Birchwood Ford Store Hastings

Birchwood Ford Store Hastings were helpful because they were very helpful and being a women on her own i didn't feel intimidated as i had done at a more recent ford at staines

Reviewed on JudgeService

My initial dealings with the salesman were pleasant and professional. However, once it became clear that I wished to purchase the vehicle, my experience changed significantly.

One of my first questions was whether the advertised price was the best that could be offered. I was told that the dealership was keen to sell the vehicle because it was not a Ford, and a discount of £250 from the advertised price was agreed.

The second, and most important, question I asked was whether the vehicle had been serviced and had a full service history. I made it clear that this was important to me, and I was assured that the answer to both questions was yes.

Based on those assurances, I asked my colleague to travel to the dealership to inspect and test drive the vehicle. After deciding to proceed with the purchase, I was then informed that the previously agreed discount would no longer be honoured because the salesman had since spoken to his manager and the dealership would allegedly lose money if they sold it at the agreed price. I was shown a screen stating that the dealership's profit at the full asking price was only £172.

By this stage I had already invested considerable time in the purchase, had another person travel to the dealership, and had effectively committed to buying the vehicle. I felt I was placed in an uncomfortable position where refusing to proceed would have meant walking away after significant inconvenience. Reluctantly, I agreed to pay the full asking price. Whether intentional or not, this felt very much like a classic "price change after commitment" sales tactic, and it left me feeling pressured rather than valued as a customer.

During the finance process, I queried why the agreement was being arranged as personal finance rather than business finance. I was informed that business finance was not available through your dealership. Again, I reluctantly accepted this, despite it not being my preferred option.

At handover, I asked where the service booklet was and once again specifically confirmed that the vehicle had been serviced and had a full service history. I was assured that it had.

Collection of the vehicle was equally disappointing. Despite speaking with the salesman five days beforehand and agreeing that I would most likely collect the vehicle on the Friday, I was informed on the day of collection that it had not been valeted because 24 hours' notice had not been given. I therefore collected a vehicle that had not even been prepared for handover.

Shortly after driving away, I noticed the dashboard service indicator displaying a spanner warning light advising that the vehicle would require a service in just over 350 miles. Naturally, this immediately caused me to question the assurances I had repeatedly been given regarding the vehicle's servicing and service history.

Looking back over the entire transaction, I feel I encountered one disappointment after another:

An agreed price was withdrawn once I had committed to purchasing the vehicle.
The finance options available were not what I had expected.
The vehicle was not prepared for collection as agreed.
The vehicle's service indicator appears inconsistent with the repeated assurances I was given about its servicing.

I purchased this vehicle in good faith, trusting the information I was being provided by your salesman. Instead, I have been left feeling that I was pressured into paying more than had been agreed and that several aspects of the purchase were either misrepresented or poorly managed.

This is not the level of honesty, transparency or customer service I would expect from a main dealership. I hope you will investigate the circumstances surrounding this sale, particularly the change to the agreed price and the assurances given regarding the vehicle's service history.

Reviewed on JudgeService

I'd definitely recommend Birchwood Ford Store Hastings to friends and family because they were really friendly and helpful.

Reviewed on JudgeService

I'd definitely recommend Birchwood Ford Store Hastings to friends and family because the service was good. Information provided was clear and the process of purchasing the vehicle was straight forward.

Reviewed on JudgeService