Overhaulin'

where do i stand by law?

Hi there, i ordered a Brand new Mercedes about 3 weeks ago. The car had to be ordered from the factory because of the extras and they had found a similar car to what i wanted already built but i had an extra 6 cd changer and Dab radio built in which i had not ordered on my car. Therefore the sales woman rang me and said they had found me a car but it had two extras which were a cd changer and DAB radio, she said they cost 500 but they will give them to me for free. Now the car has been delivered to the dealers and all the finance paper work has been signed and the 20,000 cash has been paid the sales person now says i still owe them 550 pounds before i can collect the car for the cd changer which i was told that it was going to be thrown in for free. They say i either pay it and have the car that is delivered or they have to order me a new one from factory and the prices have risen this week for the same vehicle and i would be subject to new prices if i decided to buy the one i ordered previously. What do i do now ? where do i stand ??? i never signed nothing to state that i had ordered a cd changer i have sorted all my insurance and everything on the car which i was supposed to collect on sunday. Could you please advice on where do i stand in this situation ? I really want the car on the 1st but i why should i pay the 550£ which they told me i dont have to. what could i say to mercedes dealerhip ?? thakns

Public Comments

1. Tell them that you have decided that a mercedes isn't what you really wanted and that you will just take your money back. Or find a new dealer and speak with them, they may offer you less to get your business, then take that to the dealer and tell them that you have a better offer and will be going else where. Since the car is was on order previous to the price change then the price should go from that point, not when the car comes in. I don't know the laws in the UK so I'm not help there, but if they want to sell you the car they should deal with you...and next time get it in writing.
2. You ordered a brand new Mercedes and you're quibbling over 550 pounds? Is this an early April Fool joke? You've got money, they are not selling many cars these days and you can't figure out what to do? Get thee to a nunnery!
3. This is almost sounding like a "bait and switch" routine to me. They are trying to get you to buy the model and pay for what they said you would get for free. Fight it with them and see if they give in. Sadly though it might end up costing you more money than to simply pay for the items than by buying another car from them.
4. Well, a verbal contract is still a contract but you also need a witness. I suppose the question is why did they process the paperwork if you hadn't paid in full? The other question is if you didn't order them in the original order then that indicates you didn't want these items and so wouldn't have accepted the car unless these items were free. PLUS did they write to say these items had to be paid for. Your situation is quite complicated because you've already paid the 20k. I think you should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for advice that will be uptodate and accurate before you do anything else.
5. Hi, If you can manage without getting the car next week I would firmly but politely make it clear verbally and in writing that as far as you are concerned the deal is as you've stated above. When writing find out the managers name and address it personally. You also need to make it clear what you are prepared to accept i.e. the car at the agreed price or a full refund. Personally, if you don't get satisfaction immediately, I would be inclined to walk away. If they had said we have found a car but it'll cost you an extra £500 would you have agreed to the sale? Did they mention a price increase when it looked as if they were going to have to order one new from the factory? If this is the way they treat you now, I fear that servicing and warranty claims will not be carried out to your satisfaction in future.