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Back in October Hubby and I visited a Peugeot garage in a small town 6 miles from our home, We test drove a Peugeot 207 1.4 & 1.6, the very pushy salesman then tried his hardest to persuade us to purchase one of these vehicles. After about 2 hours we made our escape. The next day we visited our local branch of the same company, and they agreed to get the 1.6 from the first branch so that we could try it again. But we were asked if we would make a good will payment of £200 just to prove that we really were interested in buying a car from them. After asking 3 times if this was refundable should the car not be suitable ( we were assured it was refundable by the senior sales executive) we made the payment by credit card. You guessed the car was not what we were looking for. The (Senior Sales Executive - SSE) then proceeded to suggest that we try other model's, which we did, as we really did want to purchase a car from them. After trying out 7 cars as the staff pointed out (the had been counting) we came to conclusion that the spec of car we wanted the Peugeot 207SE premium Diesel could only be obtained from another location. If we wanted this car we would have to put down a £300 deposit and agree to purchase the car even though we had not seen it or had a test drive. We declined the offer. We then asked for a return of our £200 the SSE said yes, but as she went to process it the boss stopped her. After writing several letters, the best we have got is that they will keep our £200 in their holding account for us to be used of good or services within their group. I have just written a letter to all the directors stating that if this money is not returned, we will be taking county court action.
Has any one had any similar problems or head of a major dealer basically charging for test driving their cars.
Issue procedings immediately to have your money refunded along with court costs plus interest.
They cannot simply take money from you under false pretences.
I would also make a complaint to trading standards.
Whatever happens I would not buy a car from them after this stunt.
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If you paid by Credit Card, just ask for a Charge Back from your Credit Card Company and explain why.
I doubt the Card Company will back the Dealer, as they nearly always back the Cardholder.
But do report them to Trading Standards, as these sorts of issues are all Trading Standards are good for...they get confused over most other things.
Failing all of that, then go for Court. The Threat will make them wake up...and see if you can't include the Credit Card Company into the action as well, as that'll make them pay up if they were tardy before!
Although this is totally outrageous and you should have got your money back, or even better, never paid it in the first place, I do know a guy who keeps leaving deposits on cars and changing his mind a few days later. He has got his money back each time even though he is, in my opinion, in the wrong.
Dealers have to put up with a lot of what they call timewasters and that is partly what causes them to do things like this. There is ,of course, always two sides to any story.
Stunned by this main agent, I suggest you make a call to Peugeot UK Customer services first thing in the morning, and if it is not resolved by teatime, I'm a chinaman!
But please do not buy a french car, unless, you intend to trade it in before it's warranty period is up! And be carefull with warranties they only have to give you one year, some sneaky agents now are saying you only get three years if you let us do your servicing. Which is when you get caned!!.
Issue procedings immediately to have your money refunded along with court costs plus interest.
They cannot simply take money from you under false pretences.
I would also make a complaint to trading standards.
Whatever happens I would not buy a car from them after this stunt.
Hi
Thanks for your response and apologise for my delay in replying. I have been very busy. I didn’t mention in my first post that we did actually buy a Peugeot but got it from a dealer in Bristol, some way from Southampton. I drafted a letter about court action but didn’t actually get to sent it. We also contacted trading standards they were hopeless didn’t want to know. I also contacted my credit card company and rang Peugeot customer services neither which wanted to help. Anyhow the car we purchased developed a fault a split in the fuel injector line, smoke everywhere. Guess what the only Peugeot garage near by was the dealer in question. (They also own all the other Peugeot garages within a 20 mile radius.) We had to get the car transported to the garage (at our cost, but recoverable from Peugeot but still waiting)) as is couldn’t be driven, eat humble pie and go and see them to get the car repaired under warranty. This they did, also they sold us a Breakdown Cover for £15.00 (great value as Green Flag wanted £60. We are now thinking that if we take them to court it will cause unpleasantness whenever we require a service or repair. We are wondering whether to let them keep the money and use it up on servicing costs.
Lin
But please do not buy a french car, unless, you intend to trade it in before it's warranty period is up!
Sacre bleu! My little boy racer Citroen Saxo VTR is going strong 6 years on. Never needed anything other than the usual wear and tear.
My local Citroen/Peugeot dealer (same garage) is dreadful. Last time they had the car for a service they damaged it when jacking it up - a really fundamental mistake for a garage mechanic to make.
Hi
Thanks for your response and apologise for my delay in replying. I have been very busy. I didn’t mention in my first post that we did actually buy a Peugeot but got it from a dealer in Bristol, some way from Southampton. I drafted a letter about court action but didn’t actually get to sent it. We also contacted trading standards they were hopeless didn’t want to know. I also contacted my credit card company and rang Peugeot customer services neither which wanted to help. Anyhow the car we purchased developed a fault a split in the fuel injector line, smoke everywhere. Guess what the only Peugeot garage near by was the dealer in question. (They also own all the other Peugeot garages within a 20 mile radius.) We had to get the car transported to the garage (at our cost, but recoverable from Peugeot but still waiting)) as is couldn’t be driven, eat humble pie and go and see them to get the car repaired under warranty. This they did, also they sold us a Breakdown Cover for £15.00 (great value as Green Flag wanted £60. We are now thinking that if we take them to court it will cause unpleasantness whenever we require a service or repair. We are wondering whether to let them keep the money and use it up on servicing costs.
Lin
You are not obliged to go to a Peugeot garage to have it serviced and repaired. You don't even have to take a brand new car to the dealer for servicing and they can't pull a stroke like saying it will limit the warranty either.
There are lots of really good, or better, independent garages who will serive and repair your car for you and usually for a lot less pennies.
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Just an update, We took Southgate to the small claims court, the manager paid up the £200 within the time limit, but he didnt get back to the court, so we continued with the action to recover our additional losses. The judge found in our favour, so he now has a county court judgment against his company and Egg all over his face. Perhaps next time he will think twice about hanging on to other peoples money and also try backing his staff when they make promises. Thanks for all the help and advice.
Well done. I could understand a deposit to test drive, but not a fee.
Trading Standards wants your help
Dubious website businesses Conterfeit alcohol and cigarettes Illegal sales of alcohol, tobacco, knives & fireworks to children Cowboy builders or tradesmen Car clockers Counterfeiters Aggressive selling
Never phone or accept phonecalls from debt collection companies.
If you don't believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed.
_________________________ ________________ _________________________ ___________________
Main dealer charging to test dirve cars.
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Re: Main dealer charging to test dirve cars.
Originally Posted by Nickolarge
