Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

I don't think it is irrelevant. You are paying them a LOT of money to deliver a fairly specialised product. If they can't stick to their own procedures, or provide even a basic level of service, how can you be satisfied that their internal quality control procedures are any better?

If it were me I would buy the bare van directly from VW, drive it for a while and really think what I want done, then look for perhaps smaller firms who can do specific jobs.

Having a quick play on the VW Configurator the price that they've quoted me for the base van is at least 6k under list. Combine that with Citron's observations and I'd pay more to get the van in 2023.

If I stick with my order I get the van in ~Feb, for less than I could buy it from VW (unless they'd discount heavily, which I doubt).

Wouldn't take long to put something similar to that in an email though would it.

Or even pick up the phone and say

look mate I'm really sorry but the markets a fucking shit show at the moment. I appreciate you bearing with us.

They sound like twats. I wouldn't give them any money. If you can hold your nose enough to still want it from them, I'd want a lien on an actual van already on their property, not something arriving next week / month / whatever. The commercial vehicle market is fucking nuts right now. I had a dealer offer me 30k for the Van I bought for 19k last year a couple of weeks back.

I do wonder what happens if they go bust before the van turns up - which is why what (I recall) their MD saying made more sense to me, which was to pay half the money when they took delivery of the van. Then at least there's something that I could go and get from the receivers (possibly).

Deposit of 1000 on CC, balance in BT.

They want £3,000 in cash via BACS now for a deposit and a further 50% of the remainder also in cash via BACS before the end of the month. Against a deliver to them of the van that they think will be January (but isn't confirmed).

You'd be an unsecured creditor unless you have an actual claim on a fixed asset - towards the bottom of the payout pyramid if I recall....

I wouldn't want anything that much.
I am sure there are nice hotels near bike park Wales.

I mean, if they’ve got orders coming out their arse, are they likely to go bankrupt? I am not business savvy tho, so have no idea. Transferring big dollops of cash before delivery does give me bad vibes tho.*

*obviously my vibes are not exactly solid grounds for financial advice.

I wonder when they get charged for it by VW?

They want £3,000 in cash via BACS now for a deposit and a further 50% of the remainder also in cash via BACS before the end of the month. Against a deliver to them of the van that they think will be January (but isn't confirmed).

Based on your comments on their poor comms and the supply issues at the moment, this seems way too risky to me - do you get any kind of consumer rights/protection with bacs transfers?

I suspect not, but don't know.

Walk. You're giving them an interest free, unsecured loan for an indeterminate duration and you already know they're hard to communicate with and don't do what they say they will.

That is all true. I'm prepared to risk the deposit (although of course I'd rather not).

Quote is now £74,624.40, so £71,624.40 less the deposit, £35,812.20 is therefore the 50% payment, for a grand total of £38,812.20 that I'd stand to lose if they spanked the lot on coke and hookers over the Christmas and New Year break.

If you decide to go ahead, if you can pay any of the deposit by credit card, even £1 as far as I am aware the credit card co will back you for the full amount of it goes tits up.
Agree with the others though, walk away.
Edit: see @skinny comment below

@Dammit I'm surprised you didn't buy a nice T4 and do a dammit custom upgrade on it. Might be able to sell for a profit in a few years the way prices are going.

Section 75. Over £100

@skinny thanks for the info, good to know.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/section75-protect-your-purchases/#faq

Sorry @Dammit don't think this is helpful to you as the credit would be with a third party?

I'd be using cash for the purchase, although I could pay the deposit on a card.

This. Very much this

And a fuck load of this too

@Dammit I think the purchase will bore you in any case. You will do better dude

50k Lancia montecarlo any one:

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1400529

Anyone going to the NEC classic car show this weekend?

Suspect this Dallara won't be there (not sure if the story is true but still an unhappy loss)

Ok, what can people find for up to 50k that would take me, and say three others to the Alps with kit, in comfort, winter or summer?