Has anyone used Car wow?

Grumpy_chap

I am pleasantly surprised by the people that have been able to use CarWow, or any other internet broker, to negotiate successfully on a new car purchase. What is the way to do that please?  I have been woefully unsuccessful both times I tried.

My last "own" car was a company purchase where given a budget and had to get any car in that. 
I did online price assessments, then went to the local Toyota dealer, specced the car up and all they would offer was the £1k discount that was available for anyone on any car as per the Toyota Website at that time.  
I already had the online pricing but, as luck would have it, as I drove into the local dealership, another bleated through their radio ad that they had a "cost plus £1" deal that weekend only.  I don't believe the marketing spin, but gave them a call, said exactly what I wanted and they gave me a price that beat any of the online deals and was £5k lower than the local dealer.
Took their offer on Saturday, gave it to the Finance Director on Monday, car was ordered by Monday lunchtime.
Then, on Wednesday, the local dealer call and offered to price-match.  Too late!

Similar with my Mum's car.  List price was £18,036 and the local dealer would only negotiate to £18k - saving £36 big wow!
Online prices were in the range £17,000 - £17,100. Knew this, but not proven until the order was done - would have signed with the local dealer at £17,250 or thereabouts so not striving for absolutely lowest price possible as there is value in local service and "relationship".
Went home, ordered at £17,100 (as the very cheapest could not do the colour Mum wanted)
Later same day, the local dealer called and said they would have done that price.

Why do dealers take all the "hit" of dosing the effort selling the car but then let you walk out and buy elsewhere only to then say a short while later they could've done the same for you?  Daft in my book.

shazzamma

Googled new minis available now and carwow was top. Went on there, selected the model I was after, loads of offers. Trawling through them, asked some questions of the nearest dealer, well pleased with the price and was happily going to accept their 'offer' for the car yesterday, just one last check - hang on, do you have it in stock? Reply: we're looking at January! So disappointed, back to square one.