I've just bought a Fiat Punto Sporting from Trade Sales and there's a problem with the paintwork. It's bubbly - looks like something has spilled or landed on it. (which by the looks of it isn't Fiat's fault). It is ON the paintwork rather than in with it (front wing, little bit on the roof and bonnet) When I picked the car up I did inspect it thouroughly but couldn't see this as they neglected to clean the car properly, and the day was overcast and dull so no sunshine could show it up. I don't expect this from a new car.
As i've signed the forms and everything saying I've accepted it, where do I stand? What can I do about this? I live in Cornwall, and Trade Sales is a long way away in Slough. If anyone can help suggest anything, please mail me at prenowden677@hotmail.com
Thanks in advance to anyone who may be able to help.
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First, call them.
For all you know they may spring into action and resolve your issue. For sure they deserve at least a chance to respond.
When you have tried that, then is the time to think about legal position and other alternatives.
I have never dealt with them, obviously, but there have been good reports.
M.
p.s. "just" bought ? How long ago ?
p.p.s. Its not something soft like wax which would rub off ?
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Hi Mark
They were of a "couldn't care less" attitude when I bought the car of which there was one defect (the attitude they gave me was "what do you want us to do about it", but reluctantly they will pay for defect, but haven't said when), but as I went by train and needed a car I bought it. I bought the car yesterday (4th March). I have cleaned the area and it will not come off, and I don't want do anything further to it in case it ruins any chances I have of them rectifying the problem. Have taken it to two independant people who have verified that machine polishing and flattening the paint is needed. It certainly isn't wax.
I've tried calling today and each time I get the response "there is no one here to answer your calls". I only wanted the advice ready in case they were not prepared to play ball or something.
thanks,
Paul
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if they dont pay issue a small claims summons
they are often in local press for bad service
and local trading standards has many complaints logged
(sorry hj i know u think they are ok)
oh btw in case of small claims summons they normally dont even bother to turn up to defend it...
good luck
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Maybe the result of bird droppings. Todays soft paints are easily damaged by these acidic missiles.
Like Mark said - how long have you had the car ?
Did you take finance out on the car ? I think the finance company will help you if there is a problem/disagreement with Trade Sales.
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They haven't got a choice unless they choose to say that you have done the damage yourself.
However, to be fair, you mention that they said they would pay for the repair. You need to explore that and get it in writing. (although I am a little confused and the "defect" and the paint issue may be two different things)
Get the car down your local friendly garage, get him to write on headed paper, signed and dated, what he can see.
Photograph it.
Communicate with them in writing if you can't get anywhere on the telephone, and request a reply in writing. Ask for confirmation of their willingness to repair the damage.
Try to avoid paying it and getting reimbursed, try to have them authorise the work and be billed direct by the repairing organisation.
Next time, don't buy a dirty car you can't see properly.
But *do* give them a chance. You were looking for a large saving, and that saving comes in part from it NOT being a local main dealer wiht a customer service network.
I expect that they will comply, you will probably just have to hassle them along a bit.
Spend a day or two trying to clear it up with them. If that fails, come back here and we'll run you through getting tough with them.
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Hi Mark
The defect and the paint problems are two completely different things. The defect they said they would pay for albeit reluctantly.
"Next time, don't buy a dirty car you can't see properly."
All very well saying that, I bought it over the phone before I collected it. Went 275 miles to collect it - you just dont expect to have that kind of problem with a car.
Have had two independant paintwork / bodyshop specialists look at it so will ask them to confirm it in writing and will photograph it.
Many many thanks for your help Mark. Much appreciated.
regards,
Paul
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Think why you bought the car from Trade Sales,probably the low price.If they say they will pay for rectification,great,but if they wont,remember why you bought it there and not your local friendly Fiat dealer.Trade Sales sell on low price,so i really dont think you can expect anything like the level of service you might expect from a franchised dealer.Low prices are great but please dont expect full monty backup.No such thing as a free lunch.
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Nonsense.
Trade-Sales operate under the same laws as a franchised dealer so defects should be dealt with just the same.
Tesco sell heinz bake beans for a lot less than my local shop but i still expect the same quality.
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Paul,
I had a problem with Trade Sales and I eventually got through to Steve Wilkinson who was the manager(6 months ago). He solved it quickly and seemed very sharp. Try him.
BobH
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Many thanks Bob
all the best,
Paul
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There was a post a while back asking why people even bothered with main dealers when there are places like Trade Sales. I think we now know the reason.
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You have saved £2747 on Fiat's RRP (my son bought a Punto Sporting there, so I know the figures). How much is it going to cost to fix the paintwork ? Get a quote from a local bodyshop then decide if it's worth pursuing Trade Sales or better to pay for it yourself. If they're not interested (which is likely) then you could collect evidence and issue a small claims court summons for £27 (if the claim is < £200) but I wonder how many county court judgements are outstanding against Trade Sales. You'll have to attend Slough County Court for the hearing and, possibly, to get the summons issued. Have you asked a Fiat dealer if the fault can be dealt with as a warranty claim ?
Trade Sales sell cars at minimal profit and you have to accept the appalling service before delivery and, I would guess, a total lack of service after delivery. Yes, I know they're subject to the same consumer laws as every other business but they rely on the maker's warranty i.e. main dealers to sort out problems.
Useful info on small claims court procedures is at :
thelawis.co.uk/makeasmallclaim/
www.courtservice.gov.uk/
Best of luck.
Keith
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Go and see your Trading Standards or Citizens Advice for boolkets/leaflets on how to proceed with complaints about defective goods.
Make notes of all telephone conversations you have; names of people, time/date of call, length of call, etc.
Follow up by putting your complaint in writing without delay. If you delay, you will be deemed in law to accepted the car as being satisfactory.
Address it to the Managing Director by name for his/her personal attention.
Send by Registered Post - not recorded delivery.
State quite clearly that you are rejecting the goods as being unsatisfactory and ask for your money back. tell them to come and collect the car within 7 days, or you will charge storage fees.
If you want, you can offer them the option of repairing the defect on condition that you still retain the right to reject the car if repair is not to your satisfaction.
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I can't see Trade Sales agreeing to accept the car back. If he wanted to pursue that through the county court (can't use small claims court for this), it would cost a lot of money and he'd probably lose as he has accepted the car and should have spotted the paint defect. He'd finish up having to pay Trade Sale's costs as well as his own.
Better to try a warranty claim at a Fiat dealer first then, if unsuccessful, to try to get TS to pay for the repair. If that doesn't work and depending on the cost, then pay for it himself and put it down to experience.
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wrong
get paint repaired for a few hundred quid and issue a small claims summons
easy
it works
and very possible
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You're very wrong. Part of the evidence must be that Trade Sales refused to rectify the problem. If they're not given a chance to make good, then the case will fail. Issuing a summons should be a last resort, not a first resort as you are suggesting. In addition, a summons will require Paul to make 1 or 2 return trips from Cornwall to Slough and would need cast iron evidence to be prepared. As I stated before, the best solution would be for it to be fixed under warranty at a Fiat dealer - it's worth a try at least.
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It's not a Fiat fault - it's not just the paintwork as it's on the rubber, glass and headlights also, looking at it. And after looking at it very, very closely (not noticeable on first inspection), it's on a very large proportion of the front wing, roof, bonnet and driver's door. Taken it to different Fiat dealers who reckon no-no with warranty as it is not a fault with the paint as it is ON the paint, not a defect of manufacture. Taken it to bodyshop who reckon a lot more that a couple of hundred quid for a paint repair.
And it's all very well saying put it down to experience, but 8 grand is an expensive experience. The reason I went for Trade Sales is at the moment I can't afford Fiat's inflated prices. And also, I don't expect to be paying for paint rectification on a car that had 6 miles on the clock.
The advice I did ask for was a just in case thing, so I'm prepared if Trade Sales are not willing to co-operate
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just bearing in mind that we (and he?) don't know what Trades Sales have to say yet.
They might be nice.
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Enough reactionary stuff.....
Sensible, fair and usuallly required is.....
1) Ask Trade Sales what they will do about it.
They can make any offer they like. If it is "reasonable" you will probably have to take it. Go to step 2 if these is no offer, or the offer is unreasonable
2) Ask Fiat about warranty as Keith said
3) Threaten legal action to Trade Sales
4) Get quote for fixing
5) Consider if it is really worth legal action, it may not be worth the hassle.
6) Do it, if you think it is
BUT, morally and legally, you need to ask Trade Sales first. AND NOBODY HAS TOLD US WHAT THEY SAID. FOR ALL WE KNOW, THEY HAVE PROMISED TO RECTIFY IT.
The best business in this world makes mistakes. They deserve the right to address the issue.
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"They deserve the right to address the issue."
This is what I am doing. I am allowing them to do this, I wanted the advice just in case they did not want to play ball.
Thanks for the advice.
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