Hypothetical (probably) scenario

[bobjebb]

Having bought my RS6 to do perhaps 5000 miles a year as a hobby, there will always certain things that were more important in terms of spec than others and due to the generic hi standard spec anyway, essentially it was about driving the car!

However it becomes a matter of principle when you speak to a dealer and ask him to confirm, TWICE in writing, the precise infotainment spec for the car( HDD nav, 3G, Jukebox, etc.) and you get it home and it doesn't remotely compare.

Conversely there seem to be bits like soft close doors that I was told that it didn't have, that it does...

So with that in mind, if I felt like being awkward could I return the car on that basis? I cannot see me doing it as it feels fantastic to drive and knowing my luck I might get another with a problem, but I was just interested. I posed the question to Audi customer services who said, guess what, speak to the dealer!

Anyone been in this situation before?

[doodlebug]

I think you'd be met with some resistance especially as some time has passed. However you have your consumer rights....

[catfood12]

I thought all the plus's had 3G ?

[MNK]

I was sold an M3 by a dealer who claimed it had 1 previous owner. Got the V5 a few weeks later and it was more. They admitted the mistake (luckily I used to contact them via email so had it in writing) and offered me a free M umbrella! Quick letter threatening to take it to small claims court and I got an extra year's warranty worth £1k.

If you have been told the car had something that it didn't you should definitely pursue it. They're supposed to be the experts. I'd be surprised if you could return the car unless it's been a very short space of time since you bought it. Probably get something like extra warranty (or maybe even have it swapped for a 3G unit). I wouldn't mention the extras that you did get that weren't declared.

[bam_bam]

You requested it in writing TWICE! Then they deliver you a car without your request for-filled? You have every right and means to tear them a new arsehole, one that is messy and remains very hard to clean no matter how many times you wipe it...
It's pure incompetence on their part, explain to them in no uncertain terms that you want a solution offered, I'd start at the 3G retrofit. You have a lot more leverage than you think.

[bobjebb]

I thought all the plus's had 3G ?

My C6 isn't a Plus...

You requested it in writing TWICE! Then they deliver you a car without your request for-filled? You have every right and means to tear them a new arsehole, one that is messy and remains very hard to clean no matter how many times you wipe it...
It's pure incompetence on their part, explain to them in no uncertain terms that you want a solution offered, I'd start at the 3G retrofit. You have a lot more leverage than you think.

Yup, I asked the simple question first, as they had advertised the car as HDD Nav, then they said DVD based. Confused I asked the following:


"Dear XXX

The MMI - You mentioned it was DVD Nav based, rather than HDD? This would mean 2G I think?

Here is the glossary I found for 3G (Navigation Plus)


MMI navigation plus

Includes a high-quality radio system
Hard-drive navigation
High-resolution 7" colour display (wide VGA 800 x 480 pixels)
Offset MMI control panel with joystick
Jukebox with 10 GB of memory for music files
Two SD memory card readers for memory cards with a maximum capacity of 32 GB each
Speech dialogue system with whole-word input to operate navigation, directory and – if installed – telephone
vCard function: all stored contacts can be transferred in vCard format via Bluetooth to mobile phones or PDAs

Sorry to be picky about it, but I'd like to be sure."

Their response:

"Hi,

The nav Is HDD, and have checked the spec you have mentioned below with the tech dept and to confirm - this is what the car has.


Kindest regards XXXX.

So I do feel I have some valid reason to kick up a stink here. I thought I might simply email to say I will be returning the car and they can source me another one see what happens?

Rapid advice much appreciated, by the way I've had the car 6 days so far.

[doodlebug]

start at the 3G retrofit. You have a lot more leverage than you think.

I think I'd prefer a new backdoor than a dealer dismantling my car to retrofit 3G.

CraigyB on tyresmoke is the man to ask. As I recall it requires numerous component changes around the car, it was a major job.

You'd within your rights to return the car, I think, but I'm not sure they would bend over to source another. Given the % of cars with 3G and bearing in mind they are later cars it may be a) difficult to find another and b) if so it will either be more $$ or there will be another difference (more miles, less other kit).

[bam_bam]

The question is; will you regret it in future for not having 3G?
If it was clearly a deciding factor in the purchase (affirmed by you asking in writing, twice) then send it back.

[HYFR]

if you've had it 6days, then do it ... i was thinking months had passed

tbh, the 3G tech pack IS a big thing ... the tech is bang up to date with 2012 Audi's, so the 2G's will start to age quite quickly

[bobjebb]

As for sourcing another car, I was going to at least give them this option. Along with: 2. Reverse the sale 3. Retrofit 3G. 4. one other form of compensation.

Thanks again.

[bam_bam]

Yeah but what sort of 'compensation' would stop you ever thinking "hmmm, I still wish it had 3G"

[RSKiwi]

The question is; will you regret it in future for not having 3G?
If it was clearly a deciding factor in the purchase (affirmed by you asking in writing, twice) then send it back.

I am with Bam on this.

You did everything reasonably expected as a customer in making them aware of what you wanted and they confirmed. Effectively, to me, you were told you were getting x and you have been given y which is actually a lesser product.

You definitely have a very good case to come to some sort of agreeable arrangement.

[GLM]

i was under the impression that under consumer acts and whatnot, you had a 14day period to return anything if its not as advertised, no questions asked etc... the old 'cooling off period'.

i'm getting a car delivered from leeds audi ans was told that if i picked up the car iw ould have the 14days, but as its being delivered i wouldnt... bit surprised by that as not sure on the difference really.

If i were you i would push for a retrofit/get money back to cover a retrofit - finding another car would take a while and prob cost a lot more if you want an Avant with 3g as likely to be 2010 model.

[MNK]

Rapid advice much appreciated, by the way I've had the car 6 days so far.

You should have no problems in giving it back if you've had it 6 days. Don't accept anything other than a full refund.

Nothing to do with their satisfaction guarantees (30 day exchanges etc) - this is simply a misrepresentation of the goods sold.

As you say - the quicker you get back to them the better.

[bobjebb]

Email sent, and phone is ringing, having specifically told them to answer my concerns via email....