Anyone bought a car through Car & Classic Auctions?
Discussion
rovermorris999 said:
Most of the hassles can be avoided by viewing the car before bidding. Although no excuse for creative descriptions, anyone who buys a car sight unseen is asking for trouble. I bought through them having ignored the description, viewed and it was problem-free. Amazingly I was the only bidder who did view.
I agree, I tried when I bought through C&C but was not given the vendors details before paying money - which seems wrong on many levels. After bidding for a car my bid was accepted.
I went to see the car and found out that although it conformed to a lot of the description given on the site there was a lot that had NOT been mentioned and the seller continued to tell me some lies.
So I refused to buy the car.
I wrote a long description of what happened to C&C but these were not accepted by C&C. Their reason was that the car did meet my expectations! This is true but because there were things that were not correct with the car which were not stated in the description.
For example the car was supposed to be 4x4 drive but the owner had never used this and the two indicator lights showing that it was functioning did not function!!
Before I went to see the car, which was a long drive for me, I was told repeatedly that if there was a problem with the car or description then my deposit would be refunded but I can't even get some communication!
I thought that I may have to pay some fees but I think that 828 euros is far too much.
So please be careful with this firm, they are very keen to sell.
I went to see the car and found out that although it conformed to a lot of the description given on the site there was a lot that had NOT been mentioned and the seller continued to tell me some lies.
So I refused to buy the car.
I wrote a long description of what happened to C&C but these were not accepted by C&C. Their reason was that the car did meet my expectations! This is true but because there were things that were not correct with the car which were not stated in the description.
For example the car was supposed to be 4x4 drive but the owner had never used this and the two indicator lights showing that it was functioning did not function!!
Before I went to see the car, which was a long drive for me, I was told repeatedly that if there was a problem with the car or description then my deposit would be refunded but I can't even get some communication!
I thought that I may have to pay some fees but I think that 828 euros is far too much.
So please be careful with this firm, they are very keen to sell.
Edited by Macromac on Thursday 25th April 18:17
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming.
Macromac said:
After bidding for a car my bid was accepted.
I went to see the car and found out that although it conformed to a lot of the description given on the site there was a lot that had NOT been mentioned and the seller continued to tell me some lies.
So I refused to buy the car.
I wrote a long description of what happened to C&C but these were not accepted by C&C. Their reason was that the car did meet my expectations! This is true but because there were things that were not correct with the car which were not stated in the description.
For example the car was supposed to be 4x4 drive but the owner had never used this and the two indicator lights showing that it was functioning did not function!!
Before I went to see the car, which was a long drive for me, I was told repeatedly that if there was a problem with the car or description then my deposit would be refunded but I can't even get some communication!
I thought that I may have to pay some fees but I think that 828 euros is far too much.
So please be careful with this firm, they are very keen to sell.
That’s absolutely disgusting. Threaten them with legal action and Google/Trustpilot reviews and give them one week to refund. They should be charging the seller for omissions in his description. I went to see the car and found out that although it conformed to a lot of the description given on the site there was a lot that had NOT been mentioned and the seller continued to tell me some lies.
So I refused to buy the car.
I wrote a long description of what happened to C&C but these were not accepted by C&C. Their reason was that the car did meet my expectations! This is true but because there were things that were not correct with the car which were not stated in the description.
For example the car was supposed to be 4x4 drive but the owner had never used this and the two indicator lights showing that it was functioning did not function!!
Before I went to see the car, which was a long drive for me, I was told repeatedly that if there was a problem with the car or description then my deposit would be refunded but I can't even get some communication!
I thought that I may have to pay some fees but I think that 828 euros is far too much.
So please be careful with this firm, they are very keen to sell.
Edited by Macromac on Thursday 25th April 18:17
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming.
Latest car and classic fees - went to bid on a car in one of their auctions tonight , £33k , they now charging the buyer £995 to use their compulsory escrow service for a car of that value , was no fee earlier this year .
I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
Edited by POORCARDEALER on Monday 5th August 23:16
Only experience I have is selling through them.
Mint E36 M3 Evo, Alpina B5, Ferrari California, Jag e-type, Alpina B5 and Porsche 928S... granted they were as described but easy to use and buyer said the same. This was since end of 2023. Any buy/sell platform is going to have it's share of sheisters at both ends.
Mint E36 M3 Evo, Alpina B5, Ferrari California, Jag e-type, Alpina B5 and Porsche 928S... granted they were as described but easy to use and buyer said the same. This was since end of 2023. Any buy/sell platform is going to have it's share of sheisters at both ends.
POORCARDEALER said:
Latest car and classic fees - went to bid on a car in one of their auctions tonight , £33k , they now charging the buyer £995 to use their compulsory escrow service for a car of that value , was no fee earlier this year .
I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
That is outrageous.I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
Edited by POORCARDEALER on Monday 5th August 23:16
Thank you for raising awareness
I was considering buying a Jag through this platform, it’s still for sale and I have been mulling it over for a week now but your experiences with C&C have swayed me away from distance buying in this instance.
I will give it a miss and use other platforms.
I don’t want to get stuck with a car if it’s not as described and without doing a 380 mile round trip to find out, it’s too much risk especially if C&C are not on your side.
I was considering buying a Jag through this platform, it’s still for sale and I have been mulling it over for a week now but your experiences with C&C have swayed me away from distance buying in this instance.
I will give it a miss and use other platforms.
I don’t want to get stuck with a car if it’s not as described and without doing a 380 mile round trip to find out, it’s too much risk especially if C&C are not on your side.
rovermorris999 said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Latest car and classic fees - went to bid on a car in one of their auctions tonight , £33k , they now charging the buyer £995 to use their compulsory escrow service for a car of that value , was no fee earlier this year .
I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
That is outrageous.I don’t want to use escrow in first place , but charging a grand for the privilege means I won’t be buying through the sites auction
Edited by POORCARDEALER on Monday 5th August 23:16
Checked out Mangopay on Trustpilot. Seems they are pishing customers off with KYC on Vinted. All companies have a proportion of satisfied to dissatisfied customers, but Mangopay is on another level - 45% 5 star and 45% 1 star. People should know that even though they are based in Lux, you can still complain to the FCA who will charge them £650.
I am currently experiencing similar issues to previous posters. I was reluctant to buy, sounds stupid now, but as I had 4 Trains journey and 200 mile drive I bought the car. It turned out nothing like the advertisement. The bloke was very misleading
But hey! With hindsight, C&C have stated my fault as it sold as us etc etc
I will not under any circumstance be buying via car and classic again . The idea they hold my money snd then Id have to wait for it back if the sale didn't go through puts a bit of pressure to by!
Yes, my fault entirely, but never again with C&C
But hey! With hindsight, C&C have stated my fault as it sold as us etc etc
I will not under any circumstance be buying via car and classic again . The idea they hold my money snd then Id have to wait for it back if the sale didn't go through puts a bit of pressure to by!
Yes, my fault entirely, but never again with C&C
This thread makes for pretty grim reading.
I've also found a car I'd really like via the Car & Classic auction process and having been utterly confused by the process, the vagueness of the fees and the fact upon registering to bid it immediately requested my bank details, which in turn then diverted back to my bank who issued stark "do you know who you are paying?" warnings so the whole thing just doesn't sit well with me.
The car, whilst not expensive in the grand scheme of things is several hundred miles away so viewing beforehand isn't really an option but I'd hoped I'd be able to discuss with the seller then just go for it blind and if I win, I'd just go down with a trailer but it seems you cannot discuss directly and the process seems quite difficult thus trying to arrange a trusted friend to view on my part looks like it'd be a serious headache.
I'd also very wary about the whole "We'll disclose the seller details if you win / we hold payment / make payment etc" as it just seems overly complex and experience dictates that over complicated has a habit of in turn going wrong much more easily. I've also a couple of questions about the car but even that seems like a complete faff. The comments on here have done little to put my mind at rest.
Beyond frustrating!
Edit:
Against my better judgement, just registered to bid (having entered my bank details... arse is twitching already!) and there are two pre-bids in place however it doesn't actually tell you what said bids are up to? So, you just enter your bid and then you've no idea where you stand... seemingly you'll then get notified when the auction goes "live" if you're the highest bidder or not.
99% of me is screaming "run away!" but these things don't come up often.
I've also found a car I'd really like via the Car & Classic auction process and having been utterly confused by the process, the vagueness of the fees and the fact upon registering to bid it immediately requested my bank details, which in turn then diverted back to my bank who issued stark "do you know who you are paying?" warnings so the whole thing just doesn't sit well with me.
The car, whilst not expensive in the grand scheme of things is several hundred miles away so viewing beforehand isn't really an option but I'd hoped I'd be able to discuss with the seller then just go for it blind and if I win, I'd just go down with a trailer but it seems you cannot discuss directly and the process seems quite difficult thus trying to arrange a trusted friend to view on my part looks like it'd be a serious headache.
I'd also very wary about the whole "We'll disclose the seller details if you win / we hold payment / make payment etc" as it just seems overly complex and experience dictates that over complicated has a habit of in turn going wrong much more easily. I've also a couple of questions about the car but even that seems like a complete faff. The comments on here have done little to put my mind at rest.
Beyond frustrating!
Edit:
Against my better judgement, just registered to bid (having entered my bank details... arse is twitching already!) and there are two pre-bids in place however it doesn't actually tell you what said bids are up to? So, you just enter your bid and then you've no idea where you stand... seemingly you'll then get notified when the auction goes "live" if you're the highest bidder or not.
99% of me is screaming "run away!" but these things don't come up often.
Edited by Davie on Sunday 29th September 16:46
I think the auction process is like any other, and in any other auction you would have no idea about bids before the item goes live, I think of it like pre auction commission bids.
Once live you can see bids and track online as per any other auction, so that bit I wouldn’t worry about.
However, the “pay all the money and we will refund it if the car isn’t as described” bit really worries me too. I have seen various feedback posts that suggest that once you pay then C&C are hell bent on paying the vendor whether or not there is an issue with the car.
For me, I wouldn’t buy through their auction process, or make an offer process for cars that didn’t sell at auction, without seeing the car either myself or by somebody I trust. I guess on reflection maybe this means that they are not unlike any other auction site and you should proceed with caution and assume that the seller is punting a ropey car through the auction unless you can satisfy yourself otherwise.
Once live you can see bids and track online as per any other auction, so that bit I wouldn’t worry about.
However, the “pay all the money and we will refund it if the car isn’t as described” bit really worries me too. I have seen various feedback posts that suggest that once you pay then C&C are hell bent on paying the vendor whether or not there is an issue with the car.
For me, I wouldn’t buy through their auction process, or make an offer process for cars that didn’t sell at auction, without seeing the car either myself or by somebody I trust. I guess on reflection maybe this means that they are not unlike any other auction site and you should proceed with caution and assume that the seller is punting a ropey car through the auction unless you can satisfy yourself otherwise.
All of you absolute nutcases that are bidding sight unseen on garbage at auction why not just get a clickmechanic to go have a look? It will probably be less than £100 for someone to cast an eye over it. They might not be an expert in the particular car but should at least give you a basic idea whats going on and if the car really is a total basket case you'll find out. A lot of these auction cars won't withstand a private sale or a dealer casting their eye over it that is why they are being auctioned and C&C are know to have a good system for locking the victi...sorry winner into the deal with heir escrow system.
People have had so long now with crazy consumer rights when buying from dealers they very incorrectly assume that this cloak of protection extends out to all cars and this is where you find its really not the case and people will sell their own grandma up the river when it comes to selling cars and houses there are no morals with some people.
People have had so long now with crazy consumer rights when buying from dealers they very incorrectly assume that this cloak of protection extends out to all cars and this is where you find its really not the case and people will sell their own grandma up the river when it comes to selling cars and houses there are no morals with some people.
You'd be mad to buy without viewing. I've seen cars auctioned elsewhere that I've viewed and rejected when advertised privately beforehand. The descriptions were sufficiently woolly to be legal but 5 minutes poking around would have seen me walking away. Conversely I have bought through C&C having viewed and it was fine. Same as any auction, if you can't view yourself, look elsewhere.
I'm rocking on the basis that I've seen the images and if it's cheap enough, I'll factor in a few quid to recommission it assuming the total spend remains less than a perceived good one via a private sale. Spec / colour is exactly what I want. I've bought blind before, but usually after a discussion with the seller to get a feel for the car.
I'd do the same again happily, it's part of the fun / chase and yes, you win some and you lose dimd but if the money is at the right level where you can get back out relatively unscathed, so be it.
However, the car itself isn't my worry - my worry is the rather contrived processes that Car & Classic have in place and it seems my initial suspicions that it could be a difficult buying process look to have confirmed based upon a few who have not had the best buying experiences via this channel.
Is said car was listed privately, I'd call the seller, assess the cut of his jib and if the were a good sort, send transport and bring it home having paid via bank transfer. That's the frustration... I wasn't the car, but I'm very dubious about the buying process via the auction route.
Caveat being, it might do silly money which in turn means the risk could quickly outweigh the reward in which case, it'll be a big Duncan Banantyne "Ahm oot!"
I'd do the same again happily, it's part of the fun / chase and yes, you win some and you lose dimd but if the money is at the right level where you can get back out relatively unscathed, so be it.
However, the car itself isn't my worry - my worry is the rather contrived processes that Car & Classic have in place and it seems my initial suspicions that it could be a difficult buying process look to have confirmed based upon a few who have not had the best buying experiences via this channel.
Is said car was listed privately, I'd call the seller, assess the cut of his jib and if the were a good sort, send transport and bring it home having paid via bank transfer. That's the frustration... I wasn't the car, but I'm very dubious about the buying process via the auction route.
Caveat being, it might do silly money which in turn means the risk could quickly outweigh the reward in which case, it'll be a big Duncan Banantyne "Ahm oot!"
skeeterm5 said:
However, the “pay all the money and we will refund it if the car isn’t as described” bit really worries me too. I have seen various feedback posts that suggest that once you pay then C&C are hell bent on paying the vendor whether or not there is an issue with the car.
They don't roll over quickly, but a family member has had a full refund including buyer's fees when a car wasn't as described.They place great emphasis on you checking the car over before bidding - which isn't always practicable. Luckily in this case there were a couple of irrefutable elements that weren't as described.
It'd have to be a special car to make me want to use that particular platform, but like any auction I'd absolutely view before bidding.
fridaypassion said:
It is always possible to check something over just use click mechanic we live on a pretty small island where nothing is too remote. If the seller makes it hard to inspect the car then you know to avoid....
I read it as Car & Classic intermediate all messages to the vendor, this acting as a go between probably do you don't ask too much or go "Listen mate, name your price and I'll come down tomorrow" and they state the will try to facilitate a mutually convenient time to view... so trying to organise yet another player, ie a random mechanic, sounds like it could be a bit heavy going too. Though what there is stopping you arranging to view and arriving "to view" either a Tesco bag full of £50 notes to start laying out until said seller buckles... I do not know. I have considered that. Davie said:
I read it as Car & Classic intermediate all messages to the vendor, this acting as a go between probably do you don't ask too much or go "Listen mate, name your price and I'll come down tomorrow" and they state the will try to facilitate a mutually convenient time to view... so trying to organise yet another player, ie a random mechanic, sounds like it could be a bit heavy going too. Though what there is stopping you arranging to view and arriving "to view" either a Tesco bag full of £50 notes to start laying out until said seller buckles... I do not know. I have considered that.
IIRC when I asked to arrange a viewing they put me in contact with the seller directly to sort out a time. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff