Paying for a car before viewing

[ryan01]

Hi everyone, first time posting here. I have seen a car at a dealer in wales that I'm interested in, it's £12650. I'm from Northern Ireland and My girlfriend lives in Liverpool so the dealer said he can deliver it to Liverpool but would need payment in full before delivery and if I'm not happy with the car he will refund me the money minus £250 for expenses. Is there any possibility he could just keep the money or anything? Has anyone done this before? This is the car https://www.my-motor.net/vehicle-details/Bmw-1-Ser...

[ArmaghMan]

Top quality lurking

[Rawwr]

I would only ever do such a thing in a parallel universe where instead of a brain I had a cauliflower.

Why take the risk?

[InitialDave]

Would it not cost you less than £250 to get to the dealer and see the car?

[Earthdweller]

Depends on the dealer

I bought an approved used BMW from a BMW main dealer that was at the other end of the country .. it was 6 months old and had 4K on it

First time I saw it was when it turned up outside my house ... I’d seen pics and a video of it

But I had paid in full before they delivered it ..both the car and the service from them was spot on

Edited by Earthdweller on Tuesday 8th May 16:18

[Wacky Racer]

Alarm bells!

Avoid.

Never buy any car in haste, certainly one so expensive.

Go over and view it yourself first.

[LouD86]

We do this an aweful lot with customers. We are a retail outlet, and we sell an aweful lot of vehicle sight unseen, but we make sure we have plenty of photos and video's.

Its quite normal these days.

[Nickp82]

I think if it was me, I would be a lot more comfortable paying the £250 upfront and confirming in writing to the dealer that I am happy to lose it should I decide I don't want the car. The balance could then by paid by transfer upon arrival and satisfactory inspection.

Although having said that, I would just go and have a look at the car in person rather than taking a punt on it being in nice condition.

[anonymous-user]

Rawwr said:

I would only ever do such a thing in a parallel universe where instead of a brain I had a cauliflower.

Why take the risk?

AbsoFECKINGlutely

Seriously man, have a word with yourself!

[Butter Face]

I'd do it if it was something of a rarity, something special and desirable that was worth the risk.

A white 116d? Nah

[stevensdrs]

Three words. DON'T DO IT.

[MDL111]

once paid for a car in full and told the dealer I won't be able to come pick it up for another 3-4 weeks. First time I saw the car was when I picked it up - this was in the UK at a specialist dealer (with a good reputation on pistonheads)

Paid for my last 2 cars in full before seeing them - this was in Germany at established official dealers

I think I would be less comfortable with a dealer that I could not find much information on or a small one that only had a couple of cars for sale

[Wacky Racer]

Nickp82 said:

I think if it was me, I would be a lot more comfortable paying the £250 upfront and confirming in writing to the dealer that I am happy to lose it should I decide I don't want the car. The balance could then by paid by transfer upon arrival and satisfactory inspection.

Although having said that, I would just go and have a look at the car in person rather than taking a punt on it being in nice condition.

100% this.

Good post.

[steveo3002]

no way pedro

[Fastdruid]

Butter Face said:

I'd do it if it was something of a rarity, something special and desirable that was worth the risk.

A white 116d? Nah

100% this. There must be thousands of them closer.

[ryan01]

The car is actually quite hard to find with the spec she wants, white/5 door/1.5 engine/m sport/sat nav. There's thousands of 2 litre engines yes but not many 1.5. I have decided I'm going to take a day off work and view the car myself

[loskie]

dont be stupid, fly to Glasgow, Man, Edin etc and buy one from Motorpoint.

[coljoh148]

I had someone pay in full for a car I was once selling by bank transfer before even seeing it.

Found it strangely trusting.

It was nearly £20k as well, not exactly buttons.