The Gallery Brummen

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Discussion

911F

Original Poster:

2,934 posts

189 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
Has anyone bought a car from The Gallery Brummen in the Netherlands?

They seem to have hundreds of classic cars in stock, and have been around for years. I can not find any reviews on line but only one complaint about the paper work on one car that landed someone in trouble.

sunbeam alpine

6,936 posts

187 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
I can't comment on actually buying from them, but what I can tell you is that it's one of the most unfriendly places to visit.

We happened to pass by a while back (in a classic Alfa) and stopped to have a look. We couldn't have been made less welcome if we'd rocked up in a chavved-up Corsa with a bean-can exhaust and music blaring.

Maybe they prefer people to make appointments.

Edited by sunbeam alpine on Friday 17th October 10:07

Yertis

18,015 posts

265 months

Friday 17th October 2014
quotequote all
sunbeam alpine said:
We couldn't have been made less welcome if we'd rocked up in a chavved-up Corsa with a bean-can exhaust and music blaring.
I've found quite a few classic dealerships to be too far up their own backsides. Especially when I was in my twenties. Consequently I won't go near these places now, when I'm actually in a position to be able to afford the over-priced but "superbly patinated" cars they're trying to flog.

W124Bob

1,744 posts

174 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
If the Mercedes Benz 240D is anything to go by their stock is way over priced! 200000 plus KM's and no paint on the wheel trims for nearly €9k!

ecurie

382 posts

201 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
A few years ago, an ex-colleague of mine bought a BMW 2002 there.
He doesn't know a lot about cars, so he bought it because he liked the way it looked and it was shiny.

However, all was not what it seemed to be : in addition to the rather high asking price, he was charged an additional € 1.200,- to "prepare" it for the road. Why ? One could reasonably assume that the car, at that price, is in roadworthy condition or else should be advertised as a restoration/reconditioning project. Apparently, for that money, they serviced, cleaned and checked the car.

When I got to see the car, it was a typical example of a quick tart-up : a fresh respray, covering filler and rust and liberal use of Armor All to make it shiny.

I guess they also have some satisfied customers, but, based on this story, I'll avoid them.

update : I found some reviews on Dutch car sites (mainly classic Mercedes) and most of them seem to confirm the story above.

Edited by ecurie on Monday 20th October 08:50

tog

4,516 posts

227 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
I visited with an owners club on tour a few years go and found them very welcoming. We had coffee and cake and they let us wander around looking at everything even though we were clearly unlikely to buy anything. It was arranged in advance however.

Carfield

296 posts

170 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
ecurie said:
A few years ago, an ex-colleague of mine bought a BMW 2002 there.
He doesn't know a lot about cars, so he bought it because he liked the way it looked and it was shiny.

However, all was not what it seemed to be : in addition to the rather high asking price, he was charged an additional € 1.200,- to "prepare" it for the road. Why ? One could reasonably assume that the car, at that price, is in roadworthy condition or else should be advertised as a restoration/reconditioning project. Apparently, for that money, they serviced, cleaned and checked the car.

When I got to see the car, it was a typical example of a quick tart-up : a fresh respray, covering filler and rust and liberal use of Armor All to make it shiny.

I guess they also have some satisfied customers, but, based on this story, I'll avoid them.

update : I found some reviews on Dutch car sites (mainly classic Mercedes) and most of them seem to confirm the story above.

Edited by ecurie on Monday 20th October 08:50
As if our used car prices weren't daft enough, it's very common in the Netherlands for the quoted price to be excluding EUR 400-1000 nominally covering MOT, service done etc - especially with smaller dealers. I think in the UK they would probably have Trading Standards after them, as it's not usually considered optional.

V-spec

754 posts

250 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
I bought my Corvette from them.
I would never buy another car there.

NomduJour

18,987 posts

258 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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Friend bought an Alfa from them (after getting them to buy back something that was going to need more money spending than he'd been led to believe).

Haven't seen it, but as yet it hasn't broken down or fallen apart.


Edited by NomduJour on Tuesday 21st October 21:34

beach bum

277 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Friend of a friend was looking at a DS they had in stock.

As with most of their cars, they are very clean and show great in photos. The seller did not know much about the car or its history and it was overpriced.

I would never buy such a specialised car from a classic car supermarket.


911F

Original Poster:

2,934 posts

189 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all the feedback, it's a drawn out process to go and see and buy the car, they are pushing for a 4 figure deposit, which I'd rather not do.

May just wait and buy a car in the UK!

paul0843

1,914 posts

206 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
In my opinion no 2 second hand cars are the same..
If they had a car I liked at a price I was ok with I would not
be depriving myself by not going to see it.
After all some cars are quite rare,and hard to come by especially
if your after a particular colour or spec.
You do your inspections and decide.

You don't have to like the dealer ,go down the pub with them or have their children.
Your just doing a simple transaction.
Paul

chalda

185 posts

139 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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Went there to have a look at the stock and a cup of tea a few years ago. Found them very welcoming and easygoing. Big exhibition, almost like a classic car show. The condition of the cars clearly followed a pattern: Shiny paint blown over questionable bodywork with little regard for details. Although cars are constantly being advertised as being in "original condition", I would not touch a car that has been restored there with a bargepole. My advice would be to only buy a car in guaranteed unrestored condition there and thoroughly check beforehand whether this really is the case.