Can I walk away?

[mailskobe]

Hello,
I recently ordered a car which is currently under production (awaiting transport). I have not signed anything yet with the dealer but I did put the drive off amount down.

That payment included:
1) The first month's car payment
2) Title/registration
3) Acquisition fee

Since putting that money down, I had to go back to the dealer couple of times to renegotiate my Money Factor, the dealer has initially charged me 2.75 and was not allowing me to do the MSD program. He has now agreed to do all that and also reduce the MF.

However, all this interaction has left a really bad taste in my mouth. The idea of dealing with these people for the next 36 months unsettles me to no end....

the question is... can i walk away from the car? I have not signed any lease or any other document, all they gave me was a receipt of my credit card that i used to pay the initial payment. I plan to call my Credit card company tomorrow and ask them about disputing the charge. (if it comes to that)


Any info will be appreciated...
mail

[cer2225]

mail-

It sounds to me that you both did your job. He was working for the dealership and you for yourself. I would not expect him to just give up everything without you asking. You did ask and he gave you what you wanted.

This is VERY similar to what I went thorugh last month and I respect my CA for his hard work. I had my car ordered then negotiated the lease deal. He did meet my requests and I was happy about that. I respect him for trying to do his job to the best of his ability along with trying to make me happy. It is a very fine line good CA's walk. Those that can do it are the successful ones.

He also threw in a nice BMW polo shirt. (Of course I had to ask) LOL

If I were you I would make peace with your CA and start tracking your new ride. Lifes too short.

Enjoy the Bimmer.

[Mace14]

Not meant as a lecture but MF and MSD should have all been sorted out before you placed the order and gave them the deposit.

Never heard of a dealer trying to deny you the MSD, that's really between you and BMWFS.

If you haven't signed anything and don't like the agreement demand the money back and walk. States vary a bit in their consumer protection laws but as a general rule you should easily get your money back.

[ckm1515]

Hello,
I recently ordered a car which is currently under production (awaiting transport). I have not signed anything yet with the dealer but I did put the drive off amount down.

That payment included:
1) The first month's car payment
2) Title/registration
3) Acquisition fee

Since putting that money down, I had to go back to the dealer couple of times to renegotiate my Money Factor, the dealer has initially charged me 2.75 and was not allowing me to do the MSD program. He has now agreed to do all that and also reduce the MF.

However, all this interaction has left a really bad taste in my mouth. The idea of dealing with these people for the next 36 months unsettles me to no end....

the question is... can i walk away from the car? I have not signed any lease or any other document, all they gave me was a receipt of my credit card that i used to pay the initial payment. I plan to call my Credit card company tomorrow and ask them about disputing the charge. (if it comes to that)


Any info will be appreciated...
mail

You can absolutely walk away. I walked away from a dealer about 7 years ago for a variety of reasons. What I wouldn't have done was put down anything other than a deposit, which is typically refundable so long as the color combo isn't something the dealer can' t move. This was stated to me upfront. To make you pay those costs upfront prior to taking possession of the car was not a wise move. Why give them free use of your funds for almost 60 days? Those types of costs are not required when initiating a lease deal.

[JW_BMW]

Hello,
I recently ordered a car which is currently under production (awaiting transport). I have not signed anything yet with the dealer but I did put the drive off amount down.

That payment included:
1) The first month's car payment
2) Title/registration
3) Acquisition fee

Since putting that money down, I had to go back to the dealer couple of times to renegotiate my Money Factor, the dealer has initially charged me 2.75 and was not allowing me to do the MSD program. He has now agreed to do all that and also reduce the MF.

However, all this interaction has left a really bad taste in my mouth. The idea of dealing with these people for the next 36 months unsettles me to no end....

the question is... can i walk away from the car? I have not signed any lease or any other document, all they gave me was a receipt of my credit card that i used to pay the initial payment. I plan to call my Credit card company tomorrow and ask them about disputing the charge. (if it comes to that)


Any info will be appreciated...
mail

Of course you can walk away ... with that said, don't you negotiate everything first BEFORE placing an order.

Why would they not allow you to do the MSD program...makes no sense.

And what is 2.75?

[beewang]

In CA you can walk away from the deal and get your deposit back up until the moment the car leaves the dealer's lot. Once the front wheel hits the street pavement... then you've crossed the point of no return...;)

[ucbsupafly]

Hello,
I recently ordered a car which is currently under production (awaiting transport). I have not signed anything yet with the dealer but I did put the drive off amount down.

That payment included:
1) The first month's car payment
2) Title/registration
3) Acquisition fee

Since putting that money down, I had to go back to the dealer couple of times to renegotiate my Money Factor, the dealer has initially charged me 2.75 and was not allowing me to do the MSD program. He has now agreed to do all that and also reduce the MF.

However, all this interaction has left a really bad taste in my mouth. The idea of dealing with these people for the next 36 months unsettles me to no end....

the question is... can i walk away from the car? I have not signed any lease or any other document, all they gave me was a receipt of my credit card that i used to pay the initial payment. I plan to call my Credit card company tomorrow and ask them about disputing the charge. (if it comes to that)


Any info will be appreciated...
mail

I can understand your frustration, but that's part of the car buying experience. The dealers are there to make money. It's up to you to negotiate a deal that is comfortable for you.
Now, despite not having negotiated the deal before you put down a deposit, it seems to me that you were still able to obtain the terms you originally wanted, so what's the problem? You do not have to see these people after you take delivery of the car. You certainly don't have to deal with them for the next 36 months or ever again. You can get your car serviced at, as well as return at lease end to, any of the other BMW dealers in LA So, in the end, as long as you can get the car for the deal you feel comfortable with, go for it and start driving. Why risk going to another dealer and start the whole process over again?

Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

P.S. If you truly don't feel comfortable going through with the purchase, by all means, cancel the order now and get your deposit back. In CA, the deposit is fully refundable before you sign the purchase or lease contract.

[mclaren]

Of course you can walk away ... with that said, don't you negotiate everything first BEFORE placing an order.

Why would they not allow you to do the MSD program...makes no sense.

And what is 2.75?

As I posted in another thread my experience is the typical CA doesn't know MSDs from 3rd base. They say things like "those are for people who are financially challenged" or "why would anyone want to put down extra security deposits on a lease ?".

[mailskobe]

Thanks all for your responses.
I am getting a better deal from another dealer who happens to be very upfront and direct. I was able to negotiate a much better deal with the new dealer in 10 minutes. My old dealer (who has my deposit) went around and around, took over 8 hours and still the deal is not as good.

As to why I did not negotiate completely before putting a deposit... well there were certain things that the dealer claimed that he did not know about... like MSD, so i had to research it... he claimed a MF of 2.75 and i had to research and tell him that its actually 2.1... so on and so forth... at the end may be i messed up and got pressured by the end of the month deadline...

Anyway, it done now. I will talk to him again and ask him to match the other dealer and if he refuses, i will walk away.

It was good to know that I dont have to take the car back to the same dealer after 36 months!!

mail

[Calif65GM]

I'm wondering if the dealer was trying to use another leasing company and that's why they wouldn't do the MSDs orginally and the rate difference.

[mailskobe]

No, its is BMWFS. I still dont get why dealers do not talk about MSDs. According to me its is one of the great tools they can use to lease cars.

[chrischeung]

Thanks all for your responses.
I am getting a better deal from another dealer who happens to be very upfront and direct. I was able to negotiate a much better deal with the new dealer in 10 minutes. My old dealer (who has my deposit) went around and around, took over 8 hours and still the deal is not as good.

As to why I did not negotiate completely before putting a deposit... well there were certain things that the dealer claimed that he did not know about... like MSD, so i had to research it... he claimed a MF of 2.75 and i had to research and tell him that its actually 2.1... so on and so forth... at the end may be i messed up and got pressured by the end of the month deadline...

Anyway, it done now. I will talk to him again and ask him to match the other dealer and if he refuses, i will walk away.

It was good to know that I dont have to take the car back to the same dealer after 36 months!!

mail

Does the second dealer know you have a deposit elsewhere?

[JW_BMW]

As I posted in another thread my experience is the typical CA doesn't know MSDs from 3rd base. They say things like "those are for people who are financially challenged" or "why would anyone want to put down extra security deposits on a lease ?".

If those are the CAs you have been working with than you have not been dealing with any CAs that are in the BMW honors program.

There is no way a honors CA will say something like that. :thumbdwn:

Not for nothing...you the customers can and should request to speak to a different CA or ask for the ISM, even SM if you do not feel the CA is doing his/her job in assisting you.

One misinformed CA is not a true reflection of the entire sales force of that BMW Center. :thumbup:

[The BoatMan]

Then go with the new upfront CA. Why are you going to play the upfront CA who gave you a good deal against the CA who you said is playing games?

Thanks all for your responses.
I am getting a better deal from another dealer who happens to be very upfront and direct. I was able to negotiate a much better deal with the new dealer in 10 minutes. My old dealer (who has my deposit) went around and around, took over 8 hours and still the deal is not as good.