Can you afford to loose 2k? By selling it to that dealership?
Have you considered complaining and saying that the salesmen bullshit you etc? See if they will do a better deal (although I doubt it).
I used to deal with a lot of new Vauxhalls and they made the most basic model humanely possibly so they can advertise the model as from XXX for the lowest price. Arseholes Angry. But keepfit windows on a 2016 model is rubbish!, even my 08 skoda has electric windows (but only one works Grin)

BackforGood · 25/05/2017 22:52

The sneaky tactics were showing me the other, better one and telling me the two were exactly the same except for the colours, when in fact they are different editions of the same model

and

^The salesman told me I could have my deposit refunded if I didn't want it when it was delivered"

There you go. The garage doesn't have any defence.
They can't tell you it is the exact same model then get you to sign a piece of paper for something different.

LewisFan · 25/05/2017 23:16

16 plate Astra estates on AutoTrader are starting at 9k - I just looked, so you might not lose much at all.

I have no idea how the umbrella fold buggy doesn't fit though - a Maclaren fits in my mum's Yaris which is a third of the estate boot capacity!

BoysofMelody · 26/05/2017 00:12

Something really isn't stacking up here at all. I can't believe that even a base model car registered last year has wind up windows.

From an Auto Express review of the Vauxhall Astra launch in 2015:

Just over £15k will get you in the entry-level Design spec with a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre petrol engine.

Standard kit includes 16-inch alloys, LED running lights, air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth, electric windows all-round and Vauxhall's seven-inch infotainment system.

BoysofMelody · 26/05/2017 00:17

Vauxhall Astra Design Sports tourer spec list

Original poster
Tattsyrup · 26/05/2017 05:59

*The sneaky tactics were showing me the other, better one and telling me the two were exactly the same except for the colours, when in fact they are different editions of the same model

and

^The salesman told me I could have my deposit refunded if I didn't want it when it was delivered"

There you go. The garage doesn't have any defence.
They can't tell you it is the exact same model then get you to sign a piece of paper for something different.*

How could I possibly prove this, though? Surely it would just be my word against theirs?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tattsyrup · 26/05/2017 06:05

Thank you for your thoughts. I have decided to change the car. As a previous poster said, life is too short.

I think I might try going to the dealership and try to argue that the car was mid-sold, but in all honesty I don't expect to get very far.

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 26/05/2017 06:07

I can't understand why you wouldn't go to CAB. You've been lied to and ripped off and tricked and now you're about to throw good money after bad.

Cakeisbest · 26/05/2017 06:35

You at least need to contact your local Trading Standards to see if this dealership is known to them for this type of thing, if it is, that should give you some confidence that you would win when trying to prove that the salesman told you a load of toffee about what car you were ordering. He should have been saying many times to you that the car you will be getting will be without the features you were seeing in the one on the forecourt. Just because you don't know much about cars doesn't mean they can rip you off. You know what you saw, you liked it, and that was wheat you were expecting to get except in a different colour, as that it what he told you. It is so worth a good try, you have nothing to lose. Do not be fobbed off, contact the dealership manager (after you've rung Trading Standards this morning).

CatchIt · 26/05/2017 06:38

You've been well & truly had I'm afraid!

I bought an 11 plate VW Passat estate with low mileage, Bluetooth, leccy windows and some other shizzle for £8500.

I'm not surprised you're going to change it but if you do decide to sell privately and buy a new one, please do your research!

Check Autotrader, compare other cars, only look at what you want using the filters.

I'm sure MNers can help!

bruffian · 26/05/2017 06:40

Blimey. My c3 Picasso fits a buggy, has Bluetooth and air con and was 4k!!

Kokusai · 26/05/2017 08:17

You paid £9k for a car that doesn't have air con?

I didn't even realise there were cars without air con! My 8 year old polo has air con.

GloGirl · 26/05/2017 08:37

Honestly, I'd devote a morning to creating as much of as shit stink as possible. You had to sign forms presumably so they would bring thr car, otherwise how could you get it to decide whether you liked it? There must be distance selling regs.

First, tweet Vauxhall HQ this thread. Then speak to CAB. Then Trading Standards. Then Dealership.

If they want proof just keep repeating that you checked the car you ordered would let you fit your pram in the boot and the new one doesnt. "I can't make it any clearer that it's obviously not fit for purpose as it doesn't fit my purpose!!"

And don't bloody take the pram when you complain unless there is absolutely no way it would fit EVER, otherwise yhey will get a salesman with the strength of titan and a degree in Tetris to get the pram to fit in.

Vauxhall, if you're reading this - you and your shoddy employees are what makes getting an important family purchase so much harder. Our car is on its last legs and when it comes to thousands of pounds, I'll steer clear and try somewhere who I have more confidence in.