Paying for MotorHome

[clonkel]

I have to pay a large amount for our new MH which we will pick up on the 4th Oct. The dealership is around 20 mins from where we live. I paid them £1 yesterday to confirm that all the details I had were correct.

I made a transfer for just over half of it this morning and the bank fraud team called me. After a 40 minute conversation they said that I would be better off paying on the day with my debit card. I was surprised but they confirmed I can do that. If I use my debit card then I have more protection regarding the van whereas the bank transfer offers me no protection.

I called the dealer who said they would have to pay a large amount in card transaction fees. I can see the banks position and also the dealers.

What do others do in this situation?

My wife has suggested I take my laptop to the dealers and after the handover make the transfer although it could take a while as the fraud team will have to get involved again

thank you

 

[Rob Turner]

Speak to your bank and tell them that a large amount is going to be transferred to whom and when and then just use your mobile or laptop.

 

[MichaelT]

Debit card for us.

 

[Langtoftlad]

As far as the dealer is concerned - sorry, it's a cost of doing business.
Don't know about debit card protection but a credit card is up to £30k

Why do you need "protection" if the bank transfer is after [same time] as you get the keys?

 

[MisterB]

I thought you could part pay with a credit card and still be covered for the full amount (up to a certain level)

Can they actually refuse credit card payments?

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[pampam]

Card everytime

 

[clonkel]

Rob Turner The bank said I can't tell them up front as the 'system is the system' and will flag the transaction regardless of what they do.

The amount is significant and I do understand Langtoftlad as its part of doing business. At the same time they are a family business and I like to be mindful of that and all of the future service we need.

MisterB we don't have credit cards.

I guess its a laptop on the day, after a successful handover, and make the transfer via online bank and wait it out with the fraud team.

thank you

 

[Langtoftlad]

I thought you could part pay with a credit card and still be covered for the full amount (up to a certain level)

Can they actually refuse credit card payments?

Yes - anything over £100 and the whole amount is covered, up to £30k

Yes, they can.

 

[MisterB]

MisterB we don't have credit cards.



Perhaps it's worth getting one, if only for this one time purchase ....

 

[clonkel]

Looking at this:

Debit card payments and purchases aren't covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. But if you don't get something you have paid for by debit card, and the firm is refusing to refund you, you can ask your bank to 'reverse the transaction' and get your money back via chargeback.

Which means the only cover I have is if I do not receive the goods. If I'm sat at the dealers then that's not an issue. They also said if I send it to the wrong account and lose it then I'm not covered. I have done the £1 and so I know its correct.

thanks

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[Ingwe]

I’d go for bank transfer once you have all necessary documents that demonstrate that the seller has title to the goods, free of any charges including chattel asset mortgages etc and the keys.
If you pay by credit card, for all or part of the transaction, then bear in mind there are limits i.e. more than £100 and less than £30,000.

If you use a debit card, you don’t have the same rights as you do under s75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, BUT banks, which subscribe to the scheme, offer a chargeback option whereby they can call back funds paid to suppliers who are in breach. This is less powerful than if you use a credit card s75 claim because the bank will not want to get into a dispute with the supplier who may deny they are in breach. Also, not all banks are covered by the scheme and charge back is not part of the legislation.

Here’s a link with further info. Good luck and be careful at every stage.

How do I use chargeback? - Which?

Chargeback lets you ask your card provider to reverse a transaction on your credit or debit card. You have more rights if you spend more than £100 on your credit card.

www.which.co.uk

 

[clonkel]

Ingwe thanks. I reckon that doing the full handover and then paying via transfer would be the way to go. Everybody should be happy in that situation and tbh I have all day on the handover so waiting around to get it sorted should be no issue.

I was uncomfortable paying up-front even though the dealership is great etc.

thanks again

 

[clonkel]

Been in-touch with the dealer. Explained that after a handover I will make the transfer. They are happy with that. At that point I see no benefit with a debit card other than making a transfer has to go to the correct account. I have covered that and if I'm in the dealers they can take a look before I hit send.

Thank you all

 

[stewartwebr]

I have used our debt card for 6 figure payments. Called to arrange a few days before, the last one I made went straight through, we were very surprised when “approved” appeared on the terminal. As far as I’m aware a debit card payment is a flat fee regardless of transaction value, unlike Visa credit card who take a percentage.
No matter what method you choose do not make payment until AFTER the handover and you are happy with everything. It is a strange phenomenon of Motorhome dealerships that things are so much easier to get fixed and appointments booked before they have your cash. Everything becomes so much harder after the transaction.

 

[clonkel]

No matter what method you choose do not make payment until AFTER the handover and you are happy with everything. It is a strange phenomenon of Motorhome dealerships that things is so much easier to get fixed and appointments booked before they have your cash. Everything becomes so much harder after the transaction.

stewartwebr You are 100% correct. Thanks

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[trophychap]

When we paid for our current motorhome in May this year I asked our bank (Santander) to make the payment on our behalf which they had no problem doing.
When we paid for our previous motorhome by Debit Card the dealer had to phone the bank despite the fact that I had informed the bank the previous day that a large payment would be going out of our account. The bank told me the day before that despite me informing them it is all about automation with the card payment system. The dealer said they had to phone banks all the time when large amounts were paid by card.

 

[PlacidoD]

I have a daily limit on bank transfer with my Co-op online bank account. It is £20k. You may need to check that does not apply to you. Their website says £20k to £100,000k you can phone ahead to arrange that then do it online on the day. The alternative is a CHAPS payment which, in my case costs all of 25p!!!

P.S. I am surprised that your dealer is not asking for a significant deposit?

 

[DT]

Maximum deposit I would pay is £1k, if something happened to the vehicle (god forbid) the day before collection then problems would start. On the day of collection do a complete check of the vehicle then pay the balance.

 

[clonkel]

The bank told me the day before that despite me informing them it is all about automation with the card payment system.

trophychap that is what I was told by my bank - thank you

On the day of collection do a complete check of the vehicle then pay the balance.

DT we have paid a small (in relation to the cost) deposit and will pay the balance on the day via bank transfer.

thanks

I have a daily limit on bank transfer with my Co-op online bank account

PlacidoD the bank told me I have no restriction. The deposit was around 6% of the total value.

 

[Dusty_Rhoades]

Oops

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[Barriesimpson]

I made three bank transfers over three days without bank charges or charges to the dealer. But I am in Spain, so maybe you guys cannot do that?

 

[clonkel]

I made three bank transfers over three days without bank charges or charges to the dealer. But I am in Spain, so maybe you guys cannot do that?

Barriesimpson that is what I was doing but as others have said (including the bank) get the 'goods' first.

I did trust the dealer but as my wife said 'you have no idea if they will become bankrupt in the intervening period'. Consequently I listened to her, the bank and the people on MHF.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Barriesimpson that is what I was doing but as others have said (including the bank) get the 'goods' first.

I did trust the dealer but as my wife said 'you have no idea if they will become bankrupt in the intervening period'. Consequently I listened to her, the bank and the people on MHF.

Fair comment, but here we have no other option. All paid before we give it to you.

 

[enark]

BACS on the day, whilst they are showing you around the MH..

 

[gerry mcg]

Yes - anything over £100 and the whole amount is covered, up to £30k

Yes, they can.

If the total transaction is over £30k, none of the transaction is covered by card protection

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[Pausim]

Check the terms on the signed contract, it may well stipulate a direct payment into their account.

 

[clonkel]

Given the chargeback terms on a debit card and as gerry mcg points the limitations of section 75 there is nothing to be gained versus a transfer if I'm at the dealers and I've completed the handover.

I also feel comfortable with that process.

Thank you again for all of the advice

 

[clonkel]

To conclude this thread. We picked our van today

The dealer contacted me on Wednesday to see if i could pay on the Thursday as the finance people don't work on Friday and the registration etc. would take some time and I would have to wait around... I said no I won't be paying until a full handover and was happy to wait with a nice cup of tea.

They are a nice dealership and I suspect they just wanted to make things a bit easier for themselves.
I did call the bank yesterday and they confirmed that I can use my bank app to make the purchase. They also said any payment stoppage is random and not based on amount.

Arrived today and the dealer said take as much time as you want to look around the van, when you are happy we can do the transfer and whilst you do the handover they will do the paperwork. All went seamlessly and we are very happy (nervous and excited at the same time).

The transfer went through without a hitch. Within around 3 seconds the money was gone. I was open mouthed staring at the screen as it was ridiculously quick. No checks/phone calls just whoosh and gone.

I had 4 pages of questions for the handover and that went generally ok. They did not have the detail I wanted in places but I have so much information to wade through with all of the manuals then in time we will be fine.

The most satisfying moment was when I saw that we had a spare wheel as I had not checked when we first saw it. I was hoping to take the spare off and put it back again but the guy showing us was reluctant and said I would need to read the manual (I had this several times). Not sure where the jacking points were either.

I appreciate they can't know every van and answer every question. The downside of spending too much time on these forums is that you quickly amass the questions

Being completely honest this forum has saved me a lot of money and a lot of time. Going to OffGrid on Monday for an upgrade on some stuff.

thank you all very much

 

[PlacidoD]

Really pleased for you that everything went well!
Next thing to do (apart from visiting OffGrid) is to put together the MoHo equivalent of an airline pilot's check list:

Cast your eyes over TPMS reading to make sure tyres look OK
Disconnect EHU AND stow the cable.
Drive off ramps AND stow them
Switch fridge from 240V to 12V (This is the one I am forever forgetting! But maybe you fridge will auto-switch?))
Check fridge/drawers etc are locked.
Check hab door is locked to prevent sneak theft when stationary.

Likely I have missed something but that is my list!

Enjoy!!

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Really pleased for you that everything went well!
Next thing to do (apart from visiting OffGrid) is to put together the MoHo equivalent of an airline pilot's check list:

Cast your eyes over TPMS reading to make sure tyres look OK
Disconnect EHU AND stow the cable.
Drive off ramps AND stow them
Switch fridge from 240V to 12V (This is the one I am forever forgetting! But maybe you fridge will auto-switch?))
Check fridge/drawers etc are locked.
Check hab door is locked to prevent sneak theft when stationary.

Likely I have missed something but that is my list!

Enjoy!!

Make sure the windows, especially the roof lights, are closed.