Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

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Ben82
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Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Ben82 »

So my mum went to get me some bits from Citroen in the UK for me, they didn't have them in stock, so had to order them in, but they requested she paid for them then and there, and they'll let her know when they are in to collect.

They didn't amount to all that much (about £30 in total), so not really high value items that would require a "deposit" of sorts.

Just seems a bit odd that they didn't have the goods in their possession to charge for at that time? Or is this standard for Citroen in the UK?
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Xaccers »

Happened to me several times if it's over £10-15 quid
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Post by addo »

For supplying a non stock item to a non-account customer, it's fairly normal to ask for a substantial upfront payment. The risk of people not following through on a commitment is just too high.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Chris570 »

As Addo said, this is fairly common. My local dealer doesnt do it for me anymore but they certainly used to, now i've spent thousands with them they are a bit more relaxed about it
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by TooMany2cvs »

Ben82 wrote:Or is this standard for Citroen in the UK?
Standard for any half-way sensible business, imho.

Think about it from their point of view - a total stranger walks in, asks you to spend time ordering some non-stock items in... will you ever see them again?
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by spider »

Regarding parts, at where I was if it was a stock item that was not in stock for whatever reason then no, no charge.

If it was a non stock item then the full price would have to be paid in advance for it.

Not my policy I should add.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Ben82 »

spider wrote:Regarding parts, at where I was if it was a stock item that was not in stock for whatever reason then no, no charge.

If it was a non stock item then the full price would have to be paid in advance for it.

Not my policy I should add.
Thanks, this actually explains it, I was thinking from the other replies "even if it's not in stock, it can probably be reshifted around the network, if the person doesn't end up buying it", not realising that there's a distinct difference between "non-stock" and "not in stock".
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by spider »

From what the parts colleagues told me (I did work there but not in parts) anything specially ordered (usually from Coventry) was not returnable.

I suspect personally it probably was returnable but would involve a % fee or much paperwork so they did not want to bother not sure though.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by myglaren »

Yes. I have paid up front for two MAFs and some other thing, probably the wheel arch liner or the climate control module, things they did not stock.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by stu9 »

What gets me is the "handling" charge!....they take it off the counter and take it through to a rack in another room....robbing fkrs :evil:
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by CitroJim »

stu9 wrote:What gets me is the "handling" charge!....
Mine asks for upfront payment but there's no handling charge...

I'd fond another Stealer...
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by myglaren »

I have never paid a handling charge either. Also given a discount, without having to ask, when buying more than one item.

Bought a MAF, engine oil, gearbox oil, cooling system bleed caps and antifreeze and got a substantial discount.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by eye_flys »

My local Citroen dealer, the very helpful Ness Motors in Inverness, asked for my card number, but didn't take payment until the 3 way brake union ( :x ) arrived.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Mandrake »

I must be lucky, but I've never been asked for money up front by my local stealer... and I've usually ordered over the phone then picked up in person. Mind you I don't think I've bought anything over £50.
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Re: Is it normal for dealers to ask for money up front?

Post by Ben82 »

Well they still don't have all the parts, and currently don't know when the rest are coming. :S oh well might as wait until I'm over there to being them back. :)
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