Do you buy this story from a Dealer?

[Abacus21]

Hi

I am new to the forums and some great information here.

I want to run by a story with you guys and perhaps gain some thoughts.

I have seen a Mclaren I am interested in. The dealer has been fobbing me off for now 4 weeks about getting the car in the showroom from the owner who originally bought the car from them last year but then decided to sell it on since his circumstances changed.

They say they have not had the chance to go collect it? But I am curious why ? Why not get a specialist trailer company to go collect the car?

I have the distinct feeling that the Mclaren is in for repair? Perhaps mechanically or bodywork and its taking longer then expected? If its bodywork I have a paint depth tool which can identify new paint but if its mechanical I will not know?

If a car has been pending 4 weeks my thoughts are gearbox failure? Engines seem pretty robust. Turbos are easy to source and install.

Am I overthinking this? Could it be they actually need to collect the car? They are a big specialist dealer with many cars in showroom. Surely a trailer company could be employed?

[Pothole]

Is it significantly "better", cheaper etc. than any others available? Is it the only one available? Why are you bothering if not?

[Ferruccio]

Judge them on what they do, not what they say.

[Zumbruk]

The safest default assumption is the famous quote from Jeremy Paxman; "Why is this lying bd lying to me?"

Were I you, I'd walk away.

[Abacus21]

Its not cheaper nor is special either.

Would it be so bad if the gearbox was replaced or repaired?

Crash damage then definately walk away.

On the question on why bother with this example I guess its because it ticks most boxes. But another may come along next week. Who knows.

[Trevor555]

There could be a number of reasons.

But it's annoying when dealers advertise cars before they're physical.

It means they have to give you a story as to why it's not on site, it can create suspicion as you've confirmed, not a good start to the sales process.

[M4cruiser]

Abacus21 said:

I have seen a Mclaren I am interested in.

So when you say you have "seen" it, have you actually seen it?

Your implied doubt in the post is sufficient to say walk away.
Difficult with a rare car, yes, but I'd keep looking.
If it were a Focus then you'd definitely be going elsewhere.

[Trevor555]

Abacus21 said:

I have seen a Mclaren I am interested in. The dealer has been fobbing me off for now 4 weeks about getting the car in the showroom from the owner who originally bought the car from them last year but then decided to sell it on since his circumstances changed.

They say they have not had the chance to go collect it? But I am curious why ? Why not get a specialist trailer company to go collect the car?

Am I overthinking this? Could it be they actually need to collect the car? They are a big specialist dealer with many cars in showroom. Surely a trailer company could be employed?

Yes, it would be easy to get it collected from the customer.

Or maybe the owner has rejected the car and won't let it go without payment? Or the garage is insisting the owner delivers it to site before they give a refund?

Pure speculation from my part of course, but suspicion is there when you feel the dealer might be hiding the truth. 4 weeks is a long time to be fobbing you off about a car they've currently got advertised.

Or they might be telling the truth?

All I'll suggest is get the car carefully inspected by a McLaren anorack/expert, same as any expensive used car.

Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 29th May 14:40

[andrew]

dealer books advertising in advance and has little stock left to advertise

trivial job takes weeks due to delays in getting parts or people lined-up

just playing devil's advocate

atb

[Fezzamania]

How on earth does a simple the cars not been collected yet become its had an accident and the gearbox is knackered 🙄🙄
Maybe the transporter is fully booked, maybe the customer doesn't want to really see it go, maybe the customer is ill and its not convenient ....
There could be a millionaire reasons as to why

I think you are overthinking it

If you are not comfortable with it I would suggest you walk away as another one will always come along.

[Cheib]

I’d say this....customer service will never be better than when you’re about to part company with a significant sum of money. Imagine what they’ll be like if god forbid something needs sorting out with the car. Move on.

[johnnyreggae]

Or another overthinking scenario:

The dealer heard about possible sale of car and started advertising but owner changed his mind so no car & lots of excuses whilst dealer fails to persuade current owner to sell with them & tries to keep you on the hook

[hyphen]

Abacus21 said:

I have seen a Mclaren I am interested in. The dealer has been fobbing me off for now 4 weeks about getting the car in the showroom from the owner who originally bought the car from them last year but then decided to sell it on since his circumstances changed.

Fella, think about it.

You have been chasing a dealer for 4 weeks, which is a rather long time, and on top of that you have started a post online. Stop being a doormat. Forget about it and move on.

If the dealer calls you then he calls you, but if I were you, I wouldn't contact them again for this car. Frankly, I would suggest you do not entertain them if they do call, as the behavior raises a lot of questions over the possible state of the car itself.

Women, houses, cars, jobs; always another one around the corner.

Edited by hyphen on Saturday 29th May 18:16

[drcarrera]

Cheib said:

I’d say this....customer service will never be better than when you’re about to part company with a significant sum of money. Imagine what they’ll be like if god forbid something needs sorting out with the car. Move on.

This - with bells on ...!

[TP321]

Is it a McLaren main dealer or independent?

[South tdf]

I have been selling off a few cars for my employer with some going back to Ferrari dealers etc. I notice one dealer group purchased three cars the start of May but has not yet put up correct pictures despite collecting the cars a few weeks back. From the point of sale agreement most cars have been collected within a week.

Something you could try is do a DVLA check if you have the reg number, if the car is untaxed this is probably the date it was purchased from the last keeper.

[deeen]

If you're hooked on this particular car, call their bluff, offer to arrange collection yourself (i.e. book the transport company, not collect yourself).

Otherwise, as above, keep looking elsewhere and if they call, they call!

[Abacus21]

Its a 'specialst' not a dealer.

I think I will just keep looking and see what come up.

[LordFlathead]

Abacus21 said:

Its a 'specialst' not a dealer.

I think I will just keep looking and see what come up.

You could always send in Thorney to do an inspection where it is. I think he charges around £200 from his base, not sure about the demographics of cars in the field but this would certainly relight the selling dealer and you would know if its a good one.

[SSO]

Abacus21 said:

Its a 'specialst' not a dealer.

I think I will just keep looking and see what come up.

I would definitely move on. If this is how they are behaving when you are looking to purchase from them, imagine how they will likely behave if you have an issue afterwards.