What's the catch?

[johnft]

I saw a load of cars pile onto Auto Trader last night from a dealer that isn't too far from me, and the prices are ridiculous! They claim to be offloading repossessions. The company director appears to be local.

Their website
http://used-carslancs.co.uk

Example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Whois
used-carslancs.co.uk

Data validation:
Nominet was not able to match the registrant's name and/or address against a 3rd party source on 10-Jan-2019

Registrar:
Hosting Concepts B.V. [Tag = REGISTRAR-EU]
URL: https://www.openprovider.com

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 10-Jan-2019
Expiry date: 10-Jan-2021
Last updated: 10-Jan-2019

Registration status:
Registered until expiry date.

Name servers:
ns1.qhoster.net
ns2.qhoster.net
ns3.qhoster.net
ns4.qhoster.net



I'm looking for something for around £8k, so my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw a V40 pop through my filters for the first time.

Anyone have any experience of these chaps? Apart from the too good to be true aspect, any other red flags?

[Ructions]

If it walks like a duck....

[Shiv_P]

WBAC shows 4 previous owners

[johnft]

Shiv_P said:

WBAC shows 4 previous owners

For a five year old car!

[SteBrown91]

The fact that each car has pictures taken at a different location screams scam to me. They are clearly stripped from old adverts etc as some are on a leafy suburb others are in front of a dealer building, some are on a gravel compound etc.

[scot_aln]

I was sure I'd recalled near identical wording a few years back on a similar site - discussed here

1. https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/whats-your-guys-opinion-on-this-site.49182/

"USED CARS LANCS LIMITED purchases these vehicles from auctions all over UK

All of our approved used cars undergo a comprehensive 93 point vehicle quality inspection (accidents, major mechanical failure, odometer-tampering, and salvage or flood damage) at our state of the art preparation centre. Any component that did not pass the inspection have been replaced or repaired.

Our certified mechanics inspect all vehicles for accidents, major mechanical failure, odometer-tampering, and salvage or flood damage.

We only offer for sale vehicles that pass our stringent criteria. We don't have subscription fees, the cars listed are available and you can get them in less than five business days at your door. "

vs

"CARS SALES PUBLIC purchases these vehicles from auctions all over UK, US and Spain.

• All of our approved used cars undergo a comprehensive 93 point vehicle quality inspection (accidents, major mechanical failure, odometer-tampering, and salvage or flood damage) at our state of the art preparation centre. Any component that did not pass the inspection have been replaced or repaired.

• Our certified mechanics inspect all vehicles for accidents, major mechanical failure, odometer-tampering, and salvage or flood damage.
• We only offer for sale vehicles that pass our stringent criteria.

We don't have subscription fees, the cars listed are available and you can get them in less than five business days at your door."

[Flumpo]

A 4 year old 3.0 jag xf with 14k miles for under £10k

Erm. Something isn’t right, can you even get a focus for that?

[johnft]

Flumpo said:

A 4 year old 3.0 jag xf with 14k miles for under £10k

Erm. Something isn’t right, can you even get a focus for that?

But repossessions though! /s

[johnft]

Think AT have pulled them now anyway.

I just noticed the title of that page described my Volvo as blue! (it was white)

[Flumpo]

This also comes with a 6 month 10kmile warranty.

http://used-carslancs.co.uk/vehicle/2012-porsche-b...

[Trevor555]

I've always wondered the legal side of these scams with regard to the advertising company.

I know Autotrader inform people about safe buying etc... But they have been a part of the scam.

I wonder if anyone's tested this?

They surely must take some responsibility as they accepted the advert and allowed it to go live?

Anyone any view?

[keasden]

SCAM SCAM SCAM

Prices too good to be true or for the more gullible, too good to miss/refuse. Got to send full payment up front and await delivery of supposed bargain 7 days later. Any legitimate company would allow you to view the car or collect it from them. This is a total scam and anyone taken in is gonna lose their money.

This is from their own website -

Once the Reservation application form is completed, please use our Live Help in order to schedule the delivery of the vehicle and the payment terms and conditions.
Follow the payment instruction provided by our Live Help representatives. Once the payment is completed please email the proof of payment.
We will start the shipping process within 2 business days after the payment is confirmed.
- USED CARS LANCS LIMITED will arrange for transportation to your location.
- The shipping is free within the UK. The car remains fully insured for damage during the shipping, buyer inspection process and prior to title transfer.
Depending on the distance and our shipping schedule it will take up to 5 business days to receive the car. We will contact you 24 hours before the delivery in order to schedule the exact time of arrival.

[keasden]

And if anyone was still unconvinced, the OP's diligent research shows the site was registered in Jan 19 so how come they have 'testimonials' dating from 2012?

Granted its a polished and good looking website and if they hadn't priced their cars so low, they may actually have taken in even more people. These scammers make my fecking blood boil !!

[Flumpo]

Website no longer exists.

[johnft]

Flumpo said:

Website no longer exists.

Yeah, got an email from AT a while ago, they reported it to... the Internet police or somebody

[keasden]

Website still there if you go thru link on the original post?