ANOTHER RS4 at Fontains

[EuroSag]

I don't necessarily think its anything to do with EC competition laws, it could be some kind of relationship that Mundane's (there's safety in the spelling) have with an official Audi dealership either at home or abroad.

Although, other than copyright/trademark issues with using Audi's logo's, etc, I would have thought it very difficult for Audi to control them. Unless, someone is about to come out of the dark and tell us that they are knocking out loads of snide Audi parts?

As bad as main dealers are, they have to be 'fairly' honest (and I do use the term very loosely) - otherwise they'll lose the franchise - as per Reg Vardy Ferrari in Newcastle, which might have been my fault but that's another story.

[RS4virgin]

hmmm

More than watched I can assure you.

Hiya All,

I've not been on RS246 for quite a while until the last few days. I'm thinking of replacing my RS4 B5 for the B7 and have been interested in your opinions on the forum.
What is all the fuss about Fontain for? It seemed only yesterday, everybody was joking about the high price that they wanted for their black one. Now it's sold, everybody seems to want them stopped from getting their hands on more. Is'nt that what a free market economy is for? At the end of the day, if they have either ordered some up front or bought from other private buyers and taken the risk, good luck to them! If RS4's are freely available then they won't make a profit and they will have to take it on the chin.

[tanoga]

Hiya All,

I've not been on RS246 for quite a while until the last few days. I'm thinking of replacing my RS4 B5 for the B7 and have been interested in your opinions on the forum.
What is all the fuss about Fontain for? It seemed only yesterday, everybody was joking about the high price that they wanted for their black one. Now it's sold, everybody seems to want them stopped from getting their hands on more. Is'nt that what a free market economy is for? At the end of the day, if they have either ordered some up front or bought from other private buyers and taken the risk, good luck to them! If RS4's are freely available then they won't make a profit and they will have to take it on the chin.

Couldn't agree more.

[CliveH]

Fountains are being watched by Audi UK............. seems they have a few concerns too....

More than watched I can assure you.

Thanks for the inside info Matt...

[gazzab]

hmmm

More than watched I can assure you.

Hiya All,

I've not been on RS246 for quite a while until the last few days. I'm thinking of replacing my RS4 B5 for the B7 and have been interested in your opinions on the forum.
What is all the fuss about Fontain for? It seemed only yesterday, everybody was joking about the high price that they wanted for their black one. Now it's sold, everybody seems to want them stopped from getting their hands on more. Is'nt that what a free market economy is for? At the end of the day, if they have either ordered some up front or bought from other private buyers and taken the risk, good luck to them! If RS4's are freely available then they won't make a profit and they will have to take it on the chin.

Fair enough comment, but the point is there are quite a few cars floating around, and more to the point some of those are at RRP. It is already an expensive car so why pay more.

Gazzab

[tombs]

I can’t see what the fuss is about; if they can sell an Audi for xyz and the person buying that car is happy to pay xyz....good luck to Fontain. If Fontain decided to start selling the B5 RS4 at 35k I wouldn’t complain as it keeps the value of my car up! My point is, they are a business and there is alot of interest in the B7 RS4 and if they can make a profit and maximise a deal from all the hype who are we to criticize? We'd all do the same if we could, when it comes to selling your car you'll want the best possible price right? If joe punter comes along and wants to pay the asking price you dont say "no you can have it for a grand cheaper", or do you?

And why are Fontain being watched? MattC do you wish to elaborate as you seem to be implying there under some sort of investigation or do I have the wrong end of the stick?

[harry]

Is'nt that what a free market economy is for? At the end of the day, if they have either ordered some up front or bought from other private buyers and taken the risk, good luck to them! If RS4's are freely available then they won't make a profit and they will have to take it on the chin.

Good points well made imho

[CliveH]

I agree with you on all those points Tom. I just hope no one is daft enough to buy at such inflated prices, but as has been said, if there is a market at these prices then no doubt someone will!

As for Matt's comments, judging from previous threads, I dont think he will be prepared to reveal the source of his information, but he might elaborate on what he means.....Matt...??

[MattC]

Clive,

The launch of any new model such as the RS4 is very important to Audi UK, which is why they go to such lengths to stop false purchases. Dont get me wrong, there is little Audi can do after the event. But Audi try to stop false registrations, when an order is placed on Dialog, once entered you cant change a customers details without the order being cancelled.

Audi UK have the registrations of the cars at Fontains, then they track through Dialog the dealers who supplied the cars, I would almost garentee the dealer didnt know they would end up at Fontains, once they have dealer records they know who the customer was, then make suttle enquires.

Its a great way to make money I guess, its just distroys the trust and process for customer who beleave in the brand and order cars early.

Audi UK cant do a thing,

Shame.

[Scotty]

...apart from impose penalties, remove discounts, taken away the franchise etc.

[CliveH]

Many thanks for the clarification Matt. I wonder how you know all this...

[MattC]

...apart from impose penalties, remove discounts, taken away the franchise etc.

Trouble is I could walk in off the street order a car, pay my money, collect in a few months later, drive to Fontains and sell it at a profile.

Why take away a dealers franchise?

Matt

[CliveH]

It's quite possible that the dealer's didn't know it was going to Fontains...?

[Scotty]

...apart from impose penalties, remove discounts, taken away the franchise etc.

Trouble is I could walk in off the street order a car, pay my money, collect in a few months later, drive to Fontains and sell it at a profile.

Why take away a dealers franchise?

Matt

That's the ultimate sanction. They have rules and if you break them you get penalised.

I'm not saying there is any wrong doing as we don't have all the info, just what could be the case.

Audi only put orders through that have a persons name on them. I don't know how/if they validate them though.

[CliveH]

when an order is placed on Dialog, once entered you cant change a customers details without the order being cancelled.

So if orders in the pipeline are not freely transferable, then those for sale on the likes of ebay will be totally worthless (or scams)?