Discussion
Fish981 said:
Not a great surprise.How many people have actually bought a car from an online broker?
Luke. said:
Blimey, Im amazed. I thought it was a model of how to price and sell cars online.
Ditto. Was going to buy from them a couple of years ago but another came up locally and it seemed less faff than going to the Midlands depot they had at the time. They really pushed the others into producing better pics and damage reports - Cargiant now do similar detail. I'm very surprised, not log ago, I read an article in the paper about companies that are thriving in the recession, and this was one of them.
I was impressed with there website, very comprehensive, fairly priced and easy to use.
I suppose this is perhaps an example of how quickly companies can turn and fold, maybe an overleaveraged in the first place. Or may be how successfully a business or company can give the appearance of success while rotting away, on the inside.
One thing for sure, the used car market is efficient and fluid, there will quickly be someone soon enough picking up the slack.
I was impressed with there website, very comprehensive, fairly priced and easy to use.
I suppose this is perhaps an example of how quickly companies can turn and fold, maybe an overleaveraged in the first place. Or may be how successfully a business or company can give the appearance of success while rotting away, on the inside.
One thing for sure, the used car market is efficient and fluid, there will quickly be someone soon enough picking up the slack.
Would like to know more of the details behind it.
Personally had no experience of dealing with them.
They did seem to have decent ads, with very well described, well priced cars, all with a view to getting commitment from the customer prior to coming to see the car.
I cannot imagine a better way to get someone to buy a used car over the internet, without going down the traditional route of seeing the car first. Makes me think perhaps overall it was a flawed business model? Although I'm sure lots of people have had good experiences, but I wonder how many buyers paid a deposit, only to cancel later for whatever reason because the commitment to buy was, and never could be 100% until they see the car.
I think buying cars will always need to buyer to touch and feel it the flesh before being sure about the purchase, but then I've only ever done it that way, so I cant compare.
Personally had no experience of dealing with them.
They did seem to have decent ads, with very well described, well priced cars, all with a view to getting commitment from the customer prior to coming to see the car.
I cannot imagine a better way to get someone to buy a used car over the internet, without going down the traditional route of seeing the car first. Makes me think perhaps overall it was a flawed business model? Although I'm sure lots of people have had good experiences, but I wonder how many buyers paid a deposit, only to cancel later for whatever reason because the commitment to buy was, and never could be 100% until they see the car.
I think buying cars will always need to buyer to touch and feel it the flesh before being sure about the purchase, but then I've only ever done it that way, so I cant compare.
Edited by kentmotorcompany on Friday 18th March 22:03
http://www.motortrader.com/industry-news/autoquake...
Autoquake reality ‘fell short of vision’
Friday, 18 March 2011
THE UK’s biggest auction houses BCA and Manheim have expressed their regrets at the news that online used car supermarket Autoquake is in administration.
Manheim said the Autoquake business model was always going to be “challenging” while BCA said the reality had fallen “short of the vision”.
BCA communications director Tony Gannon said: “The retail and wholesale markets are quite different from one another and the existing business models based on retailing through dealerships and wholesaling via auction and other remarketing channels are tried, tested and successful.
“The Autoquake model set out to offer something new by providing an online retail proposition to the consumer for used vehicles sourced direct from the fleet and leasing sector but unfortunately the reality has fallen short of the vision.”
Manheim’s Remarketing managing director Mike Pilkington said: “It’s always highly regrettable when any remarketing supplier fails however prominent Autoquake had become as a specialist quasi-retail sales channel, their business model was always going to be a challenging one.
“Success in today’s competitive market is driven through a proposition which offers speed to market through a choice of physical and online sales channels, coupled to an infrastructure providing logistics, inspections, reconditioning, vehicle imaging and preparation.
“Then it’s about generating highest value by marketing vehicles to the most appropriate buyers from within the massive buyer database, which Manheim for example maintains.”
Autoquake reality ‘fell short of vision’
Friday, 18 March 2011
THE UK’s biggest auction houses BCA and Manheim have expressed their regrets at the news that online used car supermarket Autoquake is in administration.
Manheim said the Autoquake business model was always going to be “challenging” while BCA said the reality had fallen “short of the vision”.
BCA communications director Tony Gannon said: “The retail and wholesale markets are quite different from one another and the existing business models based on retailing through dealerships and wholesaling via auction and other remarketing channels are tried, tested and successful.
“The Autoquake model set out to offer something new by providing an online retail proposition to the consumer for used vehicles sourced direct from the fleet and leasing sector but unfortunately the reality has fallen short of the vision.”
Manheim’s Remarketing managing director Mike Pilkington said: “It’s always highly regrettable when any remarketing supplier fails however prominent Autoquake had become as a specialist quasi-retail sales channel, their business model was always going to be a challenging one.
“Success in today’s competitive market is driven through a proposition which offers speed to market through a choice of physical and online sales channels, coupled to an infrastructure providing logistics, inspections, reconditioning, vehicle imaging and preparation.
“Then it’s about generating highest value by marketing vehicles to the most appropriate buyers from within the massive buyer database, which Manheim for example maintains.”
It's a shame to see them go, a genuine alternative to the other ways of buying a car.
My feeling is that too few people were prepared to put down money and travel up to see a car and too many of those who did didn't enjoy the no-frills treatment and either pulled out of the deal or wouldn't buy again.
The majority of people still want to be treated like royalty when buying a car and trying to match main dealer sparkle from an estate in Leeds was never going to be easy. Lack of test drive, cars usually not valeted doesn't appeal to the majority, sadly.
It's a shame because less competition means higher prices.
My feeling is that too few people were prepared to put down money and travel up to see a car and too many of those who did didn't enjoy the no-frills treatment and either pulled out of the deal or wouldn't buy again.
The majority of people still want to be treated like royalty when buying a car and trying to match main dealer sparkle from an estate in Leeds was never going to be easy. Lack of test drive, cars usually not valeted doesn't appeal to the majority, sadly.
It's a shame because less competition means higher prices.
Deva Link said:
MrLou said:
My feeling is that too few people were prepared to put down money and travel up to see a car ..
Did they do a delivery service? Buying a car remotely is arguably the best way as you get 7 days to reject it under DSR.In the end I think it was too much hassle for most people.
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