I Need Advice on Distance Purchase of Vehicle Car or Motorbike

ftsos

Hello All,

I wasn't sure if this thread should go in a consumer rights section or vehicle purchase section.

Its been a long time since I have been on this forum. I hope you can help me this time. I am about to buy a motorcycle from a dealership on the other side of the country. They are an authorised dealer. The bike is also brand new unregistered. I have done a test ride at a local dealer. However, the main reason I am not buying from a local dealer is because the local dealer turned out to be very unethical, and this is a long story, and I have highlighted the issue with senior management at the local dealer, and if they don't take proper action, I may consider going to the media as I have proof. I am not here to talk about that situation or that dealer, but I thought I would explain, as many people will likely ask why I am not buying from a local dealer.

I will agree everything in writing with the dealer which is on the other side of the country. By writing, I mean email. Its a large amount of money, so I am a little concerned. However, as far as I know, its a bike from an assembly line, so they should all be the same, and have the same standard 2 year warranty. Its a high value transaction, almost £8,350 to be precise. A few friends have made me concerned, and said, what happens if they send you a "rubbish" bike etc. Maybe I am getting paranoid.

I used to be in online business, and I know a little bit about distance selling regulations. I also know that many people now buy vehicles by distance selling without even visiting or seeing the vehicle. Look at dealerships and eBay.

However, I also know there are some exceptions to the distance selling regulations, like customised products. This is NOT a customised bike. I also want to know if vehicles like cars and bikes are covered by distance selling laws. I am less familiar with distance selling laws nowadays, so I would appreciate it if you can give me some advice and a refresher.

I was planning on paying by either bank transfer or debit card. Although I have reasonably good credit rating, I try not to take debt or credit cards, and I don't have credit cards with such a high limit anyway. And many companies add a surcharge to credit card purchases.

One last thing. I am buying this bike cash. Its money I have worked very hard to save. Its a dream bike, that I have wanted to purchase for a very long time. This was supposed to be an enjoyable experience but my local dealer soured the experience, and I don't want to get bitten again.

Thank you in advance.

neilmcl

Does this dealer sell at a distance means as a normal part of their business or just occasionally willing to do so? If the latter than distance regulations such as the CCRs don't apply. Also will you be completing the contract entirely via distance means?

Also, one thing to bear in mind is the new regulations allow the seller to reduce any refund to reflect diminished value.

enfield_freddy

get a friend , hire a van and drive down to collect the bike , inspect it , pay for it and load it on the van


dependent on distance , van + fuel =£100 , worth it on a 8.5k bike.


the bike has , what you said a 2 yr warranty , and although you will get warranty work done FOC at your local dealer , do not expect any favours or goodwill from them

Herzlos

What Freddy said, is there any reason you can't go and see the bike before purchase?

ftsos

OK, its 8 hour trip both ways, plus couple of hours there. Secondly, I am self employed, so I would have make arrangements regarding business. Its a cost all around. The savings would be wiped out in terms of lost revenue, and other costs.

The dealer has an online shop on their website, and they regularly deliver bikes. However, I assume most of the big bike purchases are done in person.

The £8.5K is after saving a grand compared to local prices. I live in London, and a lot of the sellers I assume outside London have lower overheads.

Are they really going to sell you a dud bike, after doing everything in writing? And is a new assembly line bike going to be that different? I am very confused. I need to iron out things like refund, and returns, and how payments going to be made etc, but if I can agree all of those things to my satisfaction, I don't see too much issue with distance purchase. I have tested one locally. And the one they give you to test, is almost always a test bike, unless, you chose a specific one that you will definitely buy, then you can definitely test that one. Otherwise you will add mileage to a new bike. People are picky, so they don't like adding miles to new unregistered bikes.

forgotmyname

Even new vehicles can break down and have issues. Will you be taking the bike back to them if you get something like a starting problem?

Who will be servicing it?

missile

On a brand new bike I would have no hesitation on doing a deal sight unseen. You could ask for photos.


I have bought a Triumph 675 Daytona M/C from a dealer hundreds of miles away. He was substantially cheaper that my local dealer. He included delivery in the sale price and gave me an offer based on some photos of my old bike.


If you cannot get the dealer to deliver, there are several firms who will collect and deliver. Be careful who you choose!!! I once bought an Aprilia Tuono and had it shipped to Spain.



I have also bought cars from dealers some distance from my home and negotiated delivery in the price.



******* I paid a deposit with the balance on delivery for all the vehicle I have purchased *****.

ftsos

Hi Missile, this is a brand new unregistered bike. Am I right in assuming you have bought bikes without visiting in person, just by seeing pictures?

missile wrote: »

On a brand new bike I would have no hesitation on doing a deal sight unseen. You could ask for photos.


I have bought a Triumph 675 Daytona M/C from a dealer hundreds of miles away. He was substantially cheaper that my local dealer. He included delivery in the sale price and gave me an offer based on some photos of my old bike.


If you cannot get the dealer to deliver, there are several firms who will collect and deliver. Be careful who you choose!!! I once bought an Aprilia Tuono and had it shipped to Spain.



I have also bought cars from dealers some distance from my home and negotiated delivery in the price.



******* I paid a deposit with the balance on delivery for all the vehicle I have purchased *****.

MysteryMe

If it's a manufacturer warranty job then you don't need goodwill or favours.

Any local dealer taking umbrage at a vehicle not bought through them is short sighted and risks losing far more profit to be had with ongoing future servicing. What would happen if the OP bought local and then moved? Would people be saying don't move as you'll not get goodwill from another dealer?

forgotmyname

But the OP doesnt like/trust their local dealer so who will do the warranty repairs and servicing?

loskie

folks buy cars online all the time. Bikes should be no different.