Long story short..  I took an A500 for a test drive back in June, and decided to order my own spec one that was due to arrive mid August, for which it did (see profile pic).  I got finance quotes from the dealer and decided I'd go for a 3 year term on the remaining balance after paying a 3 grand deposit.  I paid 500 quid upfront for them to put the order on the system.  I assumed they would then request the finance deal, order the car and on Sept 1st I would go and sign all the relevant finance forms and drive away in my new A500.

Today (Aug 31st) I have a missed call on my mobile, and two on my home line.  It's one of the other sales guys stating that the main guy who was dealing with my order etc could not be there tomorrow for my handover due to family circumstances (for which I could understand) and asked me how I was paying the remaining balance.!  It turns out that they have assumed I am paying the full remaining balance off tomorrow.

After advising that I'd had several finance quotes before I put the order in and they were coming back at approx 7.2% APR I was told the finance package was not applied for and they would have to do another, submit it in the morning, and it would hopefully go through and I could have the car.  All okay except the finance deal has now increased quite substantially.  Through no fault of my own it looks like it's now going to cost me more than I'd budgeted for, and more in the long run.

I have basically waited three months, had to chase for my own status updates, and now this.

I've not even got the car and already feeling the ballache of owning one of these fantastic cars.  Or is it just the ballache of car dealers.

The 500 quid upfront payment was put on a credit card.  What leg if any do I have to stand on if I decide not to go ahead?

Cheers for any info

 

Deposits are non-refundable except under certain circumstances i.e. you refuse to take delivery of the car because it is not exactly as you ordered.

Abarth's Terms & Conditions state

Your deposit will not be refundable once a binding order is placed with an Abarth dealer.

bad show by the dealer but i think legally your deposit and signed order gets you the car at that price but doesn,t guarentee the method of payment, not very encouraging, sorry

Hi One_owner_from_new.
Just a few questions so I can try to give the dealer's side of story to help you.
Do you still have a paper copy of the finance deal that was offered to you?
If you do, what figures and APR are on the quote?
Was the quote on a HP deal or on a PCP? If it was a PCP then what mileage was it working on?
The advertised rates have changed slightly over the last couple of months but I wouldn't say it was "substantial."
The new deal they have offered you: how much has the payment gone up and what increase in APR has there been?

It is unfortunate that the person you have been dealing with is unavailable but family emergencies/illness happen to us all and we can never tell when its going to happen.

good luck
i have a similar farse in 2000 buying a punto.but i still went ahead with the finance and cancelled it 2 days later i got a personel loan and saved a fortune. but it cost  me £100 to cancel.
not going back to that dealer even if they have acres of stone. 

Phone Lombard and get a quote, they are far cheaper than 7.2 APR.
I would also say to them, if they have messed up with the finance and either sort it out or take them to the financial governing body for compensation.

so you had to supply your i.d and details again?! And they had no record of the previous minor details i.e rate and term! Sounds like someone in all their wisdom has pushed the wrong button. Speak to your card company and see what they can do and then walk away. That dealership doesn't sound that good and i don't think anyone else here has recently these problems, find your next nearest one mate.