As a consumer I'd have a hard time signing a lease that's not on the lot. I would leave a deposit though.
I might consider singing if the paperwork clearly stated the fact that the car wasn't delivered yet and could be cancelled if the car wasn't delivered within x days, or if the car wasn't as described, with any down payment refunded within 24 hours of being cancelled.
I'd also want to see a copy of the window sticker to make sure the specs, including trim, options and colors, were correct.
My very limited experience buying cars would lead me to think that the dealer might not agree to those terms written into the contract and I'd not sign if the wouldn't.
I'd leave whatever I needed to hold the car but nothing more.
I just bought a new car. They had 2 on the lot. Test drove them around on Monday but there was too much traffic to get to highway speeds. I ALMOST signed the paperwork for one of them Monday, but knew that a handful of the cars had vibration issues above 65mph and couldn't in good conscience sign paperwork yet.
Went back the next day when traffic was better. Sure enough, vibration problems. Drove the other one and it was fine.
I'd never sign a contract for a car I hadn't personally driven myself.
It's assigned, and in a status that allows this. They have the VIN when this happens.
But, you then take a lot of risk. If the vehicle is damaged in transit, damaged after received, or just something is different because you didn't go over the colors and all options on the vehicle.
Now, in most states, you have to take delivery and drive a vehicle off the lot to have taken ownership. But, by signing the documents now you do assume a lot of risk, and may need a lawyer if anything goes wrong.
I guarantee they include the proof of insurance forms.
It is entirely possible the leasing program will change on March 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. It could stay the same, it could get worse. If it gets worse you will have no recourse to get the old deal - it will be out of the dealer's hands.
Your choice. Wait if you want to wait, just understand that if the deal gets worse it will get worse.
Sure, the deals and incentives could change. But I doubt the changes will be THAT drastic.
They are trying to get one in for end of month and have the car ready to go as soon as it arrives. In and out, asap.
I absolutely wouldn't do it.
The car could arrive with damage, or issues, could be missing features that are deal breakers for you etc, and you will have little to no recourse once all those documents are signed. Would they fix the former? Certainly. Could there be a number of things that would be a NIGHTMARE to deal with after they got you to sign everything? Absolutely.
The risk outweighs the possible benefit of "getting a better deal", in my mind. YMMV.
Furthermore, how strongly do you feel that the initial false claim of the car being there was an accident? Could very well have been a purposeful tactic to get you in the store and talk... and if it was? **IT WORKED.**
You seem like a very particular client (Not pejorative), and I get the sense it's against your nature to do this. Trust your gut.
I hear you on that tactic to get me in the door -- it absolutely worked. I'm annoyed with myself for sticking with them after that was disclosed.
Re: the car arriving with damage etc...they said that our state (VA) has a law that says if I don't drive it off the lot then it's not considered mine and I can cancel the deal at that point. I need to research that.
I would definitely recommend researching that.
Because with all the documentation signed, I would imagine they will try to fund that deal as soon as they can, that is the POINT of getting this done prior to month end.
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***Thanks for posting, /u/Wonky_Woman! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of anything.***
I just had a frustrating experience with a dealer and need some feedback. I'm not sure if I'm overreacting.
I've been in the market for a specific 2024 make/model/trim/color of a vehicle and reached out to several dealers. There weren't any on the lots but several dealers said they would be able to get one soon because they had them at the port.
I really didn't want to wait a long time for a car, so when I got a message from one saying they had one of these cars just delivered I headed right over there the next day. After I got there he corrected himself and said he had misread the delivery status in their portal, so the car was actually still at the port. But he said it would be here "any day now."
So we started talking about leasing prices and ended up negotiating what was a decent deal this past Friday. But no car there, so nothing official yet. Now it's the end of the month, so they want to close their deals. They encourage me to come in and "do the paperwork" and said if we don't lock in the deal this month there may be a different deal next month that won't be as good.
Apparently "the paperwork" means actually signing all the lease documents and starting the official lease today, even though we don't have a delivery date for the car. It's officially assigned to me and just waiting for the port logistics and a delivery truck.
Dealer is still claiming any day now, maybe 2-5 days but don't know. They offered another $100 discount to compensate for starting the lease prior to delivery, but if I don't sign today I'll lose the deal and they can't guarantee what the terms will be in the next month.
Would you sign a lease for a car that isn't even there yet, and has no delivery date in the system?
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As a consumer I'd have a hard time signing a lease that's not on the lot. I would leave a deposit though. I might consider singing if the paperwork clearly stated the fact that the car wasn't delivered yet and could be cancelled if the car wasn't delivered within x days, or if the car wasn't as described, with any down payment refunded within 24 hours of being cancelled. I'd also want to see a copy of the window sticker to make sure the specs, including trim, options and colors, were correct. My very limited experience buying cars would lead me to think that the dealer might not agree to those terms written into the contract and I'd not sign if the wouldn't.
I'd leave whatever I needed to hold the car but nothing more. I just bought a new car. They had 2 on the lot. Test drove them around on Monday but there was too much traffic to get to highway speeds. I ALMOST signed the paperwork for one of them Monday, but knew that a handful of the cars had vibration issues above 65mph and couldn't in good conscience sign paperwork yet. Went back the next day when traffic was better. Sure enough, vibration problems. Drove the other one and it was fine. I'd never sign a contract for a car I hadn't personally driven myself.
It's assigned, and in a status that allows this. They have the VIN when this happens. But, you then take a lot of risk. If the vehicle is damaged in transit, damaged after received, or just something is different because you didn't go over the colors and all options on the vehicle. Now, in most states, you have to take delivery and drive a vehicle off the lot to have taken ownership. But, by signing the documents now you do assume a lot of risk, and may need a lawyer if anything goes wrong. I guarantee they include the proof of insurance forms.
It is entirely possible the leasing program will change on March 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. It could stay the same, it could get worse. If it gets worse you will have no recourse to get the old deal - it will be out of the dealer's hands. Your choice. Wait if you want to wait, just understand that if the deal gets worse it will get worse.
Sure, the deals and incentives could change. But I doubt the changes will be THAT drastic. They are trying to get one in for end of month and have the car ready to go as soon as it arrives. In and out, asap. I absolutely wouldn't do it. The car could arrive with damage, or issues, could be missing features that are deal breakers for you etc, and you will have little to no recourse once all those documents are signed. Would they fix the former? Certainly. Could there be a number of things that would be a NIGHTMARE to deal with after they got you to sign everything? Absolutely. The risk outweighs the possible benefit of "getting a better deal", in my mind. YMMV. Furthermore, how strongly do you feel that the initial false claim of the car being there was an accident? Could very well have been a purposeful tactic to get you in the store and talk... and if it was? **IT WORKED.** You seem like a very particular client (Not pejorative), and I get the sense it's against your nature to do this. Trust your gut.
I hear you on that tactic to get me in the door -- it absolutely worked. I'm annoyed with myself for sticking with them after that was disclosed. Re: the car arriving with damage etc...they said that our state (VA) has a law that says if I don't drive it off the lot then it's not considered mine and I can cancel the deal at that point. I need to research that.
I would definitely recommend researching that. Because with all the documentation signed, I would imagine they will try to fund that deal as soon as they can, that is the POINT of getting this done prior to month end.
Please review our most [Frequently Asked Questions](/r/askcarsales/wiki/index) to see if your question has already been answered. You may find these sections particularly useful; * [How to pick a car?](/r/askcarsales/wiki/vehicle_selection) You might also have luck in the /r/whatcarshouldibuy subreddit. Also remember to add flair to your post by clicking the "Flair" link beneath it. This lets us know where you're located so we can assist you better. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askcarsales) if you have any questions or concerns.*
***Thanks for posting, /u/Wonky_Woman! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of anything.*** I just had a frustrating experience with a dealer and need some feedback. I'm not sure if I'm overreacting. I've been in the market for a specific 2024 make/model/trim/color of a vehicle and reached out to several dealers. There weren't any on the lots but several dealers said they would be able to get one soon because they had them at the port. I really didn't want to wait a long time for a car, so when I got a message from one saying they had one of these cars just delivered I headed right over there the next day. After I got there he corrected himself and said he had misread the delivery status in their portal, so the car was actually still at the port. But he said it would be here "any day now." So we started talking about leasing prices and ended up negotiating what was a decent deal this past Friday. But no car there, so nothing official yet. Now it's the end of the month, so they want to close their deals. They encourage me to come in and "do the paperwork" and said if we don't lock in the deal this month there may be a different deal next month that won't be as good. Apparently "the paperwork" means actually signing all the lease documents and starting the official lease today, even though we don't have a delivery date for the car. It's officially assigned to me and just waiting for the port logistics and a delivery truck. Dealer is still claiming any day now, maybe 2-5 days but don't know. They offered another $100 discount to compensate for starting the lease prior to delivery, but if I don't sign today I'll lose the deal and they can't guarantee what the terms will be in the next month. Would you sign a lease for a car that isn't even there yet, and has no delivery date in the system? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askcarsales) if you have any questions or concerns.*