Long distance buying
Discussion
Hi,
Looking for a little bit of advice.
Looking to purchase a car from an independent small dealer.
Car is located in Brighton and I’m in Carlisle.
The deal includes part exchanging mine.
They are willing to deliver and collect.
They are asking for half the price paid in bank transfer before coming and half on delivery.
Now I can see that they also don’t want to be messed around but all I can think about is what ifs!
Please offer me reassurance!
Looking for a little bit of advice.
Looking to purchase a car from an independent small dealer.
Car is located in Brighton and I’m in Carlisle.
The deal includes part exchanging mine.
They are willing to deliver and collect.
They are asking for half the price paid in bank transfer before coming and half on delivery.
Now I can see that they also don’t want to be messed around but all I can think about is what ifs!
Please offer me reassurance!
Just don't. The car is rarely as described and you've no idea if it even drives straight or what condition the mechanical side is in. Dealers absolutely love long distance sales like this because the onus is on you to return it if there's a problem, and nobody 300 miles away is going to return a car to be looked at when it's going to cost them a full day of their time + fuel + hotel or car transporter costs for someone else to take it.
The dealer will instantly know what your game is once you say you want to pay £100 on a credit card too. Buy local and go see it and drive it yourself.
The dealer will instantly know what your game is once you say you want to pay £100 on a credit card too. Buy local and go see it and drive it yourself.
Remember - any issues and YOU will have to return the car to the vendor for them to look at it (no guarantee they will fix it).
Have they agreed in writing that you can inspect on delivery and reject for a full refund of the deposit? (brave of them if they have).
A credit card purchase will protect you deposit, but wouldn't give me much additional confidence beyond that, although every little bit helps.
Is it massively rare?
Ask here if there is anyone in Brighton, who will go to do a walkaround video call with you?
Have they agreed in writing that you can inspect on delivery and reject for a full refund of the deposit? (brave of them if they have).
A credit card purchase will protect you deposit, but wouldn't give me much additional confidence beyond that, although every little bit helps.
Is it massively rare?
Ask here if there is anyone in Brighton, who will go to do a walkaround video call with you?
Edited by OPUT on Wednesday 3rd December 19:16
clarkmagpie said:
Sorry, would it matter how much goes on the CC or does it all need to?
I suggest you read about Section 75. Maximum cost price is £30,000. Min purchase £100.I haven't looked at case law around it but potential problem if it's not your card, ie who is purchaser?
Having said that, I wouldn't even contemplate it and wouldn't buy a car without looking at it. What age DB9, how much?
Presumably you're up-to-speed with some DB9 issues, particularly early ones, another reason I wouldn't consider purchase without viewing / checking: I might give Aston Martin Works the benefit of the doubt, though.
It's also an opportunity for them to reduce your px 'quote' due to 'undeclared faults' once they inspect it.
Eta. It's all very well having legal protections but, years ago, having been through the process of taking a franchised dealer ('prestige' brand) to court, and ultimately losing on a technicality, it's an easy thing to say, particularly for somebody who doesn't actually do it, but it can be an involved and time consuming process. Some you win, some you lose.
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Wednesday 3rd December 19:46
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Wednesday 3rd December 20:26
clarkmagpie said:
Hi,
Please offer me reassurance!
I posted on another thread you created.Please offer me reassurance!
The company is owned by two people in their early 20's out of a flat in London, the business was created in May this year....
It could be entirely legit - everyone has to start somewhere. But I would tread with care - go and see it, get a copy of the V5, look at the service history etc.
ETA - my post in your other thread 'B&L Trading Ltd, owned by LUCA BARBIERI and DINGYI LIU from a flat in Hove and the company is registered at a flat in Imperial Wharf. Set up in May 2025.'
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I reckon a minimum of £100, but an expert will be along soon 
£0.01 could go on the credit card and the full value is covered (seriously) up to £30k.HOWEVER I would be very careful about what the OP posted saying they don't have a credit card but could put it on a family member's instead. I'm not sure if you would be covered buying something under someone else's name.
Dealer Herę and PH's vote of reason with matters of the trade.
The answer to this question is "it depends"
If you were dealing with an established specialist like McGurks you are at no risk there are some cost implications though and a couple of pointers I can give you. If it's a none specialist/new business why not take a day out and go see the car? It's a big purchase you can have a nice night out with the Mrs and potentially drive the Aston back that would be the first and best advice. It's a small island we live on.
In setting up a distance sale the dealer must notify you of your right to return the car within 14 days - this doesn't have to be for a fault or anything its a right to return. If the dealer doesn't tell you this it's a massive cock up and you actually have 12 months to return it. They can charge "reasonable" delivery costs both ways in the event of a return this would be significant for you with the distance involved. The other thing to consider in the event of a return they are not obliged to give you your PX back.
Take advice on credit cards and section 75 with a pinch of salt. In my view a pro indie dealer won't have a card machine. Mine went in the bin nearly 10 years ago not due to to this section 75 stuff but due to the fees on debit cars transactions been charged. You have plenty of consumer protection but only reputable dealers will follow the law so bear that in mind. There is no set of armed of people to force dealers to do anything you are relying on them partaking in the system which the good guys will and the bad ones will not. It's a year to get someone in court at the moment.
Do you have a link to the car? I'm not speaking against the company or individuals named in the earlier post (I don't know who is selling the car) but be sure its not too good to be true and not a deposit scam.
With regards payment if we are doing a distance sale we take full payment before the car is loaded on the trailer so their offer is better than I would do but again make sure it's right. I have 15 years of goodwill behind me I wouldnt get people paying £70k over if I started up earlier this year. We only do the payment prior so the delivery guys aren't hanging around waiting by the way thats the only reason for it from our side. Obviously if they get half payment for the car and it's a scam you're buggered.
The answer to this question is "it depends"
If you were dealing with an established specialist like McGurks you are at no risk there are some cost implications though and a couple of pointers I can give you. If it's a none specialist/new business why not take a day out and go see the car? It's a big purchase you can have a nice night out with the Mrs and potentially drive the Aston back that would be the first and best advice. It's a small island we live on.
In setting up a distance sale the dealer must notify you of your right to return the car within 14 days - this doesn't have to be for a fault or anything its a right to return. If the dealer doesn't tell you this it's a massive cock up and you actually have 12 months to return it. They can charge "reasonable" delivery costs both ways in the event of a return this would be significant for you with the distance involved. The other thing to consider in the event of a return they are not obliged to give you your PX back.
Take advice on credit cards and section 75 with a pinch of salt. In my view a pro indie dealer won't have a card machine. Mine went in the bin nearly 10 years ago not due to to this section 75 stuff but due to the fees on debit cars transactions been charged. You have plenty of consumer protection but only reputable dealers will follow the law so bear that in mind. There is no set of armed of people to force dealers to do anything you are relying on them partaking in the system which the good guys will and the bad ones will not. It's a year to get someone in court at the moment.
Do you have a link to the car? I'm not speaking against the company or individuals named in the earlier post (I don't know who is selling the car) but be sure its not too good to be true and not a deposit scam.
With regards payment if we are doing a distance sale we take full payment before the car is loaded on the trailer so their offer is better than I would do but again make sure it's right. I have 15 years of goodwill behind me I wouldnt get people paying £70k over if I started up earlier this year. We only do the payment prior so the delivery guys aren't hanging around waiting by the way thats the only reason for it from our side. Obviously if they get half payment for the car and it's a scam you're buggered.
NDA said:
I posted on another thread you created.
The company is owned by two people in their early 20's out of a flat in London, the business was created in May this year....
It could be entirely legit - everyone has to start somewhere. But I would tread with care - go and see it, get a copy of the V5, look at the service history etc.
ETA - my post in your other thread 'B&L Trading Ltd, owned by LUCA BARBIERI and DINGYI LIU from a flat in Hove and the company is registered at a flat in Imperial Wharf. Set up in May 2025.'
Presumably this one then?The company is owned by two people in their early 20's out of a flat in London, the business was created in May this year....
It could be entirely legit - everyone has to start somewhere. But I would tread with care - go and see it, get a copy of the V5, look at the service history etc.
ETA - my post in your other thread 'B&L Trading Ltd, owned by LUCA BARBIERI and DINGYI LIU from a flat in Hove and the company is registered at a flat in Imperial Wharf. Set up in May 2025.'
https://figaromotors.co.uk/vehicles/KK9giX9l/Aston...
Buying a 21 year old £20k DB9 unseen from a dealer 370 miles away.... what could possibly go wrong?
Poor prep in those photos. Paint is full of swirl marks, despite apparently having had a full body respray last year (why??
That alone rings massive big red alarm bells, flags etc for me). The grilles are absolutely filthy and the interior pics show the upholstery to have considerable marks and muck around the buttons and switches. Also why would you take a close-up photo of a floor mat full of crap ?I'm willing to bet a tenner that is a complete dog. Looking at autotrader it's the cheapest in the country that doesn't have moon mileage or a knackered engine and those are private sellers too. You're not getting a DB9 from a dealer at that mileage that's in good condition for £20k.
MrCarrot said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I reckon a minimum of £100, but an expert will be along soon
£0.01 could go on the credit card and the full value is covered (seriously) up to £30k.HOWEVER I would be very careful about what the OP posted saying they don't have a credit card but could put it on a family member's instead. I'm not sure if you would be covered buying something under someone else's name.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
MrCarrot said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I reckon a minimum of £100, but an expert will be along soon
£0.01 could go on the credit card and the full value is covered (seriously) up to £30k.HOWEVER I would be very careful about what the OP posted saying they don't have a credit card but could put it on a family member's instead. I'm not sure if you would be covered buying something under someone else's name.
I think I've now seen the advert for the most likely car concerned.
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