Opinions please on this dealer experience....

terrydel

The background. I've recently took redundancy and decided to get a car for my dad who has recently retired.
He drives an 04 Nissan primastar, with 80 miles approx.
I spotted a Nissan note, 2012 model with 25k kms and visited the dealer (main dealer) about it early last week. Said I'd get my dad down and we'd discuss a deal.
Went down Friday and we had a quick drive in the note, and the sales guy did a visual inspection of the van. My dad was very honest with him and highlighted a possible glow plug issue. Salesman gave a value of 1100 for the van, so said the note wud be 9900 with the van traded in.
I thought the van offer was lowball but fair enough that's the game.
Said we had to look at another car (the truth) so wud call back later with an answer.
We looked at the other car and disregarded it.
After that we went to the main dealer he got the van from 10 years ago, they inspected it and gave him a guaranteed, printed quote of 1500-2000 when traded in.
So he called the dealer with the note and said he'd do a deal if they took 9300 and van.
They countered with 9700 plus the van and my dad agreed but asked to sleep on it and he'd call in the morning.
Hes a cautious man, I would have preferred he didn't do that but it's his call.
They asked to drive the van this morning, and on doing so They said they 'think' there is a turbo issue, and they'd only take the van at 800, so 10200 plus the van for the note, from 9700 plus the van the previous evening. 
500 change in their favour, basically 40% odd less for the van.
To be clear, I'm not saying the turbo is not an issue, I don't know. My dad isn't either. But they haven't inspected it to confirm.
 But I'm livid really that in the space of a day, the trade in value of the van has gone from 1300 to 800, all based on just a drive.
 Personally I feel they committed to 1300 the previous evening (albeit verbally) and they are taking the piss a bit now by offering 40% approx less. 
My dad really likes the car and still wants it, but I've told him I think they've acted very shabbily and on principle alone I'm not handing my money over to them. 
Not saying I'm right or wrong here, just going with my gut and principles that the dealer has been less than fair. Interested to hear what others think.

Dia1988

Easy Resolution: Sell the Van privately through adverts.ie or Donedeal. A van with low miles is sure to sell if in good condition.

My advice, try out some more alternatives than a Note.

Rabbo

Yes, you had a verbal agreement with them but on later finding a significant issue with it they revised their offer. I think it's fair enough in the circumstances. Say, if you were buying privately and found a mechanical problem just before handing over money, would you go through with the deal as originally agreed?

Toyotafanboi

They are painfully splitting hairs really. Giving you 1100/ 800 for the van, acting the bollocks. They are probably going to scrap it or trade it out off the books one way or the other, it's not like they will be repairing it for retail.

I'd bet if you remove the van from the equation and went for a full cash purchase with no trade in, you could probably negotiate a cash discount as large as the trade in they are offering for the van.

If the car is priced at €11k, offer €10k cash. Hopefully deal at that, maybe meet @ €10.2 or 10.3... sell the van for €1k private and you win.

terrydel

Dia1988 wrote: »

Easy Resolution: Sell the Van privately through adverts.ie or Donedeal. A van with low miles is sure to sell if in good condition.

My advice, try out some more alternatives than a Note.

What alternatives would you suggest? Bear in mind it needs to be cheap to tax and run, reliable, and coming in at no more than 10k?

terrydel

Rabbo wrote: »

Yes, you had a verbal agreement with them but on later finding a significant issue with it they revised their offer. I think it's fair enough in the circumstances. Say, if you were buying privately and found a mechanical problem just before handing over money, would you go through with the deal as originally agreed?

Understand what you are saying. But they have only said they 'think' theres an issue, and there could well be, but we'd have to take a 500 quid hit in the space of 24 hours, with only their word to go on.
I think only a complete door mat would accept that.

Topper Harley

I'd either do what Toyotafanboi suggested or else go back and offer what was originally agreed and if they don't accept, walk away. A main dealer isn't going to do anything with it anyway, probably just move it on to an auction where it'll be sold as seen.

It's not like they've gone to their absolute lowest price and you're still €500 short, they've already shown they'd accept that deal and now I think they're chancing their arm.

terrydel

Topper Harley wrote: »

I'd either do what Toyotafanboi suggested or else go back and offer what was originally agreed and if they don't accept, walk away. A main dealer isn't going to do anything with it anyway, probably just move it on to an auction where it'll be sold as seen.

It's not like they've gone to their absolute lowest price and you're still €500 short, they've already shown they'd accept that deal and now I think they're chancing their arm.

On principle I wont be going back to them, I have no issue accepting that its quite possible the issue they've flagged exists, nor does my Dad. But when I have a verbal agreement and 24 hours later they renege on it by 40% or so, then I feel I am being taken for a mug.

Dia1988

terrydel wrote: »

What alternatives would you suggest? Bear in mind it needs to be cheap to tax and run, reliable, and coming in at no more than 10k?

Try any mid size hatchback such as a Golf, Leon, Focus.

You might have to settle for a 2011 and a little more miles but I think the Note is bit of a silly car that will depreciate faster than any mainstream hatchback.

monkeysnapper

terrydel wrote: »

On principle I wont be going back to them, I have no issue accepting that its quite possible the issue they've flagged exists, nor does my Dad. But when I have a verbal agreement and 24 hours later they renege on it by 40% or so, then I feel I am being taken for a mug.

yeh i agree with you . they acted the maggot. especially as its been said if you went with straight sale they probably would have brought price down . line another dealers pockets and when you do pull up outside dealers give them the finger

terrydel

monkeysnapper wrote: »

yeh i agree with you . they acted the maggot. especially as its been said if you went with straight sale they probably would have brought price down . line another dealers pockets and when you do pull up outside dealers give them the finger

Haha. Tempting, tho wouldn't be my style really.
My dad did all the dealings today, but they knew I was the one paying. I may give them a call Monday just to register my annoyance.

Dia1988

I would pick this over a Note anyday, just as practical if not more!

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-1-6-litre-diesel/10033643

terrydel

Dia1988 wrote: »

I would pick this over a Note anyday, just as practical if not more!

https://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-1-6-litre-diesel/10033643

Personally I think the Leon is a lovely car, but my old man does very small mileage so don't think a diesel is the right choice.
He's also drove vans all his life and so favours a higher driving position, which the note has over a lot of cars.

johnny osbourne

terrydel wrote: »

The background. I've recently took redundancy and decided to get a car for my dad who has recently retired.
He drives an 04 Nissan primastar, with 80 miles approx.
I spotted a Nissan note, 2012 model with 25k kms and visited the dealer (main dealer) about it early last week. Said I'd get my dad down and we'd discuss a deal.
Went down Friday and we had a quick drive in the note, and the sales guy did a visual inspection of the van. My dad was very honest with him and highlighted a possible glow plug issue. Salesman gave a value of 1100 for the van, so said the note wud be 9900 with the van traded in.
I thought the van offer was lowball but fair enough that's the game.
Said we had to look at another car (the truth) so wud call back later with an answer.
We looked at the other car and disregarded it.
After that we went to the main dealer he got the van from 10 years ago, they inspected it and gave him a guaranteed, printed quote of 1500-2000 when traded in.
So he called the dealer with the note and said he'd do a deal if they took 9300 and van.
They countered with 9700 plus the van and my dad agreed but asked to sleep on it and he'd call in the morning.
Hes a cautious man, I would have preferred he didn't do that but it's his call.
They asked to drive the van this morning, and on doing so They said they 'think' there is a turbo issue, and they'd only take the van at 800, so 10200 plus the van for the note, from 9700 plus the van the previous evening.
500 change in their favour, basically 40% odd less for the van.
To be clear, I'm not saying the turbo is not an issue, I don't know. My dad isn't either. But they haven't inspected it to confirm.
But I'm livid really that in the space of a day, the trade in value of the van has gone from 1300 to 800, all based on just a drive.
Personally I feel they committed to 1300 the previous evening (albeit verbally) and they are taking the piss a bit now by offering 40% approx less.
My dad really likes the car and still wants it, but I've told him I think they've acted very shabbily and on principle alone I'm not handing my money over to them.
Not saying I'm right or wrong here, just going with my gut and principles that the dealer has been less than fair. Interested to hear what others think.

wouldn't he be better off to keep the van

Dia1988

johnny osbourne wrote: »

wouldn't he be better off to keep the van

It allegedly has a knackered Turbo.

I didn't think the Note has a high driving presence just a tall body suitable for entry/exit.

But if he likes a hight driving position maybe try one of these,

https://www.donedeal.ie/trucks-for-sale/daf-cherry-picker-man-lift-sky-king-sky-jack/9877830

ba_barabus

Changing an agreed deal? I'd be straight on to the dealer principal if a I was being messed about like that by a salesperson.

C.K Dexter Haven

Different deals will give you different "values" for you van. If you're interested in a car that's not popular/been on the forecourt for a long time, you'll get a bigger "offer" for your van.

however, at the end of the day, you're buying a newer car with (a) a van and (b) cash. For your own sanity, i'd put a budget in place in the first place- i.e. how much "cash" are you prepared to part with- it will save a lot of heartache for you and your dad- don't get caught up in trade-in "value". I had a difference of about 2300 euro recently in what i was offered for my car as a trade-in between different dealers

some of the factors that influence trade-ins are:

the condition/saleability of the car they're selling
the condition/saleability of your car
to what degree they figure you're in a hurry to buy
how much above "market" price their car is priced at in the first place

with that in mind, set your budget and then walk away if there's no common ground to be found.

Atlantis50

If your dad is committed to buying a Note, there's no shortage of them around, especially if you're based in Dublin.

Shop around for the best deal.

I have a Note of the same generation (2006-2013) and it's a good all-rounder.

It's nippy (I have a 1.6), good to drive with well weighted steering and I've had no issues with the car other than a small rattle in the dashboard that occurs when driving on uneven road surfaces.

It does have easier entry and exit due to its raised seating position which is partly why the car is popular with the elderly despite families being the initial target market (a good torque convertor-based automatic transmission is another reason) and you do sit a bit higher than most other cars.

Given that your dad kept the Primastar for 11 years, I wouldn't worry too much about depreciation, but that generation Note looks like it's holding it's value well so far.

Cee-Jay-Cee

They acted normally in the circumstances. Bring the ban to an Indy garage and gave them inspect it/the turbo to see if there are any issues with it. If not go back to the dealer and inform them that they were mistaken and ask if they'll agree to the original deal. If not, go elsewhere.

9935452

Why not go back to the main dealer who gave you the guaranteed quote of 2300 who he bought the van off and deal with him.
Personally i wont deal with lads that annoy me or wind me up or take the piss, i just go else where

Into The Blue

Keep the van and buy one of these for prob about 9k


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Fiesta/FIESTA-1/201517232849144/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Suzuki/Swift/1.2-GLX-/170914337627660360/advert?channel=CARs