Car finance - have we been had?

[niknjas]

Hi

Decided should get a new car for work as not sure how long my old second hand chariot of 20 years would last, so 7 weeks ago, ordered a car which the car dealer said would be delivered in two weeks. Got it New Years Eve.

The Car dealership we got it from , I would not recommend to anyone as words backside elbow and don't know from, are in there somewhere. Customer Service was almost non existant.

Took out insurance to cover the car while we were there and when got home, thought it was a bit over the top, so decided to start looking around at insurance. Every site we went on asked the cost of the extras we had added to the car. In the paperwork, we could not find any breakdown for these at all, so emailed the dealer. They rang us yesterday and said we forgot to charge you for the extra's do you want to re-finance or pay cash? /does anybody know where we stand on this as have signed for the car?

We put down a substantial deposit but a quarter of this seems to have been swallowed up in admin?!?! eg $700 to set up the insurance origination fee. Surely this is not right?!

Can someone please advise me if this is right as not got anything on finance here before?

We also had to sign a disclaimer, is that standard practice?

Also is it standard practice to have shortfall insurance?

I feel like telling them to shove the car where the sun don't shine and getting my deposit back. This has definately taken the shine off of it.

If anybody could offer advise it would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Sallyh]

Doesn't sound good. I wouldn't assume that they can re-open the contract price and charge you more but my legal experience is in UK not here!!!!! I have recently found the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs on the internet when I needed advice cos our agent was taking us for a ride with landlord charges that should have been his and not ours.

They give advice on all sorts of matters, and here's the link to the page with the contact numbers - go for the Consumer Advice one: OCBA - Contact us

There's also a lot of general advice on that website about buying second hand cars, the protection you have etc, so I would read as much of it as you can tonight, look at your papers, and then ring the Office Of Consumer & Business Affairs tomorrow. The pages about cars are here:
OCBA - Buying a car

Don't hand over any more money or have any more communication with the dealer until you know exactly where you stand. HTH.

[jackielou]

what car dealer was it out of couriosity ?

[niknjas]

oNe on maIn South road

[Diane]

You could probably get some advice from the RAA as well if you rang them? Or at least they can point you in the right direction..

Good luck, hate hearing stories like yours - makes my blood boil!

[moonraker1959]

As mentioned before,I would'nt be handing over any more cash for now anyway.Maybe ring them and tell them(in a non threatening manner)that you are seeking legal advice before you pay them anymore money.If they've made a mistake then thats their problem,not yours.

[The Steeles In Adelaide]

Hi not sure how it works exactly but pretty certain that once they have made the mistake it is there loss. the shortfall insurance not sure either, have heard of a balloon payment at the end and sometimes an insurance is required for that, certainly would get some legal advise. really hope you gat this sorted out soon. by the way which dealer was it out of interest. dont think pia site can display on forum so can you pm me?
Thanks and wish you luck Dave.

[sparkly cat]

I know this isnt going to help Nikki and Jason, but we have bought a ex-demo car with Southside Suzuki, a new Van with CMI Toyota and a 4x4 with Australian Motors and would like to recommend them, they have been great, really friendly and even when we take them for service, if they see us they come and ask how we are getting on.

Regards

Sandra

[niknjas]

Thanks, they did ring yesterday (funny that) and I said J would be in but did not tell them when. Cancelling all the insurances today by letter. Will speak to OCBA and see what happens next.
Do not want them to get away with it that is for sure.
Niki

[niknjas]

Thanks. That's what we thought too about tough luck, their foul up but did not know if it worked the same here.

Niki