Opinions on paying for a car

Golfer1990

We are picking a new car up next weekend after the dealer being fully booked this week and next!!!
They have asked for a bank transfer of the funds a week in advance to ensure they are cleared. They have emailed me an invoice for the full amount including some extra work they have done for me. I am obviously a little nervous about transferring £17k as there is no way of getting it back if it goes to the wrong account. I have in email form the account details of their account.
Is this the norm for car dealerships?
Chris

WaywardDriver

Transfer £10 say and check if received.
 But I've never had to pay in advance, only on the day with immediate conformation from dealer that transaction has gone through. Otherwise where would you be if car not as specified or had bodywork damage? 

Golfer1990

They have emailed to say if fr any reason I don't want the car I can have a full refund. they say it can take 2 working days for a bank transfer to be cleared.

Chris

daveyjp

Debit card on the day has been acceptable for my car purchaes for the last 10 years at least.

AdrianC

Definitely confirm with them on the phone or in person the account details, to avoid the very common scam of wrong account details being sent by faked email.

But that apart, and assuming you check carefully before sending, there's no issue with using bank transfer. It's used for much larger amounts routinely.

lesalanos

Some banks have a daily 10k limit on transfers but there is no clearing time at all.  You can send more by CHAPS but that costs around £20

As above.. debit card is immediate too

gollum007

Are you very sure this isn't a scam?

It's ringing all kinds of alarm bells:
Cash a week in advance??
No slots for a week?

DUTR

lesalanos said:

Some banks have a daily 10k limit on transfers but there is no clearing time at all.  You can send more by CHAPS but that costs around £20

As above.. debit card is immediate too

The limit has long gone up, the last 2 cars I have had from brand new , paid for on the day with debit card.
But yes some dealerships prefer the payment a day or 2 before collection now, they too have to protect themselves, someone could pay and then cancel the payment (difficult but not impossible).

daveyjp

The danger of advanced bank transfer is if the company goes into receivership before you receive your goods you just get an empty bank account.

Golfer1990

daveyjp said:

The danger of advanced bank transfer is if the company goes into receivership before you receive your goods you just get an empty bank account.

Thanks. I hadnt thought of that. It's a main dealer, so I imagine the chance of going into receivership is very slim, 

Golfer1990

gollum007 said:

Are you very sure this isn't a scam?

It's ringing all kinds of alarm bells:
Cash a week in advance??
No slots for a week?

I did think a little odd at first. Its a main dealer and I have rang the dealer direct via the number on their website to confirm bank details.