New car ordererd but now price has gone up!

GeeCox

Thanks everyone for your great advice. I think we've got a bit of hard negotiating to do tomorrow. Will post to let you know how we get on.

Many thanks

vikingaero

Plenty of other Volvo dealers out there. Why not call some?

ahillsy

I'd visit some other dealers first, see if they would do a deal at the same price you originally agreed with your current dealer. Make it clear you are in a position to pay a deposit / proceed with a sale at the price, so they know you are serious.

Then you'll be in a position whereby you know whether other dealers would do it at your original price. If they can do it at the price, then you know for certain that it is a realistic price. Then go in to your current dealer and use that as a bargaining point. Also, point out the repeat business they'd get from you as a customer.

At the end of the day, people make mistakes. But, there should be something in it for you - they should offer something in the way of a half way point at the very least.

janninew

ahillsy wrote: »

I'd visit some other dealers first, see if they would do a deal at the same price you originally agreed with your current dealer. Make it clear you are in a position to pay a deposit / proceed with a sale at the price, so they know you are serious.

Then you'll be in a position whereby you know whether other dealers would do it at your original price. If they can do it at the price, then you know for certain that it is a realistic price. Then go in to your current dealer and use that as a bargaining point. Also, point out the repeat business they'd get from you as a customer.

At the end of the day, people make mistakes. But, there should be something in it for you - they should offer something in the way of a half way point at the very least.

Totally agree with that, nobody is perfect, but you can't really make mistakes on a contract, or else whats the point of having them?! I'm sure if the boot was on the other foot the garage wouldn't accept the 'people make mistakes' excuse! Seems to be one rule for them, and a different rule for the customers.

I agree with the other posters who say go to another garage and see if you can get a better deal.

Kilty_2

Look at the likes of DriveTheDeal and other online brokers too - they can sometimes have some seriously good deals that dealers can't touch.

GeeCox

Totally agree with you Janninew. I'm sure if we said we've made a mistake and would like to walk away from the deal we wouldn't be getting our £500 back! But it's good advice to try other dealers. They may not be able to match the original price (if it's a genuine mistake) but they may be able to do something better. We'll give that a go too.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

ahillsy

janninew wrote: »

Totally agree with that, nobody is perfect, but you can't really make mistakes on a contract, or else whats the point of having them?! I'm sure if the boot was on the other foot the garage wouldn't accept the 'people make mistakes' excuse! Seems to be one rule for them, and a different rule for the customers.

I agree with the other posters who say go to another garage and see if you can get a better deal.

Yeah I'm not justifying it, or saying that the OP should just accept it or be held to ransom. The dealer *should* get things right and there's no excuse for it. My point is more that if it was genuine human error, then no amount of arguing about it will get the OP anywhere - e.g. if a retailer makes a mistake on Amazon Marketplace and puts a £500 item on for £50, they don't honour the sale - it's just not possible they can sell it at that price. No matter how much you protest, it won't happen. They'll refund/cancel the orders.

That is of course if it was a genuine mistake - trying other dealers is a good way to gauge it - if they all turn round and flat out say they can't do that price then that will be a good indicator of it being a true mistake. If they turn round and say they can do it at that price, then IMO, you have reason to suspect the original dealer isn't being entirely honest/playing games. That's the point to bring them up on it/play it hard and then walk away with your deposit if they stand their ground.

This is the main point - do some research, find out where your really stand before showing your hand. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face as it may still be that you can get a better deal with the dealer than anywhere else. As annoying/frustrating/wrong as it may seem.

harveybobbles

Yes, it should all be legally binding. Buuuuuuuuuuuut with an Order Form the prices can be changed and both parties dont have to go thru with the deal.

If it was an Invoice you got then yes, you could sue them for the £750.

vikingaero

ahillsy wrote: »

Yeah I'm not justifying it, or saying that the OP should just accept it or be held to ransom. The dealer *should* get things right and there's no excuse for it. My point is more that if it was genuine human error, then no amount of arguing about it will get the OP anywhere - e.g. if a retailer makes a mistake on Amazon Marketplace and puts a £500 item on for £50, they don't honour the sale - it's just not possible they can sell it at that price. No matter how much you protest, it won't happen. They'll refund/cancel the orders.

That is of course if it was a genuine mistake - trying other dealers is a good way to gauge it - if they all turn round and flat out say they can't do that price then that will be a good indicator of it being a true mistake. If they turn round and say they can do it at that price, then IMO, you have reason to suspect the original dealer isn't being entirely honest/playing games. That's the point to bring them up on it/play it hard and then walk away with your deposit if they stand their ground.

This is the main point - do some research, find out where your really stand before showing your hand. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face as it may still be that you can get a better deal with the dealer than anywhere else. As annoying/frustrating/wrong as it may seem.

It's also how the dealer deals with the mistake. I probably order around a dozen cars a year for family or our family firm and over the years have experienced about 6 mistakes. On every occasion the dealer has suggested meeting halfway on costs which was entirely reasonable.

GeeCox

Thanks to everyone for all your advice — I took all of it!

First phoned Trading Standards who said our order is a legally binding contract, but short of going to court, enforcing it could be a problem.

Then phoned other dealers, but couldn't get a better price. It seems with the Scrappage Scheme, the profit margins are really tight so the price is predetermined by the formula they work to. At least it confirmed that the salesman had made a genuine mistake and was not just trying it on.

Next phoned our dealer and asked to speak to the sales manager (who knew nothing of the error and subsequent request for more money!) He said he would look into it and phone me back. It's taken a couple of days, but he has now offered to split the difference 50/50.

We're happy with that. £325 is a lot more affordable than £750 and we're still getting a good deal.

Many thanks once again.