Carwow....any scams?

[anonymous-user]

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?

[anonymous-user]

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?

[anonymous-user]

Pistonheader101 said:

It’s legit - I’m part owner of carwow

Ah but how do I know that?

[anonymous-user]

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 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.

[anonymous-user]

So the dealer has gone very quiet despite showing earlier promise, more so since I queried the geographical telephone thing, which hardly inspires confidence.
Plan was to call the dealership direct today anyway. Should all become clear.

[anonymous-user]

Sheepshanks said:

Crossflow Kid said:

So the dealer has gone very quiet despite showing earlier promise, more so since I queried the geographical telephone thing, which hardly inspires confidence.
Plan was to call the dealership direct today anyway. Should all become clear.

Perhaps worth contacting CarWow - it's obviously in their interest to make sure it works and customers are comfortable with the process.

Indeed. I’m not massively paranoid about it. Just not 100% convinced either.

[anonymous-user]

We’re looking at 20% discount on a lowly Kia.

[anonymous-user]

N111BJG said:

We bought a Mini convertible, the Carwow offer was received quickly & was competitive. But when I rang the dealer there was the usual initial apathy.
I dislike the service reception woman at our nearest Mini place intensely so I decided to punish her by persisting with the Carwow lead and not asking local dealer to price match.
Everyone lived happily ever after, SWMBO has new car, we PX’d her old one at a good price, it was a sought after colour & spec so dealer had a customer for it, so they were both happy too.
At 1st service local bint notices brand new car bought elsewhere, icing on the cake.

So no real preference or advice on Carwow, just a rant about your local Mini dealer?
Thanks for coming.