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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:
TDogsInHats · 25/08/2019 12:29

I'd phone the car dealer and offer your apologies but say you're unable to proceed. If they are any good at their job, they'll be quite understanding (fed up about it, but my dB runs a car dealership and would rather keep the customer's goodwill)

milliefiori · 25/08/2019 12:37

Be (almost) honest. Say some extra hours and pay at work you thought were confirmed turn out not to be and you can't actually afford the payments so you have to cancel.

HeavenlyEyes · 25/08/2019 12:39

You were pressured into signing and now want to cancel - don't grovel or make up excuses.

RosaWaiting · 25/08/2019 12:44

Heavenly but OP wasn't pressured into signing?

Alsohuman · 25/08/2019 12:47

She wasn’t pressured.

grumiosmum · 25/08/2019 13:06

Have you paid a deposit?

If so you will probably lose that, but you should be able to cancel the rest of the contract.

Chivers53 · 25/08/2019 13:13

Read the documents and contact the dealer. Legally you are bound to the contract, but they may have a cancellation clause or be willing to offer you a different car which is cheaper per month (they did this for me when my circumstances changed). But I would be surprised if they would be happy to fully cancel unless this was in the terms, speak to them today if you can.

Cherrysoup · 25/08/2019 13:16

There’s a cooling off period, just like when you change phone contracts. Don’t back down, don’t let them tell you it can’t be done. It can, go cancel.

prh47bridge · 25/08/2019 13:20

Just phone and say statutory rights say I have a cooling off period

As others have said, there is no statutory right to a cooling off period. As the OP went in to the dealer there is no right to any cooling off period unless there is one written in to the contract.

prh47bridge · 25/08/2019 13:24

There’s a cooling off period, just like when you change phone contracts. Don’t back down, don’t let them tell you it can’t be done. It can, go cancel

No there isn't. The fact that there is a cooling off period for phones is irrelevant. That cooling off period is specific to phones, TV services, internet services and mobile phones. It does not apply to other items. If the OP had ordered the car over the phone or online there is a statutory cooling off period. However, she ordered it face to face in the dealers. That means there is no statutory cooling off period. If she cancels she is likely to lose her deposit and, depending on the terms of the contract, the dealer may be able to take her to court for additional compensation. They may not do so - they may be happy to let the OP cancel without penalty. But that is up to them. The OP does not have any right a cooling off period.

LittlePaintBox · 25/08/2019 13:25

Look at your contract, and have a look online to see what the opinion is about cancelling a car leasing arrangement. I've just read something that says a private individual does have a cooling-off period in a car-leasing arrangement, but if that's the case, it should be reflected in your contract.

There's no point feeling stupid - what's done is done - if you do end up losing the deposit, look on it as a rather costly lesson. We once got lured into the Honda showroom by an excellent salesman when we were looking for a second hand car, and nearly got persuaded by him into leasing a brand-new Honda, which he managed to make sound completely reasonable and affordable. (It wasn't). It's just best to go nowhere near salespeople if you don't want to buy something!

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

apacketofcrisps · 25/08/2019 14:23

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

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:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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:
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