*Warning, incoming rant essay*
So after waiting a few months while the factory was shut down, I eventually lost my patience with Audi and especially my local dealer and told them to cancel the order, as I've decided my money is better spent elsewhere.
I was intially frustrated by the fact I had to wait nearly 3 months before the factory would accept the order (all the time the dealer had my 1k deposit despite no car being ordered). During that time, I had to badger the dealer for a test drive in an A6 as they didn't have a demo, and when they got the managers one, I was allowed it for 10mins (I had it for 30 but was made to feel I was being totally unreasonable) I was getting information from Audi UK about the spec changes which my local dealer (Taunton Audi) weren't keeping up with. I eventually get to the point where the order can be placed and lose more than 50% of the options I wanted due to the MY change.
So I have to sign a new order form with the dealer, the salesman did this over email/scanning docs etc to get it moving (and I don't work in my local town so can't get to the dealer during the weekdays), however the finance form scan was illegible so I couldn't fill it out. I email back asking to send it again but scanned more clearly - he said that they didn't have anything better, didn't offer any other solution so I emailed back asking to post it to me. He didn't reply then went on annual leave for a week without telling me, and still without ordering the car. I ring up 2 days later and a manager tells me they could do the form over the phone (!!). She does this, I express my annoyance and she is apologetic and sorts me out an A6 for the day. To be fair, her involvement was welcomed and she was good. The car gets ordered on the Thursday.
Come the following Tuesday, I've thought long and hard and was really annoyed by the delays, spec change, attitude of the sales staff and decided to cancel. I explained my reasons for them to then say after 2 days fine, we are keeping all your deposit as we have incurred costs. I was never notified that the car was in build process or had an order number or build date, then they suddenly after not replying for a few days tell me the car has a build date and they can't cancel it so I can't have my deposit back, and if I didn't like their service, I shouldn't have ordered a car with them (no sorry or anything from the general sales manager).
They have said they will keep my deposit for 6 months though which I can use towards another new vehicle from them, just to add salt in the wounds. (not sure how legal that is!)
I contacted Audi UK who were totally useless stating they have no control over the franchisee sales contracts etc.
Both dealer (Taunton) and Audi UK seem to have totally missed the point that I cancelled due to their bad service and not really taken any responsibility and are saying its your tough luck for cancelling. I'm on my 6th Audi and have taken my previous ones to my local dealer for servicing, cambelt changes, MOT etc and this is the treatment I get. Even after they told me I needed to change my tyres as they were at legal limit previously despite having 5mm of tread across the whole tyre I thought I'd give them another chance.
I don't think I'll be getting another Audi for many years after this, certainly won't be buying a new one ever.
*rant over*
So after waiting a few months while the factory was shut down, I eventually lost my patience with Audi and especially my local dealer and told them to cancel the order, as I've decided my money is better spent elsewhere.
I was intially frustrated by the fact I had to wait nearly 3 months before the factory would accept the order (all the time the dealer had my 1k deposit despite no car being ordered). During that time, I had to badger the dealer for a test drive in an A6 as they didn't have a demo, and when they got the managers one, I was allowed it for 10mins (I had it for 30 but was made to feel I was being totally unreasonable) I was getting information from Audi UK about the spec changes which my local dealer (Taunton Audi) weren't keeping up with. I eventually get to the point where the order can be placed and lose more than 50% of the options I wanted due to the MY change.
So I have to sign a new order form with the dealer, the salesman did this over email/scanning docs etc to get it moving (and I don't work in my local town so can't get to the dealer during the weekdays), however the finance form scan was illegible so I couldn't fill it out. I email back asking to send it again but scanned more clearly - he said that they didn't have anything better, didn't offer any other solution so I emailed back asking to post it to me. He didn't reply then went on annual leave for a week without telling me, and still without ordering the car. I ring up 2 days later and a manager tells me they could do the form over the phone (!!). She does this, I express my annoyance and she is apologetic and sorts me out an A6 for the day. To be fair, her involvement was welcomed and she was good. The car gets ordered on the Thursday.
Come the following Tuesday, I've thought long and hard and was really annoyed by the delays, spec change, attitude of the sales staff and decided to cancel. I explained my reasons for them to then say after 2 days fine, we are keeping all your deposit as we have incurred costs. I was never notified that the car was in build process or had an order number or build date, then they suddenly after not replying for a few days tell me the car has a build date and they can't cancel it so I can't have my deposit back, and if I didn't like their service, I shouldn't have ordered a car with them (no sorry or anything from the general sales manager).
They have said they will keep my deposit for 6 months though which I can use towards another new vehicle from them, just to add salt in the wounds. (not sure how legal that is!)
I contacted Audi UK who were totally useless stating they have no control over the franchisee sales contracts etc.
Both dealer (Taunton) and Audi UK seem to have totally missed the point that I cancelled due to their bad service and not really taken any responsibility and are saying its your tough luck for cancelling. I'm on my 6th Audi and have taken my previous ones to my local dealer for servicing, cambelt changes, MOT etc and this is the treatment I get. Even after they told me I needed to change my tyres as they were at legal limit previously despite having 5mm of tread across the whole tyre I thought I'd give them another chance.
I don't think I'll be getting another Audi for many years after this, certainly won't be buying a new one ever.
*rant over*
