New Car used as a Demo

[Guest1306]

You could on the Mark V until at least the MY08. Haven't checked on anything newer though. Ooops this will start another thread "The dealer reset my ODO!"

Yes, and some idiot will be demanding a discount or compensation for it, and threaten to go to the papers.... Blaaaa blaa blaa

Moaners, I hate em

[cameronp]

We get deposits all day everyday, but until you sign on the dotted line and there are no subject to's then it is not really your car.

People put down deposits without signing contracts? Or are the contracts not actually binding until the amount has been paid in full?

Obviously the car doesn't actually become the customer's property until they've handed over the cash, but I would be pretty miffed if a car I had put down a deposit on and been told a specific VIN for could be given to another customer instead because they wanted it in a hurry and had negotiated less of a discount; or if the car had been used as a demonstrator before I picked it up, because "it's not technically yours until you pay in full"...

[Guest1306]

People put down deposits without signing contracts? Or are the contracts not actually binding until the amount has been paid in full?

Obviously the car doesn't actually become the customer's property until they've handed over the cash, but I would be pretty miffed if a car I had put down a deposit on and been told a specific VIN for could be given to another customer instead because they wanted it in a hurry and had negotiated less of a discount; or if the car had been used as a demonstrator before I picked it up, because "it's not technically yours until you pay in full"...

Not paid in full, just a signed contract. It happened just this Saturday. A client rang and put a deposit over the phone on a car we had on stock. Turns out today that he had already signed a contract with one of our sister dealerships in Perth. That's why it's not a deal until the client signs a legally binding contract.

I never give VIN numbers until the contract and finance is rock solid. I'm sorry if it sounds harsh but there are so many idiot buyers out there that do stupid things. While I sympathise with the OP situation, it is not simply a one size fits all scenario, the dealer might be in the right. In an ideal world the car would be locked with a HOLD sign in the window, but we don't live in an ideal world, mistakes happen.

[Highlander]

Not paid in full, just a signed contract. It happened just this Saturday. A client rang and put a deposit over the phone on a car we had on stock. .

With a credit card I assume?

[REXman]

Apparently you can reset it once.. is that right?

Anyways, to the OP, I guess unless you had asked the guy to make sure that no one entered or touched your car, its ok what happened. And apparently you hadnt really bought it yet anyways so it much of muchness.

To me, a firm deposit, contracts signed, and clear indication/instruction (and admitiance that you are as crazy as most people would be on this website) that "no one to enter my car from here on, please", and Im sure your request would be met. But I am not sure 100% of your situation.

I assumed previously that you had paid/orgainsed the car with firm tender of some sort (contract, finance etc).

Again, maybe just put up cause it sounds like nothing is wrong with the car luckily.

Lastly, If the dealer saw how passionate you were about it, and you wouldnt be alone I assure you, they should have provided some comfort to the situation. whatever that may be.

[skyva]

When I bought my car recently I paid a deposit, signed a contract, and waited weeks for delivery. In my mind, the signing of the contract ordering the car and putting down the deposit is enough to show I intended to take delivery and own the car. Once the dealer rings me the car is here as per my order, then that is my car. If I saw that the car was in the yard with kids on the back seat, then that is someone else's car, such as a demo (owned by the dealer to do with as he pleases). If the dealers don't get that then they need to look at it from the (genuine) buyers perspective. If you have as system that allows people to order but not own, or you get a high level of cars rejected, then perhaps you need to look at your system.

[Maverick]

When I bought my car recently I paid a deposit, signed a contract, and waited weeks for delivery. In my mind, the signing of the contract ordering the car and putting down the deposit is enough to show I intended to take delivery and own the car. Once the dealer rings me the car is here as per my order, then that is my car.

So it's ok for the dealer to use it for whatever before he rings you? But once he rings you he has to lock the car up tight? Even if you haven't paid for the car?

If I saw that the car was in the yard with kids on the back seat, then that is someone else's car, such as a demo (owned by the dealer to do with as he pleases).

It's a shame that the law says otherwise and you don't have a leg to stand on as far as cancelling the contract. Also look at the definition of a demonstrator, a car can still be brand new if a child walks on the back seat.

You may want to take a look at the trade practices act, the various fair trading acts and any other acts that apply in your state (like the goods act for VIC) and maybe some credit acts because you have very few outs of the contract except for specific major reasons (a child taking a few steps on the back seat of your new car doesn't cut it I'm afraid)

If the dealers don't get that then they need to look at it from the (genuine) buyers perspective. If you have as system that allows people to order but not own, or you get a high level of cars rejected, then perhaps you need to look at your system.

If you have paid for the car in full you own it. If on the other hand you haven't even bothered to organise finance and haven't come in to collect a car that is sitting there it's a different story.

[Corey_R]

When I bought my car recently I paid a deposit, signed a contract, and waited weeks for delivery. In my mind, the signing of the contract ordering the car and putting down the deposit is enough to show I intended to take delivery and own the car. Once the dealer rings me the car is here as per my order, then that is my car. If I saw that the car was in the yard with kids on the back seat, then that is someone else's car, such as a demo (owned by the dealer to do with as he pleases). If the dealers don't get that then they need to look at it from the (genuine) buyers perspective. If you have as system that allows people to order but not own, or you get a high level of cars rejected, then perhaps you need to look at your system.

Yeah - that's good and well - but it's not the dealers that make the laws dude...
You can't force people to sign a contract, and even if people are willing to sign, you obviously can't sign a contract over the phone...

I'm not sure if you read the thread to see that the OP hadn't yet signed a contract or not.
I think it's just time to close this thread as I'm not sure what good leaving it open will achieve.