Selling your car - WBAC safest?
Discussion
I'm going to be selling my car soon and the horror stories of people turning up mob handed, distracting you, stealing the satnav disc, pouring oil in your water, squirting god knows what up the exhaust just fills me with dread.
Don't get me wrong, i'd stop the sale immediately and not them actually take the car for a stupid discount, but i can't be done with bringing that kind of drama to my front door. I just want an easy life.
Anywhere public i advertise the car i'm going to bring a chance of trouble, right?
Pistonheads/autotrader seems the worst recently for attracting wronguns. there is no point mentioning gumtree/ebay/facebook as that is next level pain.
So, i suppose my question is: Do most now just accept WBAC type offers, we know it's less than we'd get, but the difference is worth it due to what you save in aggravation.
Or is there a secret third option that all you cool kids are using these days?
Don't get me wrong, i'd stop the sale immediately and not them actually take the car for a stupid discount, but i can't be done with bringing that kind of drama to my front door. I just want an easy life.
Anywhere public i advertise the car i'm going to bring a chance of trouble, right?
Pistonheads/autotrader seems the worst recently for attracting wronguns. there is no point mentioning gumtree/ebay/facebook as that is next level pain.
So, i suppose my question is: Do most now just accept WBAC type offers, we know it's less than we'd get, but the difference is worth it due to what you save in aggravation.
Or is there a secret third option that all you cool kids are using these days?
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
I'm going to be selling my car soon and the horror stories of people turning up mob handed, distracting you, stealing the satnav disc, pouring oil in your water, squirting god knows what up the exhaust just fills me with dread.
Don't get me wrong, i'd stop the sale immediately and not them actually take the car for a stupid discount, but i can't be done with bringing that kind of drama to my front door. I just want an easy life.
Anywhere public i advertise the car i'm going to bring a chance of trouble, right?
Pistonheads/autotrader seems the worst recently for attracting wronguns. there is no point mentioning gumtree/ebay/facebook as that is next level pain.
So, i suppose my question is: Do most now just accept WBAC type offers, we know it's less than we'd get, but the difference is worth it due to what you save in aggravation.
Or is there a secret third option that all you cool kids are using these days?
WBAC are very good, and I've sent punters there numerous times when they could beat my part ex price. However, they will knock down their initial estimate based on their inspection once they see a physical car, so don't be surprised if you actually get offered several hundred pounds lower than their estimate. Other than that, they pay quickly and lately, have pretty generous valuations. Don't get me wrong, i'd stop the sale immediately and not them actually take the car for a stupid discount, but i can't be done with bringing that kind of drama to my front door. I just want an easy life.
Anywhere public i advertise the car i'm going to bring a chance of trouble, right?
Pistonheads/autotrader seems the worst recently for attracting wronguns. there is no point mentioning gumtree/ebay/facebook as that is next level pain.
So, i suppose my question is: Do most now just accept WBAC type offers, we know it's less than we'd get, but the difference is worth it due to what you save in aggravation.
Or is there a secret third option that all you cool kids are using these days?
Not sure if they still do it, but I sold my Focus ST to Evans Halshaw who were offering £1000 more than WBAC and 2.5k more than part ex. I think the reason for the better price is that they were buying for stock rather than just to chuck into auction.
I have used WBAC in the past too. Experiences broadly similar, and I think if you are honest when you do the quote, you won't be knocked down much if at all.
Chris
I have used WBAC in the past too. Experiences broadly similar, and I think if you are honest when you do the quote, you won't be knocked down much if at all.
Chris
wbac is what it is. There are some stories of people having their pants pulled down.. but desperate times and all that.
My most recent experience.. the other day.. we sold a 1.4tsi bluemotion golf. they offered 8700. Car was immaculate, no swirls, no scratches, no trim out of place, yet as soon as the sales guy put us into the system, it knocked off £300.
We got told its "out of his hands and something the system does with everyone" and because of the sheer volume of car they go through its a price many are will pay.
8300 accepted and getting paid 5 working days, unless you pay extra plus the admin charge.
Oh and they dont appreciate classics or rare cars.
Otherwise.. convenient service to have
My most recent experience.. the other day.. we sold a 1.4tsi bluemotion golf. they offered 8700. Car was immaculate, no swirls, no scratches, no trim out of place, yet as soon as the sales guy put us into the system, it knocked off £300.
We got told its "out of his hands and something the system does with everyone" and because of the sheer volume of car they go through its a price many are will pay.
8300 accepted and getting paid 5 working days, unless you pay extra plus the admin charge.
Oh and they dont appreciate classics or rare cars.
Otherwise.. convenient service to have
Oh dear me. Scaremongering really does go further than Covid doesn't it.
I've no doubt there are a minority of rip off merchants and scam artists trawling the classifieds but with there being so few private sales these days, you'd think those of us who still sell privately would be easy targets.
I've sold my cars through Autotrader, Car & Classic, Ebay and Gumtree. All depending on what I'm selling and never any issues.
It's easy enough to ignore the low life and only part with the car once the money is in my bank.
My last sale, they didn't even come to view. The money was in my account within 5 mins of the transport company arriving to collect and they just had to confirm the car was real.
Full private sale prices without having to deal with scum like WBAC or Evans.
I've no doubt there are a minority of rip off merchants and scam artists trawling the classifieds but with there being so few private sales these days, you'd think those of us who still sell privately would be easy targets.
I've sold my cars through Autotrader, Car & Classic, Ebay and Gumtree. All depending on what I'm selling and never any issues.
It's easy enough to ignore the low life and only part with the car once the money is in my bank.
My last sale, they didn't even come to view. The money was in my account within 5 mins of the transport company arriving to collect and they just had to confirm the car was real.
Full private sale prices without having to deal with scum like WBAC or Evans.
Edited by Pistom on Tuesday 25th May 12:34
I used 'we want any car'. (Hyundai I30).
Provide an initial offer, chap came to the house, knocked the obligatory £100 off and money was transferred straight away (No extra charge).
Took the keys and paperwork and car was collected by a low loader a few days later.
It was really simple and beat WBAC by £400
Provide an initial offer, chap came to the house, knocked the obligatory £100 off and money was transferred straight away (No extra charge).
Took the keys and paperwork and car was collected by a low loader a few days later.
It was really simple and beat WBAC by £400
Another vote for Motorway here. Sold my car with them last week and got over £3k more than WBAC offered.
Was really simple to list and the car was collected yesterday, with the money being in my account before the dealer who bought it drove away.
Easiest car selling experience I've ever had.
Was really simple to list and the car was collected yesterday, with the money being in my account before the dealer who bought it drove away.
Easiest car selling experience I've ever had.
Aero97 said:
Another vote for Motorway here. Sold my car with them last week and got over £3k more than WBAC offered.
Was really simple to list and the car was collected yesterday, with the money being in my account before the dealer who bought it drove away.
Easiest car selling experience I've ever had.
Just had a look at they're offering £8027 which is £600 more than WBAC so i think we have a winner. I think the z4 would fetch around £10k privately so i'm happy with that.Was really simple to list and the car was collected yesterday, with the money being in my account before the dealer who bought it drove away.
Easiest car selling experience I've ever had.
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
Just had a look at they're offering £8027 which is £600 more than WBAC so i think we have a winner. I think the z4 would fetch around £10k privately so i'm happy with that.
I would be selling private for the additional 20% - i have never had an issue with a private saleredandwhite said:
Pixelpeep Z4 said:
Just had a look at they're offering £8027 which is £600 more than WBAC so i think we have a winner. I think the z4 would fetch around £10k privately so i'm happy with that.
I would be selling private for the additional 20% - i have never had an issue with a private saleMy Mrs refuses to even PX her cars, not because of the better price a private sale brings but because she wants to see who the car goes to and pass on her knowledge of the car. I'd hate to see how she behaves if we ever got divorced!!
Edited by Pistom on Wednesday 26th May 10:13
We used Arnold Clark at the start of the month for the OH's Hyundai i10 that had been surplus to requirements since she got her e-208 last November. We had to get some damage sorted on it, then I listed it on Autotrader but had 2 weeks of "best price bruv" type messages and only 1 private punter who offered less than the WBAC value. AC offered more and it was an easy hassle-free transaction.
Personally, I've had really good experience selling directly to the relevant dealers. For example, selling a BMW to BMW dealer or Hyundai to Hyundai dealer. I've received significantly higher offers than webuyany car type places and no knock downs.
However, the cars I've sold have been sub 5 years old. sub 50,000 miles and full dealer service history.
However, the cars I've sold have been sub 5 years old. sub 50,000 miles and full dealer service history.
I’m going through a sale with Motorway at the moment and they’ve been superb. I’m in the hands of the buying dealer now so I hope that continues, but Motorway themselves have been very proactive in making sure all is OK.
The price I got was higher than I expected, which is a bonus! It’s worth going through the process since you can do so from home.
The price I got was higher than I expected, which is a bonus! It’s worth going through the process since you can do so from home.
I've sold pretty much every car I've owned privately from a scruffy leggy Accord (£550) to a mint AM Vantage (£30k) and a bunch of stuff between - had to field a few timewasters, but sold them all with no oil-in-water or two dogs tied together and I'm sure for more than WBAC etc would offer.
krisdelta said:
I've sold pretty much every car I've owned privately from a scruffy leggy Accord (£550) to a mint AM Vantage (£30k) and a bunch of stuff between - had to field a few timewasters, but sold them all with no oil-in-water or two dogs tied together and I'm sure for more than WBAC etc would offer.
No doubt you can for more sell privately but many don't want a car sitting about waiting to be sold if they are buying or have bought another car.For me, I can't be without a car so would have to buy my new one first and then sell the old one. Having to list on Autotrader and wait around for it to sell doesn't work for me, I don't have the space to store a car so the ability to smash down to my local WBAC and get rid of it quickly appeals.
Plus I am a grumpy sod so the idea of having to stand outside why buyers poke around the car or want test drives etc puts me right off. The least amount of human interaction I can have the better.
Used Arnold Clark last year to sell a car we had on finance for a decent price after ringing round dealers who 'give top prices' but wanted it for less than Arnold Clark offered.
They knocked a small amount off for damage, which I already expected and factored in to our decision. I was in a rush to sell and wasn't sure how long it'd take to get a private sale with the finance outstanding, or how easy the transaction would be.
I've sold plenty cheaper cars privately with no issues at all using Facebook, Gumtree, eBay, pistonheads. You just need to be prepared for the typical time waster messages offering you £3k for your £6k car. If you describe the car honestly and price it realistically then you'll get a genuine buyer in the end in my experience.
I think giving as much info up front either in the advert or on the phone/email/messages to manage expectations saves more hassle when someone comes to see it and it's not what they thought it'd be.
They knocked a small amount off for damage, which I already expected and factored in to our decision. I was in a rush to sell and wasn't sure how long it'd take to get a private sale with the finance outstanding, or how easy the transaction would be.
I've sold plenty cheaper cars privately with no issues at all using Facebook, Gumtree, eBay, pistonheads. You just need to be prepared for the typical time waster messages offering you £3k for your £6k car. If you describe the car honestly and price it realistically then you'll get a genuine buyer in the end in my experience.
I think giving as much info up front either in the advert or on the phone/email/messages to manage expectations saves more hassle when someone comes to see it and it's not what they thought it'd be.
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