Virgin cars :(

[julie_b]

I ordered my new Firedance CC thru Virgin Cars back in October and was expecting delivery 28 weeks later in early May - just in time for summer.
Having chased for an update, they called yesterday to say there was a delay and I wouldn't get it till November!
I could either wait till then, cancel my contract or they have a few coming in the next 4 weeks - silver or blue, no leather seats and (this is the best bit!) more expensive than the one I'd ordered!
Completely gutted
Any ideas what I can do next, I really wanted it for the summer!
Cheers,
Julie

[Rich]

Julie_B,
Haven't used these people myself but have heard good things about them + if your cars there you can just drive away in it (having paid!).+very good discounts.Think waiting until November will be a nightmare !. Weathers getting milder all the time now and driving about with the roof down is great!. Wish you all the best.

http://www.motorhouse2000ltd.co.uk

Rgds

Rich

[Marco]

Julie,

I am in a similar situation. I ordered my CC with Broadspeed in August and was expecting it on March 1st. Everything was going to plan at the end of Jan (i.e I had a chassis number, insurance) only to find that mid Feb they had found out that the Peugeot monkies had ordered it Left hand drive, and that mine would'nt be available until end of April. The only other alternative is that they had a black one but I ordered an Aegean blue with miraqge blue interior.

However after kicking up quite a fuss they said they could get an Aegean blue but with grey interior anytime now. Therefore as this doesn't make a great difference I took this option.

As with most things in this world, people only sit up and listen when you kick up a fuss. My advice to you is tell Virgin to cancel your order but make it quite clear to them that you will be letting the press know. The issuses of importing & 'Rip Off Britain' are always in the newpaper and that is the last thing they want. It seemed to work here (touch wood)

Marco

[Robbie]

Morning Julie_b, I'd have to agree with Marco about the need to kick up the biggest fuss you can, after all you've been seriously inconvenienced with nothing yet to show for your pains.

Like so many schemes, it seems a case of Virgin making hay while the sun shines, taking maximum deposits, making too many promises to too many customers and not having enough supply in the short term.

Virgin seems to have dealt with you appallingly, and I would say your best weapon in these difficult circumstances has to be the threat of bad publicity now you've tried but failed to settle the problem.

Just a couple of suggestions, I'm sure others will also have some:

1). I'd write to Branson direct and customer services (if there is such a thing) requesting immediate action and ask what compensation, financial or otherwise, are they are willing to offer you for your cancellation and/or the severe delay if you wait further, and what compensation if you were to accept a different Pug other than the specification you originally ordered. I'd demand a personal reply and not just through the personal secretary.

Suprisingly going to the top once you've been fobbed off lower down the ladder sometimes works. I did this with Tom Farmer who was head of Kwik Fit and got a immediate personnal reply from him and problem sorted in no time.

2). I'd ask Rob/Lyndon if you can make reference in the letter to your posting your experience on this Forum (in the appropriate section) and the numbers that read this site, so they know many intended purchasers will read it (as well as the threat of publicity through the usual newspapers/watchdog etc).

In any case, I'd look into the time frame for supply from other companies in the meantime, as you now know that you can't trust Richard Branson as far as you could throw him (the contract will most probably be deemed to be void in any case due to the delay).

Good luck,

Robbie. :sad:

[paul738]

try motorpoint. they had cc's on order already and i got mine within 6 weks.

[Justin]

[NikNik]

Sorry, have to disagree about Motorpoint-ordered mine and they said 4-5 weeks delivery - 3 months later still no sign and they have never rang or written once - cancelled it and went to Available Car (showroom and .com) - they had 2 in the showroom and were very helpful.

[Gareth]

Be warned if you do try to get a refund from Virgin cars it will be tricky. After waiting over 3 weeks just for my order form last August (having paid £100 deposit) I cancelled and opted to take it as a company car instead - but it took me half a dozen phone calls to get my money back.

Hope you have more luck if you do go down this route,
Gareth

[Matt]

And tell them there's no way you're paying more for a lower spec car!!!

[julie_b]

Called them yesterday and gave them my order number. They couldn't find the paper work!
When I got through to the woman who had called with the delay, we said their alternative offer was an insult and that she should go and find a better option by the end of the day.
Called back at half 5 and she just said that we ought to complain to Ian Lancaster, the Chief Executive of Virgin Cars. Since it was the late shift, there was no one of authority there so will try and ring them back today.
Meanwhile, a harshly worded letter from my solicitors will be on it's way today.
I will also be sending a letter to Dick Branson and asking for a personal reply within the week.
I always thought Virgin had a good name for customer service! Now I know how they chose their name: inexperienced and likely to do it wrong!

[Robbie]

Have to agree with your action Julie_b, only way to show them you mean business (and not be fobbed off with the usual sad and lame excuses that so many people put up with).

Interested to know the result. Glad to hear your going to the top in the circumstances.

Robbie

[Matt]

Good for you Julie
Kick up as much fuss as possible. I know sometimes you can feel bad doing it but those that make the most noise tend to get more attention to shut them up. Try working on hospital wards or in a retail store and you'll know it's true

[julie_b]

Update to the saga.
I sent off my letter of compaint (recorded delivery) to Richard Branson and then sat back and waited.
Meantime I'd called the local dealer and asked for timescales through them. They said Peugeot are taking orders now for build in April and delivery in May.
Virgin called on Thursday with "new information". They found one that I could have in "late July" , still 3 months later than the original date.
I decided then to go with the local dealer. Yes, it means paying more but I wouldn't trust Virgin as far as I could throw them. Who's to say come July I wouldn't get another phone call from them with
another 6 months delay! At least this way, I have a real forecourt to chain myself to, should I need it.
So, got the cancellation form faxed it off to them on Tuesday. Phoned today and they expect it to take up to 21 working days to get a refund. Solicitors at the ready, I have it in writing that they'll pay me back the deposit and also 4% "gesture of compensation".

It's not the end though - on Tueday I got a phone call from the local dealer - apparently Peugeot won't accept the order because Firedance is a discontinued colour. :sad:
So, have changed my order to black with the red/black leather. Ironically the exact car I test drove about 9 months ago!
So, third time lucky! If it doesn't happen this time, I'm going to buy a mondeo or something!

As for the Virgin, I got a letter this morning saying Rick was looking into it and would get back to me soon.

Thanks for all your advice. I'll keep you posted on what happens with both Virgin and the delivery of my black car!

Cheers,
Julie

[symisun]

Is it really true that "Firedance" has been discontinued by Peugeot? (julie_b's message seems to indicate this) I've now decided I am going to get one, and was going to order one at the weekend in Firedance with black leather interior - presumably there's no point now?

[rob]

if you look at Simons site http://www.pugsport-gti.co.uk he has a picture of the new gold colour CC.