New Car Purchase! Incorrect Specs Delivered

AussieDolphin on 19/07/2018 - 18:00

Hi Ozbargainers,

I purchased a brand new car two weeks ago. I wanted one model and didn't mind waiting for 6 weeks or longer to get it but the dealer explained that another model at the same price would have the exact same features and be an even better choice. One of the specs is incorrect despite the dealership manager and salesman confirming that my car would have side mirrors that fold in automatically when the vehicle is turned off it doesn't as this feature wasn't built into the car.

I have been told that there is no way to automise the side mirrors now and I cannot exchange the car for another as this vehicle has since been discontinued.

I realise that folding side mirrors isn't an important feature for some people but it is one I expected on my car.

Do I have any options? Has anyone found themselves in this situation? The dealership apologised for the blunder but I'm not happy about it all. To compensate for the mess they said they would cover my next service which is in 11 months time.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2018 - 18:03
    +5

    I wouldn't accept the car.

    Their mistake, they figure it out. Not your problem whatsoever.

    Covering your service is the crappiest compensation. I don't even want to use stealership service, let alone one that cannot get the right car.

    Ps. Yes I have been in that situation. I cancelled and went to the competitor for the same make.

    • HighAndDry on 20/07/2018 - 11:41

      Free servicing is something most dealerships throw in if you just mention it.

  • my mum on 19/07/2018 - 18:03
    +2

    I think realistically you didn't get what you paid for so they didn't fulfill their part of the contract and ask for it to be rescinded.

    That way you back to your pre-car position. Now of course they dont want the car back and so it may put you in a position to wring them dry with a $1000 refund or similar, but a free car service costing them $20… no thanks, especially since they do not pay attention to what they are doing.

  • waterbottled on 19/07/2018 - 18:08
    +1

    You're entitled to a fix, exchange or refund according to the consumer guarantees. If they can't fix or exchange it, then demand a refund.

    • whooah1979 on 19/07/2018 - 18:47
      +6

      You're entitled to a fix, exchange or refund according to the consumer guarantees.

      Non automatic folding side mirrors isn’t a major fault.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2018 - 19:39
        +2

        Can't be faulty if it's not even there.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2018 - 21:14

          I was just thinking this.

          If dealer claims it's the wrong product but close enough, they would likely lose any argument.

          If they claim it is the right product but it has a minor fault, they may be able to pass off the product and provide token compensation.

        • HighAndDry on 20/07/2018 - 11:44

          @tshow: Lacking a feature isn't a fault though - it'd be a non-starter of an argument. Seriously, if they try it a reasonable response would include just laughing in their face.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2018 - 12:10

          @HighAndDry:
          Exactly, it's not a missing feature, the feature is broken. Wink wink.

          Now it is not a non-starter.

        • HighAndDry on 20/07/2018 - 12:15

          @tshow: facepalm. (Wait, is it still a facepalm if I'm doing it to their face?)

        • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2018 - 12:17
          +1

          @HighAndDry:
          That would be a face slap. Also known as a slap.

          Just trying to see all angles. To fight shifty, you have to think shifty.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2018 - 18:11
    +3

    In the scheme of things, this isn't a big deal. If you're judging a car based off this, rather than performance, safety, handling or another important criteria associated with the car, then you've made the wrong choice in the first place. The dealers lied to you to get a sale, so I would make them pay for it, I would ask for 3 years free service, or I wouldn't take the car. They'll find some way to sting you at the next 'free' service anyway (tyre rotation or something).

  • dylo on 19/07/2018 - 18:12
    +1

    I wouldn't accept it. You asked and paid for your specifications, if it doesn't match it's the dealers fault.

  • stratbargain on 19/07/2018 - 18:16
    +3

    Does the car have a button to fold in the mirrors when you want?

    If so you can probably pick up a relay for $20 that will automate it. I know with my car (IX35) is was a 5 minute job to fit it.

    Something like this:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-sell-For-Hyundai-IX35-CA…

    I'm not saying you should do this instead of going back to the dealer. But if that's the only feature that's missing and they offer you reasonable compensation, then you may be able to have your cake and eat it too.

  • Settero on 19/07/2018 - 18:21
    +2

    i think everyone is getting ahead of themselves.

    is this feature specified in the contract by either , being stated specifically , or being a standard feature of the car/model in the contract. ?

  • madreece on 19/07/2018 - 18:24

    I had a similar situation once where the dealership had put the wrong specification list on the window in the car inside the showroom. I bought the same model from them without test driving it as I knew what I wanted. When I went to pick it up I noticed that it didn't have the features that they had listed on the showroom car. I pointed this out and refused to accept the car. To their credit there was no whinging about it, just we will give you a call when we have it sorted. Took about a week to get it to the specs on the list on the showroom car. This is why from then on I always bought my new cars from them. Thanks Reg Hunt Holden, shame you have gone.

    • my mum on 19/07/2018 - 18:25
      +1

      "shame you have gone.

      Theres not much profit in new cars, you probably closed them down with your costly demands.

  • JIMB0 on 19/07/2018 - 18:50
    +3

    It's probably missing more features than just the folding side mirrors.

  • chumlee on 19/07/2018 - 18:57

    What car is it?

  • Ocker on 19/07/2018 - 19:01
    +1

    Given the number of cars I see parked that have broken side mirror after being clipped by other cars I would say an automatic folding option would pay for itself many times over. - have you seen the price of a replacement side mirror - it aint cheap.

    Stick to your guns and refuse to accept delivery

  • p1 ama on 19/07/2018 - 19:15

    Do I have any options?

    1) Take the car
    2) Do not take the car

    Depends how important those folding side mirrors are to you.

  • spackbace on 19/07/2018 - 19:17
    +3

    another model at the same price would have the exact same features and be an even better choice.

    How is that possible? 2 models will never have the exact same features unless you went a higher grade.

    Need more clarification here… What did you want to buy and what were you pushed into buying?

    I cannot exchange the car for another as this vehicle has since been discontinued.

    It sounds like you bought a completely different type of car lol please clarify so we can better help you

  • Melb69 on 19/07/2018 - 21:26
    -5

    First mistake was buying a new car. But appreciate some ppl have more sense than others. SIC.

    If your not happy. Pull out of deal and ask for a refund.

    Personally if everything else about the car is fine I would just keep it as you would need to wait another 6-8 weeks for a new one.

    The folding mirror motors are just another thing that can break.

  • twww on 20/07/2018 - 05:22
    +1

    Sure wait for your new car.

    In the mean time expect an equivalent loan car during the wait , maybe get some extras thrown in…

    Or accept car as is but get them to throw in the next 3/5 yr service package, if available, for the inconvenience…

    Don't let them dictate how this will end.

    I do wonder if these things are genuine mistakes or if dealership's try it on with unsuspecting customer's just to move stock.

  • HighAndDry on 20/07/2018 - 11:42
    +1

    Don't accept the car - they promised one thing and tried to give you another. I'd just walk and buy something I actually want.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2018 - 22:59

    OP what was the make / model of the one you wanted and the one you got?

    The dealer could be talking BS and trying to convince you the ‘better’ car is the same price whilst it is a lower trim and therefore not better at all. You don’t really hear of folding mirrors being the only thing different between a trim level or option pack.

    It seems like you already accepted delivery? If your contract is all in the name of the cheaper model / options it might be best to - in writing - recap what you were lead to believe you were buying, what you were actually sold, and at a minimum request the price difference in full to be refunded.

    • AussieDolphin on 21/07/2018 - 10:17

      I wanted to purchase a Hyundai Tuscon ActiveX and apparently delivery would have taken about 2 months. I wasn't in a rush but the salesman suggested the limited addition Hyundai Tuscon Trophy model (only available every 4 years). He assured me that everything was the same. As in the ActiveX has bigger tyres, leather seats and the side mirrors are automatic and therefore available on the Trophy model as well. The other difference between the Trophy model and ActiveX is that that the handles and grill is different on the Trophy but everything else is supposed to be the same. I did accept delivery and only realised that night when I turned the car off that the side mirrors did not fold in. I read the manual trying to figure it out. Called the dealer the very next morning and the same salesman was trying to tell me where to look. A very long story short he put me on hold and came back a few minutes later and said that the feature wasn't on the car! I will not be accepting one free service due to their misinformation.

      • whooah1979 on 22/07/2018 - 10:39

        I did accept delivery and only realised that night when I turned the car off

        Does this mean that you purchased the trophy and the dealship delivered the trophy? Or did you sign and paid for an activex, but they delivered a trophy?

  • [Deactivated] on 21/07/2018 - 20:38
    +1

    Ok so it looks like active is the lowest model in the range and that’s what the trophy should cost. Trophy is just some additional extras thrown in for free on the base model

    https://www.hyundai.com.au/offers/tucson/tucson-trophy

    Nothing wrong with the trophy if they haven’t gone and charged you for an activex which is the next trim level up. Difference in rrp is 2560 between the two trim levels.

    According to the ACCC
    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/health-home-car/motor-cars…

    “Sellers and manufacturers must not mislead you about a vehicle’s make, price, quality, fuel consumption or performance. The car must be of acceptable quality, fit for the purpose you explained to the seller and match descriptions and the demonstration model”

    Politely state you have been lead to believe you were purchasing an activex and you have paid a premium only to receive a model that does not match the description of the demonstration model, and that you want to be refunded the difference or provided what you were lead to believe you were buying.

    You definitely have a leg to stand on here be persistent and stand your ground

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