Dropped by a Strastone dealership today to view an ex-Land Rover owned car_ a Sport that's under a year old.

A windscreen sticker on the car declared that there would be an additional £70 fee on top of the purchase price of about £45,000 if you wanted a 'free from finance' and history confirmation.

I guess being a stupid old git I'd had thought that it was against the law for a dealer to sell a car without guaranteeing that the new owner had full title to the car.

Needless to say I walked away, not because of the £70 but the fact it demonstrated a small minded and penny pinching attitude to customer service that, in my opinion, would not bode well when and if future problems cropped up!!

Isn't buying a finance free car one of the reason people use main stealers?
Next they'll be charging to view cars

Nik. 2015 Golf R DSG
Gone 2013 Mercedes C220 CDi AMG Sport Plus
Gone 2008 2.7 RRS HSE

Margins simply are not what they used to be, and certainly not what people imagine them to be. Since internet deals came about and people walked into showrooms with 10% discount on a print out, and imports, people have become a lot more savvy, and driven prices down.

Also, it has become easier for joe public to buy cars and become "traders", or buy private cars from the auction, inflating auction prices.

The "admin fee" or whatever it's dressed up as, is just an additional profit centre. It really makes a big difference overall.

Pretty much all franchise dealers have it, and most larger independents also.

I wouldn't walk away from the right car for £70.

£70 makes a difference to a main dealer? Wow, they must be giving the cars away for no profit then. Perhaps that why they charge over £100/hr for service work done by a muppet on less than £20/hr...

If they keep doing things like this then there will be even less reason to use a main dealer. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Yes, it makes a difference.

100 cars a month, £7000.

Vehicle sales are not a profit centre. Servicing is.

This has been around for years and a speciality of pendragon - ie stratstone, Evans halshaw and quicks

I refuse to pay every time because by law they are responsible so no need to pay for it - never had a issue yet  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-pro...joSbCW3OTk Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/...s-sum6.cfm Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

And is paying £12 for a courtesy car normal? That's what I'm being charged by Lancaster in a few weeks, which seems a bit tight on what will probably be a £600 service bill.

Never paid VW, Audi, BMW, Lotus, or Mercedes for the use of a courtesy car during routine servicing. 2016 VW Golf GTD DSG
2007 Exige S British GT SE
Gone : 2011 3.0TDV6 HSE, Stornoway Grey, Ivory, Piano Black Trim, Paddleshift, Privacy Glass, Side Steps, Mud Flaps, Heated Steering Wheel, Timed Climate & Remote Park Heating

Lancaster Reading lost all our service work on two Range Rovers when they started charging 1% on credit cards apparently it was a decision from senior management that couldn't be overruled

Bomber H wrote:

And is paying £12 for a courtesy car normal? That's what I'm being charged by Lancaster in a few weeks, which seems a bit tight on what will probably be a £600 service bill.

Never paid VW, Audi, BMW, Lotus, or Mercedes for the use of a courtesy car during routine servicing.

I came across the Stratstones 'Admin Fee' a few months ago when I was looking at a 45K Disco at their Milton Keynes dealership. As it was we didn't agree a deal so I walked away, but I have never paid an admin fee with any other dealer.........

Jim

Another "Stratstonism" (not sure if thats a real word! lol) is that on their used vehicles the last number on the screen price of a vehicle indicates how many weeks it has been on the forecourt.

So you stand a better chance of a good haggle if a car is priced at $45509 rather than one priced at $45501.

Jim

Concept wrote:

100 cars a month, £7000.

.

No !... thanks for sharing that  MY2007 RRS TDV8 Black - tinted glass - side steps- stormer grille - 20" diamond cut alloys - alpaca leather - TV/DVD pack - some blingy chrome bits & bob's

Unnecessary quote removed


Alright smart arse, just highlighting the difference it can make.