What should my next course of action be?

Question

Just under 3 weeks ago, my girlfriend bought a car from a used car dealer. The car was advertised as coming with a very good Alpine stereo system and CD changer. When we got there, sure enough the Alpine head unit was installed in the car but the CD changer was no where to be seen. On searching the car we discovered that the changer had been removed. We decided to buy the car on the assurance that the dealer would get us a changer to go with the head unit. When we turned up a few days later to pick up the car, the Alpine unit had been replaced with a standard Ford stereo. I tackled the salesman about this and he said that he needed the head unit to be sure he was getting the correct changer, apparently this particular head unit only works with a 'shuttle' type changer. I began to smell a rat at this point. I pointed out that the deal for the car was including the stereo and changer system and if we werent driving away with that then I wasnt paying the full price. He assured me that he would be able to find a changer in a week or two and even wrote on our reciept that we are owed the Alpine stereo and changer.

Its now fast approaching 3 weeks since this took place, we ring them every couple of days to see if they have found one and we always get the same generic response. 'we are bidding on one on ebay and it doesnt finish for a few days. If we win we will call you'

My girlfriend and I have rung them twice in the last two days and they dont answer the phone to us, bizarrely when I hide my number before dialling they pick up within 3 or 4 rings, making me think they have made a note of my number and know not to answer the phone to us.

Its pretty obvious to me that they think they have got away without fulfilling their part of the deal. They clearly dont know what a persistant little git I can be.

My question is. Apart from being persistant and bombarding them with phone calls and e mails and even searching for a changer myself. What else can I do?

Answer 1

Take the car down there on a busy Saturday afternoon and hassle them / take up the sales persons time so they are not selling to any one else until they have sorted your problem out. Be that a partial refund or they supply you with a suitable unit.

Tell them your brother is a journalist.....

Answer 2

I would say do exactly what trading standards said, write them a letter or get someone to write it for you, address it to the manager. and get proof of postage. Legally they have to respond to the matter if they do not get apply at the Small Claims Court, it will cost you something like £30 i think, but knowing them they will not want to go to court so will try to settle it outside. If you think that the deal is good enough (as in they say come now and we install it for you), then drop the court case and make sure they pay the fees. Because you have it written on the reciept they do not have a foot to stand on.

I took a mobile company to Small Claims Court and as soon as they got the letter  

Answer 3

I would write a strongly worded formal complaint letter - words on paper always mean more than a telephone call.

If your complaint writing skills aren't up to scratch I would speak to citizens advice and / or a lawyer.

Answer 4

sorry but why would you buy it if it wasnt what you wanted really.. really you can buy a radio with what you want in just about any radio sack or radio store.. what you have now is a car with a radio what you payed for... way to fix it would be go and buy one and have installed... and if you have been to ebay bidding end in a week or less... you just messsing when you payed for a car you didnt want.. only thing you can do is buy one your self.. unless its in the paper work that he will buy one and put it in  you just wasting your time calling

Answer 5

Call the local police (non emergency number!) and report for fraud, call your BBB, find which local TV stations do consumer activism reports and call them, and start a case in small claims court, and contact your local politicians - they are usually looking for ways to make them selves look good to voters.

But post hoc - never buy something that doesn't have what you are paying for in it!!!

at that point, you should have looked up what the head and changer cost new for you to replace them and then deducted that amount from what you were willing to pay, if they didn't like it - walk away.

Right now you are basically screwed, and have to to legal recourse Trusted a used car salesman? I don't suppose you also want to buy a bridge, do you? I have one cheap - and it comes with a CD changer... ;-)  

Answer 6

I would try trading standards for a start - also if you are a member of any one like AA or RAC they maybe able to help     good luck

Answer 7

I'd just ask them to reimburse you enough money to get yourself a head unit & changer - they're pretty cheap & plentiful on Ebay - I've bought really good head unit & changer combos for around £25 - £40, usually JVC, Sony, Kenwood, etc.

Just get the cash back for the unit & fitting & get one and fit it yourself.

Answer 8

Try to tell your local police about all this weird stuff. Good luck!

Answer 9

D D D - you bought it as it was, now you must wear it

Answer 10

Get on to Trading Standards ASAP.  Don't even tell the garage that you are doing so.

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