Backing out of car purchase
 

Anyone know at what point you can back out of a car purchase with a dealership? Or decide on a different car if deposit paid and approval given? Ive done something I think I'm going to regret, I haven't signed the papers yet as I'm to pick up the car tomorrow. I know this is maybe not the forum to ask but this forum holds a wealth of knowledge and different backgrounds so hoping someone will know.
Thanks

I don't know for sure but as far as I'm aware if nothing has been signed yet you can back out any time. My Dad had a verbal agreement with a dealership and the dealership salesman backed out before the paper work was signed :sad:

I'm pretty sure you can back out at any time if the final papers haven't been signed. I was recently going to purchase a particular car but the dealer couldn't find the one I wanted anywhere. I put in an order and gave a deposit but weeks later changed my mind(glad I did now) and went and got my deposit back.

I love this car and have been looking at them for a while. The sales guy tried to talk me into a lower end model model which I think is a better option. They will be doing the detailing today so will give them a call. Thanks

Of topic but what car?
:mrgreen:

Honestly....working for a dealer myself, you can get out of almost anything if you are persistant enough. A lot of sales people will be hesitant to give a deposit back, but go above them, and 99% of the time you will get your money back easily.

If you haven't signed the papers yet, you don't own anything and have no obligation to go ahead with the deal.

+1, just be presistant, if you need to get the sales manager involved. No dealership will want bad publicity.

Dealership = Stealership

Until final papers/contract is signed, you can back out of anything. They will do their best to keep the pressure on you to take it, but they have no legal standpoint to make you take it or to keep your deposit.

Trust your instinct... Alberta doesn't have a "cooling-off period", so don't sign anything, unless you are very sure you want it.

Pssst. Some of the members work for dealerships.:wink:

I just talked to my honey about this and he is not the most objective. Has every reason why I should go forward, its his dream car too. BUT, It'll be my car. I guess I have the day and tomorrow morning to rationalize it. Like I said, I've been drooling over these for a couple of years, timing is right to get out of my current car. I do use my car for work, so this isn't something that won't get driven alot year round. Problem is the sales person I've been dealing with is not in today to talk to. I don't think they'd have an issue with me going to an alternative car (same make), I've already been approved for financing and I'd still be willing to buy.

Funny you say that...I work in the auto-sector (no specific dealership, but all manufacturers and with used lots) and it's been my experience that private deals are fraught with theft and lies, while dealerships are so regulated by both law and the manufacturer things tend to go much better.

To the OP, you should be fine to talk to them and tell them your concerns. It seems that you aren't looking for a total back-out, but just a move to a lower end model. Dealers really want to earn your business and they want to keep you for life as a customer so they are motivated to work with you.

Good luck

+1, unless you know somebody there

I use to work for a dealership in edmonton, and wow were they a bunch of roaches there.

they'd rip some poor desperate person off by paying 20 grand for their car. then spray undercarriage protector to cover up the rust and then sell the car for 30 grand to some person thinking they're getting a great deal!

one time a customers car was in the dealership and an employee hit it and caused lots of damage. the dealership quickly replaced the parts, repainted it (very poorly) and gave it back to the customer and never said anything.

when taking a car in for service at a dealership. take a picture of the odometer. Techs will sometimes take customers cars of joyrides, or to coffee, or on lunch breaks.

oh forgot to mention. these were reputable dealerships in edmonton.

and if you're out of warranty and take your car in for any little repair. they will rape you hard

I have no concerns with the dealership or the person I've been working with. They recognize that this car may be a bit much for me and were really trying to convince me to go into a lower end model. I said, this would mean less of a commission which he appeared not overly concerned about. I've got my honey sitting beside me saying blah blah blah, he was doing the sales guy job for him. :twised:

My ex husband worked for one of the largest dealers in the City. They make their money in the repairs, upsales etc. Shop rates at $130/hour. Cars sell at msrp, dealers have a little room to move but its the shop that carries them. If a repair pays according to their little book 5 hours, but can be done in 2, customer pays 5 hours.

Anyway, I'm so torn about what to do. Its nice to know I can back out, I just need to make a decision and stick with it. Thanks for the help everyone!!!

if you havent signed anything you can change. I had this happen to me and i put money down and didnt sign nothing.

They can't do crap and they have to give you your money back if you wanted to walk away. The guy tried and yelled at me and Once i told him you will be hearing from my lawyer and the BBB his tone was so NICE!!!!! after that.


And then I kindly asked for my money he said would a cheque be OK in a snarely voice and I said

NAW I would prefer CASH since it will be more of a bother to you since you yelled at me.


lol

got my money and i was happy

you didnt report it, and justed watch it all happen?

so what you are saying is that you would like to give them more money? i hardly think a dealership is going to say no to that.

Sent from my galaxy S2 using tapatalk

Very True. I work in the service side, and I can say with confidence that the service and parts dept's are what carries a dealership. Out particular dealer (import) barely makes any profit off new and used vehicles. As a matter of fact, last month our service department made $400,000 more profit than the sales department did. I wouldn't be worried about the sales side trying to 'rip' you off.

Dealers are also watched/goverened by the corporate side so that the ripping people off stays to a minimum....Go to Joe Blow's Auto down the road....then get ready to get bent over.



Did I miss it.... or can we hear what kind of pimp mobile it is?

I think that if you do decide to get the vehicle, you should get it with the package/options that you want. You dont want to look back in a few months and say "it's nice, but I wish I'd gotten this option...". I bought a new car a few years ago, and it didnt have heated seats (not the end of the world, but when you're spending that kind of money, it's not exactly like you'll just buy another one to get the options later... at least I couldnt).

This one has everything. When we first went to check out the cars, there's so much variety between them, I went through the list of must haves. There is not much missing from this one and if there is, I can't imagine what it would be. If I did go lower end, I would give up quite a few options, but it would still be a great car. Its not low end, not high end, right in the middle.

What kind of car is it?

If I go through with the purchase, I will post a picture tomorrow. If not, then no biggie.

If you're simply switching models than you shouldn't have ANY problem at all, do let them know ASAP though so they don't spend a lot of time getting a car ready for delivery that isn't actually sold. If you're moving to a different brand you may get some headache getting your deposit back but most places aren't really interested in ****ing someone off for life over a pretty inconsequential deposit.

As far as whether or not to pick the higher end or lower end... only you know that. Some features are simply gimmicks that may save you a TON of money, while others are essential to you enjoying the car and really not that expensive. Maybe the lower end car could have a few of the essentials added? Or, consider the value in the mid-range model you've selected... when we bought our last car we got it with a few bells and whistles that are nice but we normally wouldn't spring for... the value/bang for our buck was so good though that we took it and don't regret the $25/month extra that we're paying.

MarkoD did you plan on actually contributing to this thread or are you just here to troll? I'm sorry you worked for a bunch of roaches and didn't have the backbone to report the collision to anybody... but after seeing what my sister is paying for a wedding photographer I'm struggling with the irony of a photographer talking about how dealerships rape people with ridiculous prices.

You sir, are my hero.

I did contribute that dealerships shouldn't be trusted.

I don't rape anyone with my photography prices. There are alternatives to taking taking a car to a dealership and get the same service for much less. Producing high quality wedding prints can't be done by just anyone who picks up a camera.

With my previous suv I had to get all services and oil changes done at the dealership if I wanted to keep the warranty.

Mercedes dealer charges 250 dollars for an oil change. Mr lube charges 75

That's what I meant by rape

I had a deposit and everything on a Truck back in Oct and I was ready to go pick it up and Instead I called and backed out, ask for my deposit back after making a stink about it and having to call over the manager I got it back. They did try and push me into it and I stood my ground they are salesmen they make money on the sale they don't care if you want to downgrade or upgrade the fact is they want the sale, it keeps them going. If you have want to back out just stand your ground and fall into the pressure they will put on you.



Why not? I used to sell Digital SLR's when I was in high school before I went into the trades. I sold to professionals and amateurs and every few weeks I got to see them come back to get pictures printed. Its really simple to take a good photo with the proper tools. After that you can go to any of the numerous printing places in Calgary and get some great printing done for relatively cheap.

My sisters photographer was a friend and she charged 1800$ for a basic package with some "perks" from being a friend. Her camera was mid range, her flash was mid range and the only trick she had was a light shade for outside. If you can take a good photo you can get a high quality print done its simple.

Isn't that part of owning a Mercedes or BMW or Audi or any of those high end cars? It's not a secret what they charge for their services and most people know that going into it or at least should. They charge it because they can. I just paid $39.99 for an oil change at the Mazda dealer by my house. I've bought 2 sets of tires from them as well, better than other places. I did not buy my car there, but I have had exceptional service from them and honestly surprised at their pricing.

This wasn't about the dealerships, it was about options and if I could get out at this point. Its a big deal to me, I know if I buy it, its going to cost me more to run it, gas, maintenance, etc. That's not the dealership bending me over, its the way it is. They did not in anyway push me into this particular car, its what I wanted, I've just been questioning my sanity. (and no its not a mercedes, bmw or audi)

I have intentially not said what kind of car as I don't want opinions on it. This is new for me and good to know that I can still change my mind, might **** some people off, but in the end, its my decision.

Thank you all for your input and experiences. I guess this happens more than one would think.

Im a tech at a dealer and after 4 years im 10k into tools for the basics (no not all snap on , and mac ) have gone to school for 8 weeks 4 times and countless 3 day stints for dealer training just to get my ticket . I have done 7500 oil changes by now (not kidding i figured it out ) and work with 3 guys that have a combinde experiance of 80 years . This is why you pay some much , the guy at mr lube gets $12 an hour and might not even be able to drive a car let alone fix one .The sales man will let you down grade they usualy only get comission on a car model not package and on add on accesories only . Any guff and ask to talk to the general manager hes they guy who has the power to fix or change anything and is usualy happy to do it.

Sorry but I personally think anyone can get lucky and come up with a few high quality photos with any camera. People pay professionals to document the whole day and produce over 1000 high quality photos. 50% of a wedding day is typically spent in dim lighting conditions and that requires at the very least a full frame camera with good high ISO performance and fast glass; 2.8 or faster.

1500 dollars wouldn't even cover the rental charge to rent the equipment required to produce a truly professional high quality product.

But this is totally of topic.

I totally agree with this. My ex was a tech as well and went through the GM ASEP(spelling sorry) program at Sait, was an accellerated program, 2 months school, 2 months work, back to school, back to work, finished the program in 1 1/2 years as there was a bit more of a stretch between year 3 & 4. The stuff mechanics need to know is insane, foreign vehicles have their own training programs specific to them and you have to keep up as the technology changes. You are like any other trade, educated and valued. Add your education on to the shops costs and ya, its expensive. Chances are if you go to Canadian Tire for repairs, there is maybe 1 or 2 licensed mechanics, the rest likely haven't even started schooling. Hence the cheaper rates and the likelihood of going back because it wasn't done right.

Yes biggie after all this reading I'm dying to know what car is it!!!!!!!!!!!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Lets not compare mechanics with photographers.... Ones a trade the other is nothing more than a hobby these days. Professional photography died with the release of digital SLRs.

I also worked at a dealer, I didn't notice any fowl play. Seemed to me they made their money off warranty work as they would go out of their way to check everything and replace and fix anything even slightly questionable. Cars not under warranty would not get the same service. I would bet money they won't have an issue selling you a different car.

As for expensive cars requiring expensive service, my BMW requires only yearly service which is usually just an oil change. Oil lasts for 25000kms or longer depending on the driving style and the dealer chargers $120 for the change. 7 liters of 0W40 and a filter will run you around $90 from CT so I don't see any room for theft there. They also detail the car inside and out.

Well I have cleaned out my car so I guess that means I'm going through with the purchase. I'm actually getting excited now for the first time.

It's a 2012 Camaro SS, inferno orange and it comes with a few bells and whistles. I was thinking of going to the V6 but gonna stick with what I've picked. I'm gonna have a fun summer!

Couldn't agree more.

Congratulations!

Go big or go home! Congrats :mrgreen:

Congrats :biggrin: