Webuyanycar.com "gave misleading valuation" - OFT
Discussion
BBC News said:
The OFT investigation found that consumers were given the impression that they would be paid the online valuation if the company's onsite inspection matched the condition entered by the seller online.
But once at the appointment, some customers found that other factors reduced the final price from the headline valuation, including "market conditions".
The OFT also found that vehicle inspectors were set targets regarding the purchase of vehicles, sometimes to reduce the valuation offered by up to 25% when they looked at them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12934140But once at the appointment, some customers found that other factors reduced the final price from the headline valuation, including "market conditions".
The OFT also found that vehicle inspectors were set targets regarding the purchase of vehicles, sometimes to reduce the valuation offered by up to 25% when they looked at them.
I just read that article too, not surprised really. Every time i've had a car valued with them it's been about half way between trade in and private sale price - way over what i'd expect for a straight sale to a dealer.
I've seen quite a few posts on here and other forums about their "technique" when actually going down to drop off your car and pick up the cash.
Aren't they part of a bigger car supermarket type dealer?
I've seen quite a few posts on here and other forums about their "technique" when actually going down to drop off your car and pick up the cash.
Aren't they part of a bigger car supermarket type dealer?
GreigM said:
RemainAllHoof said:
Strange because... you aren't obliged to accept their offer.
Do you not have to agree to pay a fee just to get the "real" valuation?RemainAllHoof said:
300bhp/ton said:
RemainAllHoof said:
Strange because... you aren't obliged to accept their offer.
That's not really the point is it. Aberdeenloon said:
I've always been of the same view as you RamailAllHoof, but it is a scam when (if) they mislead people into thinking that the price on the screen is the price they will pay.
I can't remember the exact wording of the quote I got but I wasn't bothered when they knocked off money. Maybe, I'm just too rich to care. 
I don't remember being surprised when they offered less.RemainAllHoof said:
300bhp/ton said:
RemainAllHoof said:
Strange because... you aren't obliged to accept their offer.
That's not really the point is it. Gruber said:
This isn't to do with whether or not there's a scam. Its to do with whether the OFT considers something falls below the standard expected for "fair trading". Its all part of the same slightly nanny-state-ish approach to protecting the Great British public from themselves and from devious (even if not actually fraudulent) business practices.
Hm, I see what you mean.It isn't a scam as they don't mislead you into what money you are going to get.
Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
RemainAllHoof said:
Aberdeenloon said:
I've always been of the same view as you RamailAllHoof, but it is a scam when (if) they mislead people into thinking that the price on the screen is the price they will pay.
I can't remember the exact wording of the quote I got but I wasn't bothered when they knocked off money. Maybe, I'm just too rich to care. I don't remember being surprised when they offered less.Deluded said:
It isn't a scam as they don't mislead you into what money you are going to get.
Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
I found even the web site evaluations laughable - I got almost double the quoted valuation as a trade-in. (this was 18 months ago)Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
Deluded said:
It isn't a scam as they don't mislead you into what money you are going to get.
Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
I wonder about the wording. If it says "may offer less" then it implies it does not happen to every single car. If however every single car is then re-offered at a lower price they should really be stating. We will NOT really pay this price but offer you a lower one in the end. Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
And equally, if they do use the Market to revalue then on some occasions the final offer should be higher than the online value. Even more so if the owner was over critical when entering details online.
Deluded said:
It isn't a scam as they don't mislead you into what money you are going to get.
Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
It would be no different if I advertised my cars for sale at one price and then when you turn up I say 'sorry but the market conditions have changed so the price has gone up by £500'. I am sure everyone on here would be up in arms at that kind of practice and the webuyanycar way of doing things is very much the same.Yes, the website gives you a price and they may offer a seperate price on actual inspection but that isn't a scam. Just a different offer. They aren't offering you something, getting you to sign forms and then only paying half into your account a week later.
Personally I would never use them but there online valuations are useful to assume you could probably double it in a private sale.
SubaruSteve said:
It would be no different if I advertised my cars for sale at one price and then when you turn up I say 'sorry but the market conditions have changed so the price has gone up by £500'. I am sure everyone on here would be up in arms at that kind of practice and the webuyanycar way of doing things is very much the same.
It would be annoying and you would potentially waste peoples time but I doubt there is anything illegal about that.They do state on the website that all prices are subject to a full inspection so that probably covers their back for them to offer whatever they want. No one is forcing you to hand over the keys. Yes, it might waste your Saturday afternoon going down for them to have a look but so would having to wait in for someone to view the car that doesn't turn up.
dlockhart said:
I found even the web site evaluations laughable - I got almost double the quoted valuation as a trade-in. (this was 18 months ago)
Yea, well if you were trading in a £500 banger against a brand new 7 Series you could expect £5k for it - doesn't mean it's worth £5k though, does it?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff