Specialist Car Broker opinion
Specialist Car Broker opinion
Author
Discussion

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
People's opinion on using a specialist car broker, like the below?

www.westcountrycars.com



randlemarcus

13,646 posts

259 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
They seem kind. All that effort, for no money? Gosh.

I can see the point for the timepoor, but I would prefer at least a bit of honesty upfront

M4cruiser

5,093 posts

178 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
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Presumably commission based, they get a cut from the dealer if you pay full price.

Scrump

23,918 posts

186 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
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My elderly neighbour uses a similar car broker. She knows nothing about cars and doesn’t like speaking to salespeople. It works for her.

Trevor555

5,386 posts

112 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
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Scrump said:
My elderly neighbour uses a similar car broker. She knows nothing about cars and doesn’t like speaking to salespeople. It works for her.
Who does she pay for the car?

The dealer? or the broker?

It matters very much if things go wrong.

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
From my understanding doing some research...it's the seller. The broker acts as a middleman to help find a car? Contract will be between buyer and seller?

Trevor555

5,386 posts

112 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
timmymark said:
From my understanding doing some research...it's the seller. The broker acts as a middleman to help find a car? Contract will be between buyer and seller?
That's ok in theory.

As long as the description of the car doesn't get mixed between the broker and the seller.

And make sure it's your name on the invoice/order form, not the brokers.

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
Sounds like an easier way to find a car for people not wanting to deal with sleazy salesman!

fatal3rror

60 posts

108 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
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I can see the value but would rather pay a fee to the broker. This model is ripe for trouble as broker is likely to be biased towards specific dealers and unlikely to get you the best deal.

PrinceRupert

11,630 posts

113 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
I'd also rather pay the fee to the broker. For example, Phil Phedonos does a TVR purchasing service.

http://www.sportscarinspections.co.uk/full-finding...

It seems a lot of money, but if it saves you a lot of effort, and prevents you buying a car with a rotten chassis etc, its probably good value. If I wanted a TVR I'd be tempted.

Trevor555

5,386 posts

112 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
timmymark said:
Sounds like an easier way to find a car for people not wanting to deal with sleazy salesman!
In theory there's nothing wrong with it.

But it's important to get the description of the car from the seller, so at one point you'll have to talk to the selling dealer.

Print off the dealer advert.

Ensure the car is invoiced to you. And get that invoice directly from the dealer, not through the broker (easy to forge such things)

Pay the dealer for the car.

Collect the car from the dealer, or get the dealer to deliver it.

You just have to protect yourself from the broker getting directly involved in the purchase as the seller could try to say they sold it "trade sale" to a car dealer broker and you could lose your buyer protection.

Cover those bases and you'll be fine.

But you're going to have to engage the "sleazy salesman" at some point.

Otherwise the "sleazy salesman" will say "I didn't sell the car to you mate" if you have any problems.

You might think I'm scaremongering so I'll give you an example of how it could go wrong.

You get the car and the aircon doesn't work.

Dealers says, "we told the broker that the aircon wasn't working"

Just be careful.

Doofus

34,218 posts

201 months

Wednesday 13th January 2021
quotequote all
I did this, succesfully, for a bit, but it was before the internet made everyone able to find cars and research them.

There was a liability aspect; generally avoided with a n 'Opinion Report', and I never got any9je's finegers burned.

Today, I really don't think it's necessary unless you're in the super-rare, highly discreet market.

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
quotequote all
I have contacted company to help me with finding a car. He came across well and very knowledgeable!

Let's see what happens....

First impressions are good.

randlemarcus

13,646 posts

259 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
quotequote all
timmymark said:
I have contacted company to help me with finding a car. He came across well and very knowledgeable!

Let's see what happens....

First impressions are good.
Did he make it crystal clear how he gets paid?

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
quotequote all
Yes. Everything was discussed and clarified.

I've already received a great spec car, which isn't on the internet!

He's apparently very well connected in the industry and has little hinding spots for cars.

So far, so good!

randlemarcus

13,646 posts

259 months

Thursday 14th January 2021
quotequote all
Brilliant smile

I believe these guys have a place, buying a car is tricky at the best of times, and anything that reduces the arseache is a good thing, and worth cold hard cash.

Shaw Tarse

31,877 posts

231 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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OP is this your company?

Doofus

34,218 posts

201 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
Shaw Tarse said:
OP is this your company?
smile

I suspect he'll say 'no'.

If he says anything at all...

OverSteery

3,794 posts

259 months

Friday 15th January 2021
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
timmymark said:
I have contacted company to help me with finding a car. He came across well and very knowledgeable!

Let's see what happens....

First impressions are good.
Did he make it crystal clear how he gets paid?
To be fair, the FAQ on the website does include:

What do you charge?

We do not charge the client for any services. We receive commission or referral fee from a dealership or agent.

timmymark

Original Poster:

13 posts

87 months

Thursday 21st January 2021
quotequote all
To the keyboard critics. No, it's not my company or have any affiliation with them!!! Hence why i asked the question.

But I have just completed my purchase using
www.westcountrycars.com and what a pleasure it was.
I was completely skeptical, like others in the forum but honestly the process has been completely straightforward and easy. Outstanding communication and service considering the current restrictions with Covid.

I would highly recommend giving them a go.