So, I ordered an Octavia 2:0 TDI SEL about three weeks ago - one with the desired options was at the depot so it was reserved. Today I went to complete some paper work in anticipation for an early March collection. When looking at the vehicle, I quickly saw the desired black interior was unfortunately beige! An embarrassed dealer started umm-ing and arr-ing as I thought if I could live with it.....definitely a no! So back in the office,  looking through the cars that were available and ready built, it turned out there wasn't anything in black, in the spec I wanted. 

 

So I took my leave to think about options. I can choose a car with different added options, and pay for the privilege, or order a new car and wait 12 weeks (or longer perhaps?).

 

After arriving home, I receive an answer phone message saying they have an SEL in black cloth at the dealership, and an option may be to swap the trim over. To me this sounds like a BIG job - and the chance of subsequent ill-fittings and rattles seems high to me.

 

I'd love to hear your opinions on the practicality of this 'solution'....or perhaps it is a sign I should order a VRS......

 

Thanks,

 

Rob 

Swap the trim over? So that would include the dashboard as well?

You would have to be mad to accept that as an acceptable resolution.

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Swap the trim over? So that would include the dashboard as well?

You would have to be mad to accept that as an acceptable resolution.

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Thank you for confirming my thoughts! I have no engineering experience, but the idea of paying for a brand new car which has had a face transplant is not appealing. I suppose the only thing I have lost is time - 3 months for a new one is going to be a pain! I guess I'm in a position to look for a better deal and consider my options. 

 

And yes, that would be the dash, door trim, sunglasses holder?!

Thanks,

 

Rob

Edited 19 February, 201610 yr by Robkernow

I have had a dashboard removed and re fitted in an O3, you can tell it has been done.

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Order a new vRS instead!!

Sounds like a job for Edd China on Wheeler Dealers.

It's bad enough not being able to tell the difference between black and beige. But then thinking that swapping an entire interior over is anywhere close to a good idea is a poor do. If I were you I'd find another dealer, or at least another salesman.

Pity the poor unsuspecting punter that might have bought the donor car.

Plus according to the Skoda data base that holds the build specs (and I think the chassis plate) will show it should have a brown interior.

 

As I said in your other post, go for the VRS (I am biased though!)

Great bargaining position now for any new deal I would have thought. Is the dealer principle aware of his salesman's royal f¥€k up? Or SUK, depends how annoyed you are. I complained about a Skoda dealership and there pi$$ poor salesman and within 3 days I had the DP from the garage on the phone apologising and offering to beat any quote I had been given from any dealership.

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I would make some waves in relation to this unacceptable situation that you have been put in. I would write to them expressing your disappointment asking them what urgent action are they going to take to get you back on side. Ask for a response from the Directors of the dealership. VRS good option.

I agree with what everyone has said, I wouldn't accept it. That said, I worked for a luxury car manufacturer for quite a while and I'm sad to say this practice isn't all that rare!

Worst part is, it can be on brand new made to order cars that they got the order wrong on and they just swap it at the dealers and don't even tell the customers! And this is on cars upwards of £65k. Not good.

If they have cars with different added options I would be pushing for them to give you one of those at the same price as you agreed for your order! Or try and push them to get you a L&K (you can try!)

Yes you do have a good bargaining tool but humans can make mistakes. He is probably as gutted as you are, no one wants to lose a sale.

I understand your disappointment but something will come good from it.

Pop back in and see what they can do to help in a nice reasonable manner

I work in the service industry and when mistakes happen, which occasionally they do, I hate it when people start trying to persecute me or threaten to try and get me sacked...it's not a life threatening mistake

Pretty sure they want your custom and a cheeky ask is always worth a punt.

Edited 20 February, 201610 yr by Defenderben

See if they have any other stock vehicles in/due in that might be better for you.

Otherwise if you can get your head around the beige interior see if you can work out a deal. The things depreciate badly so the less you have to pay for the car the better....might be a good opportunity to soften that blow a little.

Thank you all for your input on this one. I phoned up the sales manager and said swapping the trims over is not an option I wish to pursue!

Yes you do have a good bargaining tool but humans can make mistakes. He is probably as gutted as you are, no one wants to lose a sale.

I understand your disappointment but something will come good from it.

Pop back in and see what they can do to help in a nice reasonable manner

I work in the service industry and when mistakes happen, which occasionally they do, I hate it when people start trying to persecute me or threaten to try and get me sacked...it's not a life threatening mistake

Pretty sure they want your custom and a cheeky ask is always worth a punt.

 

I agree, he was highly embarrassed by the mistake - however as a business, they must be accountable to this and ensure they show good will. At the time, I got the feeling he was insinuating that certain offers (£500 fuel) would not be given on a new order etc - didn't seem like the attitude of someone trying to look after their customer. I phoned up the sales manager this morning and he was more than happy to help. I explained that I'm now looking at a Vrs (why not?!) so he is going to see what stock is available with the extras I want. If it comes to ordering a new car and waiting 3 months, I did explain I'd expect to see some form of compensation as a show of good will. He is very eager to resolve the problem.

 

I'm now looking at a Vrs with colour maxi dot, heated front seats, black pack and sunset glass as extras. He's checking stock (but I'm certain there wont be any available in that spec!). Next step will be to order a new one on Monday and squeeze as much discount from them as possible!

 

Still a pain in the arse, but hopefully in a few months time, when I'm driving around in a Vrs I'll look back as it being a case of divine intervention!

 

It may be difficult to get a lot out of them via Skoda itself but the dealership will have some wiggle room. For instance 3 years free servicing, boot load liner, spare tyre, paint and upholstery protection pack, tow bar, rear bumper protector etc stuff that doesn't cost them the earth but makes a huge difference to your pocket. I'm not suggesting you get all of these but a couple would be nice. As above, if you are courteous and realistic with them you should get to a deal that is mutually acceptable. Good luck.

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It may be difficult to get a lot out of them via Skoda itself but the dealership will have some wiggle room. For instance 3 years free servicing, boot load liner, spare tyre, paint and upholstery protection pack, tow bar, rear bumper protector etc stuff that doesn't cost them the earth but makes a huge difference to your pocket. I'm not suggesting you get all of these but a couple would be nice. As above, if you are courteous and realistic with them you should get to a deal that is mutually acceptable. Good luck.

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Yes thank you for that - looking at those extras is a realistic way of getting a good deal. I absolutely agree about the courteous means of dealing with it - let's hope there's a good outcome.

Nothing wrong with the beige interior.

Nothing wrong with the beige interior.

 

My eyes beg to differ

Nothing wrong with the beige interior.

I had a beige interior in a car several years ago, it was heavily discounted because it's an acquired taste. I got on fine with it as the car was a stop gap following a total loss accident and it was a lot of car for little money. The depreciation on something like that is so much more than a darker interior so looking to the future that needs to be a consideration. Saying that the same can be said for the colour of the exterior, green cars tend to lose money quicker (maybe not the vRS green).

Seems Rob has made his decision now and as he says it may well be Devine intervention. Mistakes happen it's how they are dealt with that matters, sounds like the dealership are keen to make it right though. Restore confidence and maintain reputation is key to them.

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If they were genuinely sorry for the situation and your absolute satisfaction was of paramount importance to them they'd be wanting to do everything reasonably practical to put the smile back on your face. To me that would mean ordering you a new car and giving you a free loaner until it arrived, or finding you a similar car in the system with maybe a few extra features and then offering a preferential deal on it. Taking brand new cars to pieces is only going to lead to more dissatisfaction further down the line, and expecting you to compromise after a deal has already been agreed is actually rather poor customer service.

Nothing wrong with the beige interior.

Too right - the one I have seen in Rio Red with Beige interior and the Wood Effect Trim looked top notch - made you want to say 'Jaaag'

Edited 20 February, 201610 yr by andyvee

Order VRS!

What did the order form say? If it said beige interior the dealer has declared it to you upfront.

This issue asside, I wish there was more choice of interior trim colours.

Black is boring now, shows all the dust and fluff, like sitting in a coal mine!

What did the order form say? If it said beige interior the dealer has declared it to you upfront.

This issue asside, I wish there was more choice of interior trim colours.

Black is boring now, shows all the dust and fluff, like sitting in a coal mine!

 

It states 'Black cloth' on the interior on the order from - dealer has admitted the fault.