About to buy car via distance selling

neilmcl

Petriix said:

Regardless of the specific merits (or not) of this particular purchase, people need to stop repeating the misinformed opinion that 'all non essential businesses have to close'; that's simply not true and would be absolutely devastating for the already strained economy. Businesses are absolutely fine to run as normal with the exception of those specified. Distance selling has actually been encouraged.

"All businesses and venues outlined in the table below must now close." (my emphasis).

And in the table:
"All retail with notable exceptions" - Car dealers are not on the list of notable exceptions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

Petriix

neilmcl said:

Petriix said:

Regardless of the specific merits (or not) of this particular purchase, people need to stop repeating the misinformed opinion that 'all non essential businesses have to close'; that's simply not true and would be absolutely devastating for the already strained economy. Businesses are absolutely fine to run as normal with the exception of those specified. Distance selling has actually been encouraged.

"All businesses and venues outlined in the table below must now close." (my emphasis).

And in the table:
"All retail with notable exceptions" - Car dealers are not on the list of notable exceptions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

Very clearly and prominently near the top of the page you linked to:
"Online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery service will run as normal."
The list of business to close is entirely relating to customers visiting premises.

Mercdriver

Petriix said:

neilmcl said:

Petriix said:

Regardless of the specific merits (or not) of this particular purchase, people need to stop repeating the misinformed opinion that 'all non essential businesses have to close'; that's simply not true and would be absolutely devastating for the already strained economy. Businesses are absolutely fine to run as normal with the exception of those specified. Distance selling has actually been encouraged.

"All businesses and venues outlined in the table below must now close." (my emphasis).

And in the table:
"All retail with notable exceptions" - Car dealers are not on the list of notable exceptions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

Very clearly and prominently near the top of the page you linked to:
"Online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery service will run as normal."
The list of business to close is entirely relating to customers visiting premises.

You beat me to it -  had just copied the same guidance

[Deleted User]

Crazy idea at the best of times mever mind during this pandemic. I'd just buy a cheap sub £1000 car off Gumtree/Facebook for the time being if absolutely necessary, there are still private sellers desperate to sell who will hopefully keep their distance while you check over the car.

Herzlos

Distance selling should actually make it easier to return a bad car, and there should be no reason a distance bought car from a reputable dealership would be any higher risk than one bought on a forecourt. The issue here may be that most reputable dealers have closed for now, but I don't see why they couldn't do an online or contactless sale; cars can be left open on forecourts to view (since remote central locking is ubiquitous), paperwork and keys can be transferred via letter boxes or lockboxes.

I think if this goes on long enough, all dealerships will start doing something along those lines.

[Deleted User]

Herzlos said:

Distance selling should actually make it easier to return a bad car, and there should be no reason a distance bought car from a reputable dealership would be any higher risk than one bought on a forecourt. The issue here may be that most reputable dealers have closed for now, but I don't see why they couldn't do an online or contactless sale; cars can be left open on forecourts to view (since remote central locking is ubiquitous), paperwork and keys can be transferred via letter boxes or lockboxes.

I think if this goes on long enough, all dealerships will start doing something along those lines.

It's the hassle of it though.

Herzlos

Better than having to walk to work.