Technical Punto 3 driver's door lock

[BuiltByRobots]

Hi all,

trying to get a Punto 1.2 pop+ (66 plate) for my Father-in-law and the dealer keeps failing to sort issues ... not a good sign, I know, but the price is good and the car is just what he wants/needs.

latest problem is the drivers door lock has been forced into the door by scrotes trying to break in (whilst at the dealers ) and they're saying it's 2 weeks minimum to get a lock sorted from Italy so "would we accept a free service instead".

for one thing, the deal was already inclusive of a service and who would want to drive away with a door that's inviting scrotes to have a go ?

some reviews of the dealer suggest that once you've handed over the money they just don't want to know you so bit reluctant to take car without this remedied but if they offer enough for us to do that (they're keen to shift it by month end, i.e. tomorrow), how much of a pain is it to sort this ourselves ?

cheers.

Dean.

 

[AndyRKett]

Walk away walk away walk away

The deal is good because the car is crap, and you’ll have no way of getting things fixed once the car is your problem and they may even likely screw you over on a “free service” let’s face it an £8 oil filter and a £10 air filter is not going to cover the cost of a new door lock and they might not do any other part of the service if they think you’re a bit wet.

There are plenty of cars about and the quality of puntos started to tail off in the later years so you could expect a lot of people a if you go for a “cheap” car

 

[BuiltByRobots]

ha ... if they think I'm a bit wet they will get a shock !

The car is very good for the price and if I end up (or rather F-i-l ends up) having to pay £200 for a lock, I think we're still good.

seeing cars with double the miles (this one is under 18K) of same spec for £1K more.

I was more interested in how difficult it would be to take it on myself ... I own a Land Rover, so I'm not afraid of spanners


I also have a fall-back ... the guy who rebuilds locks for Direct Line locally (saves getting keys programmed or changing multiple locks/ignition barrels ) is a mate of a mate.

 

[AndyRKett]

In this instance it’s not just about a lock, you have to wonder what else is wrong with it you’re not seeing.

Honestly if a dealer is genuine and wants to sell something they will either get it fixed (one way or another) or they will let you have the car with a promise or plan to get the work done ASAP. Throwing in a “free service” rather than getting something done is basically saying “I don’t care, I just want it sold ASAP before it becomes a major problem”

If it’s only a lock then it should be simple and cheap to fix without having to go all the way to Italy to get parts, any automotive locksmith would sort it out.

Also bear in mind that cheap dealers have a habit of going bust leaving you no comeback, off the back of the current situation it maybe he is trying to shift it ASAP so it doesn’t get taken to pay some other debt.

 

[BuiltByRobots]

wasn't originally intending to name them, benefit of doubt and all that, but it's part of the Motorparks group ... so not a "here today, gone tomorrow" outfit.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi

So..are you dealing with a 'part.time salesman'.

Or somebody who can actually make things happen

You will be fobbed off if its not somebody who has something to lose..

The salesman has already got their commission.. by the sounds of it.

Tank of fuel would be worth as much as a crap service

 

[BuiltByRobots]

funny you say that ... it was apparently running on fumes when we went to collect it on Saturday "Range ----miles". (we weren't happy enough with progress, so left it there and cash in our wallet )

Sales bod has stopped calling us .... had "service manager" today. and they're (so far) dealing with my wife. She's formidable on the phone ... I prefer face2face so I can see the fear in their eyes

 

[AndyRKett]

wasn't originally intending to name them, benefit of doubt and all that, but it's part of the Motorparks group ... so not a "here today, gone tomorrow" outfit.

Tell that to yes car credit

 

[BuiltByRobots]

looks like the deal is dead ... they're now saying lock is £695 and they're not fixing it !!!

but as it's last day of June and they're trying to hit targets let's just see if they call back after re-appraising the situation.

failing that, I reckon it will be back on sale in a couple of weeks at a higher price and with a shiny new lock.

 

[BuiltByRobots]

combination of SWMBOs persistency and end-of-month-targets

written confirmation from general manager that lock will be sorted ... so we went through with the deal.

on one level, I still wish the deal had not been as good as I wish I could have told them to stick it up there arses !!

cheers for your input guys. appreciated.

 

[varesecrazy]

Should be a good car once you get the niggles sorted

 

[AndyRKett]

Fingers crossed it’s all good once they sort the lock and you get yourself a nice little car for a bargain deal.

Sounds like you own your other half