Dealers Blackpool Honda - My Experience !!!

Keasden · 13th February 2008, 19:18

I am writing this to allow potential Civic purchasers make an informed opinion as to whether they wish to purchase a car from Blackpool Honda (or Lancaster Honda which is in the same chain).

I have previously posted about the numerous failed return calls that I suffered and general poor customer relations in this thread
Are all car salesmen the same?
I must admit that their response to that complaint was very good and I returned my car for the Lifeshine treatment and the Ambient lighting to be fitted as a gesture of goodwill. At that stage everything in the Civic garden was coming up roses.

A few weeks ago I realised I had never had the V5 for my new Civic so rang the DVLC to chase it up. Imagine my surprise to find out that MY car was registered to Blackpool Honda, and more importantly had been registered on 28/09/07 when I had been asked by them to go in and pay for it in full on 27/07/07. I accept that I got £2000 off list price and if that meant having a pre-reg car then so be it, but I was specifically told that if I paid for it in September then it would not be pre-registered and I would be the 1st registered keeper.

I wrote to Blackpool Honda about this and kept trying to speak to someone on the phone but they reverted to their old ways and never returned any of my calls. After a week of ringing I spoke to the sales manager who claimed never to have received my letter. After many more failed returned calls I was told the matter would be sorted and I would get my V5 through the post.

I did get the V5 today. And it shows that I acquired the car on 31/01/08 !!!!

In my opinion this was a deliberate and clear fraudulent statement to DVLC to cover up the fact that not only did they pre-register a car that I had paid for, they then failed to notify DVLC that I had collected it on 08/10/07 and in doing so they avoid a penalty notice for failing to notify DVLC of a change of keeper. I have been asked by DVLC to put my complaint in writing and they will investigate.

I believe that their errors compounded with the fraudulent statement could potentially devalue my car by making it appear that it had been a 'demonstrator' for the first 5 months of its life when I actually purchased it with 0 miles on the clock.

In addition there are safety implications to all this, for instance should my car have been recalled for the handbrake fault, because any recall notice would have gone to the registered keeper, which until now was Blackpool Honda, and I have no faith in them notifying me.

I will let all potential future Honda Civic owners decide for themselves if they wish to entrust their custom to a firm that treats its customers with the contempt I have been shown.

Dimplyred · 13th February 2008, 19:35

I wouldn't be very happy with this situation myself.

Good luck with the DVLC and give the dealer hell. If they won't return your calls, go in in person and address the situation directly.

mrh339 · 13th February 2008, 21:18

Sod the DVLA this is a job for trading standards and the local press!!

Maquis73 · 13th February 2008, 21:39

You were lucky that you didn't have to claim on your insurance - Insurance depends on you being the registered keeper of the vehicle.

We all know insurance companies will use any excuse to get out of paying up - this could have been all the excuse they would have needed.

Vidal Buffoon · 13th February 2008, 21:54

I would take it up with both Honda UK and Trading Standards.

gray52 · 13th February 2008, 22:36

so you have an 08 car on the log book? this is worth more than when you 1st drove it from the dealers in 07. i wouldnt worry to much thats a great deal.

robbo51 · 13th February 2008, 23:01

Youve tried the phone. Now go in person and ask for the dealer principal...Give em hell. This is appalling

cylon2007 · 13th February 2008, 23:15

Unfortunately this isn't the first time this kind of thing has surfaced and I'm sure it won't be the last.

u05rdh · 13th February 2008, 23:59

I'm sure I read somethng in Auto Express about dealers doing that. If they pre register a car there not allowed to sell it for a period of time and this is why they hold onto the V5 document. It's unreal how much dealer get away with and thing is people just keep buying there cars.

Go stand outside there showroom handing out leaflets about there poor performance and see what a day off no sales does to there willingness to help you!

angie4m · 14th February 2008, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray52

so you have an 08 car on the log book? this is worth more than when you 1st drove it from the dealers in 07. i wouldnt worry to much thats a great deal.

Last time I checked it didnt work like that 28 Septemer 2007 will be a MY07 model as they didn't start production of the MY08 till October.

On another point you have bought a Brand new car and if you were to have had an accident within the first year and its written off you would expect to get a brand new replacement, but this only applys if you are the first owner of the car! And your now showing as the Second!

I would take this all the way to the DVLA, Honda UK and to the head of the dealer from which you purchased and I would also be asking what they would do if you do have an accident and this unfortunatley happens as you will be the one left out of pocket due to them!

HappyMan · 14th February 2008, 08:10

This is shocking!

I think it is time to take some kind of legal advice and see where you stand with the car and the dealer. Whilst DVLA may or may not investigate there is the issue of your personal circumstances and safety. Whilst I am not into this compensation culture that seems to be sweeping across europe in this case I feel you have been very poorly treated and fraudulently deceived. There is NO excuse for they have done and maybe it is a case of going in person to the dealer and raising holy hell with them. I would however, as I have said, get some legal advice first to make clear where you stand in it all.

Good Luck and keep us informed

Keasden · 14th February 2008, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray52

so you have an 08 car on the log book? this is worth more than when you 1st drove it from the dealers in 07. i wouldnt worry to much thats a great deal.

No it doesn't work like that at all, I have a registration document that shows my car was registered on 28/09/07 and the first keeper was Blackpool Honda. It then shows that I acquired the vehicle on 31/01/08. So it makes it appear as though my car was in the ownership and possession of Blackpool Honda for the first 5 months of its life.

The reality is that I was asked to pay for it on 27/09/07 and I collected it on 08/10/07 with zero miles, that being the earliest date they could provide for collection of the car as it was still being delivered from Honda UK and then prepped.

Thanks for all your comments, I have written to the DVLA and the M.D of Cox Honda who own Blackpool Honda. I will also write to Honda UK. I don't really want to go the showroom (ever again) because I have no doubt it will end up in a big scene and due to my profession (police) that would not be advisable.

I just want to let people know what my experience has been and they can make an informed choice whether they want to use this company or not. I have several friends and colleagues who own Hondas, I can assure you that Blackpool Honda will never see any of them again.

I rang the dealership yesterday as soon as I received the V5 and politely asked to speak to the sales manager, a Mr Thompson. He was unavailable so I left a message with the receptionist and pointed out that staff there have a habit of not calling me back. She assure me the message would be passed on. I'm still sat by the side of the phone waiting for it to ring.

Dimplyred · 14th February 2008, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie4m

On another point you have bought a Brand new car and if you were to have had an accident within the first year and its written off you would expect to get a brand new replacement, but this only applys if you are the first owner of the car! And your now showing as the Second!

I would take this all the way to the DVLA, Honda UK and to the head of the dealer from which you purchased and I would also be asking what they would do if you do have an accident and this unfortunatley happens as you will be the one left out of pocket due to them!

This is a very good point Angie has stated. As she says most insurance companies will replace your car if it's written off, if you are the second owner they won't.

simon1 · 14th February 2008, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keasden

....and due to my profession (police) that would not be advisable.

At least you should get some quality legal advice then! I would follow this as high as possible as it's not only immoral it is also illegal. They have nowhere to go on this one and I'd nail them.

Keasden · 16th February 2008, 09:49

Well letters have gone recorded delivery to the MD of Cox Honda who own Blackpool, Lancaster and Kendal Honda dealerships, and to the DVLA. I will let you know what response, if any, I get.

grasey · 16th February 2008, 20:41

Good luck with it.

Keasden · 22nd February 2008, 16:08

Well I promised to keep you all updated so here goes.

I have just returned from a meeting with the group sales director of DJ Cox who own Blackpool Honda after he rang in response to my letter to the MD.

He made a profuse apology for the way I had been treated, both in the way my car had been wrongly registered and for the failure of his staff to return my calls. He made no excuses, said it was a lack of communication between the sales staff and the admin dept and agreed that my car should never have been pre-registered to them.

I agreed that it was unrealistic to expect a replacement 'brand new' car and he offered to reimburse all my out-of-pocket expenses and offered me the first 2 services free of charge.

Unfortunately I have already purchased the 5 year service package so he made a cash offer to the value of the 1st two services which I have accepted.

I would rather have had decent service and a 'brand new' car registered to me in the first place, and I definitely would have preferred for the staff at Blackpool to deal with the matter themselves without having to escalate it to senior management.

Having said all that some people say that the best way to judge a company is how they resolve the problems that arise and I have to admit they have resolved this one to my satisfaction, eventually.

HappyMan · 22nd February 2008, 16:11

Good to hear they have resolved the problem to your satisfaction. At least the Sales Director didn't try to fob you off and accepted liability etc.

Really happy for you!

robbo51 · 22nd February 2008, 16:15

A good result.
Glad youre sorted.
Not a good bit of marketing for Blackpool Honda was it!!

Unknownsoldier · 22nd February 2008, 16:16

I agreed that it was unrealistic to expect a replacement 'brand new' car and he offered to reimburse all my out-of-pocket expenses and offered me the first 2 services free of charge.

Personally I wouldn't have accepted that at all, and I don't think it was "totally" unreasonable to expect what you paid for: a brand new car. My reply to the offer of the service and costs would have been that he could stick the entire car and cheque etc. somewhere rather intimate, I think they got off far too lightly, as you will still be out of pocket should you have an accident and when you come to sell the car.

I would also have recorded the entire conversation for posterity (always do, stops em' wriggling out of things).

Tom

13th February 2008, 19:18	#1 (permalink)
Keasden Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 27th August 2007 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Blackpool Honda - My Experience !!! I am writing this to allow potential Civic purchasers make an informed opinion as to whether they wish to purchase a car from Blackpool Honda (or Lancaster Honda which is in the same chain). I have previously posted about the numerous failed return calls that I suffered and general poor customer relations in this thread Are all car salesmen the same? I must admit that their response to that complaint was very good and I returned my car for the Lifeshine treatment and the Ambient lighting to be fitted as a gesture of goodwill. At that stage everything in the Civic garden was coming up roses. A few weeks ago I realised I had never had the V5 for my new Civic so rang the DVLC to chase it up. Imagine my surprise to find out that MY car was registered to Blackpool Honda, and more importantly had been registered on 28/09/07 when I had been asked by them to go in and pay for it in full on 27/07/07. I accept that I got £2000 off list price and if that meant having a pre-reg car then so be it, but I was specifically told that if I paid for it in September then it would not be pre-registered and I would be the 1st registered keeper. I wrote to Blackpool Honda about this and kept trying to speak to someone on the phone but they reverted to their old ways and never returned any of my calls. After a week of ringing I spoke to the sales manager who claimed never to have received my letter. After many more failed returned calls I was told the matter would be sorted and I would get my V5 through the post. I did get the V5 today. And it shows that I acquired the car on 31/01/08 !!!! In my opinion this was a deliberate and clear fraudulent statement to DVLC to cover up the fact that not only did they pre-register a car that I had paid for, they then failed to notify DVLC that I had collected it on 08/10/07 and in doing so they avoid a penalty notice for failing to notify DVLC of a change of keeper. I have been asked by DVLC to put my complaint in writing and they will investigate. I believe that their errors compounded with the fraudulent statement could potentially devalue my car by making it appear that it had been a 'demonstrator' for the first 5 months of its life when I actually purchased it with 0 miles on the clock. In addition there are safety implications to all this, for instance should my car have been recalled for the handbrake fault, because any recall notice would have gone to the registered keeper, which until now was Blackpool Honda, and I have no faith in them notifying me. I will let all potential future Honda Civic owners decide for themselves if they wish to entrust their custom to a firm that treats its customers with the contempt I have been shown.

14th February 2008, 08:10	#11 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 3,006 Thanks: 25 Thanked 71 Times in 65 Posts iTrader: (0)	This is shocking! I think it is time to take some kind of legal advice and see where you stand with the car and the dealer. Whilst DVLA may or may not investigate there is the issue of your personal circumstances and safety. Whilst I am not into this compensation culture that seems to be sweeping across europe in this case I feel you have been very poorly treated and fraudulently deceived. There is NO excuse for they have done and maybe it is a case of going in person to the dealer and raising holy hell with them. I would however, as I have said, get some legal advice first to make clear where you stand in it all. Good Luck and keep us informed Last edited by HappyMan; 14th February 2008 at 08:14.

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This thread is about: Blackpool Honda - My Experience !!!, it's in Buying, Dealers and Servicing at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I am writing this to allow potential Civic purchasers make an informed opinion as to whether they wish to purchase a car from Blackpool Honda ...

13th February 2008, 19:35	#2 (permalink)
Dimplyred Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th August 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 4,732 Thanks: 19 Thanked 132 Times in 131 Posts iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't be very happy with this situation myself. Good luck with the DVLC and give the dealer hell. If they won't return your calls, go in in person and address the situation directly.

13th February 2008, 21:18	#3 (permalink)
mrh339 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 477 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts iTrader: (0)	Sod the DVLA this is a job for trading standards and the local press!!

13th February 2008, 21:39	#4 (permalink)
Maquis73 Loving It!!! Wheelnut Join Date: 23rd December 2007 Location: Heckmondwike Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	You were lucky that you didn't have to claim on your insurance - Insurance depends on you being the registered keeper of the vehicle. We all know insurance companies will use any excuse to get out of paying up - this could have been all the excuse they would have needed.

13th February 2008, 21:54	#5 (permalink)
Vidal Buffoon Valve Cap Join Date: 1st January 2008 Location: Durham, UK Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I would take it up with both Honda UK and Trading Standards.

13th February 2008, 22:36	#6 (permalink)
gray52 Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 23rd November 2006 Location: peterborough Posts: 937 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader: (1)	so you have an 08 car on the log book? this is worth more than when you 1st drove it from the dealers in 07. i wouldnt worry to much thats a great deal.

13th February 2008, 23:01	#7 (permalink)
robbo51 It wasn’t me! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,429 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 51 Posts iTrader: (0)	Youve tried the phone. Now go in person and ask for the dealer principal...Give em hell. This is appalling

13th February 2008, 23:15	#8 (permalink)
cylon2007 Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 14th April 2007 Location: South Manchester/North Cheshire Posts: 524 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately this isn't the first time this kind of thing has surfaced and I'm sure it won't be the last.

13th February 2008, 23:59	#9 (permalink)
u05rdh Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 7th January 2008 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (1)	I'm sure I read somethng in Auto Express about dealers doing that. If they pre register a car there not allowed to sell it for a period of time and this is why they hold onto the V5 document. It's unreal how much dealer get away with and thing is people just keep buying there cars. Go stand outside there showroom handing out leaflets about there poor performance and see what a day off no sales does to there willingness to help you!

16th February 2008, 09:49	#15 (permalink)
Keasden Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 27th August 2007 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well letters have gone recorded delivery to the MD of Cox Honda who own Blackpool, Lancaster and Kendal Honda dealerships, and to the DVLA. I will let you know what response, if any, I get.

16th February 2008, 20:41	#16 (permalink)
grasey Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 16th December 2007 Location: Cardiff Posts: 220 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Good luck with it.

22nd February 2008, 16:08	#17 (permalink)
Keasden Supporter Valve Cap Join Date: 27th August 2007 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well I promised to keep you all updated so here goes. I have just returned from a meeting with the group sales director of DJ Cox who own Blackpool Honda after he rang in response to my letter to the MD. He made a profuse apology for the way I had been treated, both in the way my car had been wrongly registered and for the failure of his staff to return my calls. He made no excuses, said it was a lack of communication between the sales staff and the admin dept and agreed that my car should never have been pre-registered to them. I agreed that it was unrealistic to expect a replacement 'brand new' car and he offered to reimburse all my out-of-pocket expenses and offered me the first 2 services free of charge. Unfortunately I have already purchased the 5 year service package so he made a cash offer to the value of the 1st two services which I have accepted. I would rather have had decent service and a 'brand new' car registered to me in the first place, and I definitely would have preferred for the staff at Blackpool to deal with the matter themselves without having to escalate it to senior management. Having said all that some people say that the best way to judge a company is how they resolve the problems that arise and I have to admit they have resolved this one to my satisfaction, eventually.

22nd February 2008, 16:11	#18 (permalink)
HappyMan Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 16th August 2007 Location: Poland Posts: 3,006 Thanks: 25 Thanked 71 Times in 65 Posts iTrader: (0)	Good to hear they have resolved the problem to your satisfaction. At least the Sales Director didn't try to fob you off and accepted liability etc. Really happy for you!

22nd February 2008, 16:15	#19 (permalink)
robbo51 It wasn’t me! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,429 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 51 Posts iTrader: (0)	A good result. Glad youre sorted. Not a good bit of marketing for Blackpool Honda was it!!

22nd February 2008, 16:16	#20 (permalink)
Unknownsoldier Comedian/Smart Ase Civinfo guru* Join Date: 22nd September 2007 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 2,593 Thanks: 62 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts iTrader: (0)	I agreed that it was unrealistic to expect a replacement 'brand new' car and he offered to reimburse all my out-of-pocket expenses and offered me the first 2 services free of charge. Personally I wouldn't have accepted that at all, and I don't think it was "totally" unreasonable to expect what you paid for: a brand new car. My reply to the offer of the service and costs would have been that he could stick the entire car and cheque etc. somewhere rather intimate, I think they got off far too lightly, as you will still be out of pocket should you have an accident and when you come to sell the car. I would also have recorded the entire conversation for posterity (always do, stops em' wriggling out of things). Tom