Dealer refusing to sell me a new car.

Xenon123

I will keep the dealer (national) name private for now.  I am extremely annoyed about this and after mulling it over last night, thought I would put it here for discussion as I think the dealer has crossed a line.

Basically, I am in the market for a new car.  I live in Northern Ireland.  I have decided on the make and model, and decided to embark on some UK research before closing with a local dealer.
Lo and behold, I found the exact same vehicle for sale in the South of England at a dealership, and it was a substantial £3,000 cheaper, in stock and included some option extras as standard to the tune of £800.

I have purchased cars from England before, both new and used, and on cash and finance deals.
In this occasion, I wished to avail of a lower interest PCP deal with the dealer, which is actually a national finance campaign deal with the actual vehicle manufacturer.
At the end of the day, a quick morning flight to the nearest airport, complete the paperwork and a drive to Fishguard or Cairnryan and home again.  Its never been an issue in the past.
In fact the likes of Arnold Clarke in Scotland actively court this NI business, and have a delivery handover depot at Cairnryan Port in Scotland specifically for N Ireland customers purchasing from them.

So back to this dealer I am referring to.  I get a call back yesterday afternoon.  The salesman asks "do you have mainland address". I replied I lived in N Ireland, but that should not be a problem as its part of the UK, and all the finance operators can provide finance facilities for all UK addresses.  I should say, I worked for a UK bank for 18 years.
Immediately, he replied "I cannot sell you a car if you live in N Ireland". I asked why and he said it was company policy!
I advised him there was no blockage to him selling me a vehicle.  Its not being exported, would be registered on English plates for a UK address, and financed with a UK finance company to a customer with a blemish free 100% credit record.

He reiterated he could not sell me a car and told me again it was company policy, and I might be able to get the car elsewhere but not with them.

Tbh, I was flabbergasted and then annoyed.  I have faced this nonsense before with different purchases from usually English businesses.  A lot of the time due to ignorance and lack of a basic understanding that its N Ireland and not the Republic of Ireland, therefore part of the UK.  The amount of times customs, postal costs, exporting vat etc have been mentioned when sales have been denied is ridiculous and its surprising how many people havent the first clue about the country they live in.

Anyway.  Back to my issue.  On reflection, I am now very annoyed, and I am convinced this is discrimination and nothing else.  This dealer would not be put out in any way.  I am doing the travelling and picking up of the vehicle.  In fact, it would be the easiest sales they would probably ever get.  A dealer could in some circumstances refuse a sale, but not for any reason that could be perceived or deemed discrimination, and this is discrimination.

Could I ask for readers thoughts on this?  If you look at it another way, its akin to s dealer saying we will sell to you if you live in say, Manchester, but not if you live in Bolton.  Its really beyond belief and I am considering taking further action against the dealership.

pramsay13

Not discrimination as living in NI is not a protected characteristic. 
Just move on and give your business to someone else. 

TELLIT01

You can be as annoyed as you want, but no organisation has to do business with you if they don't wish to, as long as their reasons for not doing so don't break discrimination laws.

What further action do you think you can take against the dealership?

flaneurs_lobster

No different to a Building Society only lending to/accepting deposits from persons living within a defined local boundary. 

The selling dealer can make their own rules as to who they want as customers, as long as they are not breaking the law defined in the Equality Act 2010. 

Hoenir

Xenon123 said:

In this occasion, I wished to avail of a lower interest PCP deal with the dealer, which is actually a national finance campaign deal with the actual vehicle manufacturer.

The source of the finance may well differ depending upon locality. 

Xenon123

Hoenir said:

Xenon123 said:

In this occasion, I wished to avail of a lower interest PCP deal with the dealer, which is actually a national finance campaign deal with the actual vehicle manufacturer.

The source of the finance may well differ depending upon locality. 

It doesn't.  Its a national campaign and I can get exactly the same terms and offer at the manufacturers local dealership here at home.

cannugec5

I get it.
I’m English, living in Scotland and see the crazy rules regularly. 

However , legally I think you are on a hiding to nothing. Their rules - they can do what they want.
Their loss.  

But would you really want a car from a dealership that is highly unlikely to comprehend, let alone , comply with, your warranty rights etc? 

flaneurs_lobster

cannugec5 said:

I get it.
I’m English, living in Scotland and see the crazy rules regularly. 

I'm curious, what crazy rules would these be?

k12479

Nowadays, a lot of people seem to buy cars from hundreds of miles away and are then outraged when something goes wrong and the dealer wants the car returned to them to fix rather than paying for a local repair. Perhaps the dealer wants to avoid this, particularly if they have no group presence in NI.

Xenon123

k12479 said:

Nowadays, a lot of people seem to buy cars from hundreds of miles away and are then outraged when something goes wrong and the dealer wants the car returned to them to fix rather than paying for a local repair. Perhaps the dealer wants to avoid this, particularly if they have no group presence in NI.

Not an issue.  The dealer does not have a presence in N Ireland, but the brand does, and as a new vehicle my local dealers service dept would be obliged to look after warranty issues.

Hoenir

Xenon123 said:

Hoenir said:

Xenon123 said:

In this occasion, I wished to avail of a lower interest PCP deal with the dealer, which is actually a national finance campaign deal with the actual vehicle manufacturer.

The source of the finance may well differ depending upon locality. 

It doesn't.  Its a national campaign and I can get exactly the same terms and offer at the manufacturers local dealership here at home.

I'll rephrase my response. Purely as an example. Ulster Bank, Nat West, Royal Bank of Scotland.  Under the same umbrella. Seperate companies. Different jurisdications.