Is this typical of an independent used car dealer?
Discussion
I had been looking for a specific car for a while.
One with the right spec, mileage, condition etc.
I find one 2 weeks ago and call up about it. It's far away so want to get an idea of condition before I come and look.
I ask if it's got any dents, scratches, if wheels and tyres are ok, if everything's working as should, if it's got full mot, service history and what's due on it next.
The guy says it's perfect bodywork with just one tiny mark on one alloy.
That tyres are good, that it's got full main dealer history and that the cambekt and waterpump have recently been changed and it doesn't need anything.
I explain I'm far away and want to see it the following weekend which is the next time I can get a babysitter.
He tells me he's already hit a few people wanting it and says as it's a rare car it will go and that he's been honest with his description and I could put a holding deposit on it and come but it at the weekend.
He says to check his reviews to back up his credibility (I had already done so, and feedback was good).,
I'm happy with that, pay a deposit and arrange to come up the following Saturday.
I arrive on the Saturday morning as agreed, look around it and notice it's got a dent that's easily visible on the boot.
The wheels are good but there is corrosion on one.
I ask to see the history.
No invoices just the service book, but is all main dealer stamped.
However, last service was a year ago.
I point this out and the guy says it's only a minor service it needs and won't cost much.
It's actually due a major service straight away.
The cambelt and waterpump work was last carried out in 2014, so due again next year. I don't say much about this but he can see I'm looking back and quickly tells me how the cambekt won't need doing for another 70k miles.
I sit in the car, turns out the heated seat switch is stuck in.
he promptly gets in the car and angrily starts fiddling about with it, and then gets a screwdriver out and digs about. He's doing this for at least 10 minutes and muttering under his breath.at one point he asks if one of us have pressed it and caused it to stick.
He can see that I'm not too impressed by now and it's starting to rain so we leave him fiddling about with the button and go and sit inside his office and wait for him.
He comes in and almost angrily asks what I expected.
As soon as I said the few points above that weren't as described and that I've come a long way, he tells me he's going to give my deposit back and I can go on my way as there are others that will buy it,
I sit there, and explain I've sold my car, my insurance has been changed over.
I have a newborn at home and I didn't plan on going home without a car.
I tell him il buy it if he knocks money off for the service and the switch and leave it and he accepts. Not a huge amount in the grand scheme.
He sends me on my way with an envelope addressed to the DVLA and tells me to put a stamp on it and send it.
Is this normal behaviour?
Ive got the car I want, and have booked it in to be serviced now and buy a replacement switch, but it's not how I'd expected it to go
One with the right spec, mileage, condition etc.
I find one 2 weeks ago and call up about it. It's far away so want to get an idea of condition before I come and look.
I ask if it's got any dents, scratches, if wheels and tyres are ok, if everything's working as should, if it's got full mot, service history and what's due on it next.
The guy says it's perfect bodywork with just one tiny mark on one alloy.
That tyres are good, that it's got full main dealer history and that the cambekt and waterpump have recently been changed and it doesn't need anything.
I explain I'm far away and want to see it the following weekend which is the next time I can get a babysitter.
He tells me he's already hit a few people wanting it and says as it's a rare car it will go and that he's been honest with his description and I could put a holding deposit on it and come but it at the weekend.
He says to check his reviews to back up his credibility (I had already done so, and feedback was good).,
I'm happy with that, pay a deposit and arrange to come up the following Saturday.
I arrive on the Saturday morning as agreed, look around it and notice it's got a dent that's easily visible on the boot.
The wheels are good but there is corrosion on one.
I ask to see the history.
No invoices just the service book, but is all main dealer stamped.
However, last service was a year ago.
I point this out and the guy says it's only a minor service it needs and won't cost much.
It's actually due a major service straight away.
The cambelt and waterpump work was last carried out in 2014, so due again next year. I don't say much about this but he can see I'm looking back and quickly tells me how the cambekt won't need doing for another 70k miles.
I sit in the car, turns out the heated seat switch is stuck in.
he promptly gets in the car and angrily starts fiddling about with it, and then gets a screwdriver out and digs about. He's doing this for at least 10 minutes and muttering under his breath.at one point he asks if one of us have pressed it and caused it to stick.
He can see that I'm not too impressed by now and it's starting to rain so we leave him fiddling about with the button and go and sit inside his office and wait for him.
He comes in and almost angrily asks what I expected.
As soon as I said the few points above that weren't as described and that I've come a long way, he tells me he's going to give my deposit back and I can go on my way as there are others that will buy it,
I sit there, and explain I've sold my car, my insurance has been changed over.
I have a newborn at home and I didn't plan on going home without a car.
I tell him il buy it if he knocks money off for the service and the switch and leave it and he accepts. Not a huge amount in the grand scheme.
He sends me on my way with an envelope addressed to the DVLA and tells me to put a stamp on it and send it.
Is this normal behaviour?
Ive got the car I want, and have booked it in to be serviced now and buy a replacement switch, but it's not how I'd expected it to go
"I'm coming a long way to see the car" = dealer has less incentive to be 100% honest
Not everyone is the same, but if you are coming 100s of miles then as a seller he immediately thinks that the sale is far more likely than not, so a few mis-truths (if that's what they are) is not going to make a difference. He doesn't sound all that great, but without knowing the make/model of car it's a bit difficult to comment.
If it was a specialist, then that sort of behaviour would rarely happen, so I assume generic garage?
Not everyone is the same, but if you are coming 100s of miles then as a seller he immediately thinks that the sale is far more likely than not, so a few mis-truths (if that's what they are) is not going to make a difference. He doesn't sound all that great, but without knowing the make/model of car it's a bit difficult to comment.
If it was a specialist, then that sort of behaviour would rarely happen, so I assume generic garage?
mangos said:
Generic garage.
He sold himself to me on telling me he had worked for the marque before setting up on his own and that he knew them inside and out.
Honestly, this sounds like a bloke having a bad day at work. He sold himself to me on telling me he had worked for the marque before setting up on his own and that he knew them inside and out.
I know he's in a customer sales role, and should be all bright and breezy.
He has presented some facts in their best light, and been caught out by you as you have done your homework.
He also might have been putting the Mr Angry on so you didn't start to get cheeky with the 'mats and flaps and a full tank of fuel' routine.
How's the car overall?
Overall I'm happy with it.
Which is why I didn't leave straight away when he was quick to give me my money back.
The dent on the boot is annoying as it's on a crease, and I'm hoping the heater switch is an easy fix / swap out.
Other than that I've got it booked in for a service with my local main dealer and will hopefully get it tip top over the next few months.
Which is why I didn't leave straight away when he was quick to give me my money back.
The dent on the boot is annoying as it's on a crease, and I'm hoping the heater switch is an easy fix / swap out.
Other than that I've got it booked in for a service with my local main dealer and will hopefully get it tip top over the next few months.
No not typical.
In my experience the car is in even worse condition than yours with scratches and dents everywhere, and warning lights flashing (after they insist on the phone it's perfect) and they refuse any discount whatsoever because they think you're "trapped" after travelling a long way.
Still better than Arnold Clark though, which is the only other option here.
I've gravitated towards only buying approved-used cars from main dealers (I have to travel a few hundred miles to avoid Arnold Clark, but it's worth the effort). So far it's been a far better experience and better value for money than independent traders.
In my experience the car is in even worse condition than yours with scratches and dents everywhere, and warning lights flashing (after they insist on the phone it's perfect) and they refuse any discount whatsoever because they think you're "trapped" after travelling a long way.
Still better than Arnold Clark though, which is the only other option here.
I've gravitated towards only buying approved-used cars from main dealers (I have to travel a few hundred miles to avoid Arnold Clark, but it's worth the effort). So far it's been a far better experience and better value for money than independent traders.
a said:
No not typical.
In my experience the car is in even worse condition than yours with scratches and dents everywhere, and warning lights flashing (after they insist on the phone it's perfect) and they refuse any discount whatsoever because they think you're "trapped" after travelling a long way.
Still better than Arnold Clark though, which is the only other option here.
I've gravitated towards only buying approved-used cars from main dealers (I have to travel a few hundred miles to avoid Arnold Clark, but it's worth the effort). So far it's been a far better experience and better value for money than independent traders.
I agree. I've bought most of my cars through approved user dealers and always found the process and transaction a pleasure. In my experience the car is in even worse condition than yours with scratches and dents everywhere, and warning lights flashing (after they insist on the phone it's perfect) and they refuse any discount whatsoever because they think you're "trapped" after travelling a long way.
Still better than Arnold Clark though, which is the only other option here.
I've gravitated towards only buying approved-used cars from main dealers (I have to travel a few hundred miles to avoid Arnold Clark, but it's worth the effort). So far it's been a far better experience and better value for money than independent traders.
The additional cost of doing so seems worth it to avoid independants like this.
Monkeylegend said:
As this is PH what have you bought?
Golf MK6 GTD Might not seem a pistonheads worthy car hunt, but with a newborn I needed a car with space for pram and car seat, but also something that was nippy whilst preferring diesel for the long journeys I do.
Spec wise it was hard to find as I specifically wanted reverse camera, front sensors, 6 cd changer and leather seats, the LED rear lights with average miles and full main dealer history.
This ticked all those boxes.
Had hoped to find one with Bluetooth too, but that's all that's missing
mangos said:
He says to check his reviews to back up his credibility (I had already done so, and feedback was good)
I'd be leaving a fair, but honest review. If he's not accurately describing cars, then you'll potentially save someone else a wasted trip by flagging. Might also make him think about his behaviour in future.mangos said:
Monkeylegend said:
As this is PH what have you bought?
Golf MK6 GTD Might not seem a pistonheads worthy car hunt, but with a newborn I needed a car with space for pram and car seat, but also something that was nippy whilst preferring diesel for the long journeys I do.
Spec wise it was hard to find as I specifically wanted reverse camera, front sensors, 6 cd changer and leather seats, the LED rear lights with average miles and full main dealer history.
This ticked all those boxes.
Had hoped to find one with Bluetooth too, but that's all that's missing
annoying, but good and bad in any business.
Its a Golf though - was it really that rare that you had to travel so far?
i think your stance was reasonable, its not as described, knock some cash off to sort it and we'll part ways - at least he did that, many wouldn't
just one of the many 'joy's' buying a second hand car - i've experienced the same at main dealers, so independents are special in that regard
Its a Golf though - was it really that rare that you had to travel so far?
i think your stance was reasonable, its not as described, knock some cash off to sort it and we'll part ways - at least he did that, many wouldn't
just one of the many 'joy's' buying a second hand car - i've experienced the same at main dealers, so independents are special in that regard
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