Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car dealership gone back on offer

98 replies

Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 13:59

So we ordered a brand new car at the weekend under a PCP deal. Went through the credit check, agreed on a part exchange price for our car and on a monthly cost for us.
We agreed to go for the base colour which comes at no extra cost. When he went to get us the deal printed out his boss told him that they are no longer doing the base colour and we would have to pay for one of the metallic colours (£600 extra) we said no. We don’t want to pay extra for a colour. He went to his boss and came back with a lower offer and they would find us the base colour model in stock somewhere and transport it.

We put down a deposit and signed the paperwork.

He phoned today saying they can’t get hold of any of the base colours and we can pay £15 a month extra for a red one that they have in stock. Or we can wait till March and choose another metallic colour, which will also be the same £15 a month extra.

I’ve told them no. If they can’t do it at the price we agreed and put our deposit down at then I’m not interested. I don’t care about the colour of the car, we just need one within the next couple of weeks, which he initially said he could do

I feel they lied to us just to get us to sign up. On the phone he put me on hold to talk to his boss who reiterated they couldn’t do anything for us. I said ok. We will have to cancel the sale then , can I come in and get the deposit back. He said he would phone me back later today. That was two hours ago! Haven’t heard anything yet.

It’s so frustrating as I can’t find a car I want at a price as good as this. Yet I feel they’ve lied and are taking me for a ride. Also wasted 3 hours of our time at the weekend and put a credit check on our account for nothing now.

AIBU? I don’t think for them losing that £600 is really going to be worth losing a sale but it’s not looking likely they’re going to honour the original deal.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 05/02/2020 14:02

They haven't lied, they just can't get the colour you wanted in the original deal.

It's a shame and annoying but your options are either to pay for a different colour or cancel the deal.

Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:06

True I suppose, thanks.

OP posts:
antisupermum · 05/02/2020 14:11

I would feel the same as you - duped. I wouldn't be shocked to discover that they pull this stunt more frequently than you you would think. For every one person who declines the £15 additional per month, they likely get several who can't be bothered with the fuss and just sign up for it.

I would stand firm and demand my deposit back, and I would buy my car from a more honest company.

JanuaryJones20 · 05/02/2020 14:14

I would be very skeptical as an almost identical thing happened to me with VW about 5 years ago!!

Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:15

Thanks antisupermum thats just how I feel. I will stand my ground. If we are having problems as soon as we’ve handed over the deposit it’s a little worrying.

OP posts:
redastherose · 05/02/2020 14:35

I think they have lied to get you to take the model they have in stock atm. Stand by your rights and demand a refund in full, if they don't want to lose the sale they will wear the extra cost but if not you had better go elsewhere as they have proved they are untrustworthy.

Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:37

Redastherose that’s how I feel thank you

It’s strange since the base colour model is still showing as available on the main website, and he had to go to his boss to discover that they were discontinuing it. Surely as his job is selling these cars he would already know that.

OP posts:
Trunkysaurus · 05/02/2020 14:38

I dont think theyve lied. They should have said they will try and get one in the right colour. That's why I always quote on metallic, then I'm reducing the price if I can't get the right colour.

Trunkysaurus · 05/02/2020 14:39

Also most new cars are sold at cost, so "wearing" the extra money isn't usually doable.

I wonder if you people go to Sainsburys and ask for discount for cash? If not, why not?

Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:43

I’m not asking for a discount though they said they would get me non metallic so we agreed the deal, paid the deposit and now they are telling me I have to pay more !

OP posts:
Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:44

I’m wondering if there’s a possibility he’s stalling calling me back as well giving me time to consider just taking the deal! It’s been 3 hours now!

OP posts:
LuluBellaBlue · 05/02/2020 14:47

I’d say you want the red one they have in stock at no extra cost?

He phoned today saying they can’t get hold of any of the base colours and we can pay £15 a month extra for a red one that they have in stock

thinkfast · 05/02/2020 14:47

I'd just go back to the showroom to get the deposit back and written acknowledgment that the contract is cancelled. Why are you waiting for them to call you back?

Original poster
Mol1628 · 05/02/2020 14:49

After he said I couldn’t have the red one for the same cost he spoke to his boss. Who said nothing they can do. I said ok I want to cancel. He said ok let me call you back later. 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
AJPTaylor · 05/02/2020 14:53

We were told a few years ago that the colour we wanted wasn't available because the manufacturer was having trouble with it.
We ordered the car at the next dealer who confirmed no such problem existed.
I think the issue with Pcp/leases now is that they are so competitive that they are not willing to just suck up the extra cost of the paint. If you can't find the car either they have a point.

Juliette20 · 05/02/2020 15:02

I'm glad you've threatened to cancel. They need you more than you need them. There is usually more than one base colour available at no extra cost - have you checked on the manufacturer's website?

You are within your rights to get the deposit back also as you agreed on the basis of a lower price, and they are wanting to change the terms of the contract, which you do not agree to.

Juliette20 · 05/02/2020 15:05

Tell them to call you back when the base colour is available and you'll buy then. The thing is about new cars is that unlike used cars which are finite, there are likely to be several popping off the production line as we write this.

hula008 · 05/02/2020 15:10

Similar thing happened to me purchasing car on PCP. Signed contract, got a phone call "we can't get the low spec you want, you'll have to have the medium spec for £x extra per month". I just said no thanks then, I'll go elsewhere and they gave me the medium spec one for lower price. I've heard of them using this tactic from others.

GinDaddy · 05/02/2020 15:15

Embarrassment of a dealership, they sound awful.

"We no longer offer the base colour any more" - I wouldn't really want to shop with someone who claims to offer a base product, then turns around and insists they don't actually offer it.

Juliette20 · 05/02/2020 15:17

I don't think it's PCP which is the common factor, it's car salesman gamesmanship which is the common factor.

steff13 · 05/02/2020 15:18

I would stand firm; either they give you the same car in a different color for the same price, or they refund your money.

user1486131602 · 05/02/2020 15:19

Make a covert inquiry at one of the other garages in the group. If they have it, go thru them ! You won’t lose your deposit, they can’t fulfill the deal and so you have the right to cancel, if you have to used your card provider to get it back. And lastly, you have a cooling off period in law that means you can still cancel without losing anything!

Glitterb · 05/02/2020 15:21

They should have checked all this out before taking a deposit etc so I would be cross as well! You have done the right thing and it’s their utter incompetence that has caused this issue anyway!

GiveHerHellFromUs · 05/02/2020 15:28

Surely the point of a base colour is that the other colours are then applied over the top Hmm

Did you sign a contract OP?

Alsohuman · 05/02/2020 15:35

Make a covert inquiry at one of the other garages in the group. If they have it, go thru them ! You won’t lose your deposit, they can’t fulfill the deal and so you have the right to cancel, if you have to used your card provider to get it back. And lastly, you have a cooling off period in law that means you can still cancel without losing anything!

This. We’re totally committed to a make of car but were getting shit service from our local branch. We now deal with another branch of the same group 20 miles away. Chalk and cheese.