Carwow....any scams?
Discussion
So we’ve found a good deal on our intended next car through Carwow, which I never really thought much of but had very good recommendations from a couple of friends, so gave a try.
Found the car we like at a very competitive price from a dealership on the south coast.
Contacted them via the site, and got a reply asking me to phone them to progress the purchase but also saying they’ve been “having problems at the showroom with power cuts and phone lines”, and the phone number they’ve given also comes up as a South Wales number.
Scam? Or do Carwow host operations from Wales?
Found the car we like at a very competitive price from a dealership on the south coast.
Contacted them via the site, and got a reply asking me to phone them to progress the purchase but also saying they’ve been “having problems at the showroom with power cuts and phone lines”, and the phone number they’ve given also comes up as a South Wales number.
Scam? Or do Carwow host operations from Wales?
You don't talk to CarWow - at least I didn't. They host the initial email type discussion but then I spoke to the relevant dealers - was talking to two and played them off against each other.
I wouldn't be phased by a dealer phone number being somewhere else - they often have centralised operations. Ask them to explain if you're bothered.
I wouldn't be phased by a dealer phone number being somewhere else - they often have centralised operations. Ask them to explain if you're bothered.
Sheepshanks said:
You don't talk to CarWow - at least I didn't. They host the initial email type discussion but then I spoke to the relevant dealers - was talking to two and played them off against each other.
I wouldn't be phased by a dealer phone number being somewhere else - they often have centralised operations. Ask them to explain if you're bothered.
Yes, was aware Carwow are simply hosts.I wouldn't be phased by a dealer phone number being somewhere else - they often have centralised operations. Ask them to explain if you're bothered.
I have asked the dealer why their phone area code is hundreds of miles from where they are - no reply yet which simply adds to my suspicions as they were amazingly prompt up to that point.
Crossflow Kid said:
....as they were amazingly prompt up to that point.
I was staggered by how quickly the dealers responded - an utter revelation compared to what dealers are normally like. That was the best part of using CarWow. I think five came back, and with the two I focussed on it was almost like chatting. One of the garages I called and it was the guy's day off!The dealer I bought off told me CarWow rates them on speed of response.
Crossflow Kid said:
33q said:
We have ordered our Arona through carwow....seems to be going ok
Out of interest, what was the area code of the number you were given to call them?PorkInsider said:
KungFuPanda said:
I’m also a part owner.
And me!Good luck but for me I am out.
jjr1 said:
...can not see how the business model is both sustainable and profitable.....
I'll make no comment on the profitability or not, but someone in another thread on here suggested that Carwow provided something silly like 20% of all sales to dealers, so they've certainly got some income coming in... There is no way dealers will stomach £40 per enquiry , it’s bad enough they give car wow £360.
I have purchased 2 cars via car wow, it a useful tool although in the past 12 months I’ve made enquires for vehicles for extended family and have found far better prices elsewhere.
I do know a friend who purchased a Peugeot after using car wow to find the best price dealer, he knew about the £300 car wow charged the dealer so he drove down to the showroom with his part ex and they did the deal with a nice addition of sharing the £300 charge.
I have purchased 2 cars via car wow, it a useful tool although in the past 12 months I’ve made enquires for vehicles for extended family and have found far better prices elsewhere.
I do know a friend who purchased a Peugeot after using car wow to find the best price dealer, he knew about the £300 car wow charged the dealer so he drove down to the showroom with his part ex and they did the deal with a nice addition of sharing the £300 charge.
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