What kind of compensation should i be after?

[saveferris]

Hey guys......

I ordered and paid a deposit on a 118 TSI manual, metalic paint, sports pack, bluetooth with mats on the 18th of March for around $34,000, my delivery date was for the 15th of May.

Now this is where my grief starts.....

I was ready to pick up my car on the 15th of May but the dealer called and said the car wasn't ready, I informed the dealer that if the car wasn't ready on that day i wouldn't be able to pick up the car until the following month (16th of June to be exact) because i was going away to Sydney for business commitments. She said that's fine and she'd hold onto the car until i returned.... Fast forward to tonight, I get a phone call from the dealer stating that an error had occurred by the stock controller/manager and as a result my car had been sold. " I smell bull" Now she told me that she has re-orderd my car and that it would now be arriving sometime late July early August. " i'm thinking ." I'll be returning to melbourne on the 15th without a car because i wrote it off in Feb, and because of the stuff up with VW i'll be losing money because i need the car for work commitments.


So my question is am i able to get some sort of compensation from VW Bayside? and what kind of compensation? What do you guys suggest?

I was thinking of a substantial discount on the car and also be given a courtesy car until my car arrives in early August.... is that unreasonable considering i'll be out of pocket.


Thanks gents.

[thekraut]

I'd try this - if you haven't already blown your stack at the dealer, don't!

The best method of getting something for an apparent dealer error is to request to speak to the sales manager/dealer principal of the dealer you're purchasing your car from, and state your case, then simply ask what they can do for you. If you are unhappy with the initial response, make a suggestion similar to 'I'll happily take the cheapest used car on the lot/demonstrator as a loan car until mine arrives' and see how that pans out.

Alternatively, write a letter to their customer relations area - ensure its concise, states the situation exactly as it has occurred and the resulting consequences without embellishment to 'make things sound worse than they are' (believe me, they can spot it a mile away) and wait for a response.

If you have a copy of your sales contract, you may want to check for any clauses there first relating to delivery to be prepared before they throw that one at you on the day.

[Flipper Dog]

At a minimum they should give you a demo vehicle for the entire time until your vehicle is available, this should include a fuel credit.

If your contract has the delivery date as you have stated you have the option to walk away (with your deposit returned) and shop some where else, use this as ammunition to the dealer principle (not your salesman). If they value your business they will look after you, if not then you are better off going somewhere else.

If they have ordered your vehicle then supply of the ordered vehicle should be available as general stock to any dealer if you cancled your order with them.

Remember keep your cool, you are in control with this situation and they will know it.

Very untidy all round.

[saveferris]

I'd try this - if you haven't already blown your stack at the dealer, don't!

The best method of getting something for an apparent dealer error is to request to speak to the sales manager/dealer principal of the dealer you're purchasing your car from, and state your case, then simply ask what they can do for you. If you are unhappy with the initial response, make a suggestion similar to 'I'll happily take the cheapest used car on the lot/demonstrator as a loan car until mine arrives' and see how that pans out.

Alternatively, write a letter to their customer relations area - ensure its concise, states the situation exactly as it has occurred and the resulting consequences without embellishment to 'make things sound worse than they are' (believe me, they can spot it a mile away) and wait for a response.

If you have a copy of your sales contract, you may want to check for any clauses there first relating to delivery to be prepared before they throw that one at you on the day.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.... I haven't spoken to the dealer principal as yet, I was on the verge of blowing my stack but i managed to compose myself and told the dealer that i would be speaking to his manager tomorrow. So i'll see what he has to say for himself.

[Preen59]

Hahahahaha Love the User name dude!

[guliver_twist]

I do feel for you...had a similar problem with my MK6...waited for 5-6 weeks to get the one I want to then be told that my car wasn't booked in the computer properly and that another dealer got it...
I singed a contract and paid a deposit 2...
In the end i bought a slightly more speced car and got a discount..

the dealer offered a loan car and free ipod connector (or the same car but not in black)..(i found the mk6 in black to be by far the most appealing to me)..

Sux to wait...they are awsome awsome cars.

[PassatB6]

Sorry to say this but this is a classic dealer trick. Once you have put your deposit down they have got you (unless you have a get out by date). When someone walks in off the street and they really want your car now they sell your car to them in order to get the sale and tell you yours is late. At this point they order you another one. If you don't threaten to pull out they may do it twice or more if a buyer walks in and wants your vehicle.

Classic excuses:
Computer error
Allocation error
VWA order problem

You should ask for a substantial discount and a definite date or cancel your order and get your deposit back.

[windyzz]

(unless you have a get out by date).

Hi What do you mean by that? Hope this does not happen to me

[IanJ]

I think what he means is "if the car isn't here by <this date> then you can walk from the deal"

You could always check with trading standards as to how binding the dates are in the contract.

[Ozram]

Hi What do you mean by that? Hope this does not happen to me

On the back of my contract it says something like ... "if the dealer has not delivered the motor vehicle to the customer within thirty (30) days of the estimated delivery date, the customer may by notice in writing to the dealer rescind this contract."

However, it also says ... "the dealer shall use its best endeavours to acquire the motor vehicle by the estimated delivery date, but shall not be liable to the customer for any loss or damage whatsoever arising either directly or indirectly from any such delay or failure of delivery."

Any further news saveferris?

[windyzz]

Thanks guys for the info. I better check mine

[saveferris]

On the back of my contract it says something like ... "if the dealer has not delivered the motor vehicle to the customer within thirty (30) days of the estimated delivery date, the customer may by notice in writing to the dealer rescind this contract."

However, it also says ... "the dealer shall use its best endeavours to acquire the motor vehicle by the estimated delivery date, but shall not be liable to the customer for any loss or damage whatsoever arising either directly or indirectly from any such delay or failure of delivery."

Any further news saveferris?

Hey mate.......I spoke to the sales manager in regards to compensation, I suggested a courtesy car and a discount on my new vehicle, he said he would get back to me by Tuesday, all round my experience with Barloworld Bayside has been really frustrating and disappointing, I expected at the very least for them to make me its priority considering they inconvenienced me....I'll just have to wait and see what they offer me on Tuesday.

Stay tuned......

[PassatB6]

Hi What do you mean by that? Hope this does not happen to me

Sorry to alarm you but I think, as mentioned by others here, there is a statutory time by which they have to get the car or you can pull out and get your deposit back. But you can also specify a time yourself eg by a certain date or 3 weeks from the date of signing etc whatever is reasonable in your case. Thats what I mean by a get out date. Simply, you are covered by law but you can also specify an earlier time.

I took my deposit back on a Jetta because they couldn't supply it in time but that was 3 yrs ago and I was not sure whether the law was still the same.

Either way they can't keep you holding on forever.

[GolfAtom]

G,day folks,

It's distressing to hear of delivery issues in this post and other posts - and I have just ordered a new Golf for my missus! You guys are getting me worried.

Some of the VW dealerships (here in Sydney anyway) have a lot to learn from other car dealers. Three years ago I walked into one to enquire about the Tourag and never received a return call from the saleman after that. I ended up buying a Landrover Discovery 3. My experience with them is very positive and the Discovery 3 is another story.

Cheers,
Alan

[KWICKS]

I had a loaner Golf for 3 months while our MkV was being delivered. We were replacing a written off car and really needed it. They were good about it, so we really looked after it, driving it only when we had to, ie shortest drive to work took it, and I gave it a beautiful clean up before we returned it.