We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Is Bristol Street Motors trying to rip me off?
Options

sondheimsoc
Posts: 221 Forumite


in Motoring
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
Any advice?
Thanks
Lynne
0
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.0
-
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.0 -
And if you are part exchanging agree the deal on your old car before querying the price of the new one0
-
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!!"0
-
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.0 -
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!0 -
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.0 -
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.0 -
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.0 -
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.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards