Dealer wants to Tax car early

[TwoFacedHoods]

Bought a Mondeo from a TrustFord garage and the salesman is starting to get on my nerves a bit TBH. Bought the car on Sunday and told him I wouldn't be able to pick it up until Friday (1st July) due to work.

I paid a £2000 deposit and we agreed that I would pay the outstanding balance this week once I had transferred the money to an account where I can use a payment card.

He rang my twice yesterday asking if I had sorted the money yet and that he really wants the payment by Thursday to class the car as sold by the end of the month. Fair enough, I thought the guy wanted his commission for next month maybe. Well after a long day of work yesterday I finally got the money transferred today and have just called to pay the remaining balance.

But he now wants me to pay the tax over the phone so that he can park the car on the road because apparently they're having an inspection on Thursday and he doesn't want any cars on the lot that don't need to be there.

I understand dealer's have limited space but I feel a little uncomfortable with the car being parked on the road. My insurance won't cover the car until Friday and will the dealers insurance even cover the car if it's not on their forecourt?

There's also the fact that I feel a little begrudged paying tax on a car that I won't even be driving yet (albeit I know it's only for 2 days).

So what should I do, do I just go along with it or do I just tell him to do one and that I'll be down on Friday to tax it and pick it up?

[robsco]

Tell him that’s fine, assuming he can deliver it to your door with a tank of fuel?

[Court_S]

They often tax cars early which is annoying because you effectively loose a month.

Personally I’d push back and try and hold out until Friday.

[Olivergt]

I would politely tell them that you are not prepared to pay an extra months tax just for their convenience.

If you originally agreed collection on Friday, then stick to that agreement. Unless of course they want to pay the months tax and send on confirmation that the vehicle will be covered on their insurance until you collect it.

[Olivergt]

robsco said:

Tell him that’s fine, assuming he can deliver it to your door with a tank of fuel?

Or this...

[VSKeith]

You've paid for the car earlier than originally agreed.

For the rest he can FRO.

[TwoFacedHoods]

Olivergt said:

I would politely tell them that you are not prepared to pay an extra months tax just for their convenience.

If you originally agreed collection on Friday, then stick to that agreement. Unless of course they want to pay the months tax and send on confirmation that the vehicle will be covered on their insurance until you collect it.

He didn't mention anything about insurance just that they're getting inspected on Friday and he doesn't want any old stock on the forecourt. The car was about to be sent to another location until I came along.

[edthefed]

i suggest its to do with the end of a 3 month accounting period (April to June) and they need the car off the books by then so it counts as a sale in that quarter.

Trust are owned by Ford and there may well be a "sales bonus" to the dealership depending on sales performance that quarter, and they want the car to count towards the target.

[TwoFacedHoods]

edthefed said:

i suggest its to do with the end of a 3 month accounting period (April to June) and they need the car off the books by then so it counts as a sale in that quarter.

Trust are owned by Ford and there may well be a "sales bonus" to the dealership depending on sales performance that quarter, and they want the car to count towards the target.

If the garage had been more generous I might feel a little bit compelled to help them out a little but they wouldn't budge on price or any kind of "extra". If was more of a, this is the price, take it or leave it situation.

[Biggy Stardust]

edthefed said:

i suggest its to do with the end of a 3 month accounting period (April to June) and they need the car off the books by then so it counts as a sale in that quarter.

Trust are owned by Ford and there may well be a "sales bonus" to the dealership depending on sales performance that quarter, and they want the car to count towards the target.

It can just as easily count towards next month's/quarter's target.

[Dannbodge]

Tell him to stick it on the road with the trade plates in it.

Having to get it off the forecourt is his issue not yours.

[edthefed]

Biggy Stardust said:

It can just as easily count towards next month's/quarter's target.

BUT if you are not quite at this quarters target and are in danger of losing the bonus by a couple of sales - got to be tempting to massage the figures

You then have 3 months to make up those sales

[MDMA .]

Trust Ford don’t go around with a pen and paper checking/looking at physical stock. They’ll get an audit sheet to check online to show what is on their site. We have them here. Over in 2 emails.

Sales guy just wants his money/commission. Tell him to wait. You’re the buyer/customer, not him. He works around you. I’d be more inclined to make him wait now.

[TwoFacedHoods]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Not heard back from him yet and I'm not going to make an effort to call him. If he does call I'll try and get him to throw something into the deal like home delivery and a full tank.

[Alorotom]

Dannbodge said:

Tell him to stick it on the road with the trade plates in it.

Having to get it off the forecourt is his issue not yours.

THIS.

I had this ages ago also with a Ford as it happens (but a SportKa). It wasn't my problem and I suggested they either use trade plates or cancel the sale. Surprisingly the use of trade plates was all of a sudden quite the acceptable choice.

[Dan W.]

tell them you dont want it taxing early as you will lose out on a months tax.
it costs you not the garage.

If they are short on space thats tough luck, part of the business is they keep your car on site until you collect it.

Also just tell him to give you the v5 number and you can tax it whilst on site on the 1st.

Unless its a ex disabled one and needs to go to post office, thats maybe why hes pestering but even that can be done on the day.

[wpa1975]

Tell them to use trade plates, not a chance I would lose a months tax just to help them.

[Vee]

TwoFacedHoods said:

He didn't mention anything about insurance just that they're getting inspected on Friday and he doesn't want any old stock on the forecourt. The car was about to be sent to another location until I came along.

Why is any of that your problem ?
You agreed to collection on Friday and have presumably already done them a favour by paying for it early.
Tell them to deliver it or store it or explain it to their inspector. How they run their business isn’t something you need to be concerned about.

[robdcfc]

Dannbodge said:

Tell him to stick it on the road with the trade plates in it.

Having to get it off the forecourt is his issue not yours.

You cant use trade plates to park up, they are for driving from point A to point B.

If you park up with them in then youve just left an untaxed vehicle parked on the road

[InitialDave]

Well, when they have their inspection on Thirsday, he can just say "it's sold and paid for, chap is picking it up tomorrow".

Otherwise, they can figure out for themselves how to hide it somewhere.