Thought I bought a new transporter

[olambo]

After a few years of not owning a VW van, I thought I'd buy a new Transporter in the march sales. Signed the contract and handed over the deposit.

But a couple of days later (1st April ), I saw the special condition the dealer had written "subject to availability". This has somewhat put me off doing any business with this dealership.

I'm thinking of telling the dealer that the phrase basically makes the contract meaningless (availability of what, my money?) and taking my business elsewhere or waiting a few months to compare the transporter with the new Hiace. What do you think?

[Tornado T5]

Olambo, just to get some background, I'm assuming you haven't got a factory-order but rather a T6 which is coming from current pool of available stock in Australia?

The dealer can very quickly search up what the national stock is and if it's allocated or not. So you should know very quickly if you have something available and I'd ask for the VIN and some form of proof the dealer has secured the van. I've even had a salesperson search for things like rhs sliding door and rear barn doors in the nation-wide stock data base as they can ask for a vehicle held with another dealer provided they can prove they have a buyer ready and waiting.

Now if you get told you have to wait 4-6months or more for your vehicle then it's obviously not in the country and probably not even built yet.

[Transporter]

After a few years of not owning a VW van, I thought I'd buy a new Transporter in the march sales. Signed the contract and handed over the deposit.

But a couple of days later (1st April ), I saw the special condition the dealer had written "subject to availability". This has somewhat put me off doing any business with this dealership.

I'm thinking of telling the dealer that the phrase basically makes the contract meaningless (availability of what, my money?) and taking my business elsewhere or waiting a few months to compare the transporter with the new Hiace. What do you think?

Why don’t you ask the dealer before you start accusing him here? It maybe standard condition written on the form.

[olambo]

Tornado T5, It was from the current pool of available stock. After I saw the condition, I asked the dealer for the VIN and vehicle details. He said he would send the information - nothing received.

[olambo]

Why don’t you ask the dealer before you start accusing him here? It maybe standard condition written on the form.

Why don't you ask me before accusing me here? Maybe I did ask the dealer

[Transporter]

Why don't you ask me before accusing me here? Maybe I did ask the dealer

Then you should update your first post.

Here is what you wrote.

After a few years of not owning a VW van, I thought I'd buy a new Transporter in the march sales. Signed the contract and handed over the deposit.

But a couple of days later (1st April ), I saw the special condition the dealer had written "subject to availability". This has somewhat put me off doing any business with this dealership.

I'm thinking of telling the dealer that the phrase basically makes the contract meaningless (availability of what, my money?) and taking my business elsewhere or waiting a few months to compare the transporter with the new Hiace. What do you think?

[Sunny43.5]

It,s hard to feel sympathy for dealers these days , I wonder if this particular dealer was trying to move 2018 plated stock and was using the
"subject to availability clause to get a customer into an older van rather than new 2019 stock . A dealer here in Brisbane tried to pass off a demo van to me as "new "stock it was evident by the scratches on the rear floor it wasn,t . His excuse was oh the dealer principal used it to move a box of some kind in it from one part of the dealer ship to another I didn,t fall for his BS .

[Tornado T5]

Tornado T5, It was from the current pool of available stock. After I saw the condition, I asked the dealer for the VIN and vehicle details. He said he would send the information - nothing received.

How many days have you been waiting?

[miicah]

subject to availability clause to get a customer into an older van rather than new 2019 stock .

Sometimes it doesn't matter, as a 2018 can still be plated as an MY19. Obviously if there are model differences between years...

[Transporter]

The sales are always on what’s in the stock, and not if you factory order. So, there’s nothing wrong with the contract saying “subject to availability”. If, 2 dealers look at the same vehicle at the same time and it shows in the stock and it’d be the last one remaining, both promise it to their customers, then obviously someone won’t get their van they thought they bought. Hence, subject to availability.

[Sunny43.5]

The probllem with compliance plates is once the vehicle is first registered they will fit a AU compliance plate stating month and year , BUT come trade in time the smart arsed dealers will look at the BUILD date fitted at the factory and then proceed to roger you without lubrication , its the oldest con job in the industry . So like our van sold new say 2012 but compliance reads built 2011 !!

[olambo]

Last time I got some information the vehicle was in the country. Now it's not. Do we export vehicles?
Anyway, from what I can see its a 2019 build and will arrive soon, which is good.

It would be nice if dealers just told us the build month and year. Could the compliance date be more that one year different?

[LogicprObe]

It,s hard to feel sympathy for dealers these days , I wonder if this particular dealer was trying to move 2018 plated stock and was using the
"subject to availability clause to get a customer into an older van rather than new 2019 stock . A dealer here in Brisbane tried to pass off a demo van to me as "new "stock it was evident by the scratches on the rear floor it wasn,t . His excuse was oh the dealer principal used it to move a box of some kind in it from one part of the dealer ship to another I didn,t fall for his BS .

Well, my 'Demo' said it had a couple of hundred k's on it on the net..................but it only had 56............and still had the protective plastic all over the outside when I went to view it.
Of course it was over 12 months old but they just wanted it out of the yard.
As for the OP.........the subject to availability was maybe because they had to confirm a car that wasn't in the yard at the time in case some other dealer grabbed it first.
That said, it should only take one 'working day' at the most.
Get your deposit back and go to another VW dealer would be my advice.
I think you'll find the van will magically appear.