how to take on ford?!!

[monkeemayhem]

HELP! I bought a brand new transit connect van from a ford dealer on 30th July 06, when I went to collect it there were loads of missing items on it.
I have written a letter of complaint to their head office (the ford garage, they have 3 branches) not the main ford company. As yet, I still have not recieved any correspondence from them. (apart from them sending my owners manuals in the post with "as promised" written on a note- The salesman never mentioned them at the time so I know they've recieved my letter now or I wouldn't have got my manuals)
There were things missing that should have come as standard with the model I ordered from the factory, for example rubber flooring, roof liner, valve caps(!), ladder bulkhead, ashtray, toolbox cover etc..., I was very disappointed when I went to collect it, it looked like noone had checked it over to make sure everything was there, when I pointed out all the missing items to the salesman he made outrageous fibs about why bits were missing ie no rubber flooring because "the factory don't fit them anymore to save on weight", he's treated me like an idiot and I'm sure if I was a well dressed businessman in his fifties he'd have said he was sorry and would have got it sorted straight away. (i'm a 30yr old woman). I don't know what else to do now, i haven't spoken to the salesman since I collected the van, he knew how upset and angry I was the day I collected it but has made no effort to contact me. The garage has had my letter for two weeks and I'm not sure what my next move should be. I just want what I've paid for, anyone got any ideas?
thanks mm

[furrycheeky]

It sounds like you have not gone backto the garage, its always the best way.
Make a list of the items you should have had with proof you should have had them (brochure/order form). Go into the showroom with witness, and find the saleperson and tell him you wish these items to be ordered and fitted for you as promised. Be to the point and firm but not rude/shout.
Its the only way, letters have a habit of "going missing" or "not being given to the right person". With witness the promises hopefully will now carry weight.

[rugeleyboy]

i would send a recorded delivery to the MD of the company and inform him that you will be approaching trading standards if this issue is not rectified!!

on a different matter, my brother in law has recently had a run in with bristol street ford and after a LOT!! of aggrevation he has just taken delivery of a brand new van, with no further costs!!

[Buenchico]

Your contract is with the dealer and not with Ford. Therefore you should concentrate your efforts on pursuing the dealer, rather than Ford. (I suggest, however, that you should still send copies of your correspondence to Ford).

If you don't get any joy out of them fairly quickly, it will be time to contact the media. (It can be surprising how quickly things get put right if the press get involved!). If you'd rather not contact the press directly, any decent freelance journalist would leap at the chance to cover a story like yours. And if you want to find such a freelance journalist, well guess how I make my living? :-)
[email protected]

Chris

[Birt]

Maybe go directly to the salesmans boss. This can help sometimes. I would suggest trying with the salesman first then going over his head if he doesnt want to help. After all he is a salesman. He has sold you the van so in his opinion his job is done. This can be why they are so unhelpful.