AutoQuake 2nd hand car sale - any one brought from?

paula.paula13

Emmell, I didn't know about JCT's ex fleet - I only heard of Autoquake a couple of days ago when my friend recommended them to me.

If I'd checked here first I probably wouldn't have bothered going there, but as I'd made the reservation for the BMW yesterday and live fairly close I didn't think I had anything to lose by going. I'm glad I went really and if all goes according to plan then I'll have a gorgeous car at the end of it.

After seeing LandyAndy's comment it makes me suspicious that I may no longer be able to trust MSE for impartial advice! By day I'm a professional sales person with a special interest in the psychology of selling. In my spare time my hobby is law and I act as a volunteer citizen's advocate with a special interest in consumer rights.

The salesman I met at Autoquake only knew about my career in sales - of course, that does make a difference to the way salesmen treat me - which is why I often buy and sell on behalf of friends.

However, as no high pressure sales tactics were used on me I would be happy to recommend Autoquake to others - but not just yet! I want to see if my own sale proceeds smoothly, then the car will be checked by my local BMW specialist... THEN I will let you know if I am happy to recommend Autoquake!

Errata

After seeing LandyAndy's comment it makes me suspicious that I may no longer be able to trust MSE for impartial advice!

Whoa........hang on there. MSE advice is impartial, but the forums are people's opinions.

paula.paula13

I agree, Errata. However, LandyAndy is using influence inappropriately - I expressed a true, genuine opinion and he accused me of being an Autoquake employee to undermine my balanced feedback. People who abuse MSE forum that way should be removed.

I spend my spare time campaigning against dishonest traders and cowboy builders - I will fight deception wherever I see it and this forum is not the place for deception.

Thanks to the moderators for removing the post in question.

robocop79

paula.paula13 wrote: »

I agree, Errata. However, LandyAndy is using influence inappropriately - I expressed a true, genuine opinion and he accused me of being an Autoquake employee to undermine my balanced feedback. People who abuse MSE forum that way should be removed.

I have to agree with you there as another forum member who has previously been accused of being an AQ employee! It's also frustrating that some people seem to judge people when they use or don't use a specific retailer.

Elsewhere on the forums I have posted about a problem I had with Tesco - I guess following this logic I must work for Sainsburys!

ceeahbee

With ALL distance selling you are entitled to a 7 day cooling off period by law, Autoquake are not 'giving' you anything here. Robbie34 post number 118 explains how this company works, its the most interesting post on here. The shiny posts on here aren't necessarily by Autoquake employees but Autoquake have been asking their customers to put positive remarks on here and I dare say offering some incentive to do so, so many postive posts from new users and thats just strange no-one needs to be given a hard time by more (new users!) for pointing this out.
Take time to read through all of this thread if you're thinking of commiting without seeing, it will take you 20 mins but will help you make up your mind.

Errata

Autoquake have been asking their customers to put positive remarks on here and I dare say offering some incentive to do so,

As you appear to have inside knowledge, why not tell us what the incentive is ?

paula.paula13

I've been back in touch with Autoquake this morning about completing the car purchase - I was waiting for my new job contract to arrive.

At no point have Autoquake mentioned online forums or posting positive messages to help them. I suspect this is yet another strategy by their competitors to undermine whatever positive comments people make. As mentioned a few posts back, when I previously told the truth a biased forum member posted here to say that I must be an Autoquake employee!

I will continue to report back here as my purchase progresses.

No company can keep 100% of their customers happy 100% of the time - there will always be negative feedback available. What's interesting in this case is that all positive feedback is dismissed as being written by Autoquake employees or customers who have been paid to post.

Why do a small number of forum members who have never bought from Autoquake carry out a campaign against them and any happy customers? Perhaps THEY are being paid to do so!!

paula.paula13

ceeahbee wrote: »

With ALL distance selling you are entitled to a 7 day cooling off period by law, Autoquake are not 'giving' you anything here.

Just to clarify, Ceeahbee, the 7 day return policy at Autoquake exists whether or not you have bought via distance selling. I have been to the Leeds depot and inspected my car, yet I have also been offered the 7 day return option. There is a clause saying that the car must be returned as per original sale condition and with less than 500 miles travelled.

Edit: I have paid the balance by bank transfer this afternoon. The car is at the paint place having a couple of bumper scratches & stone chips touched up. I hope to collect it on Friday when the funds have cleared.

happywarmgun

I am going to look at/pick up a car today. You can see from my post count (and length of registration) I am not an employee plant. However - in case they monitor this site - to get myself the same service a food critic gets in a restaurant - the car I am coming for is this one...

http://www.autoquake.com/used-seat-leon/1.9-tdi-stylance-5dr-diesel-manual/inspid=17471

Will post a a full and honest account of the experience later....

happywarmgun

OK. Don't think they took the bait of the post above as no red carpet was rolled out for me - however my experience...

Arrived by train (I live in Brum so no major hassle). Found it reasonably quickly (it really is only a 5 minute walk from the Hawthawns station). As expected (from the descriptions in this thread - the area is a dump - it is an industrial estate that looks like an airport carpark. The offices are porta-cabins. That said, I was expecting this so no issues if the car is OK and the price right. It was quiet. Maybe a tip is to go in the week - they later told me weekends are usually rammed. I arrived on time, salesman (Jason) was with me in 5 minutes. I was shown to car, given keys and left on my own to look around it (no hard sell). It was well valleted and exactly as per advert on web. Asked for a test drive, was taken round the block - again no hard sell whatever.

Inspected documents. Agreed to get it. Was given a number for driveaway insurance - had to ring that and go through the usual 1001 q&a. They tried to sell gap insurance and a warranty, but again there was no hard sell when I firmly said no. Was in and out in around an hour. You then have to drive yourself to the tax office to get it taxed - no major hassle.

Whilst I was there, someone else seemed to be returning a car they weren't happy with. I tried to earwig and it sounded like they weren't giving him any jip about the refund.

That the car is due a service is one gamble. I'm going to book it in now within the 7 day return period. If they ring to say any substantial work is needed I can make a call then. Having driven it for 40 mins back - it seems sound.

So I got it about 2 grand less than at a dealer. So long as the service comes in at a reasonable price - I think I'm going to be a happy customer. For that kind of saving I can live with the fact that the 'showroom' is a dive and you have to pay a deposit and make an appointment to even look at the car. If that's their way of keeping serious buyers from casual buyers out of the place, and therefore their costs down - I can live with it!

SO FAR - a happy customer - will post back here if any problems rear their heads - particularly with the service....