Bad Car buying experience - need opinions please!

[Twickle Purple]

We decided to go on a low carbon diet. We had a Honda Pilot and had begun to feel uncomfortable that it was just the two of us and we rarely needed all that extra vehicle. So I researched and found the car I wanted - a Volvo C30 T5. Tim and I drove to Victoria on the July long weekend and the dealer located the one I wanted in Ontario. I would have it in 3 weeks. I gave him a 10% deposit. So we sell the Pilot and tootle around in my husbands Mini for a few weeks. This Sunday we flew to Victoria so that we could drive back together in my new car. The Sales Manager takes us through the figures, they are in order and I write a cheque. As I was about to leave I was putting the back seats down and noticed the backseat side 'walls' were quite scuffed up. I figured it could be due to the fact that I requested no chemicals used when the car is detailed... but the sales girl THEN informs me that this vehicle was part of a 72 test drive promotion with the original dealer. NOT OK. I look closer and see a dent in my aluminum door handle. GRR. REALLY NOT OK. I start it up and there are 667 kms on the freakin thing. This is NOT new! I felt defrauded. I would NEVER have purchased this had I been informed it had a 'history'. This is not a new car in my opinion, not with that many kms on it.

I spoke with the sales manager, his response: "Want do you want me to do roll the odometre back?" Then he goes on and on about how he can't do that, like I'd even suggested such an idiotic thing -- the guy was a moron. He said the vehicle is classed as new, it hadn't been registered and was not a demo. I sell my vehicles with on average less than 4000 kms on them. 700kms is a lot to me.

We had to drive the vehicle home. It was a couple hour drive and it has been parked in the garage since. I am just sick with this.

I really welcome any opinions on this. I don't know what to do, or think. Today I'm not so mad, I'm more sick about it than anything. I wanted so much to love this car. :(

[phlika29]

I agree I think it is wrong that they were not upfront with you. For a new car I would think that the expectation would be maybe a few miles on the clock and certainly no scratches.

I guess you can do a couple of things:

1) Phone up the place where you brought it and speak to the manager and say that you aren't happy that you were misold goods and ask for weither money off or a replacement.

2) Speak to your trading standards department at your local council and ask that they look into it on your behalf.

3) Phone up head office at Volvo and complain about how you have been treated.

4) Depending on how upset you are, then you could put it down to expereience and make a mental note never to trust a salesperson again :D

I personally would phone up the store and ask say that if you arent happy ith their response you will take it further.

Sarah

[patty]

I agree with Phlika, and start making some calls and try to get some satifaction with the car dealer who obviously misled you. Yes, you HAVE been defrauded. I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but there usually are laws to protect consumers of this very thing. Good luck to you, let us know how you make out.

[MARPUSBEAN]

The dealer cannot have it both ways.
If he maintains it is a NEW car, despite the kms, then you cannot accept it with a dent and the internal scratches, they have to put right or replace it.
If he says because of what it was used for it is not "100%" new then you need a decent discount!!!!
I have bought all our cars brand new here in the UK except for one demonstrator which had about 10,000kms on the clock, all of the others had the equivalent of between 16 and 21kms on the clock that is what I call new!!
I suppose they do not want to give much away because it was only 700kms, but because of how the car was used it must be classed as a very low mileage demo vehicle!!

[Twickle Purple]

Thank you so much for your comments Sarah, Patty and MarpusBean!

I had started making noise regarding this first thing Monday morning. I called everybody that could have any input or authority on this matter. The dealership is owned by the Pattison Group here, a fact I was unaware of and explains my dealer experience. Volvo Canada was hands-off about it all as the dealers are independently owned. I was 'handled' by the EVP of Pattison who was aggressive and yelled at me. :roll: Nice. I put him on speakerphone and had Tim join in which settled the old guy out quickly. I guess I made enough noise, they offered to take the care back yesterday. I hopped in the car and drove the 2 hours to Victoria right away. I rented a car for the trip home, stopped at a Nissan dealership, got first rate treatment and drove home with a little Versa SL. A perfect little guilt-free car (short of a hybrid, but really what are you supposed to do with those batteries after 7 years?!!).

I will write the dealership, the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority and Volvo Canada. The dealer's behavior showed poor ethical standards. In the end I believe that I am feeling rather thankful, while the car was amazing (I really loved it) the dealership relationship would have always left me unhappy. This is the only source of service on the island and they have only 2 fellows in parts and service. I've never seen such a mickey mouse operation. Plus, I got to re-examine the reasons for choosing that car. Putting vanity aside and still getting a car that I am very very pleased with feels good. The dealer is close so I can have convenient servicing and that it was less than half the cost is nice too.

Today my cheeks are bright pink and I feel the congestion in my lungs from all the new cars -- that little piece of celebratory mocha torte probably didn't help either. :lol: Well worth it, I'd say!

[patty]

Congratulations T.P.!! I have to agree with you, the Volvo is a sweet little car, but it's too bad they had to treat you so poorly. You've made the right choice! Good Luck! :D

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks Patty. :D The Volvo was terrific to drive. I really recommend it to anyone who has a good Volvo Dealership. I'm going to love my Versa for all the right reasons. And, I won't feel guilty about beetling about on gravel roads!

I'm glad this is over and I can get my focus back on work now, I was a real delinquent and just skipped out yesterday.

[PA Dancer]

I believe the Lemon Law protects you if you get stuck with a bad car, but I am really not sure of all the details.

...and I heard of something called Car facts or Car Fax...not sure.
But it lists any accidents the car has had, etc...as long as they were turned into the State.

Good luck!

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks PA Dancer.

The car wasn't a lemon though, it was, I think, perfect in all respects except that it had been used as a demo and looked a bit dinged and rough. This was not disclosed to me and when I did comment on the condition I was only then informed -- just before departing the dealership.

The irony of this was that the Versa was also a dealer trade from down east (but not a test car), brought in for a customer who did not buy it once it arrived. This vehicle had about 380 kms on it and as soon as I pointed to the vehicle to look at it was the FIRST thing our salesman informed me of. That made all the difference. I made a choice, and I chose it. LOL! I felt like giving the guy a tip. One shouldn't need to feel grateful just to be dealt with honestly.

I took it off the lot right away (I had my plates because of the Volvo return) and will bring it back on Saturday for the detailing and walk through. I just had to fill the hole in my garage. Totally a psychological need. :roll: But it really settles my mind.

I love that little Versa!!! We're going to put sport wheels on it. :lol: Little demon only has 122 hp -- but that's all that I need.

[patty]

:twisted: You GO T.P.!!

[Kathy S]

You go TP!! I am proud to see people stand up for their rights!! It's really hard to do with the way people treat you these days. They think you have to take whatever they dish out, not true.
I am glad you got a car you like!!! That is the main thing and you got to take the other one back!!! Fantastic!!! Cheers to you TP!!! Kathy

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks so much for the support!! I had a really good chat with the customer service supervisor from Volvo Canada today. I told her I loved the car, ultimately it was the dealer that I was declining. She seemed to 'get' what the issue was.

I just took the new car out for a spin, I don't drive manual and I did very poorly. I practised my hill starts and thought I did very well til I got into traffic. Why do people have to stop 6" from the back bumper!?! I was all stressed, my husband got all stressed and now my house is veerrry quiet. :lol:

[Skywolf]

LOL! I remember when my best friend was learning to drive a manual transmission car, It was not fun. It was her first car, though she was taught to drive on an automatic. She dorve me and another friend to school one day, (we were 17)It went something like this GRIND evryone in car thrown forward, then back agan as she hit the gear, GRIND, toss, and continue that for 3 miles. It was, shall we say, intresting. We took the bus home. :)

Laura

PS. Now go kiss and make up with hubby.

[Twickle Purple]

Oh gawd, Laura, I hope she got better with time! :lol:

I missed 3 (ridiculously short!!) lights trying to make the turn. I completely froze up. The guy behind me, that was crowding me so much, got beside me -- right into my turning lane -- and cut me off just as I had it right. I almost had a full on impact! %&*@?!!!! I was furious and experienced my first bit of road rage. It was horrible. I think I'm going to only go out before 5am for the next week! I'm going to get some lessons, from someone I am not married to. I keep hearing that driving stick is fun, I ride a motorbike and I'm not doing so hot first time out. When I go to switch over the insurance I'm going to get one of those red "L"s so people are prewarned and will give me some distance -- and hopefully show some patience. :oops:

[Skywolf]

Yes, lol, she got better. So will you. Good idea to not to not have hubby give you another lesson, tooooooo much tension.
She did say it was fun once she got the hang of it, she said she felt like a race car driver! :D

Laura

[patty]

Once you get the hang of it, it really is fun!! I learned when I was 8 mos. pregnant. My sister-in-law was teaching me. I shreiked the whole way down the street! Twickle, you will do just fine. In a couple days, you will be feeling quite sassy as you zoom around in your little car!! :D

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks Patty. I am going to stay local for the weekend and practise. The towns are bloated with tourists right now and the drivers are whacky! My son is also learning to drive 'stick' (must be a guy term :lol: ) and he's giving me some pointers -- newbie to newbie.

I believe I've been a bit down over the whole car buying drama. So, as of today, I am back at square one; I am going to feel the excitement and challenge of this new car... and have FUN! :D

Thanks so much for all the feedback ladies. I really appreciate it.

http://www.anniroc.com/TP/hug.gif
Corinna

(Sarah, I borrowed your hugs. I hope you don't mind.)

[Kathy S]

You will get the hang of it. People are so rude to get 6" away!!! Last summer my husband bought me a 2004 GTO, 6 speed, I had driven and automatic and this one was standard, gets better gas even tho it is a 350 enginge, lol. Back to the subject! I learned to drive in a stick shift, but after having an auto for years, I was really nervous for awhile!! Still get nervous if someone gets right on my bumper, lol. Just give it plenty of gas and you won't roll back on them, if you do get out and kindly ask them why the hit you in the rear, lol!!!! :lol: People should learn to not do that to others :twisted: but some never do! Good thing about standards is you can push to start if needed, lol and they use less gas and after you get the hang of it they are alot more fun to drive. I am 50 and have the funnest car I have ever had!! Maybe you can get someone to take you on a country road to practice. Good Luck!! You can do it! :wink: Kathy

[Twickle Purple]

LOL! That sounds like a blast!! My hubby has a JCW mini that I tried, I road the clutch the whole time. :shock:

Letting it roll back would teach those bumper sniffin buggers! They would be ticketed for it too. Always a plus.

I went out before breakfast. I asked Tim to come, but to not say a word...very hard for him to do. LOL!! I did much better. I am practising backing up on a hill to... I found out what the clutch smells like. :lol: Tim, bless his heart, said not to worry, that can always be replaced. LOL! This is going to be fun!