Virgin Cars - Buyer BEWARE

pippppster

My recent experience of Virgin Cars left me with such a sour taste in my mouth I never want to deal with this company again.

Using the company website, and after speaking to a salesman, on 4th February 2005 I ordered a "new" silver Ford Ka, 05-54 registration, from Virgin Cars. I was told four cars were available. I chose the silver Ka.

I paid in full, in advance (£5611), on the day I ordered, thinking this might guarantee me some good customer service. The opposite was true. Once my money was in the Virgin Cars bank account, the company treated me with contempt.

I had to chase the company up to find out when my car would be ready for collection. They lied to me, telling me that my silver Ka had arrived the day before, and I would be hearing from them very shortly.

The day before the scheduled collection date, the company rang me to tell me that the car I had ordered, and paid for, was no longer available. I was offered an alternative. I enquired as to the registration date of the alternative vehicle. It was 04-54. Six months of the manufacturers warranty had elapsed, and the car was worth several hundred pounds less than the vehicle I had paid for. Quite a neat way for the company to increase its profit margin.

I was in a very difficult situation. Faced with the prospect of no vehicle, and the possibility of a long wait to retrieve my money, I very reluctantly agreed to accept the alternative vehicle. The company refused to pay any compensation.

I would like to warn other potential customers of Virgin Cars - buyer beware. They are unscrupulous.

Cardew

pippppster wrote:

I would like to warn other potential customers of Virgin Cars - buyer beware. They are unscrupulous.

Take them to the small claims court for compensation.

pippppster

At last...

After reporting the matter to the OFT, Mastercard, Sunday Times etc...I have had an offer from the company of £150 compensation (which they say is the difference in value between the two registration dates) and the warranty extending to the 3 years I should have had.

And...at last....an apology