New car purchase trouble - help!!

jules8542

I placed a deposit on a car at a dealers on the 27th April (£250) on my credit card. Total cost of car £1400. Was told by the dealer that he had the car for sale on the forecourt, but said he was going to get the sills and wheel archs done as they were needed and with the bank hols etc the car would be ready for Friday 6th May. This I agreed was acceptable.

The 6th May arrived, and went to be told Oh the work is taking longer than expected should be ready next week sometime! I pinned him down to Tuesday 10th latest! Phoned on Tuesday to be told, oh no its still in garage as I have now decided to replace the bush on the back wheel. Now it will be ready Wednesday but not until that night.

Phoned on the Wednesday, to be told that car wouldn't be available until 8pm (what mechanic works that late) and so could collect it Thursday! Told him not to bother, needed car and had been more than patient, suddenly said oh actually car now ready for 5pm on Wednesday! Told him not to bother as was fed up with change of story etc, and now was claiming both wheels bushes were changed, as well as lots of other details which didn't add up. Emailed him to confirm I was not going to purchase the vehicle and asked for refund of deposit. Acknowledged email stating my car was ready for collection and he had now spent £850 on repairing it to be road worthy.:eek:

Still have no intention of purchasing this vehicle but today received letter recorded delivery stating that he is keeping my deposit and I have 7 days to purchase it still after which he will charge me (from my deposit) to resell it and refund any monies left (haha)!

Can he do this? Also do you think I was more than patient and was right to cancel car anyway, just seemed dodgy with all the excuses made etc. Opinions and advice appreciated.

anotherbaldrick

jules8542 wrote: »

I placed a deposit on a car at a dealers on the 27th April (£250) on my credit card. Total cost of car £1400. Was told by the dealer that he had the car for sale on the forecourt, but said he was going to get the sills and wheel archs done as they were needed and with the bank hols etc the car would be ready for Friday 6th May. This I agreed was acceptable.

The 6th May arrived, and went to be told Oh the work is taking longer than expected should be ready next week sometime! I pinned him down to Tuesday 10th latest! Phoned on Tuesday to be told, oh no its still in garage as I have now decided to replace the bush on the back wheel. Now it will be ready Wednesday but not until that night.

Phoned on the Wednesday, to be told that car wouldn't be available until 8pm (what mechanic works that late) and so could collect it Thursday! Told him not to bother, needed car and had been more than patient, suddenly said oh actually car now ready for 5pm on Wednesday! Told him not to bother as was fed up with change of story etc, and now was claiming both wheels bushes were changed, as well as lots of other details which didn't add up. Emailed him to confirm I was not going to purchase the vehicle and asked for refund of deposit. Acknowledged email stating my car was ready for collection and he had now spent £850 on repairing it to be road worthy.:eek:

Still have no intention of purchasing this vehicle but today received letter recorded delivery stating that he is keeping my deposit and I have 7 days to purchase it still after which he will charge me (from my deposit) to resell it and refund any monies left (haha)!

Can he do this? Also do you think I was more than patient and was right to cancel car anyway, just seemed dodgy with all the excuses made etc. Opinions and advice appreciated.

Tell him to return the deposit or you will proceed with the purchase but you will have the RAC (or AA ) along to do an in depth inspection of the car and you will insist they correct any faults the inspector finds.

bauk

Another option could be to report to your credit card company. They should fight the dispute on your behalf and withold the money until it is resolved. He obviously bought the agreed verbal contract that the car would be ready on a set date and you gave him enough time to get the car to you...

Make sure you record all information and any communication you have is recorded delivery/fax and email so you have proof.

You also maybe able to use the sales of goods act if the car is not fit for purpose.

jules8542

Thanks for the replies. Did consider the AA option but surely if he called my bluff I would have to also pay out again for the AA inspection to be done. Do appreciate the advice though and may go down that route if I need to.

After speaking to the credit card company they advise I have to give him 30 days to refund the balance before they will consider action, but will call them again and see if now he has answered me with a definite no - maybe they can proceed sooner (I hope so). Thanks again.

harveybobbles

I'd tell the dealer to do one to be honest. They could, in the eyes of the law with hold your deposit if it was you that had messed them around, but seeing as they messed you about I can't see how they have a leg to stand on.

Point out to them that the £850 they have spent on getting it roadworthy should be a nice selling point for them!