New car to be delivered from manufacturer : Can dealer change amounts?

[jeremycaio]

We ordered in Dec a 2013 Subaru Forster in Bensenville Il, for delivery in an estimated 8-10 weeks.

The agreed upon price was $25,500.

We sent photos of our 1999 Nissan maxima, and came to an agreement of $750.

We put $500 down.

The dealer came and picked up that car (towed) March 16, 2014.

The dealer called and said the car was ready for pick up on Fri march 21 st.

When I e-mailed to get the dealer to send a Purchase Order to my loan officer, I was informed that he just looked at my trade in and that $750 was too much, and I could either accept $400 or he would remove the trade in all together.

So my first question is, is that legal, can he modify a trade in value after we agreed to all the purchase details back in Dec 2013?

After a length call I was told they would honor my $750 contract if I promised not to give them a ban review on the survey Subaru does for new car buyers.

The dealer sent the purchase order to the loan officer but the purchase price was changed to $25,650 (100 dollars more) AND did not give me credit for the $500 deposit.

Is that legal, I am confident he must acknowledge my $500 deposit, but can he change the purchase price?

I a sure he can not but just want to be sure.

My real question is, can he back away from this deal and not sell me the car at this point. Give me my trade in back, hand me the deposit back?
I have waited 15 weeks for this car and do not want to start from scratch.

Thanks

 

[mightymoose]

It sounds as if you do not yet have a contract. Until they are written down and accepted by both parties the terms might change.
Do you have a written agreement stating the trade value and purchase price of the car?
This is something you should have insisted upon when you paid your deposit.
If you feel the dealer is being shady and you don't agree to the changing terms then don't sign the contract to purchase the vehicle.
Get your deposit back, plus your jalopy, and go somewhere else.

 

[jeremycaio]

Thanks for the reply. All of this was in writing. The sales amount, the trade in value and the deposit.

I am assuming this was a contract. I am sure they would have kept my deposit if I tried to walk away.

 

[mightymoose]

Then it sounds as if you simply need to point out their discrepancy and have it corrected to what was already agreed upon. Don't let them bully you. They will prefer to have you buy the vehicle than have you walk away over a couple hundred dollars.

 

[jeremycaio]

Thanks, what a pain. Manager avoided my calls and e-mails the rest of the day , till I switched phones and caller id failed him ;o)

When I finally got hold of him it all became a big mistake. Even though all of this information was clearly included in the email the floor sales rep sent him (and in the official order documentation).

Thanks again.