Car dealer fiasco

Joshua J

This might get a bit long so I will condense as much as possible. I decided to buy a new car at the start of the year, one I've always wanted. Bit of a sporty model around 50k. Went to my local dealer in March 23 and he told me that the order books had closed for the car as there was an updated version in the pipeline to be released in 2024. They asked would I be interested in waiting for the updated model and I told them I would. I came back a couple of days later and put down a 2k deposit. On the sales contract they wrote for vehicle price "No idea yet will know Sept/Oct" and that's all.

Roll on to a week ago and I had heard nothing but I knew there was no release yet so wasnt concerned. I rand the dealer and the salesman said the update had been cancelled and that I was I the production queue for the current model. I said it wasnt the car Id ordered but if there was no update I'd probably still be interested in the current version. That was a Friday, over the weekend I did a bit of digging and found articles with an updated version out testing with camouflage covering the cars features. I contacted him on Monday and he said yes that the latest info he has is that the car on order for me IS the update as theyre not making the old version anymore. I said at the time maybe I should just get a refubd of my deposit because its all up in the air and no one seems to know whats going on. He said ok to call in tomorrow.

I call in next day and he asks me to give him a couple of days he wants to get full information for me. I reluctantly said ok. He rings me a couple of days later and tells me that there is no update being released in Europe only other territories and he was told this for the Head of Distribution for Ireland. He said that the car is ordered now and I'm locked into buying it. When he said I was locked into buying at I was starting to get ticked off. He also said that although I'm locked in they can't guarantee the car. I'm assuming he's said this because they know I'm not super happy and will try and sell it from under me if they can and if they cant they'll have me as backup.

Now this Sales contract I signed has no price, no delivery date etc. It is also not dated under mine or the dealers signatures where there is a space for it. Am I "locked" into this car like the dealer is trying to make me believe?. Is this contract legally binding?.

C3PO

I would be very surprised if you can be forced to complete a contract without a price (or at least a price range). I would ask to speak to the Sales Manager and politely but firmly ask for your deposit back. Next stop would be the brand distributor and finally, if all else fails, a solicitor!

buzz11

Go back and get your hard earned money, don't settle for any excuses, delays or nonsense

Stand up for yourself.

Joshua J

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121271829#Comment_121271829

Yeah I've no bother standing up for myself but I've known this guy my whole life. Not mates but always got along alright. I'm hoping to make an omlette without breaking eggs but might not be possible.