[bk8]

Place the order an age ago and only today received the call from the dealer saying they get the car in on Mon 20/03. Well it's good news but here's the bad - I've been called away on a business trip for 2 weeks and leave on Sat 18/03 so obviously won't be able to pick it up until I get back. 25% chance of being called away but was really hoping it wouldn't happen.

Well I did get a fairly good deal as the dealer wanted the car registered in March for their quota and I was OK with that when I ordered. I now need to finalise the paperwork before I leave and this includes getting the car registered and paying for it. It will also need to be insured before registering so that has to be started even before I take personal delivery.

Should I be worried with basically accepting ownership of a car that's not even at the dealer yet? What about having to leave it at the dealer until I get back?

I'm starting to have visions of one huge nightmare when I come back and find something horrible like the order was screwed up and not all the options are there, scratches or dents, no comfort access even or the dealer let people play in it and I won't even know because I can't verify the original mileage aargh!

I need some painkillers...

[Kimo]

Originally Posted by bk8

I now need to finalise the paperwork before I leave and this includes getting the car registered and paying for it. It will also need to be insured before registering so that has to be started even before I take personal delivery.

Should I be worried with basically accepting ownership of a car that's not even at the dealer yet? What about having to leave it at the dealer until I get back?

I need some painkillers...

No . . . what you really need is a Power of Attorney.

[eleven24]

The dealer already offered you a "fairly good" price on the car. They can't go back on that just because you cannot, for good reason, take delivery during a time period they prefer. YOU are the customer, and you're not exactly buying a cheap suit here. I would certainly not sign for the car without having a chance to inspect it first. If the dealer cannot respect that, as well as your schedule, then they're not worth doing business with.

[bk8]

I did consider getting someone else to take delivery but the only person I really trust is myself. Besides after basically studying this forum I more or less know the car inside out.

March registration was part of the agreement and it is just sheer bad luck that I won't even be in the country until April which is why they want me to do the paperwork before I go.

The guy did assure me he would check everything out etc with me when I get back and that it would be locked up in a secure compound albeit outdoors but I still have my reservations about things.

I'm even contemplating postponing my trip now!

[LEDZEP]

Have you asked the dealer hold the car and assure you that it will not be driven or used as a showroom model? I would think that they would be accustomed to people not being able to pick up their cars right away.

[sdorn]

I would tell them that if they want you to take delivery of the car in March, they better get it there by 17/03 instead of 20/03. You are the customer. They should make things convenient for you, not the other way around.

[Mr. BMW]

Originally Posted by bk8

I did consider getting someone else to take delivery but the only person I really trust is myself. Besides after basically studying this forum I more or less know the car inside out.

March registration was part of the agreement and it is just sheer bad luck that I won't even be in the country until April which is why they want me to do the paperwork before I go.

The guy did assure me he would check everything out etc with me when I get back and that it would be locked up in a secure compound albeit outdoors but I still have my reservations about things.

I'm even contemplating postponing my trip now!

If they will not hold if for you until you get back, I would postpone the trip. I would not pay for it until I saw it in person. You've waited this long for the car and now that you are in the final weeks why take any chances?

[MoreCowbell]

Though I agree with Mr. BMW's opinions on cars...I can't agree with his opinion that you should postpone a business trip because of your car.

I'm absolutely obsessed by my gorgeous E90...but I won't let my priorities get out of whack because of it.

Maybe i'm naive, but I just can't see a dealer using a sold car for test drives/demo use.

The new car will make returning from your trip that must sweeter!!!

And Congrats!!!

[LEDZEP]

The dealer has absolutely no control over when the car will arrive. But I feel certain that they will be understanding (they have lives too) of your trip and keep the car locked up until you return. It might even make them happy because it takes the pressure off of them to rush it through prep for you. I think BMW would spank them if they used a customers ordered car for sales purposes (other than to show people what it looks like in that color or with those options, etc.).

Honestly I think it will be fine. Speak to them about it - you'll probably feel much better afterwards.

[bk8]

I feel better? now. Wife gave verbal equivalent of slap, ordered to calm down. She spoke to our salesman who is actually quite a nice guy who I've bought from before. He assured her it would be stored securely in their locked compound and not driven with definitely no customer access and we would be able to check everything out fully when we got back. (Wife's coming with me for part of the trip.) He even offered to take photos and email them when the car arrives.

Anyway it is just a car and things can be fixed if needed. Knowing my wife she probably gave him the haranguing of a lifetime so hopefully it will turn out ok and we will have a nice coming home present.

Funny I haven't actually waited that long for the car or at least it hasn't seemed so. It's only been 6 weeks since we first visited the showroom to have a car serviced. She saw the 3 series, liked it and I decided to buy her a new one right then. I liked how she picked a manual M-Sport with just the options I would have chosen!