This weeks grumble. Looking for a replacement car and the number of adverts popping up now with a little foot note or * in the listing saying "an Admin Fee of *** will be charged on all used cars sold", (or words to that effect) is unreal. Even VW main dealers FFS. Looking for a VW "Das WeltAuto" approved car, and one main dealer is applying £199 to the cost of the deal simply for the pleasure of me buying a car from him. You can probably guess where that conversation went.

You're probably going to expect such practices from Evans Halshaw and car supermarkets (along with their worthless warrany, extortionate apr rates, pitiful part ex prices, lifeshine application which is essentially a quick wash & polish when you pay £300 for it I guess), but a two year old car from a main dealer, still under manufacturers warranty? Come on.

 

It got to the point where every enquiry I made was started with "I presume you don't charge any admin fees?" and if the answer was "Yes" then the conversation stopped straight away.

 

One example: (Main dealer) Vehicle price £16490, part ex value £9000, admin fee £199, cost to change £7689. Absolutely no chance of any discount or haggle, that was the deal.

 

Comparison example: (Main Dealer) Vehicle price £16990, part ex value £9600, admin fee £0, cost to change £7390. Eventually haggled another £500 off the deal making it £800 cheaper than the cheapest priced advert.

 

Third example: (Specialist car dealer) Vehicle price £15790, part ex value £10000, admin fee £0, cost to change £5790.

 

We Buy Any Car part ex value £10250.

 

As it happened I didn't buy any of them but the cheapest main dealer advert was the first one to catch my eye, but it soon became apparent that it wasn't the best deal in any way.

 

I even told one dealer I was happy with the price of the vehicle, part ex etc. but I also charged an admin fee of the exact amount he did, just for the task of bringing my part exchange in to sell him. He never replied.

 

I also questioned VW Customer Services about the practice. The answer? Essentially "They can do what they like. They're franchise dealers!".

1 hour ago, Rustynuts said:

.... but I also charged an admin fee of the exact amount he did, just for the task of bringing my part exchange in to sell him.

 

This made me chuckle  Way to go 

 

Gaz

..........and after Brexit I guess they’ll be right uppity.

I would say that come April and beyond they will have to get real and be happy to get cash money in and get a turn over of stock.

Punt some of the stuff sitting around as the Manufacturers will be pushing for then to take in new vehicles.