Imperial Carsupermarket

Greenbay

Saw a car advertised by Imperial Carsupermarket that we were interested in. It was listed on Ebay and Autotrader aswell as ICS own site. Lots of photos and good description. We contacted them by internet messaging and by phone and spoke to someone and asked if the car could be brought to the Southampton branch for viewing and test drive. That would be no problem. We explained that we were coming a long way so would the car be available to drive away should we like it. Again, no problem. We had a call the night before the arrange date to confirm the appointment and that the car was available. Arrived at the Southampton branch and were greeted by someone who had worked for them for two weeks. We said we had an appointment and were here to see a specific car. We were taken to a table and proceeded to be questioned as to our needs for any car. After about 20 minuets and showing a print out of the car we were interested in the salesman left and returned with an older salesman who stated the car we had come for had been sold half and hour early in the Fleet branch. I said but the car itsn't even at Fleet it should be here. He said that it was at Their Eastleigh prep centre. So someone bought a £13k car, sight unseen, from 50 miles away, yeah right! He then proceeded to try to offer another car that bore no relation to the car we had "arranged" to view.
They weren't interested that we had spent £60 in travelling and expenses or wasted the whole day to "NOT" view a car that was by "appointment". They said that they would compensate us for it and try to find a compatible car to the one we had arranged to see. They said they would contact us the next day. A week later and no contact though I assume the compensation would be a discount off the price they set if we argree to buy a car from them. This is akin to a shop stealing £20 form you and saying they will give it back if you spend £1000 with them.

This was the worst experience I have ever had trying to buy a car and "used car salesmen" aren't known for delivering good memorable experiences. I have since read a number of reviews regarding this company with people travelling great distance to view specific advertised vehicles only to be given some bull story and high pressure sales tactic employed to get them to purchase a car, any car.

Don't not believe any internet or phone promises from them. They proved themselves to be liars in my eyes and I would advise AVOIDANCE.

flyingtoga

If this is the outfit with a base in Burseldon, near Southampton, then this doesn't surprise me.

Despite some name changes over the years, they do have a 'reputation' and have appeared some time ago on a TV Consumer Rights program.

Chalk this one up to experience and be thankful you didn't take away a car...