New Car Purchase Delays (Stellantis Citroen)

Brom57

Paid deposit on new Citroen in late March (no px) - given estimated handover of 18 July. The dealership (a Stellantis franchise in Chislehurst) was closed at short notice at end June. Only found out when driving passed! - no communication of any sort from Stellantis to say what is happening. Contacted their so called customer service and told that all accounts were transferring to Romford. Speak to manager at Romford and it’s clear that things are in a mess - subsequent call to another member of staff confirms that I’m not the first to call and get “who told you your a/c was being transferred”!  Emails and online messages are never answered.  Contract states that if they fail to deliver within 30 days of estimated date (now gone) then I can give written notice requiring delivery within 7 days (of notice receipt). If they still fail then the contract cancels and I get my deposit back (paid by credit card).
“Heart” says it wants the car (good reviews and price) but “head” now very wary - one issue being even if the car magically appears, Romford is not easy to get to if there’s a problem that needs sorting under warranty (I’m in Bromley).  As of today, I’m told that manager will call me by Monday (been there before)……. Amazingly, even with my order ref number, the sales assistant today couldn’t look it up on the system, saying only his manager can. Feel like dropping this and starting again elsewhere.
Would be interested to hear of any similar experiences.
Thank you in advance.

Goudy

I had something similar, though not quite as bad as I did at least have my car delivered before Masters Renault in Elmers End closed down.
It was already a drag for me to get to Elmers End, now it's Orpington and a whole day out sampling the local delights!

There is a Citroen dealer in Ebbsfleet and another in Crayford, both should be easier to get to than Romford.
Perhaps try get Citroen to swap your delivery over to either of these.

Dave_5150

Couple of things to think about. Firstly, you can take your car to any offical Citroen dealer for warranty work. Secondfly, how have prices and offers changed since March?

Can you still get the same or better deal if you start again? (prices and finance rates have generally been on the rise, whilst manufacturers conributions and discounts have fallen). 

Car_54

OP, you say the dealership was "closed". Did it go out of business altogether, or does the company have other outlets?

If the former, you can probably kiss goodbye to your deposit. 

Brom57

Dave_5150 said:

Couple of things to think about. Firstly, you can take your car to any offical Citroen dealer for warranty work. Secondfly, how have prices and offers changed since March?

Can you still get the same or better deal if you start again? (prices and finance rates have generally been on the rise, whilst manufacturers conributions and discounts have fallen). 

Thanks for that - there is a (non Stellantis) Citroen dealer at Crayford - not ideal, but easier than Romford.  I got my deal through CarWow - out of interest I tried them again a few days ago and got offers still pretty much the same as in March.  If I do start again I’m minded to avoid Stellantis!

Brom57

Car_54 said:

OP, you say the dealership was "closed". Did it go out of business altogether, or does the company have other outlets?

If the former, you can probably kiss goodbye to your deposit. 

Yes, the original dealer was Robins & Day, a franchisee within the larger Stellantis group. From Googling the issue it seems they closed a number of franchisees in the UK at short notice.  Stellantis still own my order, so I’m reasonably confident that I (or my credit card provider) can get the deposit back if it comes to it. Right now I’m just trying to get up to date info from Stellantis, fingers crossed!

marlot

Be careful about paying the balance ahead of delivery.  https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/manufacturer-news/2022/12/19/stellantis-criticised-for-pre-reg-demands-despite-delivery-delays

Grumpy_chap

Before the OP cancels the order for this car on order, they should ascertain what their plan B will be for an alternative car.  What is the cost and time for an alternative solution?  While annoying, it may become the most pragmatic thing to stick with the current car.

Bigwheels1111

Brom57 said:

Paid deposit on new Citroen in late March (no px) - given estimated handover of 18 July. The dealership (a Stellantis franchise in Chislehurst) was closed at short notice at end June. Only found out when driving passed! - no communication of any sort from Stellantis to say what is happening. Contacted their so called customer service and told that all accounts were transferring to Romford. Speak to manager at Romford and it’s clear that things are in a mess - subsequent call to another member of staff confirms that I’m not the first to call and get “who told you your a/c was being transferred”!  Emails and online messages are never answered.  Contract states that if they fail to deliver within 30 days of estimated date (now gone) then I can give written notice requiring delivery within 7 days (of notice receipt). If they still fail then the contract cancels and I get my deposit back (paid by credit card).
“Heart” says it wants the car (good reviews and price) but “head” now very wary - one issue being even if the car magically appears, Romford is not easy to get to if there’s a problem that needs sorting under warranty (I’m in Bromley).  As of today, I’m told that manager will call me by Monday (been there before)……. Amazingly, even with my order ref number, the sales assistant today couldn’t look it up on the system, saying only his manager can. Feel like dropping this and starting again elsewhere.
Would be interested to hear of any similar experiences.
Thank you in advance.

A little known secret EMG Croydon.
Peugeot & Citroen, servicing and warranty work.
http://citroenservicing.co.uk/
Used them for parts & mot.

Car_54

Bigwheels1111 said:hu

Brom57 said:

Paid deposit on new Citroen in late March (no px) - given estimated handover of 18 July. The dealership (a Stellantis franchise in Chislehurst) was closed at short notice at end June. Only found out when driving passed! - no communication of any sort from Stellantis to say what is happening. Contacted their so called customer service and told that all accounts were transferring to Romford. Speak to manager at Romford and it’s clear that things are in a mess - subsequent call to another member of staff confirms that I’m not the first to call and get “who told you your a/c was being transferred”!  Emails and online messages are never answered.  Contract states that if they fail to deliver within 30 days of estimated date (now gone) then I can give written notice requiring delivery within 7 days (of notice receipt). If they still fail then the contract cancels and I get my deposit back (paid by credit card).
“Heart” says it wants the car (good reviews and price) but “head” now very wary - one issue being even if the car magically appears, Romford is not easy to get to if there’s a problem that needs sorting under warranty (I’m in Bromley).  As of today, I’m told that manager will call me by Monday (been there before)……. Amazingly, even with my order ref number, the sales assistant today couldn’t look it up on the system, saying only his manager can. Feel like dropping this and starting again elsewhere.
Would be interested to hear of any similar experiences.
Thank you in advance.

A little known secret EMG Croydon.
Peugeot & Citroen, servicing and warranty work.
http://citroenservicing.co.uk/
Used them for parts & mot.

How does that help the OP, when he hasn’t even got a car yet?

Bigwheels1111

Car_54 said:

Bigwheels1111 said:hu

Brom57 said:

Paid deposit on new Citroen in late March (no px) - given estimated handover of 18 July. The dealership (a Stellantis franchise in Chislehurst) was closed at short notice at end June. Only found out when driving passed! - no communication of any sort from Stellantis to say what is happening. Contacted their so called customer service and told that all accounts were transferring to Romford. Speak to manager at Romford and it’s clear that things are in a mess - subsequent call to another member of staff confirms that I’m not the first to call and get “who told you your a/c was being transferred”!  Emails and online messages are never answered.  Contract states that if they fail to deliver within 30 days of estimated date (now gone) then I can give written notice requiring delivery within 7 days (of notice receipt). If they still fail then the contract cancels and I get my deposit back (paid by credit card).
“Heart” says it wants the car (good reviews and price) but “head” now very wary - one issue being even if the car magically appears, Romford is not easy to get to if there’s a problem that needs sorting under warranty (I’m in Bromley).  As of today, I’m told that manager will call me by Monday (been there before)……. Amazingly, even with my order ref number, the sales assistant today couldn’t look it up on the system, saying only his manager can. Feel like dropping this and starting again elsewhere.
Would be interested to hear of any similar experiences.
Thank you in advance.

A little known secret EMG Croydon.
Peugeot & Citroen, servicing and warranty work.
http://citroenservicing.co.uk/
Used them for parts & mot.

How does that help the OP, when he hasn’t even got a car yet?

Well let me think, o yes when they get the car.
Service, repairs and warranty work, local to them.
I’ve had dealings with Citroen Penge, Hither Green both now closed & Crayford.
All useless, Vehicles booked in for servicing or repairs, arrived and not booked in etc.
Even with email and txts confirming booking.
EMG Croydon are small but efficient. Plus local to poster.