Dodgy dealer?

[sydney85]

Hi everyone,

I'm new on here so hopefully my issue won't sound too stupid!

I recently signed for a new GTI Mk7 at a VW Dealership (i'll not say which one). Of course I was subjected to the usual high pressure sales tactics. However I am a big VW fan so I was happy to sign the contact and pay my deposit. The dealer told me that the car was in stock (in fact it was sitting right outside the showroom) and he said he would give me two weeks to sell my current car (a MK6 GTI). One of the major selling points for me was the emergency city brake which I discussed with him. Anyway, when looking at the contract before I signed it I quizzed why the driver assistance pack wasn't listed. The dealer told me that the emergency brake wasn't related to that and was a standard feature. I was happy enough and signed. Later that evening the truth dawned on me but of course the dealer totally denied telling me that. Long story short I ended up paying the extra $1,500.00 to get the assistance pack. Wasn't happy but I knew that there was nothing I could do.

Anyway the real problem then arose; the dealer told me that two cars were in stock with the configuration I wanted and that it would be one or two weeks max before the car would be ready (he also tried to tell me that I would have to pay an additional delivery fee but he didn't get away with that one). The new contract we signed with the added feature, stated 30 September as the estimated delivery date. So I quickly started getting my car ready for sale etc and today I had someone come out and look at it and made a bid. Given how quickly my old car was getting interest I thought I'd contact the dealership to confirm when the new car would be ready. I was then told that the new car was on it's way from Germany and would be available in late November/ early december.

Having read through the contact (again) I've noticed that the dealer has 30 days to provide the car from the estimated delivery date. I think I have grounds to recind the contract but I'd be keen to get some feedback from anyone who can give advice on this! Let me know if you guys want any more info!

[agentthumb]

When I was buying my car, my dealer said it's common practice for dealers to promise a delivery date just to get you through the door when in reality, they have no idea where the car actually is.

If the estimated delivery date is clearly stated on your contract, and the dealer has officially come back and said they are not able to come anywhere near that date, it's reasonable for you to withdraw from the contract. They will probably pressure you into doing otherwise by threatening to withhold your deposit etc, so be prepared for a fight.

My advice is: shop around and see if you can find a car that's in stock with the spec you want, ask for a NADCON printout for the car they are giving you. It'll show where the car is at, and list the vin number for the car. Add this vin to your future sales contract to tie the contract to this car.

Now go back to your current dealer and tell them about this car. It's not uncommon for dealerships to trade cars. If this fails, ask your new dealer for advice on how to get out of your existing sales contract, they'd be more than happy to help you with that.

Do not sign a new sales contract until you have gotten out of the existing one

[mattaus]

I'm not a lawyer so this is a layman's 2c...

Firstly, lesson learnt I suppose. When signing a contract on anything, get everything in writing before singing anywhere. Also, do more research. You would have known he was full of crap if you had read up appropriately before hand. Not always possible of course, and dealers are very good at pressuring people. Still, if you're ever unsure politely decline signing anything, go home and read up on all your questions. Then go back better informed.

I'd question why the car that was sitting in the lot was not available to you when it was the day you signed the contract. If this guy is not the dealer principle, I'd but in a complaint to whoever is. I'd DEFINITELY mention the extra $1,500 you had to pay.

You say the dealer has 30 days to provide the car from the estimated delivery date. If the 30 day part is correct then the latest you would expect the car is the end of this month (October). If it's only just got on the boat then that's pretty unlikely. If they are telling you late November or early December I'd take them up on the contract and tell them they have until the 30th of October to present the car or you're cancelling.

Seriously, don't give in to any "it'll be mid-November surely you can wait" or any other crap they might pull. If you want the car that badly use the delivery bait and switch as leverage for some free dealer fitted parts or a discount on something.

I've had a change of heart since I wrote the above. Given the lie the dealer told you, the extra $1,500 you were forced to pay as a result of it, the fact they pulled a bait and switch on you with the showroom car, and then the delivery date debacle, I'd say this dealer is a piece of work. I would be using the contract delivery date statement as a reason to get out of the contract and take my business elsewhere even if it meant paying more, waiting longer, or both.

- Matt

[agentthumb]

Oh, this goes without saying, but don't tell any new dealers you come across about your existing order until they have found you a car.


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[Amalgam]

Hi Sydney85,

As someone who has purchased too many cars and to tar all car salesmen with the same brush, most are dodgy. As per Mattaus post above get everything in writing, no matter how trivial you think it is and even when the deal is signed be prepared for more BS. I cancelled an order on a BMW 135i due to BS on production time and delivery dates.

At the end of the day, if you want that car, you are just going to have to tough it out. For me, I bought an EVO X instead. Not the same car, but $10K cheaper, better performance, 10 year warranty, and most importantly no BMW BS to deal with ( there is really only one dealer in Perth )

[sydney85]

Thanks for the input guys. I was pretty uncertain about the best way forward with this given how aggressive the dealer has gotten with me anytime I raised an issue. I'll keep everyone posted on this, I'm guessing the dealer won't reply to me until the very last minute or they will try to fob me off with something to keep me quiet. Given the nonsense i've been though i'm quite keen to just cancel the contract now and try and buy somewhere else.

[mattaus]

Thanks for the input guys. I was pretty uncertain about the best way forward with this given how aggressive the dealer has gotten with me anytime I raised an issue. I'll keep everyone posted on this, I'm guessing the dealer won't reply to me until the very last minute or they will try to fob me off with something to keep me quiet. Given the nonsense i've been though i'm quite keen to just cancel the contract now and try and buy somewhere else.

They're being aggressive because they know 95% of people will be too afraid to take it any further, and it obviously depends on what sort of person you are as to whether or not you do! At the end of the day it is your money. I'd be calling them at the very least, and best case going in and seeing them in person if you're up for it.

I'd be cancelling the contract regardless, but I'd do it in a way that doesn't cost me any money if at all possible. That probably means you have to give them until at least the end of the month. But if they miss that date, don't even give them an extra day. While you wait, research and shop around and as noted above keep your issue quiet until you have a satisfactory result from a different dealer.

Just make sure you don't buy within the same dealer network lol. Then again sales are commission based (I guess?) so screw that guy.

[Marti9n GTi]

Hello Sydney85 - I have 18 years in 'dealer world' (unfortunately) and I can advise when I last bought a car from a fellow dealer it was very disappointing, remember some of the sales guys a week earlier could have been a pastry chef, plus most of the blokes I work with don't even like cars ! (can never work that one out)

There's a 90% chance there is an error in the contract somewhere, (ie spelling error, DOB, post code, something not signed and or witnessed etc) meaning the contract could be terminated if you push hard.

Will be interested to know how this goes ....

[Vex]

Sounds like this was your first new car purchase... Always have everything you want in the contract before you sign anything no matter how silly it may seems... Always assume that whatever comes out of sales person's mouth is pure and utter BS and you will be happy in the future.

Hi Sydney85,

As someone who has purchased too many cars and to tar all car salesmen with the same brush, most are dodgy. As per Mattaus post above get everything in writing, no matter how trivial you think it is and even when the deal is signed be prepared for more BS. I cancelled an order on a BMW 135i due to BS on production time and delivery dates.

At the end of the day, if you want that car, you are just going to have to tough it out. For me, I bought an EVO X instead. Not the same car, but $10K cheaper, better performance, 10 year warranty, and most importantly no BMW BS to deal with ( there is really only one dealer in Perth )

How is your Evo X? I bought mine back in 2010 and always surprised why people buy an Evo X in 2015 over the S3, MK7 Golf and the updated STi..

[Angus]

Hi everyone,

I'm new on here so hopefully my issue won't sound too stupid!

I recently signed for a new GTI Mk7 at a VW Dealership (i'll not say which one). Of course I was subjected to the usual high pressure sales tactics. However I am a big VW fan so I was happy to sign the contact and pay my deposit. The dealer told me that the car was in stock (in fact it was sitting right outside the showroom) and he said he would give me two weeks to sell my current car (a MK6 GTI). One of the major selling points for me was the emergency city brake which I discussed with him. Anyway, when looking at the contract before I signed it I quizzed why the driver assistance pack wasn't listed. The dealer told me that the emergency brake wasn't related to that and was a standard feature. I was happy enough and signed. Later that evening the truth dawned on me but of course the dealer totally denied telling me that. Long story short I ended up paying the extra $1,500.00 to get the assistance pack. Wasn't happy but I knew that there was nothing I could do.

Anyway the real problem then arose; the dealer told me that two cars were in stock with the configuration I wanted and that it would be one or two weeks max before the car would be ready (he also tried to tell me that I would have to pay an additional delivery fee but he didn't get away with that one). The new contract we signed with the added feature, stated 30 September as the estimated delivery date. So I quickly started getting my car ready for sale etc and today I had someone come out and look at it and made a bid. Given how quickly my old car was getting interest I thought I'd contact the dealership to confirm when the new car would be ready. I was then told that the new car was on it's way from Germany and would be available in late November/ early december.

Having read through the contact (again) I've noticed that the dealer has 30 days to provide the car from the estimated delivery date. I think I have grounds to recind the contract but I'd be keen to get some feedback from anyone who can give advice on this! Let me know if you guys want any more info!

Was this a dealer in sydney city?

[sydney85]

Thanks again for the advice everyone. Just a bit more info if anyone is interested in this saga. When I went back to pay the additional $1500.00 for the driver assistance pack a new contract had to be signed etc as I mentioned in the first post. First of all the dealership basically refused to take my calls for the first four days after the sale until I took a day off work and just walked up to the guy who was at his desk doing nothing of course. Anyway the dealer tried to sneak in a few extra amendments to the new contract - in the extra details tab he tried to add in a new charge for delivery and put down $300.00 for 'dealer plates' (which originally were $110). I got the hurt puppy dog look when I hauled him on this and protestations of his innocence. The whole experience up to the point it's at already has been pretty unpleasant. As for where this was let's just say South...

Marti9n GTi - any chance you could give me a few pointers on best to approach this? At this point i'd be keen to get out of the deal and just start again. However my feeling is that even if they can't find me a car they will make me wait the full 30 days regardless. Can I notify them now that I want to rescind the contract given that they have advised me in writing that the car won't be ready on time?

[Marti9n GTi]

Sure no problem, will send you a PM in the morning (have helped out quite a few friends over the years - the manufacturer puts huge pressure on new cars dept re targets etc and sadly once the deposit is taken care factor towards the buyer evaporates somewhat, in this case sounds like a serious lack of product knowledge by sales dept)

It makes no sense for a dealer to create an unpleasant experience - after delivery VW will send the buyer a survey scoring the dealership - it is crucial the dealer maintains at least 88% positive feedback (for trophy points etc) if you for example bag them out (and you should) they will have the averages wrecked !

[mattaus]

It makes no sense for a dealer to create an unpleasant experience - after delivery VW will send the buyer a survey scoring the dealership - it is crucial the dealer maintains at least 88% positive feedback (for trophy points etc) if you for example bag them out (and you should) they will have the averages wrecked !

From the description provided, I highly doubt Sydney85 will fall outside of the averages lol. That said, I'd imagine VAG Australia would be taking extra special notice of customer feedback at the moment given current events...

[DV52]

Sydney: hi I've been following your sad tale of woe as it unwinds - hope that it works out OK eventually.

I was intrigued to read that you have now signed a new contract. Not sure what the exact rules are in NSW, but given that you have signed a new contract, does the cooling-off period for buying the car start again? If so, it could be a get-out-of-jail-free card and depending on the legislation in your State, it might be worth considering (IMO)
Cheers
Don

[PerthMTB]

I had a similar experience of a dealer promising me he could get me a car 'within weeks'. I signed the contract and paid the deposit, but added a clause under 'special conditions' that if the car wasn't delivered by a set date then the sale was off. Sure enough within days of signing he came back with a sob story about how he couldn't get me a car and would have to order one with a four month wait. I said I'd collect my deposit refund the next day.

Ended up ordering from another dealer and still had to wait the four months - but at least this one was honest about it up front!

Unfortunately no matter how careful you are, they are dealing with these things day in day out and are therefore so much more aware of the tricks than us. Anyway, sorry to hear of your pain, and hope you get sorted...