Personal Contract Hire

[scottyhib]

Hi folks,

Been registered here for a while and this is my first post. I hope this is the correct forum for my query.

In July 2008 I ordered a new shape Audi A3 1.4 TFSi on a two year Personal Contract Hire. I paid the deposit of 3 monthly rentals up front and I was given a rough delivery date of November/December. I have yet to receive my car although I beleive it's status is now "in ship".

Last weekend I got a call from the Audi business manager at the dealership I ordered from. He told me that Audi are no longer providing PCH and they want to change my contract to a PCP which is going to cost me more a month and also means I don't get my road tax every year as part of the deal. They also want to shift me onto a 3 year deal.

Having phoned around it does appear that Audi have removed PCH deals from their finance options but what I need to know is when this was put into place. From what I have heard it has not been a recent thing. There is a chance I might want to pull out the deal and I would hate to think that Audi have delayed telling me this news in order to wait until the car is ready and lessening my chances of getting my deposit back, if I did indeed cancel. I really want this car but don't want Audi moving the goalposts too much and messing me around.

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers in advance!

[tlionhart]

As far as im aware, you can still trade the car after 2yrs. However for the right to cancel, pay the balloon to keep the car will be at the end of the 3yr term.

Thing is, did you sign a contract for the PCH deal? My understanding the whole VWFS (volkswagen finance service) scrapped the PCH. Because it wasn't a fair deal for customers. You got the road fund license a year, with unlimited mileage. but no incentive.

Cars depreciate fast, especially now. I'm just about to end a HIRE PURCHASE and move onto the PCP. (hire purchase to own the car outright) just no point holding onto new cars these days, unless you really can't afford it.

I think you have a right to cancel the contract, because they changed the T+C. If this product means your gonna pay more, demand they offer it to the same value or you'll get your money back. You may loose the deposit, but not the 3months payment. Again, check the T+C if they gave you a contract.

You quite rightly say, they have moved the goal post. Also, speak to audi customer service if your not happy. They will slap the dealer for you.

Im sure PCH has been scraped for this new year. Im certain i saw it on the finance products in DEC 08. I could be wrong.

That is harsh what they have done...in a nutshell. You said, right get me this brand new car, heres the deposit and 3 months cash. Then they go and say, actually the contract you signed doesn't exist now...your now stuck, pay more money! Im sure you have a right to cancel...

[scottyhib]

Cheers mate.

The deposit I put down was the three months up front and nothing else. They are taking this as the PCP deposit now. Basically the money I put down at the start was a typical 3+23 leasing deposit as normal.

I have Friday off so I am going to arrange a meeting with the business manager who called me. Basically I am going to say I want the monthly payment on PCP to mirror what I was going to pay on PCH. If they won't budge I am going to ask for incentives (free servicing for length of contract etc) or even try and get a discount from them. Failing that I will be asking for my deposit back in full.

I didn't sign a PCH contract when I put the deposit down. All I have is a vehicle order form with all the details of car, price etc. I also have a deposit receipt and a letter from Audi confirming my order. I am not sure where I am going to stand on all this when it comes to the nitty gritty on Friday!

[tlionhart]

im sure they will come to some kind of agreement... good luck mate.

Let us know how you get on

[onemanparty]

Cheers mate.

The deposit I put down was the three months up front and nothing else. They are taking this as the PCP deposit now. Basically the money I put down at the start was a typical 3+23 leasing deposit as normal.

I have Friday off so I am going to arrange a meeting with the business manager who called me. Basically I am going to say I want the monthly payment on PCP to mirror what I was going to pay on PCH. If they won't budge I am going to ask for incentives (free servicing for length of contract etc) or even try and get a discount from them. Failing that I will be asking for my deposit back in full.

I didn't sign a PCH contract when I put the deposit down. All I have is a vehicle order form with all the details of car, price etc. I also have a deposit receipt and a letter from Audi confirming my order. I am not sure where I am going to stand on all this when it comes to the nitty gritty on Friday!

Hi There

Without a signed agreement the ball will be in there court, But you should have been called earlier to example what was happening I would use this to your advantage if you can, They have been earning interest on your money etc etc.

PCP should be a better deal that PCH with better options at the end of the agreement. I would check what is included in the PCP i.e. Servicing etc as this maybe the reason the cost has increased but more than likely the drop in RV's

Also worth noting that Audi have just increased prices by about 2% but there is a lot of value add packs available i.e. A3 1.9TDIe FOC Sport upgrade etc