Buying at a distance

[barriejames]

Hi all has anyone got any ideas on the following. I am buying a a used Mercedes about 200 miles away and wondered if there is any way I can avoid the issues I had with a bmw dealer in my last purchase. Basically I asked them if the bodywork was dent and scratch free and to ensure the pdr guy had gone over it as I'm coming from a long way. Basically after a 4 hour train trip rocked up to the dealer and found 6 small dents in various panels after the salesman and PDR guy had gone over it. I just want to try and avoid a repeat but the sales guy now is already getting stty when I ask them to check the car over? These are 40k used cars so I should expect a level of preparation surely

[Muddle238]

If you’re spending that sort of money on a used car, I’d just take a day and go see the car myself in the flesh. I’d never trust a salesman to tell me about all the reasons why I wouldn’t part with my cash, over the phone.

[barriejames]

Makes sense buy its a 400 mile round trip,these are franchised dealers too

[SteBrown91]

If you are after a car that’s in such good condition and this is important to you stop looking at cars 200 miles away. Aim more local and go and see yourself.

A salesman saying there are “no dents” means the doors not been stoved in. The average punter or even salesman doesn’t even notice small trolley dings.

I am similar to you in that if I’m spending a lot on money on a car I want it to be in a relevant state but most dealers do not align with my thinking so I’ve always bought localish or if the same dealer group has a car I like put a deposit to get it brought to your closest dealer.

[barriejames]

Agreed but I always buy up north as in the south here same car is about 5k more on average at this level

[plenty]

Muddle238 said:

If you’re spending that sort of money on a used car, I’d just take a day and go see the car myself in the flesh. I’d never trust a salesman to tell me about all the reasons why I wouldn’t part with my cash, over the phone.

100%. Surely a £40k car is worth a day of your time.

[Trevor555]

I presume you've paid a deposit?

Credit card hopefully.

It's a distance sale until you see the car in person.

So if you get there and you don't want to buy, the dealer should refund your deposit.

If they don't then just do a chargeback on your credit card.

If the sales person is getting Shi**y with you then do you really want to deal with them?

It's not an unreasonable request to ask for an accurate description of an expensive car that you're travelling a long way for.

[stevemcs]

You sound like the type of person who needs to view the car in person.

[Trevor555]

Where is the car?

Maybe a local forum member can pop in to have a look?

If it's 5k cheaper than a local one I'd worry, that's a big difference.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 15th May 09:55

[barriejames]

Thanks for the answers it all makes sense I was just thinking maybe the level of quality is still out there!! But I can see there is no easy fix unless I see the car first or travel up on collection day then refuse it if its not up to scratch, typical really trying to save a few quid by travelling miles ends up with more stress!!

[Geffg]

I’ve bought a couple of cars quite a distance away. Paid deposits sorted everything out and signed when I’m happy. I’d just tell them if I found any dents etc on arrival then I’m cancelling the deal. Hopefully that would mean they’d go over it and let you know of any defects as they surely wouldn’t want the deal done and you cancel it on arrival.

[barriejames]

Car is Lookers Shrewsbury. 5k is quite normal, I've bought several over the years, here is deep south east people pay a premium, I think people are more shrewd up north

Maybe a local forum member can pop in to have a look?

If it's 5k cheaper than a local one I'd worry, that's a big difference.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 15th May 09:55

[/quote]

[barriejames]

Geffg said:

I’ve bought a couple of cars quite a distance away. Paid deposits sorted everything out and signed when I’m happy. I’d just tell them if I found any dents etc on arrival then I’m cancelling the deal. Hopefully that would mean they’d go over it and let you know of any defects as they surely wouldn’t want the deal done and you cancel it on arrival.

I said that on my last BMW from A BMW dealer the dents had to be sorted by myself and they paid the pdr guy direct!!!

[Trevor555]

barriejames said:

Thanks for the answers it all makes sense I was just thinking maybe the level of quality is still out there!!

Sad to say I've found main dealers can be the worse for inaccurate descriptions.

I've probably had a couple of hundred wasted trips to buy from dealers.

[MDMA .]

Trevor555 said:

barriejames said:

Thanks for the answers it all makes sense I was just thinking maybe the level of quality is still out there!!

Sad to say I've found main dealers can be the worse for inaccurate descriptions.

I've probably had a couple of hundred wasted trips to buy from dealers.

The only higher level at a main dealer is the mark up. Nothing else. If anything, the prep is worse than a smaller independent.

[Trevor555]

MDMA . said:

Trevor555 said:

barriejames said:

Thanks for the answers it all makes sense I was just thinking maybe the level of quality is still out there!!

Sad to say I've found main dealers can be the worse for inaccurate descriptions.

I've probably had a couple of hundred wasted trips to buy from dealers.

The only higher level at a main dealer is the mark up. Nothing else. If anything, the prep is worse than a smaller independent.

I agree.

And with the smaller independents you are often speaking to the person who actually buys the cars, so they actually know about cars.

[Muzzer79]

barriejames said:

Agreed but I always buy up north as in the south here same car is about 5k more on average at this level

And to get the quality you want, you need to inspect.

A day of your time appears to be potentially worth £5k so why wouldn’t you?

[steveo3002]

buy one nearer or take the day off to inspect it

you will soon forget about a 400 mile trip vs ending up with some dog that you have to return to have defects fixed etc

[Chubbyross]

stevemcs said:

You sound like the type of person who needs to view the car in person.

Indeedy-do.