Bought new car and now I can't have it - advice please

Thriftyknickers

I recently decided to trade in my 2002 Renault Scenic for a brand new Citroen C1. My decision was helped by the fact that the Scenic's tax would run out on 31/8; its MOT would run out on 22/8 and it was making funny noises.... Anyway I signed a vehicle order form and paid a deposit to my local Citroen dealer on 10/8 to buy a Red VTR with optional extras of air conditioning and a safety pack. Later they phoned to tell me that they couldn't do the safety pack in my timescale and so I agreed to go ahead with the purchase without this. They took my Scenic as part exchange, with a value of £700 off of the cost of the new one. They now have my 'old' car. The order form states an expected delivery date of 1/9/2010 (as I wanted a new 60 plate) and I made clear that if the car wasn't available from this time, they would need to provide me with a car as I would be without a vehicle. They agreed to this, but I guess thought it would be unlikely to be called upon(?)

When I went in to the dealership on 31/8 to find out the registration details for insurance etc, when they investigated, they discovered that 'my' car had not been 'drawn down' - I think that's the right words - ie it was at the docks, but something had gone wrong with identifying that the car needed to be delivered to the dealership. They told me this would take a couple of days to rectify. They reluctantly found me a Citroen Picasso to keep me on the road in the meantime.

However today I've had a call saying that my new car has been damaged at the dock. They've offered me the same model and same spec etc in metallic silver which I can have in a few days at no extra cost (metallic costing approx £500 more). But I specifically ordered red - and really want red - its a girl thing! According to the dealership there are 5 others in the country with other dealerships which they are unlikely to be able to get their hands on and they've said ordering another one will take 3 months to deliver - and obviously they don't want to loan me a car for that period.

Does anyone have any advice or know where I stand? Many thanks.

Chimpofdoom

I'd take the silver one! Then try for a sneaky discount for the inconvenience, if they said no, it wouldn't matter as you've got a £500 extra.

Zandoni

Try phoning Citroen's head office see if there's anything they can do.

4743hudsonj

Start of by saying what you want? Do you want a refund, discount? Maybe you want to force them to hurry up. Tell us what you expect and we will tell you if its realistic, within your rights and how to go about getting it.

tbw

Thriftyknickers wrote: »

According to the dealership there are 5 others in the country with other dealerships which they are unlikely to be able to get their hands on and they've said ordering another one will take 3 months to deliver - and obviously they don't want to loan me a car for that period.

Does anyone have any advice or know where I stand? Many thanks.

I don't really see why they are 'unlikely to be able to get their hands on' one of the 5 red ones that are somewhere with other Dealers. If the other Dealers haven't already got buyers for their red cars then it should be easy enough to get one delivered for you. (I had a similar situation with another manufacturer some years ago and they moved heaven and earth to locate a car of the exact same spec and get hold of it - and my car wans't damaged it was more of a paperwork mix up).

And, if they really can't do that, then - if you REALLY want to hold on for the red car- they will just have to provide you with a temporary set of wheels. They may not WANT to do that but they (or their suppliers/shippers etc) caused the problem so will have to sort it. I'd stick my heels in - they agreed (albeit reluctantly) to lend you a temporary car if yours wasn't ready and I don't suppose they specified how long they would lend it for. If its 3 months thats their problem , not yours !

emmell

I would stick out for the red, every other car you see these days is silver, and that is probably why they want you to take a silver one.
I don't think you will ever be satisfied with 'second best'. See if you can get them to locate one from another dealer.
ML.

Thriftyknickers

What I really want is what I ordered - my nice, new, shiny red car. But I know I can't be without a car whilst I'm waiting for that - if it really will take 3 months. And I definitely don't want the hassle of taking my old car back, getting it MOT'ed and taxed etc.

beetrootrox

Don't let them walk all over you. Go to the garage in person, speak to the salesman you have been dealing with and tell him you want him to request a dealer transfer from the other Citroen garages who have in stock a red C1 with the correct spec. Stand there while he makes the phone call and make it clear you are NOT happy with the way you have been treated.

Only thing I'm concerned about is the air conditioning "extra" - no idea where you stand with that if a dealer transfer was to go ahead.

tbh it sounds to be like they've messed up and are putting you off with excuses. Don't let them sweet talk you - if you have no luck with the dealer phone Citroen Customer Services and rant at them until something is sorted out. In an ideal world I'd tell you to tell the dealer to stuff it, but unfortunately it would mean getting the Renault back!

Zandoni

Have you tried the Peugeot and Toyota equivalent?

Freddie_Snowbits

I would vote with my feet

bexyboo1312

Have you contacted drivethedeal to see if they can get their hands on one for you and probably for a lesser price?!
How awful for you, and what a downer on what should be an exciting time. Hope you get it sorted somehow.