VW built me the wro...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] VW built me the wrong car !

44 Posts
33 Users
0 Reactions
95 Views
 GJP
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

After just over a two month wait for my new car (a frugal VW Up!) my dealer confirmed it had arrived and I could pick it up today 😀

Imagine my surprise when my lovingly specified car was not all it seemed and VW (or more accurately Skoda) had put in the wrong colour dashboard 🙄

Has this happened to anyone else? If so how did you resolve the matter.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:38 pm
 flip
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Paint?


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:38 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
 

How does one pronounce the name "Up!"

Is it the only car with it's own punctuation? 😉


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:39 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Mercedes did the same with my first Vito van, put a glass rear window in the tailgate when I had specc'd a solid panel. Told them to shove it and that I'd buy a Nissan. They fitted an aftermarket solid panel and gave me 3 years free servicing which worked out to be worth over 2 grand so happy days


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:45 pm
Posts: 11292
Full Member
 

Is that the only mistake? To be honest, a car is just a tool that gets me from A to B so I'd have no interest in how things are coloured...my time trying to impress ladies with my car are long since gone and as long as get there without getting wet then I don't care how the car looks...if it is the car you want minus the colour of the dashboard (is that specable?) then I'd just get on and drive it...

See if the dealer is willing to bend over and take some in the way of recompense if it means that much to you (or refuse to accept it and get another ordered up).


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:46 pm
 Drac
Posts: 50352
 

Resolve, they order the right car or pay compensation for ordering the wrong one.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:47 pm
Posts: 146
Full Member
 

Two VW T5 works vans showed up with wrong tailgates and 1 was a crew cab.
Fixed it fairly quickly though.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:48 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You pay when they deliver the goods they promised to deliver. If they can't deliver, they must refund any deposit.

Rachel


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:51 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

CFH don't overlook the Kia Cee'd


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:52 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Three options, 1) Take the car with the different colour dash and request some goodwill. Most dealerships can self-authourise goodwill. 2) Ask them to spray it in the required colour, demand this is only done at a manufacturer approved sprayshop. 3) Tell em to stick the car up their chuffer, this wont get much rection as people are queing up for Up!s at the moment. Personally I'd try 1 or 2. 🙂


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 6:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

or the Lancia ?

(though strictly a glyph from the Greek alphabet as opposed to punctuation...)

Rachel


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:02 pm
Posts: 2056
Free Member
 

Love the sensationalist topic that doesn't fit the story, it's like reading my local paper 🙂


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:03 pm
Posts: 65918
Full Member
 

Years ago, my dad ordered a Cavalier GLS 1.6. For reasons never explained, it turned up with a red-top in it. He didn't complain too much and we were always early for school.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:05 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Wrong spec so your not obliged to take the vehicle. Up to the dealer to sort it, wouldn't except a paint job a new dashboard of your chosen colour.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:08 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I HAD ALIENS BABY! 🙂


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

You could always get over it....maybe some first world problem counselling would help.

Edit
TJ ATE MY HAMSTER!!


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:10 pm
 cozz
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

its not till I read a thread like this that I realise how many people suffer evey day with such monumental life changing problems as having a wrong colour dashboard

Id be worried about driving round in a shitty little shoe box,


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:14 pm
Posts: 28
Free Member
 

Won't the dashboard match your shoes and handbag now ?


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:16 pm
 GJP
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Yes I apologise, perhaps the thread title is a little sensationalist on second reading 😳


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:30 pm
 br
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[i]Id be worried about driving round in a shitty little shoe box, [/i]

Just googled it - and having paid (at least) £9k!

You could get a decent (s/h) car for that money, and run it too.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:40 pm
 ski
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Do they have that clause in the brochure - colours may vary? 😉


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:42 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

GJP - don't apologise. You have spent your hard earned cash on what you wanted and have been let down. Why should you just accept the car just because someone else spends their time condescending you? Those amongst us who are happy to criticize, perhaps, would be better spending their time feeding the homeless or sorting out Syria's problems.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:15 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
 

TJ ATE MY HAMSTER!!

Where do I buy that as a T shirt?


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:17 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:21 pm
Posts: 3396
Free Member
 

Trivial or not, it's a lot of money, you've asked for something specific, and it's not right. Reasonable to expect them to set it right IMO.
That said, in your position I'd probably take it anyway but expect some goodwill to be shown.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:23 pm
Posts: 2671
Full Member
 

Get straight in to dealer tomorrow. Ask for money back. Its not what you ordered.
The sales manager would be nuts if he didn't offer you some sort of incentive not to have your cash back..

To be honest I'd be looking for the dash to be sorted and free servicing for a decent period (3 years..)


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:24 pm
Posts: 11292
Full Member
 

We have someone near us that has a VW Polo...each panel is a different colour and the upholstery is also different. I've no idea if it was intentional or over the years it's been 'improved' - anyone it looks rather nice as it is totally unique...seriously, wrong colour dash wouldn't bother me as it doesn't stop the car doing it's job...I'd have a different opinion if they had specced the wrong engine or number of doors...


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:32 pm
Posts: 30656
Free Member
 

@Dick

Sounds like the [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Volkswagen_Polo_Mk3#Polo_Harlequin ]Harlequin[/url].

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:36 pm
Posts: 65918
Full Member
 

Always liked the harlequin. Wouldn't buy one obviously, they're for the sort of person who think they're zany. But still, glad they exist.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:37 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Those amongst us who are happy to criticize, perhaps, would be better spending their time feeding the homeless or sorting out Syria's problems

Will do......


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:44 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Think the Polo will be a "harlequin" one? Has it got the teddy bear alloys as well? They always made me smile, like someone said "sod it, we can make the wheels any bloody shape we like and I am bored of propellers and spikes and all that rubbish, here is one for my kids :-)".

Oh, and if they make a goodwill gesture that you are happy with, take it. If they don't, don't take it.

I am always a bit peeved when there is an expectation of compensation as though it is some sort of income stream "oh look, someone made a mistake, I should profit from that then". Disappointing I am sure if you have waited a couple of months, but who knows, they might have the correct coloured clip on dash (if they offer loads of colours, it might be that easy) in the post already, and you only have to wait a few days... no real problem.
Another two months, we will ring when it's ready, more of an issue...


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:45 pm
Posts: 11292
Full Member
 

Yup, that is exactly it...didn't realise it was an actual model...christ...the OP is worried about his dash not matching...I hope to god, the owner of that Polo ordered it in that colour scheme!!!


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 9:46 pm
Posts: 13134
Full Member
 

I lived in a small village at the time those Harlequin polos came out and by a quirk of fate 3 people in the village pre-ordered one. I always felt sorry for them - you buy a car that says 'I'm mad me, look at my "zany" car' and it turns out you are a carbon copy of your "zany" neighbour!


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 10:16 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

It's more than likely a dealer error not ordering the correct spec, however its not unheard of for it to be a mis-build (i work for a VW dealer so have experienced incorrect spec from factory) if it is a mis build then your dealer should get it sorted to your ordered spec (replace dash), reimburse you in some way or supply the correct car.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 10:24 pm
Posts: 19434
Free Member
 

Take it back or get it for discount ...

Economy is bad and you get screwed by car dealer most of the time whether you buy or sell so why let them take you for granted eh?


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 10:48 pm
Posts: 1617
Free Member
 

Dad got persuaded to trade his BMW for a newer, better model the other year. Was told it had electric fold up mirrors but when it came it didn't. They offered him compensation of a set of winter tyres on steel wheels - worth quite a bit of money as it saves the wear on his run flats.

But I noticed they have given him the normal winter tyres and not run flats. This seems a hypocritical to me as BMW themselves state you should not replace runflats with none runflats as the suspension is set up for runflats and also the car doesnt have a spare wheel so if he gets a flat in winter he is stuffed. Pretty poor if you ask me as I bet they have providing the tyres as deal sweeteners.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 7:36 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Will do......

Have yo done it yet? It's just that there still appear to be one or two problems over in Syria.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 7:47 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Weetabix first.Then racing crit so I'll do it before tea ...OKAY!!!! (sheeesh you're worse than the ex-missus with the chores...I'm not doing that AND the lawn though).


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 8:09 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Many years ago I was sold a 'four' speed car and happily used it as such for three years before a friend borrowed it and took great delight in pointing out it was actually a 'five' speed box with a four speed gear knob 😳


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 8:44 am
Posts: 45
Free Member
 

When I ordered a Skoda last year I struggle choosing the colour so I wondered around the forecourt and eventually decided which colour I liked and the salesman put that on my order. A few months later I went to collect the car and it was a completely different colour - grey rather than a sorta silvery blue. Of course the colour fitted what the salesman put and he'd got it wrong so hard to prove my case but they gave me £200 and I decided I liked the grey better anyway so fair enough.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 8:55 am
 GJP
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the constructive advice (a targeted thanks).

Dealer and I reached a very amicable agreement of 3 years free servicing, but would not budge on a new handbag and shoes 😆

All in all a win. A gloss black dash although more staid will not offend s/h buyers in a couple of years time.

So £20 a year road tax, costs about a a pint of beer a week to insure, petrol costs will not be more much than my water bill and now no servicing or other maintenance costs for a least 3 years.

Not exactly "bangernomics" but I have't had a s/h car for nigh on the last 20 years. I know they have moved on a great deal in terms reliability, but my family still seem to be jinxed by them (albeit they have got some fascination with French cars and that may well be part of the problem)


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 11:15 am
Posts: 5686
Full Member
 

GJP - the 'French' car thing doesn't help. But to be honest buying German doesn't guarantee anything these days either!


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 11:43 am
Posts: 23
Full Member
 

The OP ordered a new car and to get the spec he requested he waited 2 months for it. Part of the spec is wrong. Why the F should he/she MTFU about it just because it is a colour? Yes it's totally trivial but it is incorrect. It's not like he's buying 2nd hand and moaning. Is it any wonder we get the service we do in this country?

I really don't think you can spray a dash board can you (I am unfamiliar with this car but am assuming the dash isn't formed from metal, aren't they usually plastic/imitation wood?

My first demand would be that it was corrected at the dealership is possible or at the factory along with a courtesy car for the duration of the time it takes for the work to be done.

I would consider taking it as supplied with a discount or Gift (and something you want not some gimmicky crap) and 3 years free servicing with parts. I would want the servicing guaranteed by VW themsleves. Dealers are franchises so I'd be very nervous to find that 12 months down the line the main dealer is a completely new business who have no commitment to you.

If they aren't prepared to do that then I'd tell them to keep it and that you will be taking advice as to how to proceed in cancelling the car getting back and deposit and some compensation for your inconvenience.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 12:10 pm
Posts: 45
Free Member
 

IIRC from my business law studies a minor difference like this would not mean the buyer could force the contract to be cancelled. Compensation is the only realistic option.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 12:20 pm
 GJP
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

s2s. Things were complicated by the fact that I had paid for the car in full earlier in the week and it had been registered in my name as the first owner when I went to collect it (obviously). i didn't want to walk away after waiting 2 months, and no doubt then neither having a car nor my money until all resolved, but as you said it was disappointing that somewhere in the chain the order got screwed up.

Mudhshark has a point, the dealer;s contract as you would expect protected them against not being able to deliver the exact specification car, but how much scope is in this is not clear. You would assume they would need to deliver the right car and model designator and in the right colour, but factory fitted options they can say were not available and refund, a different colour dash was a zero price option, so it seems even less clear.

I believe the dealer has just offered me the standard VW £299 3 year servicing deal, but waived payment. Anyway I ensured I had something in writing. I think the dealer has been fair, they simply asked what I wanted to do and they gave me what I wanted.

As others have said no big deal on a £10k city car. If it happened on a £30k car that I had specified carefully then I may have felt very different.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 12:42 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!