Buying Used Car From Dealer Over The Phone - Would You?
Discussion
Arnold Clarke, a national chain of dealers have a used car for sale on the other side of the country, Scotland to be exact. It's a 66 plate with under 7,000 miles, plenty of photos and a video walk-around. They would be willing to deliver it to a (fairly) local branch of theirs, but we would need to pay for the car up front. I could take a cheap flight to view the car, but it would then mean a 9 hour drive back.
I'm pretty hesitant buying a car without seeing it in person and taking it for a drive, but then again, this is barely a year old and from a large dealer which gives me some more confidence. Would you part with your hard earned to save yourself the 'hassle' of a flight and very long drive back, but with the risk you could end up with an absolute lemon and more grief?
I'm pretty hesitant buying a car without seeing it in person and taking it for a drive, but then again, this is barely a year old and from a large dealer which gives me some more confidence. Would you part with your hard earned to save yourself the 'hassle' of a flight and very long drive back, but with the risk you could end up with an absolute lemon and more grief?
Still under warranty isn't it.
You can ask him to do you a video and specifics to show you. Loads do this makes buying from distance easier especially eliminating those which claim it's the best thing since sliced bread yet the expansion tank when you open it to check it's totally dry inside and dusty
You can ask him to do you a video and specifics to show you. Loads do this makes buying from distance easier especially eliminating those which claim it's the best thing since sliced bread yet the expansion tank when you open it to check it's totally dry inside and dusty
Welshbeef said:
lucido grigio said:
I wouldn't buy unseen ,you might hate it immediately and then have trouble rejecting it as per a certain 350Z.
350z is a great little car. Crap boot but a solid buy.
It's a classic.
It's not a slight on 350Zs.
I did, Evans Halshaw in my case (so basically a private sale). Online photo's coupled with some iffily framed iPhone photo's from the sales person I was dealing with. Paid up front and delivered to my door for a nominal fee, I had to drop the driver off at the train station in Durham so got a decent drive out in it.
9 hours? Where on earth are you? Anyway, I wouldn't buy it unseen but that's just me. Once lived in Colchester and bought a car from Glasgow, flew up, drove it, liked it, left a deposit and flew back again. Flew up again a couple of weeks later and drove it home. Bit of a ballache in many ways and cost me about £150 in travel but peace of mind and all that.
EViS said:
It's the Kirkcaldy branch, 30min north of Edinburgh.
And about 20mins from the airport by road on a clear run... but yes, I'd say a early cheap flight to Edinburgh, tram to Edinburgh Gateway station and then train to Kirkcaldy and I'm sure the dealer would pick you up from there. Deal done once you're happy and hit the road ahead of peak times then cruise on home.Edited by EViS on Saturday 24th June 15:15
I have bought unseen and would do again if I got a good feeling speaking to a specialist dealer.
I wouldn't buy from Arnold Clark full stop.
But, a 7000 mile car under warranty? What could possibly go wrong.
Maybe someone local will spot the thread and check it out? I'm never really over that way
I wouldn't buy from Arnold Clark full stop.
But, a 7000 mile car under warranty? What could possibly go wrong.
Maybe someone local will spot the thread and check it out? I'm never really over that way
Edited by JZZ30 on Saturday 24th June 16:00
I bought my current and previous cars unseen.
One from Stirling and the other from Norwich (I live in Berkshire).
The Stirling one I was able to get a friend to view, the other not.
Both were from BMW dealers and both as described. Paid a deposit over the phone and confirmed at pickup. Both dealers were happy that if I didn't like the cars I would get my deposit back and walk away.
I'd do it again, with the caveat that it was a franchised dealer.
One from Stirling and the other from Norwich (I live in Berkshire).
The Stirling one I was able to get a friend to view, the other not.
Both were from BMW dealers and both as described. Paid a deposit over the phone and confirmed at pickup. Both dealers were happy that if I didn't like the cars I would get my deposit back and walk away.
I'd do it again, with the caveat that it was a franchised dealer.
A friend of mine spoke to me about a car from AC last year, asked it it was a good price etc, which it was, so he flew from Cornwall to Glasgow to pick up a 'bargain' and got there finding that all 4 wheels are kerbed and rear bumper is a different shade.
At that point it was buy it (and with no discount) or find a way home
It was still cheap though.
At that point it was buy it (and with no discount) or find a way home
It was still cheap though.
EViS said:
Arnold Clarke, a national chain of dealers have a used car for sale on the other side of the country, Scotland to be exact. It's a 66 plate with under 7,000 miles, plenty of photos and a video walk-around. They would be willing to deliver it to a (fairly) local branch of theirs, but we would need to pay for the car up front. I could take a cheap flight to view the car, but it would then mean a 9 hour drive back.
If you don't fancy the drive, you could always fly back and still get them to deliver it to the local branch?Chris
Rick101 said:
A very specialist dealer who I've had previous experience with and continue to have an unblemished reputation, probably.
Arnold Clarke. NOT A CHANCE
Arnold Clarke. NOT A CHANCE
JZZ30 said:
I have bought unseen and would do again if I got a good feeling speaking to a specialist dealer.
I wouldn't buy from Arnold Clark full stop.
I wouldn't buy from Arnold Clark full stop.
Butter Face said:
A friend of mine spoke to me about a car from AC last year, asked it it was a good price etc, which it was, so he flew from Cornwall to Glasgow to pick up a 'bargain' and got there finding that all 4 wheels are kerbed and rear bumper is a different shade.
imagineifyeswill said:
I certainly wouldnt buy a car from Arnold Shark (not a typo) without seeing and testing thoroughly first.
Oh dear! What's the story with Arnold Clark and what makes them worse than any other dealer? Am I being naiive that a fairly new and extremely low mileage car may not be what it seems?Edited by EViS on Saturday 24th June 16:49
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