Advice please: been sold a dodgy import by a VW dealer

[SteveTDCi]

Ah, so if they didn't notify you that it was an import then you should have a case as not being advertised, I'd probably avoid the term missold (teen tho technically it is) I'd prefer to say its not as advertised. The dealer would know it was an import and they would mark it as less, that's the point I argued with our puma.

I still think you need to decide what you want from all of this,they will drag it out in the hope you give up. Get youse,f some paper and write down everything. From now on write down dates, times and who you spoke to. I would still write to the dealer. If it was me and I was happy with the car I would just go for the difference between what you paid and what ts true forecourt value was.

You need to be organised and have know exactly what you want.

[SteveTDCi]

Oh and if I get chance I'll try and find out from some of the dealers I use ref import pricing.

[f1fan]

^^^^
That's very reassuring to know that VW UK are so concerned.

I do think that SteveTDCi's posted advice is also worth considering too - That is, what you would ideally want to gain from all this hassle.

To my mind there should be a compensation element included of some description. It's a matter of being reasonable in any demands you try to make.

I've just read through SteveTDCi's post and will definitely consider his thoughts.  I'm very grateful to everyone on here for their thoughts and help.  I'll keep plugging away at the problem and see how it goes.  Could do without the stress to be honest but I can't give up or I stand to loose thousands.

[SteveTDCi]

If you get chance get a px from a dealer, see what they come up with then tell them it's an import.

[f1fan]

Absolute silence from the dealer since my last post, very frustrating!

I've had VW UK phone me, they don't seem impressed with the dealer and keep apologising to me. I expect VW UK will be giving the dealer a hard time next week.

[RedRobin]

Absolute silence from the dealer since my last post, very frustrating!

I've had VW UK phone me, they don't seem impressed with the dealer and keep apologising to me. I expect VW UK will be giving the dealer a hard time next week.

....In a way that's actually good news. It would be a very uphill battle indeed if VW UK were on the dealer's side.

It sounds to me as if the dealer is ignoring you in the hope that you'll give up and go away. By their apology it sounds as if VW UK, subject to more detailed information, are starting off very much on your side. Perhaps that dealer has points against them with VW UK already.

As I expect you already know, VW dealerships are merely a kind of franchise - Each is an independent car business which allows VW UK to shopfit and style their premises to a preset corporate design. Each independent is under contract to provide services etc to a Volkswagen standard which VW UK approve of - Volkswagen can't afford to let independents misbehave and bring their brand into disrepute. VW UK hold the whip hand.

[SteveTDCi]

Have you put it in writting to the dealership yet ? They won't be in no rush to do anything until you force the issue.

[RedRobin]

Have you put it in writting to the dealership yet ? They won't be in no rush to do anything until you force the issue.

....Definitely put it in writing and use the opportunity to confirm in the letter everything that has until now only been verbal. Be calm and polite in any letter but you can still express how deeply disappointed you are etc - Just choose the right words. Words like "You fecking arseholes..." will not work in your favour!

In other words, put it all on the record. Send a copy to VW UK too but don't necessarily tell your dealer that you're doing so. Catch them out.

And set it out clearly but concisely, not a long rambling multi-page unparagraphed rant which nobody will want to bother to digest. I'm not saying you write like that but some folks do.

[f1fan]

Have you put it in writting to the dealership yet ? They won't be in no rush to do anything until you force the issue.

Yes, a while back now, got a generic written response from the CEO of the group, but after I've only had one phone call with the sales manager, VW UK are chasing the dealer to contact me.

[f1fan]

Absolute silence from the dealer since my last post, very frustrating!

I've had VW UK phone me, they don't seem impressed with the dealer and keep apologising to me. I expect VW UK will be giving the dealer a hard time next week.

....In a way that's actually good news. It would be a very uphill battle indeed if VW UK were on the dealer's side.

It sounds to me as if the dealer is ignoring you in the hope that you'll give up and go away. By their apology it sounds as if VW UK, subject to more detailed information, are starting off very much on your side. Perhaps that dealer has points against them with VW UK already.

As I expect you already know, VW dealerships are merely a kind of franchise - Each is an independent car business which allows VW UK to shopfit and style their premises to a preset corporate design. Each independent is under contract to provide services etc to a Volkswagen standard which VW UK approve of - Volkswagen can't afford to let independents misbehave and bring their brand into disrepute. VW UK hold the whip hand.

VW UK are definitely on my side, the customer service guy looking after my case said to me that the dealer had clearly made mistakes and they expect the dealer to resolve the situation, not quite sure what that means yet!

[RedRobin]

Have you put it in writting to the dealership yet ? They won't be in no rush to do anything until you force the issue.

Yes, a while back now, got a generic written response from the CEO of the group, but after I've only had one phone call with the sales manager, VW UK are chasing the dealer to contact me.

....If the dealer only contacts you by phone and not in writing, then I would politely ask them to put in writing to you what they say.

IF this happens to become a contested and argumentative case, you'll be very glad you had written records to back up any claim or satisfactory resolution to the matter.

[RedRobin]

VW UK are definitely on my side, the customer service guy looking after my case said to me that the dealer had clearly made mistakes and they expect the dealer to resolve the situation, not quite sure what that means yet!

....That's very good news from your point of view.

It's sounding as if it's going to quickly (we all hope) be resolved and simply down to what you are offered.

Please forgive me if I'm talking to you as if you weren't capable - I'm just trying to contribute help when I suggest that you take time to consider what you are offered and don't just accept it immediately on the phone. That is unless they say they want to give you a free new Golf R !!

[f1fan]

VW UK are definitely on my side, the customer service guy looking after my case said to me that the dealer had clearly made mistakes and they expect the dealer to resolve the situation, not quite sure what that means yet!

....That's very good news from your point of view.

It's sounding as if it's going to quickly (we all hope) be resolved and simply down to what you are offered.

Please forgive me if I'm talking to you as if you weren't capable - I'm just trying to contribute help when I suggest that you take time to consider what you are offered and don't just accept it immediately on the phone. That is unless they say they want to give you a free new Golf R !!

Thanks for the help and advice, I'm quite prepared to take as much time and whatever action needed to resolve the situation.  I refuse to make quick decisions on any offer they make, unless it's another mk5 GTi of equal spec in UK form!

[andygo]

A few years ( well I guess 10 at least!!) ago I bought a 225 tt from the local Audi dealer.

I had a problem with an inconsistent brake pedal. The car went to and fro a few times with no resolution. In the end they swapped it out for a newer car with 300 instead of 20,000 miles, better spec wheels and Bose sound as well as a cherished reg no.

They can do it if they want. Keep on VW's case in a nice way. They will look at the bigger picture (for VW) and wont really be too bothered if the dealer takes a hit as its not their money.....

[f1fan]

After some further chasing the dealer emailed me yesterday to say he was about to talk to the brand manager and would send me their response along with paperwork regarding its last service that I asked for.

So I'm expecting a letter very soon, I doubt it will offer much if anything.

I wrote to the CAB and they replied giving me some details on The Sale of Goods Act 1979, it says...

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (As Amended) all goods supplied by a trader to a consumer must be ‘as described’ – the goods should match any description that was given before the goods were purchased.  If the goods do not match the description, then you may have a short time in which to return the goods to the trader and ask for a refund.  After this your rights will be to claim:
 
- a repair or a like-for-like replacement; or if neither of these are possible -
- an appropriate level of refund (this may take into account usage).

Not sure what short time is, I didn't understand the issue until several months after purchase, an appropriate level of refund could mean being out of pocket.

Why do I think this might end up going to court?!?