New car doesn't have spec agreed, replacement may not be on scrappage help!

ahillsy

tonym_dj wrote: »

In addition what do you think the chances are for getting a courtesy car for the inconvenience?

That was just what I was about to say. I don't know anything about the scrappage scheme, but was going to say it would be pretty easy for them to supply a courtesy car to tie you over until your new one comes.

At the end of the day, they could lose a sale (£££££) or they could take your car off you now under scrappage and supply you with something until a new one arrives (££)

xycom1

I would accept the car that has arrived and get the deal done, on the proviso that they order a replacement to the spec that you actually ordered in the first place and will be paying for, to be exchanged FOC when it arrives.

Make sure you get it in writing though!

Homersimpson

don't even think of buying it without aircon, you will really struggle to sell it in future.

flea72

tonym_dj wrote: »

This is a Fiat 500 the Pop base model is very standard but we're paying a lot more to practically get base upgraded to what is effectively the standard of most other cars. We're quite concerned about accepting the car without air con as it'll effect it's resale and it'll just seem very strange to have things like bluetooth and handsfree, a special roof but no air con.

why upgrade the Pop? as soon as you add aircon to the pop, you have reached price levels for the Lounge, which comes with so many other extras as standard, that it just doesnt make financial sense to buy the Pop

when you say special roof, are you referring to the electric sunroof? if so, then i dont think not having aircon will make that much difference to resale value

as the 500 pop has been so popular on the scrappage scheme the market over the next few years will be awash with the entry level, no extras pop - having the sunroof may make yours stand out a bit more, than having a/c would, iyswim

however, options make very little difference to resale value, price is more based on condition, and mileage

yes, i would prob accept the refund the dealer is offering, plus a bit more for disappointment. however, there is still time left on the scrappage scheme to order a vehicle. as the scheme is continuing until funds run out, and all manufacturers have been given a quota for scrappage, then as long as Fiat havent reached their limits (was well under 1000 left this morning), then you still have time. but the way salesmen were chasing customers today, i would say, if you left it until after the weekend to order another vehicle you might miss the boat

has the dealer not got any cars already on call-down that would suit your needs, if say you thought a/c was very important, over say the sunroof

F

tonym_dj

flea72 wrote: »

why upgrade the Pop? as soon as you add aircon to the pop, you have reached price levels for the Lounge, which comes with so many other extras as standard, that it just doesnt make financial sense to buy the Pop

when you say special roof, are you referring to the electric sunroof? if so, then i dont think not having aircon will make that much difference to resale value

as the 500 pop has been so popular on the scrappage scheme the market over the next few years will be awash with the entry level, no extras pop - having the sunroof may make yours stand out a bit more, than having a/c would, iyswim

however, options make very little difference to resale value, price is more based on condition, and mileage

yes, i would prob accept the refund the dealer is offering, plus a bit more for disappointment. however, there is still time left on the scrappage scheme to order a vehicle. as the scheme is continuing until funds run out, and all manufacturers have been given a quota for scrappage, then as long as Fiat havent reached their limits (was well under 1000 left this morning), then you still have time. but the way salesmen were chasing customers today, i would say, if you left it until after the weekend to order another vehicle you might miss the boat

has the dealer not got any cars already on call-down that would suit your needs, if say you thought a/c was very important, over say the sunroof

F

we didn't like the Lounge interior options compared to the Pop hence the spec'd up Pop, (the Sport was a 1.4 and more on the tax) the roof is a glass panel not the sunroof (standard has just normal roof). The air con was chosen over the sunroof hence the glass roof to make the interior brighter.

The garage had a bunch of 500 on order but were all fairly bog standard and as this was the first new car my partner has bought she wanted to make sure it is exactly what she wants, which I think is understandable.

We ordered the car on scrappage in December and were accepted on the scheme so what I really need to find out is, because of the garages/manufacturers mess up could we potentially lose out on the scrappage discount if we order a new car, despite already being on the scheme with the current car, is there no way the garage can amend the documentation and order? Is the garage simply trying to use an excuse to palm off the car? After all we've done everything we've needed to, the garage have made the error so why should we potentially lose out on what after all we're paying quite a bit for.

Legally does the garage have to supply what they've agreed including scrappage discount?

Cool_Username

To be honest whether it makes more sense to upgrade one model of car or buy a higher spec car to begin is irrelevant to the discussion - the fact of the matter is that the car that was ordered was not provided by the dealership.

Also I wouldn't entertain the suggestion to accept this 'incorrect' car and tell the dealership to order you a new one - much better to go down the route of requesting/demanding that they provide you with a courtesy car until they are able to provide you with a vehicle to the spec that you originally paid for.

tonym_dj

Spoke with the dealer today, not very impressed. We asked for;

• The car we originally specified
• A courtesy car until the new car arrives
• If there are any complications with the scrappage scheme the dealer should take the hit

They said they would not take the hit if the car didn't fall within the remaining quota for the scrappage scheme and we would be liable to pay an additional £2k. They also couldn't supply a courtesy car.

They said all they could do is order a new car or offer a discount to the value of the air con if we accept the current car or we could cancel the order and have our money back.

I even had to call another dealer in the group to get to the bottom of the remaining quota (which they've assured me there are over 700 cars remaining which is plenty providing the dealer reorders by Tueday) and I had ask the other dealer to get the dealer principals contact details because our dealer wouldn't give them to us.

Really poor show I think. We definitely won't be going back to the dealership to get the car serviced (once it finally arrives).

I'll be calling the dealer principal tomorrow to push for the courtesy car, which I really shouldn't have to do if these people did their job correctly.

This whole thing really leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

movilogo

Just get your money back [deposit etc.] and walk away from the deal.

In an age when manufacturers are offering 5-7 yr warranty, I can't believe dealers can behave like that.

Do not buy without AC. You will have trouble selling it later.

You may even consider whether to buy Fiat as their reliability is bit questionable. And I can clearly guess how helpful the dealer will be in future.

leanneq

When i bought my mini nearly 6 years ago, I was given a courtesy car due to the mistakes the dealer made.
I ordered the convertible before it came out - 6 month waiting list! Car was due beginning of September. The salesman hadn't put the order through so it was nearly 2 months late. I sold my car beginning of September and they gave me a brand new mini cooper to drive. I complained and got a cooper convertible until mine arrived as well as some discount!
I would just keep complaining until they give in! The Fiat 500 is sought after at the moment but then so was the mini and they still did a great job at keeping me a satisfied customer!
Good luck

gilbert_and_sullivan

Disappointing attitude considering they haven't even got your money yet, as Movilogo notes above wonder how good the service after they've got the lolly banked.

I wonder if the huge volumes going on the BSM have caused shortfalls and they are prioritising aircon models for the hungry fleet?
I also wonder how good resale will be when these massive volumes defleet in a year or so.

I'd want my money back anyway if this is how this company does business.