Surf Dilemma

MauenCaliSurf · Jul 11, 2023

So I’m in a bit of a dilemma now and I’d appreciate some sage words of wisdom.

I ordered a Surf on the 27th of April and (as I’ve moaned on here before, sorry) it still doesn’t have a build date. I know this sounds short for some who ordered last year, but it’s really starting to get to me when I’ve counted at least 10 people on here who ordered around the same time or after and have their vans on route.

I ordered through my local dealer (before I learned of DTD etc) and so I could maybe have got it cheaper. But they’ve been ok, no beef with them and they contacted VW who said the surf has been through an update which is why it’s been delayed. That’s also why it’s been taken off the configurator. No idea what this update is, and they still couldn’t give a date. The local dealer also have said they have a Surf in stock, it’s not exactly the spec I wanted but very close, but 5 grand more and without the happy camper event perks I got.

So I have three choices now: stop whining and suck up the wait, with no idea how long it could be, pay extra for the stock van and get it soon, or cancel my order altogether and go through DTD and lose my deposit but get an ocean for the price I paid for my surf but start the order and wait from scratch.

andyinluton · Jul 11, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So I have three choices now: stop whining and suck up the wait, with no idea how long it could be, pay extra for the stock van and get it soon, or cancel my order altogether and go through DTD and lose my deposit but get an ocean for the price I paid for my surf but start the order and wait from scratch.

I would go with the Ocean for the price of a Surf - they seem to be coming through very quickly at the moment. Will the dealer give you your deposit back though?
Also if you were financing have the rates gone up ?

dspuk · Jul 11, 2023

Bizzare given one of the marketing USPs for a Surf was to get it faster.

Go DTD and get an Ocean.

MauenCaliSurf · Jul 11, 2023

andyinluton said:
I would go with the Ocean for the price of a Surf - they seem to be coming through very quickly at the moment. Will the dealer give you your deposit back though?
Also if you were financing have the rates gone up ?

Yeah I’m not sure about the deposit, it’s apparently still at status 0 so not sure if that makes a difference. I’d find it tricky to come up with another grand for a new deposit if they won’t. Will have to check about finance too, had a 7.5% deal locked in when I ordered

MauenCaliSurf · Jul 11, 2023

dspuk said:
Bizzare given one of the marketing USPs for a Surf was to get it faster.

Go DTD and get an Ocean.

Thanks yeah leaning that way, I liked the Surf but wouldn’t have bothered if I’d have known it would take longer

Maidment_Ocean · Jul 12, 2023

I cancelled my Surf order after doing a bit more research on here and went with DTD for an Ocean. I did get my £1000 deposit back from my local dealer, they were good about it. Be careful to check any new deal as I think prices went up last week. Delay did not matter to me as we wanted it later in the year anyway.

Cilmericalifornia · Jul 13, 2023

DTD quote has gone up since I ordered my Ocean at the end of June. Still more than 10% off list mind you. I've been quoted a 3-6 month timescale for delivery.

MarcHobbins24 · Jul 13, 2023

@MauenCaliSurf who is your local dealer?

MauenCaliSurf · Jul 13, 2023

So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

I wonder if I can argue that this ‘update’ it’s supposedly gone through would mean it’s changed and so I can change my order? How has it been updated am I going to get something different from what I ordered?

Kayleigh · Jul 13, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

I wonder if I can argue that this ‘update’ it’s supposedly gone through would mean it’s changed and so I can change my order? How has it been updated am I going to get something different from what I ordered?

I’m sure I remember (but not sure where) that the point of the Surf was that although it had limited spec choice, the big advantage was that it would be delivered in time for summer.

Was that just hearsay or was it actually written somewhere?

If it’s something VW quoted as a benefit maybe you have some argument for returning your deposit.

Stu@rt · Jul 13, 2023

Kayleigh said:
I’m sure I remember (but not sure where) that the point of the Surf was that although it had limited spec choice, the big advantage was that it would be delivered in time for summer.

Was that just hearsay or was it actually written somewhere?

If it’s something VW quoted as a benefit maybe you have some argument for returning your deposit.

Will and Sarah mentioned it on their YT channel

Jimmylondon07 · Jul 13, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

I wonder if I can argue that this ‘update’ it’s supposedly gone through would mean it’s changed and so I can change my order? How has it been updated am I going to get something different from what I ordered?

I guess you went in to their showroom when you ordered it? I think there may greater protection on a distance sale and I seem to recall something about having the right to reject the vehicle up to 14 days after delivery for a full refund, so long as you didn’t set foot on the premises at point of order. If you didn’t then it could be worth a look.

OooOooTheMonkey · Jul 13, 2023

You could consider contacting VW U.K. I had an issue with my Ocean during the build phase and they were all over sorting it out for me. Absolutely superb! I get the impression they hold a lot of weight with the dealers.

Maidment_Ocean · Jul 13, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

I wonder if I can argue that this ‘update’ it’s supposedly gone through would mean it’s changed and so I can change my order? How has it been updated am I going to get something different from what I ordered?

Maidment_Ocean · Jul 13, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

I wonder if I can argue that this ‘update’ it’s supposedly gone through would mean it’s changed and so I can change my order? How has it been updated am I going to get something different from what I ordered?

My Surf order was with JCT600 also (Leeds), they gave me my deposit back. I did give him the opportunity to beat the deal but they couldn’t.

andyinluton · Jul 13, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
So my local dealer is JCT600 in Hull, and they’ve said they would only give me my deposit back if it was Volkswagen’s fault. Apparently on my order form it says delivery by Oct 31st, and it still has time to be delivered by then. I didn’t put much stock in that date and thought it was just a random date pending my build date.

What does the small print on the order form say regarding refunding the deposit?

Kenny Marsh · Jul 19, 2023

I'd get a quote and delivery off DTD and do the maths with and without deposit back? You then can decide whats best in your circumstances and either push for deposit back when you choose to cancel or not? Good luck.

MauenCaliSurf · Jul 19, 2023

Thanks all very much for your replies. I’ve got a quote from DTD which means I’ll will still save a grand even if I lose my deposit. I’m hopefully selling our caravan on Friday so will cancel the order with the dealer and do the DTD. So basically they’ve got till Friday for an update

MarcHobbins24 · Jul 19, 2023

#MauenCaliSurf email your build code to Jamie at breeze Pool he might be able to beat DTD price.
Jamie.palmer@breeze.co.uk
You can buy me a beer if he beats it

dspuk · Jul 19, 2023

MauenCaliSurf said:
Thanks all very much for your replies. I’ve got a quote from DTD which means I’ll will still save a grand even if I lose my deposit. I’m hopefully selling our caravan on Friday so will cancel the order with the dealer and do the DTD. So basically they’ve got till Friday for an update

Dealers are generally quite good with deposits. The contract is fairly clear and you only get it back if it’s “their fault” but there are several cases here of it being fine. Always worth mentioning the forum and you had been chatting about it here. Might tempt them to not be awkward.

Surf Dilemma

MauenCaliSurf

andyinluton

dspuk

Dave

MauenCaliSurf

MauenCaliSurf

Maidment_Ocean

Cilmericalifornia

MarcHobbins24

MauenCaliSurf

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

Stu@rt

Jimmylondon07

OooOooTheMonkey

Maidment_Ocean

Maidment_Ocean

andyinluton

Kenny Marsh

MauenCaliSurf

MarcHobbins24

dspuk

Dave

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