rowen
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Hi All,
Sorry for this being a bit of a novel, but I really appreciate everyone's time for reading and advice they can give. If your in a rush skip to the second last paragraph.
I have just signed to the purchase of a new 06 VE Berlina and I am getting screwed around by the dealership regarding the tow hitch, which was negotiated into the deal prior to signing.
As we are country buyers, the deal I had negotiated with this particular dealer over the phone was for a December 06 Crema VE Berlina (unlicensed and with 9kms on the clock so not ex demo), all on roads (including 12 months licensing) and a GENUINE Holden tow hitch for 36500. When we got to the dealer to sign the paper work the dealer proceeded to tell me that the genuine holden tow hitch was not a REECE style hitch (that has the removeable ball and tounge) and that if I wanted the reece style hitch it would be an extra $600 on top of the deal AND since it's a non-genuine holden part it may void the warranty if something goes wrong. The dealer also informed us that the maximum towing capacity of a VE with either hitches installed was 1600kg. This is where I smelt the first rat as I had already been told by another dealer that the maximum available towing capacity (with the right kit) of a VE is 2100kg. Since we required a reece style hitch and we wern't 100% sure he WASN'T telling the truth about the genuine kit not being a reece hitch we relucantly agreed to pay $150 extra for the hitch we wanted and live with the possibility of voiding the warranty. Keep in mind that we had already traveled a couple of hours to get to the dealer and it was 4:30 friday arvo, so we basically had the choice of buying the car (which we were extremely happy with) or going home carless and having wasted a lot of time and effort through doing so. At the end of the day $150 was stuff all in the whole scheme of things, but yes I also agreed it is $150 we shouldn't have had to pay.
Apon returning home the first thing I did was check the list of holden genuine accessories and sure enough, it states that ALL the genuine holden tow packages (1200kg, 1600kg and 2100kg) were reece style hitches and the 2100kg package has an RRP of $995.
First thing today I got onto the phone to the parts section of the dealer I went through and confirmed what I already knew about a genuine hitch being a reece style, and that they had the 2100kg package in stock. After this I rang the sales guy I dealt with and basically spat chips as I had been dwelling on this all night and was quite furious about it. After spilling my mind he reluctantly aggreed to throw in a 2100kg Genuine holden towing package for no more than the $150 we had already agreed on. And the best part is he then proceeded to tell me that even though my car will have the 2100kg towing package installed when I pick it up, if I want to tow over 1600KG I need to get some "Height Adjustable Package" (he couldn't even tell me what it was as they have never done one, but he thinks it may be something to do with hydraulic suspension) from holden that will cost a further $900. The catch here is that the kit is only available ex melbourne (we are in perth) and if I want them to install it prior to taking delivery of the car, the delivery date will be pushed further back than tuesday next week (which we had already agreed on). I told him I was not interested in delaying delivery, so we will not get the extra package installed until we need it, if we ever do.
So basically, what I am asking here is can anyone explain to me what is included in the tow packages and does it sound right that if I have the 2100kg tow package installed, will I only be able to legally tow 1600kg until I get that extra option installed? It would also be much appreciated if someone could provide some photo's of the different kits installed and location of the "Tow Rating" plaque so when we go to collect the car on tuesday I can be 110% sure that I am driving away in a car that has a 2100kg tow package installed and that he isn't still trying to screw me by installing the 1600kg package.
On tuesday, if I am not 110% happy with the car I will not be paying for it until I am. We are in a good positon here as the car is not financed and we will be drawing up a bank cheque that will not be handed over until we are happy with the vehichle and installed accessories. Basically the way I see the contract (again any advice on if this is right would be great) is that any Lie by the dealer about something being installed that is not installed would constitute a breach and therefore make the contract null and void.
So if anyone has a 2100kg VE towhitch installed any advice you can provide as to what is included in the packages and photo's of the install would be extremely appreciated.
On a side note, apart from all the drama's and hassles does 36500 seem like a reasonable buy for a new December 06 Berlina?
And that's about it. Thanks in advance for your help.
Sorry for this being a bit of a novel, but I really appreciate everyone's time for reading and advice they can give. If your in a rush skip to the second last paragraph.
I have just signed to the purchase of a new 06 VE Berlina and I am getting screwed around by the dealership regarding the tow hitch, which was negotiated into the deal prior to signing.
As we are country buyers, the deal I had negotiated with this particular dealer over the phone was for a December 06 Crema VE Berlina (unlicensed and with 9kms on the clock so not ex demo), all on roads (including 12 months licensing) and a GENUINE Holden tow hitch for 36500. When we got to the dealer to sign the paper work the dealer proceeded to tell me that the genuine holden tow hitch was not a REECE style hitch (that has the removeable ball and tounge) and that if I wanted the reece style hitch it would be an extra $600 on top of the deal AND since it's a non-genuine holden part it may void the warranty if something goes wrong. The dealer also informed us that the maximum towing capacity of a VE with either hitches installed was 1600kg. This is where I smelt the first rat as I had already been told by another dealer that the maximum available towing capacity (with the right kit) of a VE is 2100kg. Since we required a reece style hitch and we wern't 100% sure he WASN'T telling the truth about the genuine kit not being a reece hitch we relucantly agreed to pay $150 extra for the hitch we wanted and live with the possibility of voiding the warranty. Keep in mind that we had already traveled a couple of hours to get to the dealer and it was 4:30 friday arvo, so we basically had the choice of buying the car (which we were extremely happy with) or going home carless and having wasted a lot of time and effort through doing so. At the end of the day $150 was stuff all in the whole scheme of things, but yes I also agreed it is $150 we shouldn't have had to pay.
Apon returning home the first thing I did was check the list of holden genuine accessories and sure enough, it states that ALL the genuine holden tow packages (1200kg, 1600kg and 2100kg) were reece style hitches and the 2100kg package has an RRP of $995.
First thing today I got onto the phone to the parts section of the dealer I went through and confirmed what I already knew about a genuine hitch being a reece style, and that they had the 2100kg package in stock. After this I rang the sales guy I dealt with and basically spat chips as I had been dwelling on this all night and was quite furious about it. After spilling my mind he reluctantly aggreed to throw in a 2100kg Genuine holden towing package for no more than the $150 we had already agreed on. And the best part is he then proceeded to tell me that even though my car will have the 2100kg towing package installed when I pick it up, if I want to tow over 1600KG I need to get some "Height Adjustable Package" (he couldn't even tell me what it was as they have never done one, but he thinks it may be something to do with hydraulic suspension) from holden that will cost a further $900. The catch here is that the kit is only available ex melbourne (we are in perth) and if I want them to install it prior to taking delivery of the car, the delivery date will be pushed further back than tuesday next week (which we had already agreed on). I told him I was not interested in delaying delivery, so we will not get the extra package installed until we need it, if we ever do.
So basically, what I am asking here is can anyone explain to me what is included in the tow packages and does it sound right that if I have the 2100kg tow package installed, will I only be able to legally tow 1600kg until I get that extra option installed? It would also be much appreciated if someone could provide some photo's of the different kits installed and location of the "Tow Rating" plaque so when we go to collect the car on tuesday I can be 110% sure that I am driving away in a car that has a 2100kg tow package installed and that he isn't still trying to screw me by installing the 1600kg package.
On tuesday, if I am not 110% happy with the car I will not be paying for it until I am. We are in a good positon here as the car is not financed and we will be drawing up a bank cheque that will not be handed over until we are happy with the vehichle and installed accessories. Basically the way I see the contract (again any advice on if this is right would be great) is that any Lie by the dealer about something being installed that is not installed would constitute a breach and therefore make the contract null and void.
So if anyone has a 2100kg VE towhitch installed any advice you can provide as to what is included in the packages and photo's of the install would be extremely appreciated.
On a side note, apart from all the drama's and hassles does 36500 seem like a reasonable buy for a new December 06 Berlina?
And that's about it. Thanks in advance for your help.