Your purchasing experience?

Grahamgorilla
Grahamgorilla Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited December 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I have just bought a new Swift van from a dealer in the NE of England and part exchanged my eight year old Bailey van.  After an inspection of my part-ex van, the dealer made an offer that we accepted.  The day before we were due collect our new vehicle, the dealer contacted me to let me know they had discovered some faults on the van (tyres and charger) and indicated that it would cost about £600 to correct these faults.  Initially they asked me to pay for this, which I declined and then asked if I would meet half way, which I again declined.  I told them this was a deal breaker.  The dealer eventually came back to me indicating they would honour the original deal.

I was curious whether others have experienced this approach, taking advantage of the customer's psychological buy in to a new van, therefore being more prepared to pay a small amount more if put under pressure.

Personally I found this approach left a bad taste in my mouth.  

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #2

    The usual one is to declare there’s damp in your van so the p/ex allowance has to be reduced.

    Well done for sticking to your guns, GG. We should all do the same.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #3

    Sounds like they were monkeying around a bit. I would have thought a deal was a deal particularly when any mistake made by them regarding the item they were selling was already in their possession. Now if it had been the other way round and offer was subject to their checking of your vehicle I'd accept that.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #4

    Maybe I've just been lucky. Have bought caravans from just 4 different dealers over the last 26 years and never had this experience.

    Well done GG for not budging, particularly as they had the chance to inspect. Would leave a bad taste in my mouth as well.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2017 #5

    A couple of c/vans ago we had the "found damp" and cannot give us what was offered at a show ,when we took our px in to do the change over,but backed down when we said,we will not change then,we were staying at Clumber Park  fairly close to the dealer, and had been talking to our neighbour who when we spoke about being there to change our c/van at this dealer advised they will try it on,  they tried it with him but he had also be warned about them,

    They went bust a couple of years later ,so we think their reputation for giving good px prices ,until the change over,was their way of getting customers   

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #6

    You say, " the day before we were to collect our new vehicle, the dealer contacted me to let me know they had discovered some faults on the van...

    Now I'm not sure, which van you are referring to, is it the 'new vehicle"?

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
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    edited December 2017 #7

    I read it as the px van.

    Good for you buddy, well done for digging your heels in.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #8

    Yes, it can be read both ways. On reflection I think that is what was meant mind despite the ambiguity. For clarity it would be good to find out which mind!

  • G Cherokee
    G Cherokee Forum Participant Posts: 402
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    edited December 2017 #9

    Well giving the shady personas of some dealers I don't think even they would have the brass b**** to try something like that

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2017 #10

    We have only part exchanged two caravans. Both times with same dealer (leisure Sales of Brereton Green). Both times a good experience. 

    The first 'van was a 2005 Swift Charisma which was then 7 years old. The dealers new and PX price was such that two other local dealers would not even try to come close to the offer. When I took the 'van in they found 90% damp in the back. I was still happy as I suspected that I had discovered the same myself on the day before taking it to them. The price was dropped £450 and the caravan sold on to what appeared to be the 'travelling community'.

    This time there were no problems. 

  • Extugger
    Extugger Forum Participant Posts: 1,293
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    edited December 2017 #11

    Sadly, it's one of the oldest 'tricks of the trade' and many people may have incurred a similar problem when trading their cars in too. Any excuse to try and prise a bit more profit from you.

    Well done for sticking to your guns. I was in a similar situation as yourself some 3 years ago. The look on the salesman's face when I said 'No' and got into my car to drive off. Usain Bolt would certainly have been impressed! laughing

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited December 2017 #12

    Depends on the circumstances. If a dealer makes you an offer without seeing your van you might expect it to be “subject to inspection” but this should be stated by the dealer. We took one of our caravans in and some damp was discovered and was shown to us. As we trusted this particular dealer and after negotiation we did agree to a small reduction in our part exchange value.

    On the other hand, we agreed a part exchange value for our Bailey Caravan with Marquis when we purchased a new Motorhome. All was OK on Inspection and when we settled the balance before collecting the new Motorhome Marquis told us that they had got more on the resale for our trade-in Bailey than expected so they were crediting us more on the purchase. I think we were about £200 better off. Now that’s what I call service! Excellent dealer and we will be back.

  • Mr OrangeTree
    Mr OrangeTree Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited December 2017 #13

    I also purchased a motorhome from a NE dealer, but with no p ex.

    My van was not well prepared, to put it mildly.

    I have since (as you might expect) used other dealers for servicing and repairs and my experience has been considerably better. 

    This unnamed NE dealer is potentially to be avoided!

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #14

    How can anyone avoid it if we don't know which one it is, Mr OT? Name & shame!!

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited December 2017 #15

    We buy from our local trusted dealership and with no trade-in and always get a very good deal.. When we want to change vans, we always sell our existing vans privately as we can always negotiate a fairer price than any dealer trade-in. So it's a win - win situation all round for us. 

    smile

     

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #16

    We have no trusted dealerships in the NE, well any that I have dealt with I do not trust.