Dealer payment

[ghosty]

The Seat dealer is asking for payment 2 days before collection of the car. as the car we ordered will be pre-registered they want the payment a week in advance of collecting the car (???).

is this normal? has anyone experienced this?

any comments welcome,
g

 

[phil3012]

I've never ordered a pre-registered car, but on all 5 cars I bought new and the 2 used from dealers have always paid on the day of delivery.

It does seem strange to me but if they insist demand to see the car before you make payment and do a thorough inspection. Once the payment has been made it could be difficult to reject the car if faulty.

Pre-regsitering is common, but the dealer should take the hit and not you.

How are you paying for the car? I tend to use Debit Card on the day or purchase.

 

[AL2007]

Brought A new Leon from New Southgate Seat. They wanted a £1000 deposit to order, register, tax vehicle.

Paid balance on my debit card on day of collection, they would only accept debit card if paying on day of collection - not credit card or building soc cheque.

 

[CBLeon]

Don't pay for anything until you have seen the car, its as simple as that. I've been through a few car buying nightmares of late and from my experience i would suggest you tell your dealer that you want to see what you are buying before full payment. If for whatever reason you are not totally happy with your car on collection, you are in a better position to reject the car or for things to be rectified asap, as they still won't have your hard earned wedge.

 

[ghosty]

the pre-reg car is essentially new (delivery miles) just that it gets reg'd to the dealer first, which im not bothered about.

they said they want full payment for the car in advance, at the point when the dealer registers and taxes the car. i can see they are doing it to cover themselves but does not feel right to demand the full payment from me for parting with a big sum of money for soemthing im not getting yet.

will be paying on debit card which is the most efficient method of payment.

i think i trust the dealers but it just doesnt seem right ???

thanks for the comments guys!
g

 

[ghosty]

CBLeon,

i can see the car in the flesh if i go down to make the payment, but that is still a week before the actual collection date (due to the registration etc) if u know what i mean. so they insist on my money before the actual delivery date but at least i know the car is there and can have a look over it if that makes a difference.

you sound like a man who has had many experiences with stuff like this, i appreciate your comments
g

 

[phil3012]

Is there any reason why you can't collect it on the day of payment and still officially be the second owner?

 

[ghosty]

i think the main reason is that the dealer wants payment on the car is in case they register it and then for whatever reason i dont pay for it. (but i wouldnt have made a deal and put down a deposit if i didnt want it)

but like u mentioned i thought the dealer would have taken the hit on that. so not sure whats going on. just doesnt seem 'normal' so am seeking advice from you guys
g

 

[m0rk]

you're right - the deposit is to hold the car, and for them to cover their outlay

Tell them you'll pay on the day by debit card

eg - if they go under between you paying, and you collecting the car - then YOU LOOSE.

which dealer is it? I've seen it once on here and I think it was a dealer just north of london?

 

[seadragon]

I had to pay for mine before collection, its a new thing that a lot more dealers are going to be doing. When the money is taken by debit card and although there is a confirmation number, the money does not physically show in the dealers account for 48 hours (its in some kind of holding account).

Its just to make sure nothing goes wrong, so you can collect on the day with no prbls and that if you do pay on the day that you arent forced to go home and come back another day.

Just make sure you take a good look at the car before collection day so you are 100% sure there are no prbls.

I was very annoyed at first but I kinda see where they are coming from.

 

[phil3012]

Interesting one this. I can see seadragon's point on why dealers do it, but the consumer has more to lose.

With a Debit Card as far as I know you have no protection (unlike a Credit Card) if the dealer went under.

Also what if something happends to the car in that week, would you be entitled to a refund?, e.g It could be damaged or stolen from the dealer during that time.

I honestly don't trust car dealers at all.

By the way be warned if you do put a large amount on Debit Card, it may stop you making cash machine withdrawals that day. I paid the balance of my car that way on Saturday, went to take £40 out of the bank that evening and it said I had exceeded my cash withdrawal limit that day. The two shouldn't be linked but in the case of my bank are.

 

[AL2007]

I would insist on paying for the car at collection, its in their benifit to get you to pay up front as it stops you from walking but dont do it, im sure they are just trying it on, all dealers try and get the max out of a customers.

You have paid a deposit to cover their outlay. If the car gets scratched up while at the dealer and you have paid all the money you got no fallback.

Just tell them you will pay by Deb Card when the cars ready for collection and not open for discussion.
Worse case scenario - even if the debit card didnt go through just sort it out next day, its not the end of the world.

Upto you but I would never hand over my hard earned dosh without the goods first

 

[AL2007]

By the way be warned if you do put a large amount on Debit Card, it may stop you making cash machine withdrawals that day. I paid the balance of my car that way on Saturday, went to take £40 out of the bank that evening and it said I had exceeded my cash withdrawal limit that day. The two shouldn't be linked but in the case of my bank are.

always pays to give your bank a call few days before purchase to let them know about purchase and amount.

Saves embarrasment at dealers if bank refuses transaction for security and should prevent you from not being able to make cash withdrawals.

 

[si-mate]

It depends on when the files are uploaded. Ours go out around 6pm so typically card transactions won't show on your statement until the next morning. If there is a problem with the transmission (someone unplugging the phone line for example ) then it may be a few days until thats discovered so it could potentially be up to a week until the money comes out.

It's still the safest and cheapest way to receive money IMO so I can't see why the dealer would want payment before. I'm sure if it turns into a deal breaker then they will change their mind.

 

[chrisboyle999]

dont pay before hand, simple as.

do asda ask for payment for groceries 2 days before you get them? i dont think so.

i will be collecting my car tomorrow and i'm paying £19k by debit card after ive had a good look at it.

the salesman i'm dealing with is more than happy with the arrangement.

 

[Jonny]

Every time I've bought a new car in the past, I've paid a deposit, then a couple of weeks later when it's delivered, I have a good look around the car & then pay the balance - if I'm happy to accept it.

There has been an occasion when I refused to pay the balance until a couple of niggly faults were rectified, which they were

 

[phil3012]

always pays to give your bank a call few days before purchase to let them know about purchase and amount.

Saves embarrasment at dealers if bank refuses transaction for security and should prevent you from not being able to make cash withdrawals.

Getting a bit off topic sorry. I actually did all that 2 days before, the transaction went fine after I confirmed some details, just due to bank policy it stopped cash machine withdrawals and meant every other transaction that day got referred. I have complained to the bank and going to take it further.

 

[toledoChris]

When the dealer processes a card transaction they will get an authorisation number - when they have that THEY will get the money even if it doesnt appear in their accounts for a couple of days.

If it comes down to being a serious problem then look at the car, ensure you are happy and go to your bank for a draft (if acceptable) or have them make a chaps payment to the dealer (could take a while to appear but guaranteed same day).

 

[the old man]

I had a similar problem a few years ago with a non Seat dealer. I told him to do it on their own finance and I would sign the papers when I collected.
I did this and then paid off the loan in full before the cooling off period without any extra cost. Effectively I think I actually paid for the car a couple of weeks after I got it this way.

 

[ghosty]

just thought id post an update on this..

after much deliberation with the friendly local Seat dealer over the past couple of week, we have managed to resolve the problem
..car to be collected on saturday!!

5 days and counting
ghosty