Lack of new cars fuels driver anger
IF you’ve tried to order a new car recently, you will have no doubt been told of a long wait.
This is because the whole manufacturing process has slowed down, partly because of a global shortage of certain components due to the pandemic and partly now because of the tragic situation in Ukraine.
The problem is not unique to cars – it has also had an impact of the manufacturers of boats, caravans and electrical goods.
Complaints
However, it has given rise to a flurry of complaints in my inbox from consumers who paid deposits for items that will now not be delivered when promised.
Gavin in Northampton ordered a new Mini in October. He paid a £500 deposit and was told it would be delivered this month.
He has now been told delivery will not be until at least June.
Upon hearing the news, Gavin cancelled his order and asked for his deposit back but the garage told him it was “non-refundable”.
Daryl in Bournemouth ordered a new motor boat with an outboard engine last June and was told it would be delivered by April.
This week, he was told the boat had arrived but without the engine, which would be coming “later in the year”. The marina then told him that he cannot cancel the order as the boat has arrived. I’ve
received lots of other messages just like these. Ordinarily I tell people that you cannot get a non-refundable deposit back, but these circumstances are clearly different.
Gavin says he was told his new Mini would definitely be here by March and this enticed him to pay the deposit.
The delivery date therefore formed part of the contract so when the date was missed, it became a breach of contract. He is therefore entitled to his deposit back. The same goes for Daryl – and it doesn’t make any difference that the boat has arrived because until the engine is also here, his order is not complete.
If you place an order for goods that need to come from the manufacturer, make sure you get a firm delivery date in writing.
This will protect your deposit and give you the right to a refund if the delivery date is breached.