Advice needed on dealer changing price after deposit

OddballJamie

Wondering if any one can give me some advice on how to handle the following situation.

Yesterday we went to a main dealer to look at a car for my partner, liked it, took a test drive, then got a part ex valuation on her current car.

Sales person, went off to get a price. Came back with an agreement to show us on the screen. Car is £4k, part ex £500, supaguard stuff £370 with a total price underneath.

I negotiated the part ex to £800 and took off the supaguard. I asked about VED, she checked the box and it had a 0.00 amount in the VED field and informed us the sales manager has included it in the deal price.

We went outside to have a chat, then came back and verbally went over the offer. £4k car minus £800 part-ex, 12 months VED, MOT and warranty included. I accepted the offer and paid a £250 deposit, was given a basic receipt for the deposit and as it was late she said to come back today to get the rest of the paperwork and have a chat with the finance guy.

Went back in today and spoke with another sales person as yesterdays one was off. Went through the details and they are now saying we can't have the VED included in the final price that we were offered yesterday. Manager came out and told us the same, said they was no way he would give us the VED in with the deal, picked up the deposit receipt and offered me a refund straightaway or we could come in tomorrow and speak with the original sales person.

I declined the refund for the moment as I thought that would terminate the original offer and whatever verbal contract we have or had.

Could anyone advise me on where I stand or what I should say/do tomorrow. We still want the car but I'm unwilling to pay an extra £140 for something that was included in the original price.

G_M

The deal you negotiated verbally is a contract.

However, because you failed to get it in writing it is your word against the dealers.

If you've been to the manager without success your options are:

* go to head office (if part of a chain)
* go to court (and risk losing)
* ask for your deposit back and buy elsewhere

OddballJamie

Thanks for the reply G_M

I know, I'm annoyed at myself for not getting everything in writing as the sales girl said she was putting all the details in an email and sending them to someone to get the paperwork done today. Earlier they brought up the original agreement on the screen and in the VED field was £0.00.

The dealer has a few branches, but I was considering contacting the manufacturers customer service and raising it with them.

I know I could get the deposit back and keep looking but my partner really likes this one and it has the right mileage and history and is at the best price for the year within 50 miles of me and from a franchise.

forgotmyname

£0 in the VED doesnt mean they will supply it though.

You maybe making your own arrangements for it. Personally i would have said in that case i want my deposit back.

OddballJamie

I know it could mean anything, but when I hear the sales person telling me a few times the road tax is included. I thought the road tax was included.

shaun_from_Africa

It's unlikely that the sales assistant or manager will back down and give you a years VED as part of the deal, but why not see if they will meet you half way and tax it for 6 months.

If they think that this will give them a sale, they may well go for it.

keith1950

but I was considering contacting the manufacturers customer service and raising it with them.

Sorry, but what has it got to do with the manufacturer, most dealerships are franchises so any deal is a purely local issue.

Speak to the original sales girl and if you don't get anywhere walk away.

Also it sounds as if you consider the part ex. offer for your old car is a very good price , in which case do you want to lose the extra £300 for the sake of the price of the VED.

gilbert_and_sullivan

If you can't get a deal anywhere near as good as the one you currently have, even factoring in VED costs, then its understandable why the sales manager has put his foot down, there may be little in it for them.

It may be a bitter pill to swallow but if the deal is good then you might be better off simply going through as is, the sales bloke probably got a bit carried away and was desperate to close the deal and forgot to mention the VED verbally when he asked his manager for approval.

If you don't want to swallow the pill walk away and find another.

OddballJamie

Keith
The franchise are representing the manufacturer and they both need to keep each other and customers happy. When I first started driving I remember a localish Proton dealer was selling iffy used cars, Proton found out and revoked their franchise agreement. Obviously this was a different matter entirely and far more extreme, but it's the same principle in the franchise are representing the brand to the public.

The part ex price was nothing special, It's a low mileage Luxury KA, so easy to sell on for them at auction or local independents.

I'll speak with the sales girl today and if she changes her original offer. I'll walk.

OddballJamie

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

If you can't get a deal anywhere near as good as the one you currently have, even factoring in VED costs, then its understandable why the sales manager has put his foot down, there may be little in it for them.

It may be a bitter pill to swallow but if the deal is good then you might be better off simply going through as is, the sales bloke probably got a bit carried away and was desperate to close the deal and forgot to mention the VED verbally when he asked his manager for approval.

If you don't want to swallow the pill walk away and find another.

The original sales person who closed the deal was the one who said the sales manager was including the road tax. Frustrating that I only got the deposit in writing.

GJ_WRX

Sounds like an inexperiened sales person trying to close a deal and just said what you wanted to hear. I'd have a word with her today and explain that you want the VED she said was included, if they can't/won't do it get your money back. Chances are they wont want to lose a deal for £140.