Deposit for used car taken over phone, dealership bow refusing sale (England)
Numerous issues with a medium sized local dealership in England. Had I read reviews I would have run a mile!
Order of events below:
Day 1 - saw car advertised on AutoTrader. Called up to confirm still available, explained I lived 3 hours away and would be needing to collect two days later. Dealer said car would have 12 months MOT on sale.
Day 2 - called to pay deposit (£500) over phone by card. Dealer said non-refundable.
Day 3 - arrived to collect car. Dealer not expecting to me, car not on forecourt and not prepped. I explained the situation and that I needed to drive it home, dealer said tough and that all cars have a seven day turnaround. I asked what he had expected me to do today in turning up at their premises, dealer said he thought I just wanted to see the car. Told me car was unsafe to drive home but that I could test drive it, threatened to call the police when I jokingly suggested I test drive it home, said I had to pay cash for the remaining balance (several £1000s), refused to contact manager/director.
Conversation ended with me saying I no longer wished to purchase the vehicle due to their behaviour and asked for deposit to be refunded. Dealership told me no refunds. I believe I am protected under distance selling regs (ie Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013). M
Is this correct?