NewCarFilter: Changing car dealerships.

December 16, 2006 12:39 PM

I'm living in Calgary and ordered a 2007 VW GTI in October. I'm expecting delivery in February or March. I'm applying for work in BC and AB and there's a chance that I might be in BC by then. What's involved with changing dealerships?

Am I right in assuming that anything warranty-related will be billed to VW directly and that a dealership in, say, Victoria, will want my service contract rather than not? I'm anticipating that the car will be like other VWs and develop a few problems somewhere down the line.

I'm also aware of paying PST if I'm in AB for less than 1 year. Is there anything else I should be aware of? It's not a big deal if I lose things like free oil changes from time to time.

posted by jimmythefish to travel & transportation (3 comments total)

You're right in assuming that anything warranty-related will be billed to VW directly, etc. You can even buy from one dealer and get your warranty service at another dealer in the same city. (I did basically that with my Saab; one dealer had the car I wanted, another had a garage on my side of town.)
posted by mendel at 3:33 PM on December 16, 2006

Any way to maintain a mailing address in AB to save the PST?

Friends, family that would forward you VW-related mail?
posted by jkaczor at 3:40 PM on December 16, 2006

I would be able to maintain a contact address in Calgary, yes. I don't see how I could get away with maintaining Alberta license and insurance while working in BC, though. By law you have 90 days to change your license to your province of residence. I'd have to maintain an entire identity on Alberta terms, which is not really possible. I could easily see my insurance being voided if I were in a serious accident and my insurance company in Alberta discovered that I was working in another province.
posted by jimmythefish at 4:24 PM on December 16, 2006