Am I being unreasonable?

About three weeks ago I purchased a used car from my local Ford dealer, it was a Ford direct motor, only 9 months old and previously used by the Ford motor company.

Anyway, first service is due after 12 months, that makes it June.
When I picked it up I pointed out that I didn't like the idea of having to payout on a service when I've only had the car 3 months, but the salesman, ( they call themselves sales executives, lol), said I get a privilege card which entites me to 10% off, that comes to 17 quid, big deal.

I did mention how about 50-50 but he just poo pood the idea.

Yesterday I received a follow up letter saying they wanted to know if I was completely satisfied with the sale and half measures will not do.

So I rang them today and ended up talking to the "second hand car sales man" who sold me the car, and got a similar reply, "oh so you want us to pay for your service then ha ha".

I've bought quite a few secondhand motors over the years and they have always been serviced by the dealer before I picked them up.

Any thoughts?
I'm hoping to get hold of the manager tomorrow and see what he has to say.

 

I suspect you have missed the boat, if you had said you would not buy the car unless it was serviced I bet they would have fallen over themselves to do it.
Once you have bought and paid for it the salesman has moved on safe in the knowledge his commision is on the way.
If you talk to the manager might be worth mentioning you post on a forum and this could be a way of them getting some positive free advertising if they were to service the car free of charge.

 

I did mention it before I handed over the check, but I must admit had already agreed the sale.
I had kind of let the idea drop until I got this letter saying how they wanted me to be totally happy with the sale, happy or fairly happy is not enough the letter said.

 

When I worked as a mechanicic in a dealership, all 2nd hand cars had a 124 point check and all problems that are safety related, they were bound by law to put right, but as for servicing as it is 3 months away I don't think they are legally bound. That said when you speak to the manager tell him that you want the service or return the car. They have a lot more to lose than you so I would think they would cave in, it happened to me in 2010, we were stuck on mudflaps and floor mats. I walked away, but got a phone call next day saying we can do floor mats, but not mudflaps, which was great because I only asked for them so that the salesman thought he was getting one over on me. I suppose my background helped as I knew the games the salesmen used to play for sales.

Rusty

 

trouble is they know I wont return the car,as I'd have no transport, and not sure on the legalities of that really, anyway.

 

I bought a (brand) new car last year and the sales person/executive/whatever did everything they possibly could to assist us get the best possible overall price, but they were extremely concerned (in fear of their job? - perhaps their exaggeration) that they got positive feedback from the subsequent survey.

 

No, personally, I do not believe you are being unreasonable and, for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, when you buy a car (that is nearly new) you do so expecting/knowing you get a 3 month warranty (did you check that was the case?) at the very least.

Secondly, the car market is extremely fragile due to the economy. Any dealership worth their salt will be dependant on your "satisfaction". Hence, your "follow up" letter re: satisfaction.

No! Clearly you are NOT asking them to pay for your service: (does he have issues speaking English?). You are stating that you are negotiating a 50/50 service ... in light of the fact you have only owned it 3 weeks! Not an unreasonable request where the majority of car dealerships would not have even sold the car to you without a period of warranty and with a service prior to sale!

Other points of note:
How many miles does it have on the clock?
When you purchased it, what warranty was given?

Stick to your guns, Pete and argue timespan vs integrity vs reputation!

To stay ahead of the game in car dealership, they need to be ahead of competitors on a number of issues: they need to be able to produce the latest models at a premium return for the company but also at satisfactory value to the customer. They need to be ahead of their counterparts in terms of customer service (which, from your description seems to imply greater profit to the company regardless of customer satisfaction: big no no!).

• Keep in mind this: with the plethora of car dealerships on the market, one of the biggest threats to their company is:
• online reputation: if you have a Google account, you could really dent the company just through your experience (the online market has made it a dog-eat-dog business re: reputation!) Bargaining power tomorrow?
• With tax breaks on fuel, the Government are promoting car sales (to the best of their ability). So, you are in a very powerful position: ask the dealership - have you been trying to mis-sell me a product purely for your own gain? Have you been power selling? I bought this vehicle in good faith, based on it's reputation as a quality product: yet, within a few, short, weeks of selling it to me, you are power selling me yet more products? (Is it ethical/moral?)

Personally, I think you are dealing with a company who are financially strapped and trying to eke out the very last penny from their customers that they can (before they sink!).

Stand your ground (but, do check the small print of your sales agreement first).

 

Its got just a bit over 6000 on the clock.
It has a three year warranty from Ford, so over two years to go on that.

 

No you're not, and yes you are.
Frankly, I'm surprised that it's not done automatically on every used car sale (whether it's due or not). We service every retail car we sell, the top end stuff we pay a dealer to do just because of the added value of their stamp.
But............ you should have checked what was on offer and negotiated it into the deal if it wasn't on the table.

"Stamp your feet" by all means (I certainly would), but as I see it you have no legal recourse. One thing to check first though is any Ford Direct promotional material you can find - there may be mention of all cars sold with service and warranty (or wording to that effect) - if there is you have them by the danglies!

 

You might be wrong regarding the dealership FC, it starts with an H.?

I spoke to the manager earlier and he very quickly relented and said he would e mail me a voucher to use for the service in June.
Payment in full, approx. £170.
I've got the e mail, I'm yet to find the attachment, if that is what he meant.

He said its not company policy to service cars under one year old before the service is due, as it renders the manufactures warranty void.

just noticed I need to show a printout of the email when I take the car in for the service

 

Ballcocks!!
The warranty is void if the interval between services is exceeded only. By doing it early it would mean that the next service is due earlier than it would have been and certain service items will ultimately be replaced prematurely.

 

I did think he was spinning me a line, but avoided getting involved in an argument as he had already come up with what I wanted.