I always thought that the online brokers who sell and lease cars were availed of fleet discounts on account of their volume of business over a 12 month period. If NCD buy for instance, 50 Skodas a year then I would think that volume would qualify as a fleet buyer. Maybe it doesn't work like that at all but it is hard to think of a better way to get discounts than through volumes. I would certainly try and cajole Skoda UK into doing the right thing. After all, you are not personally involved in the contract details other than making a purchase. Lay it on thick about really wanting a Skoda because they are so good etc etc (btw they really are good too). Good luck.

Concrete

In which case, all you can realistically do is inform the dealership (and copy SKODA GB in on it too) that you require a final answer within the next few days, or you will be forced to look elsewhere.

It's contract law.

You agreed with new car discount the price and paid a consideration thus you had a contract.

They have now broken the contract.

You can hunt around for the best deal and if price you pay is higher then they have to give you "damages" for breach of contract for the difference in selling price.

If they don't play ball, you must give them a chance to do so then you need to litigate thrugh the small claims court

I would say the contract has been frustrated rather than broken.

A very valid point.

I have received a statement from Skoda on this as below:

We understand you may recently have received a communication suggesting that ŠKODA UK has cancelled certain customer orders because of discounting. We wish to clarify the position and reassure you that ŠKODA UK has not cancelled any customer orders
(either for this reason or at all).

We are, however, currently investigating the legal status of certain third parties which have been involved with ordering ŠKODA vehicles. The purpose of the investigation is to ensure ŠKODA UK complies with its legal obligations. Whilst this may have affected trade with such companies, we hope to find a way to be able to process all properly placed orders as soon as our investigations conclude.

You are free to use an intermediary to negotiate/conclude a purchase on your behalf and/or arrange finance (in either case purchasing through one of our network of approved ŠKODA retailers) and our investigation is not aimed at preventing any such lawful activity

We have not been informed of any customer details and therefore we have been unable to be pro-active in contacting any customers. If you have placed an order you think may have been affected by this issue, and wish to obtain further information, you may contact us on 033 300 37504.

Most car brands have two price structures with different discounts - one for retail sales and one for fleet sales. The car brand is free to determine exactly what constitutes a fleet sale especially for "fleets" of 1 - which may be extended to professionals and sole traders.

This paragraph looks like their get-out-of-jail card to me.

"You are free to use an intermediary to negotiate/conclude a purchase on your behalf and/or arrange finance (in either case purchasing through one of our network of approved ŠKODA retailers) and our investigation is not aimed at preventing any such lawful activity"

Somebody's solicitor is on the case and has warned them off, is my take on it.

Skoda dealers focussing on retail sales complaining to Skoda UK about other dealers giving fleet discounts to retail customers - is my take.

I suppose this is one of the vagaries of the free market. Everyone likes the free market until it occasionally bites them. My point is simple, are the brokers entitled to fleet discount or not? If, by virtue of volume of orders placed they qualify then no problem. If the rules are being strained or broken then it is up to the manufacturers to deal with it. If cars are cheaper, they sell more. If they are expensive they sell fewer but make more profit. They have to do the sums and decide for themselves how they wish to conduct business. The general public members who are prepared to research will always get a better price than a 'walk in'. I see no problem with paying as little as possible for as much as possible. That is the whole basis of trade. The manufacturers and dealers are treading a very fine line between excluding brokers and creating a cartel. If the news ever got out, which it would, then what a stink that would create. I am still waiting to see what Skoda actually do with this situation. My guess now is, they will sit on it until it goes away, and those involved will politely be asked not to repeat the situation.

Cheers Concrete

I agree RT. However brokers do act as agents who collate sales leads and are in a position to greatly influence the purchase and where it is made. I cannot see a dealer refusing to deal with an agent if the agent is placing business with them and dealers are presumably happy with their margin. It may be 'volume discount' or 'fleet discount' in another name, but if they are shifting cars they will be happy. At least we, as customers, are receiving the benefit of these discounts no matter how they are calculated or achieved. I for one would not turn down a good deal through a reputable broker and dealer just because the manufacturer was not too happy with the terms. Would you?

It will be interesting to see what transpires with Skoda regarding the OP and his contract.

Cheers Concrete

That is one hell of a discount RT. Great stuff for you. I will ask the name of the broker when I am considering a change, early next year I think. Presumably the car was supplied through a VW main dealer too. Excellent.

Cheers Concrete

I got a quote from Coast to Coast for my V60, having originally approached them for a quote for a BMW 2-series Active Tourer. Just at that time (January this year) BMW seemed to have pulled some plug and stopped their dealers from selling through brokers. I don't know if that's still happening, but as I said above, they presumably don't want private punters getting fleet discounts.

Anyway Coast to Coast found nearly £6,000 off from a Volvo dealer in Yorkshire, but Yeovil Volvo matched it and their service was excellent throughout. Ross Hughes is one of the best salesmen I've come across.