Misleading dealerships
Discussion
I bought an E46 M3 18 months ago from a approved BMW dealer. The car was used. The individual selling me the car gave me no idea that the car had had body work 6 months before(I am still a little unsure what work was done - however the phrase "a lot of paint" was used).
Apparently the original work was not done by an approved body work garage but the then owner took the car to an approved garage to make right and correct. As far as I can see the work is excellent.
Anyhow this has come to light when (today) I intended to sell the car and one of the BMW dealerships has retracted their offer on this basis.
I have been back intouch with the garage that sold me the car and explained that I feel mislead. What rights do I have?
I have said that I would be content if they were to match the agreed price that I had with the other BMW dealership. I genuinely didn't know any such work had been done. I was not informed by the the selling garage of this history. Infact I have acted in good faith.
Apparently the original work was not done by an approved body work garage but the then owner took the car to an approved garage to make right and correct. As far as I can see the work is excellent.
Anyhow this has come to light when (today) I intended to sell the car and one of the BMW dealerships has retracted their offer on this basis.
I have been back intouch with the garage that sold me the car and explained that I feel mislead. What rights do I have?
I have said that I would be content if they were to match the agreed price that I had with the other BMW dealership. I genuinely didn't know any such work had been done. I was not informed by the the selling garage of this history. Infact I have acted in good faith.
Edited by JimmyMacMagic on Wednesday 16th May 22:15
catherinej said:
I supose it depends on the extent of the bodywork. I always understood that if a car had been in an accident then it couldn't be sold via the Approved Used Scheme.
This is what I was told by the dealer in Taplow when I bought my M3.
This is what I was told by the dealer in Taplow when I bought my M3.
You'd be surprised, thats all I'm saying.
catherinej said:
I supose it depends on the extent of the bodywork. I always understood that if a car had been in an accident then it couldn't be sold via the Approved Used Scheme.
This is what I was told by the dealer in Taplow when I bought my M3.
I was told the same when I bought my E85. In fact I forgot to ask directly about damage when I was negotiating, so I rang them the following day to ask specifically and the dealer pretty much scoffed at the idea. You know, "that kind of thing doesn't go on here, Sir" style. This is what I was told by the dealer in Taplow when I bought my M3.
The very reason I paid over the odds and bought from an approved BMW dealership was to avoid a ‘buyer beware’ scenario.
It seems the persona of approved dealerships has, in my case, abused my faith. It would be very easy for me at this juncture to tarnish BMW approved used cars with the same brush as the murky world of an Arthur Daily car lot. Approved Dealerships are supposed to be whiter than white, encouraging people to part with the extra cash for good reason.
Thanks for the responses I will be taking it further both with Customer Services and the actual garage.
I had to laugh this afternoon when discussing this matter with the garage, they had the audacity to ask what car I intended buying upon a successful sale!
Great cars, shame about the customer care – not to mention ethics. Maybe they should be training their engineers to do the selling as well.
It seems the persona of approved dealerships has, in my case, abused my faith. It would be very easy for me at this juncture to tarnish BMW approved used cars with the same brush as the murky world of an Arthur Daily car lot. Approved Dealerships are supposed to be whiter than white, encouraging people to part with the extra cash for good reason.
Thanks for the responses I will be taking it further both with Customer Services and the actual garage.
I had to laugh this afternoon when discussing this matter with the garage, they had the audacity to ask what car I intended buying upon a successful sale!
Great cars, shame about the customer care – not to mention ethics. Maybe they should be training their engineers to do the selling as well.
Edited by JimmyMacMagic on Wednesday 16th May 22:13
belleair302 said:
Car Supermarkets are the future....its killing margins and there is loads of choce, along with lots of advice and info. BMW Dealers are their own worst enemies and drive more customers away than extend relationships.
You clearly aren't in the trade!!!
To the OP I would think that the dealer has withdrawn there offer for a different reason and using the paint as an excuse!
trackm3 said:
The dealer has to repair a car under the approved bodyshop scheme before re-selling but if they missed previous paint when they bought it then as long as it is to a high standard of repair they will sell it on as it could never be proven who did it approved or not ?
Yes they should, I empahsise the word should.
It still amazes me that anyone has ANY faith in the main dealer system, whatever the make. The stories are the same whether the car is bought from a Main, Independent or Back-street dealer, or a bloke in the pub who promises to send the paperwork to you later!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
english68 said:
It still amazes me that anyone has ANY faith in the main dealer system, whatever the make. The stories are the same whether the car is bought from a Main, Independent or Back-street dealer, or a bloke in the pub who promises to send the paperwork to you later!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
Mate...
that is the your down fall!
I have been selling cars for over 12 years and it is a very different
industry now to the one I joined!
thankfully for the better - from a customers point! we are much more regulated and customer focused but above all accountable, so to say main dealers are a bunch of thieving scum or to refer to us even as stealers is well off the mark! we aren't going to please everyone 100% of the time because you'll always get an absolute loon as as punter who has a friend down the pub who thinks his car is worth more or who has been told on the web that the reason his car is making X noise is down to A,B,C!
There are always two sides to every tale remember that!
Donut said:
english68 said:
It still amazes me that anyone has ANY faith in the main dealer system, whatever the make. The stories are the same whether the car is bought from a Main, Independent or Back-street dealer, or a bloke in the pub who promises to send the paperwork to you later!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
Mate...
that is the your down fall!
I have been selling cars for over 12 years and it is a very different
industry now to the one I joined!
thankfully for the better - from a customers point! we are much more regulated and customer focused but above all accountable, so to say main dealers are a bunch of thieving scum or to refer to us even as stealers is well off the mark! we aren't going to please everyone 100% of the time because you'll always get an absolute loon as as punter who has a friend down the pub who thinks his car is worth more or who has been told on the web that the reason his car is making X noise is down to A,B,C!
There are always two sides to every tale remember that!
Donut, I am a little disappointed that a person who claims to have been “selling cars for 12 years” takes your point of view.
After all, greater regulation surely helps you differentiate yourself from the sharks. Why would I buy the same car from you and not Arthur down the road?
I am concerned with your earlier response which firmly laid blame at the foot of the customer (me) and not the seller (BMW AUC) – I am sure your customers would be very pleased to discover this.
I don’t ask my clients to ask all the questions but I offer answers to every possible question. Surely this is more ethical and something any business can differentiate with?
Not all cars repaired by BMW go to BMW approved repairers.
Ie.
1) Smart repairs
2) Lind BMW of Maidstone for example use a back street bodyshop. I found this out when I took a car in for warranty paintwork and they couldn't use their bodyshop, it had to go 100 miles away to be repaired.
Ie.
1) Smart repairs
2) Lind BMW of Maidstone for example use a back street bodyshop. I found this out when I took a car in for warranty paintwork and they couldn't use their bodyshop, it had to go 100 miles away to be repaired.
JimmyMacMagic said:
Donut said:
english68 said:
It still amazes me that anyone has ANY faith in the main dealer system, whatever the make. The stories are the same whether the car is bought from a Main, Independent or Back-street dealer, or a bloke in the pub who promises to send the paperwork to you later!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
I have worked at main dealers (admittedly a while ago) and seen some SHOCKING cars sold! (to some really nice people) I have also been a victim of all of the above - natural when you are a car-nut, I guess.
Sympathy to anyone who loses out to these guys (I still do, by the way, but in a strange, consenting kind-of way!!) it is very upsetting and can soak-up a huge amount of valuable time.
Given the opportunity, it is truly worth checking a car out thoroughly before you commit. We all know that already but we just can't help being trusting! - It makes US better than THEM, that is a nice feeling on it's own!
Mate...
that is the your down fall!
I have been selling cars for over 12 years and it is a very different
industry now to the one I joined!
thankfully for the better - from a customers point! we are much more regulated and customer focused but above all accountable, so to say main dealers are a bunch of thieving scum or to refer to us even as stealers is well off the mark! we aren't going to please everyone 100% of the time because you'll always get an absolute loon as as punter who has a friend down the pub who thinks his car is worth more or who has been told on the web that the reason his car is making X noise is down to A,B,C!
There are always two sides to every tale remember that!
Donut, I am a little disappointed that a person who claims to have been “selling cars for 12 years” takes your point of view.
After all, greater regulation surely helps you differentiate yourself from the sharks. Why would I buy the same car from you and not Arthur down the road?
I am concerned with your earlier response which firmly laid blame at the foot of the customer (me) and not the seller (BMW AUC) – I am sure your customers would be very pleased to discover this.
I don’t ask my clients to ask all the questions but I offer answers to every possible question. Surely this is more ethical and something any business can differentiate with?
Please read the post before replying!
m3evo2 said:
trackm3 said:
The dealer has to repair a car under the approved bodyshop scheme before re-selling but if they missed previous paint when they bought it then as long as it is to a high standard of repair they will sell it on as it could never be proven who did it approved or not ?
Yes they should, I empahsise the word should.
yes they should what ? don't understand ?
Hi Donut
I didn't use terms like thieving scum or stealers. That's just pointless abuse and not constructive for anyone.
My experience INSIDE dealerships was a while ago, but I haven't stopped buying cars (I have owned well over a hundred - a lot for a non-dealer!)
A few weeks ago I bought a truck from a well-known local dealer. I have just had a £3000 repair bill, paid it myself as I had to use the truck and the dealer just doesn't even return my calls!
I have had my own bad experiences with main dealers for Ford, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia, Audi, and others - and I am not exactly soft or nice! (Neither am I SO difficult to please!)
I can bore for England on this topic!
The dealers I have been happy with, I have gone back to several times, recommended friends and colleagues etc etc.
There are only two of them!! (Possibly a third as I am currently very happy with my M3)
If you truly fall into that small band of dealers who really do try to provide the service we customers hope to get, fantastic. But please don't stick up for the many less scrupulous guys out there!
I would like to know where you are and what sort of cars you sell. If they are in my bracket I will monitor your stock (if you have a website?), when I see something I like I will buy it from you and we'll go from there!
Fair?
I didn't use terms like thieving scum or stealers. That's just pointless abuse and not constructive for anyone.
My experience INSIDE dealerships was a while ago, but I haven't stopped buying cars (I have owned well over a hundred - a lot for a non-dealer!)
A few weeks ago I bought a truck from a well-known local dealer. I have just had a £3000 repair bill, paid it myself as I had to use the truck and the dealer just doesn't even return my calls!
I have had my own bad experiences with main dealers for Ford, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia, Audi, and others - and I am not exactly soft or nice! (Neither am I SO difficult to please!)
I can bore for England on this topic!
The dealers I have been happy with, I have gone back to several times, recommended friends and colleagues etc etc.
There are only two of them!! (Possibly a third as I am currently very happy with my M3)
If you truly fall into that small band of dealers who really do try to provide the service we customers hope to get, fantastic. But please don't stick up for the many less scrupulous guys out there!
I would like to know where you are and what sort of cars you sell. If they are in my bracket I will monitor your stock (if you have a website?), when I see something I like I will buy it from you and we'll go from there!
Fair?
english68 said:
Hi Donut
I didn't use terms like thieving scum or stealers. That's just pointless abuse and not constructive for anyone.
My experience INSIDE dealerships was a while ago, but I haven't stopped buying cars (I have owned well over a hundred - a lot for a non-dealer!)
A few weeks ago I bought a truck from a well-known local dealer. I have just had a £3000 repair bill, paid it myself as I had to use the truck and the dealer just doesn't even return my calls!
I have had my own bad experiences with main dealers for Ford, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia, Audi, and others - and I am not exactly soft or nice! (Neither am I SO difficult to please!)
I can bore for England on this topic!
The dealers I have been happy with, I have gone back to several times, recommended friends and colleagues etc etc.
There are only two of them!! (Possibly a third as I am currently very happy with my M3)
If you truly fall into that small band of dealers who really do try to provide the service we customers hope to get, fantastic. But please don't stick up for the many less scrupulous guys out there!
I would like to know where you are and what sort of cars you sell. If they are in my bracket I will monitor your stock (if you have a website?), when I see something I like I will buy it from you and we'll go from there!
Fair?
I didn't use terms like thieving scum or stealers. That's just pointless abuse and not constructive for anyone.
My experience INSIDE dealerships was a while ago, but I haven't stopped buying cars (I have owned well over a hundred - a lot for a non-dealer!)
A few weeks ago I bought a truck from a well-known local dealer. I have just had a £3000 repair bill, paid it myself as I had to use the truck and the dealer just doesn't even return my calls!
I have had my own bad experiences with main dealers for Ford, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, Fiat, Lancia, Audi, and others - and I am not exactly soft or nice! (Neither am I SO difficult to please!)
I can bore for England on this topic!
The dealers I have been happy with, I have gone back to several times, recommended friends and colleagues etc etc.
There are only two of them!! (Possibly a third as I am currently very happy with my M3)
If you truly fall into that small band of dealers who really do try to provide the service we customers hope to get, fantastic. But please don't stick up for the many less scrupulous guys out there!
I would like to know where you are and what sort of cars you sell. If they are in my bracket I will monitor your stock (if you have a website?), when I see something I like I will buy it from you and we'll go from there!
Fair?
Fair enough.
The stealers and scum comment wasn't aimed at you personally, but myself and the others here do try there best to please as much as we can and have in other dealers I have worked for, sometimes I just get sick of 'us' getting a good shoeing when ever possible! bit touchy sometimes
I sell new BMW and your more than welcome to e-mail when you fancy a change and I'll let you know which dealer I'm at.
Peace brother
trackm3 said:
m3evo2 said:
trackm3 said:
The dealer has to repair a car under the approved bodyshop scheme before re-selling but if they missed previous paint when they bought it then as long as it is to a high standard of repair they will sell it on as it could never be proven who did it approved or not ?
Yes they should, I empahsise the word should.
yes they should what ? don't understand ?
You said BMW has to repair a car at an approved bodyshop. I said, yes they should, but to save money many non approved back street paint shops are used instead.
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