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Is Bristol Street Motors trying to rip me off?

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We are in the market for a replacement car and yesterday we saw one we liked at Bristol Street Motors. It wasn't on the premises, it's in their Edinburgh branch. They are going to bring it down for us to see and buy (which is a service they advertise on their website). When we got home I checked their website and the car, which we were told costs £5475, is advertised on their website at £5295. I know it's the same car because of the stock number.
Any advice?
Thanks
Lynne
«1

Comments

  • Go in with print out of web advert and say you want it at that price. Even local second hand car traders do this. They advertise lower on Auto Trader than what the screen price says.
  • My reaction to this type of thing would be to let them bring the car down, then visit and go through the motions, if they come clean about the real price i might be inclined to buy assuming i like the car.

    At that point they can prove their ethics/honour or not, do the right thing they have a deal, turn me over then they will be told in no uncertain terms why i do not wish to deal with people who do business this way...wasting their time and resources might make them sharpen their act a bit.
  • And if you are part exchanging agree the deal on your old car before querying the price of the new one :)
  • Perhaps the extra £180 is the cost of bringing the car down from Edinburgh?
    "You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why not discuss the price with them before demonising them?

    Advertising costs online are significantly lower so for all you know it could be the way their management accountant structures their price. Also because people looking on autotrader will limit results by distance, thus reducing their operating costs.

    Massive overreaction on this thread over what amounts to a small discrepancy.
  • I've known car dealerships that offer a lower price online than in the showroom for the same car (I guess in the same way HMV may sell a DVD cheaper on their website than in the shop, for example).

    In the cases I've seen, if you printed off the online listing you would get the car for the online price. But you had to mention it first, there's no way they'd tell you about it freely!
  • Noctu
    Noctu Posts: 1,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    In a brief dealing I had with Bristol Street Motors they said they would bring a car down from one of their other branches in another area of the country for around £150 (which I would have to pay upfront) IIRC. They said it would be deducted from the cost of the car.

    I asked what would happen to my money if I didn't like the car once it arrived. He was cagey and said that they would help me find something else from their stock. No mention of refunding my money.

    The salesman then went on to pressure my husband to buy a different car to the one he had seen on the forecourt. Really bad hard sell tactics.

    I didn't like their attitude so I left it. Seemed very shady.
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,966 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Cars are generally cheaper further north. I traveled 150 miles to buy my last one, and saved myself at least £2000.

    Its probably up to each branch how they price. Ultimately you have to decide whether the price works for you or not. I think you've been lucky to escape the tactic of charging you for bringing it to the local branch.

    Would you have been happy at £5475? If so, other than feeling a bit 'done over', then it may still be a decent deal.
  • Stoke
    Stoke Posts: 3,182 Forumite
    A lot of places do this. Just take the advert in and I'm sure they'll adjust accordingly ;)

    Go on AutoTrader, there are dozens of cars with a price in the windscreen, yet the price on AutoTrader is less, often several hundred less.
  • If you were buying a Nissan, I will recommend WLMG as they are clear on prices. Bristol Street Motors work with lots of agents/brokers and I will not recommend.
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