Ford Direct - Have i been dealt a fast one...??

gizz_mo

Hi

I am hoping I can get some guidance. Sorry for such a long winded post - but the last time I bought a car was in 2000 - so its been a while and really need some advice.

Yesterday I went to one of the local Ford dealers and test drove an Auto Fiesta Titanium which they had on the forecourt which I really liked. However it was a 60 reg, and I need an 11 reg or later as I have bought an 11-plate which spells my name. The salesman looked at Ford Direct online and advised that there was only 1 in the whole country which he could order for me from Ford if I decided I wanted it. He stressed that he rarely sees the Titanium in Auto available in an 11 plate. The mileage is only 1,300 so its practically new, and just 6 months old. Was a Ford MRC management car apparently..

I told him I probably needed to think about it - he did the usual hard sales "can guarantee you it will be gone tomorrow- its like new - when it arrives and if its not pristine, then you don't have to take it. I am normaly so level headed and have walked away from so many dealers in the last few weeks and thought about it first. However in this case I was so sure I wanted it (and still am) so I put down the £250 deposit so he could order it from Ford Direct. He never discussed T&Cs with me, never mentioned it was non-refundable. I also am paying with savings - because I have saved for months for this new car as I don't want to pay interest on finance deals etc.

When I got home I went online and searched the Ford Direct website, and I found the exact same car - exact same registration plate under a different dealer's name (5 miles away) for almost £700 less than the orginal dealer sold it to me for. I printed it out straight away so I had proof. Early next morning the Ford direct site is updated and the car is no longer for sale (because it had been bought by the first dealer for me).

So this morning I called him back and told him that I had seen the exact same car at the lower price, and appealed to his good nature (!!!! yes I know...!!!) - however he had an answer for everything - couldnt see how the other dealer could have honored the price, and was sure there would have been a catch such as you have to take finance to get that low a price, no part exchange etc. Now this surprised me because when we had been discussing price and he asked me if I wanted finance, I said not unless it means there is some leeway in the price if I take the finance - and he said no there wasn't.

So I feel like I am paying £700 too much for the car, and that I could have got it for less - even if I pulled out and lost my deposit of £250 and bought it or similar from someone else I would still end up paying him £500 less of my hard earned savings.

In any case since his dealership has now purchased the car to sell to me - the other dealer can't buy it anyway so could not sell it to me even if I pulled out and forfeited my deposit.

I am surprised to find that if I had taken it out subject to finance I could have got a full refund of the deposit.

Is it normal that the car won't come to the dealer from Ford Direct for 2 weeks, (15th Oct) after which I will have to get the log book put into my name, which will take another week. Only then the dealer can purchase road tax for the car before they will let me drive it away? Apparently he says he can't let me drive it away without road tax? And to buy the road tax the log book needs to be in my name? So its going to be the 21st before I can drive it away...
When we did the deal he suggested I could drive it away on the 14th. so now this has changed.

What I am wondering is?

1) Does the fact that I paid by Credit card give me any comeback?

2) Since I havent actually seen the car - do distance selling regulations apply?

3) Does the fact that I have to wait longer than advised at the time of sale make a difference if I want to pull out?

4) And is it realistic to expect an ex- Manager's car to only have 1,300 miles - or is it more likely to have been a faulty return?

5) Re the road tax - by the time they will let me drive it away it will be the 21st of the month which means a whole month's road tax almost wasted.....

6) Also - the Ford Direct website says that it is possible to install rear view park assist on any cars it sells, new or used - however when i ask the dealer if we can do it, and how much - he says it is not possible.

I still want the car but not sure I can believe anything the dealer has said and am wondering if I should just stay away and look for an alternative - as I am in no major hurry.

I have beating myself up already so please be kind (rather than criticise my stupidity) - but would appreciate any advice anyone can give if possible.

Thanks in advance for your help.
gizz

bigjl.

Maybe you should have done your homework first.

daveyjp

Act in haste repent at leisure. Your £250 is at risk, but you can pull out. He won't know the history of the car, chances are it is ex hire, as this is where most ford direct cars are from. I've had two which spent the summer in jersey and were fine.

marlot

Ford direct have central stock, and any dealer can advertise them - and they do, at varying prices as you've found. You may be able to find it even cheaper from another dealer. Try entering different postcodes for your home address.

Hammyman

As above. This is no different to going to Comet , buying a TV for £500 then finding out Currys were selling the same TV for £479.

vax2002

They still want your money, You still have it, deposit or not, if they want the rest, tell them they will have to do something with the price as you have caught them out pulling a fast one, when they mention the deposit, call a bluff, say My daughter is a solicitor, she will deal with that.

starchbag

If you look at the Ford Direct site it stipulates under the terms and conditions that the prices quoted are indicative. Therefore the dealer with the lower price may not have honoured the indicative price.
I purchased a Ford Direct car earlier in the year and left a £250 deposit and afterwards had second thoughts. However when the car arrived it was ok although to the sales man I gave the impression that I did not want the car and suggested I was prepared to walk away, to keep my sale they gave me two free services even though the car had already been through their workshop and received a service.
Regarding the log book, on agreeing to proceed with the car the dealer will provide a Ford Seven day free insurance and the dealer will ask you to activate the policy by calling a number and the insurance company will then fax this information to the dealer in order to obtain the car tax. You then complete all the relevant documentation including filling in the log book on the day of collection.
You do not mention the price but since it is a 60 reg it will be a significant outlay, if you are not happy with the deal be prepared to walk away and lose £250 alternatively the dealer may offer you extras as he will be keen to complete the deal.