Price Match Promise Carshop advice

JB195

Sorry if this has been discussed before - I've tried searching but couldn't find anything related.
We're looking to buy a new car from Carshop - their website advertises a price match promise which has terms and conditions that are somewhat vague and 'at the discretion of the manager' - it states if you find a car with the same mileage, registration year and specification then they will match the price of that car from another dealer within 45 miles. 

We put a deposit down on a car yesterday and after a look online we found a car which meets all these criteria but is £1200 cheaper - the only minor difference is our reserved car is solid black paint and the other car is metallic navy blue. I spoke to the team today who have said they will not honour the price match due to the difference in colour.
I think I already know the answer given they say it is all at their discretion but if their terms and conditions don't specifically mention colour being an issue do we have a leg to stand on or should we accept their decision?

AdrianC

Colour is part of spec, especially when it comes to extra-cost options like paint finishes.

Herzlos

Ask for the deposit back and go buy the other one? Some people care enough about the colour for that to be a major issue.

Car_54

Herzlos said:

Ask for the deposit back and go buy the other one? Some people care enough about the colour for that to be a major issue.

And black is not a good choice unless you're one of those strange people who enjoy cleaning cars

Scrapit

JB195 said:

Sorry if this has been discussed before - I've tried searching but couldn't find anything related.
We're looking to buy a new car from Carshop - their website advertises a price match promise which has terms and conditions that are somewhat vague and 'at the discretion of the manager' - it states if you find a car with the same mileage, registration year and specification then they will match the price of that car from another dealer within 45 miles. 

We put a deposit down on a car yesterday and after a look online we found a car which meets all these criteria but is £1200 cheaper - the only minor difference is our reserved car is solid black paint and the other car is metallic navy blue. I spoke to the team today who have said they will not honour the price match due to the difference in colour.
I think I already know the answer given they say it is all at their discretion but if their terms and conditions don't specifically mention colour being an issue do we have a leg to stand on or should we accept their decision?

Would the metallic paint be a higher option when both cars were new? Anyway, cancel and buy the blue one.

Mercdriver

Metallic is normally more expensive.  As are pearlescent.  

The_Rainmaker

Why would you want to deal with anyone who prices their cars off the back of of other dealers?  Why would anyone pay a deposit whilst still browsing?

daveyjp

Metallic paint costs more, but that doesn't mean it is desirable to all buyers.

Metallic dark blue used to be known as 'doom blue' and like dark green metallic was a colour no one wanted so prices were lower.

I once purchased a car and the pine green car (a very rare colour which would have cost more than general palette metallic) was 10% cheaper than the one the same age I bought.

molerat

Any excuse not to honour their sham price match promise. You need to do your homework before you commit and ignore any of these marketing gimmicks. When I bought my car I knew it was the cheapest price I was going to get it for as I checked loads of ads before buying.

Just looked on Carshop - their ads make Arnold Clark look honest and respectable !  Listing and pricing "extras" that come as standard to make the car look more expensive than it actually is.

facade

Did the other car have the exact same mileage, the same spec. and the same year all within 45 miles?  Unbelievable, no wonder they quickly found a way to say that the paint made it a different spec.

Unless the deposit is more than £1200 and you prefer black, just go and buy the other one, then try and get something back through the courts if necessary, they can't charge more than your cancellation has cost them (+ admin )

Taygb97

At the moment, I feel you are in a stronger position. First of all, I would speak to Carshop and explain that colour isn't an issue and you are prepared to buy the other one. After the quarter car sales have had, I highly doubt they will be in a position to turn away a sale, especially on a car 'sat on the lot'. Ahead of this call, I would check the T&C's of your deposit so you know your rights/stance when asking for this back and quote it if needed. Call their bluff, try your best and if not, weigh up the cost-saving of the other car vs the deposit you have paid.