Paid for car but no delivery!!

rentasmallhouse

I purchased a car from what I thought was a reputable firm (hundreds of positive Google reviews) only to be told that the car had to go through inspections from a third party company before they could deliver it to me. 

I made it clear that I needed the car soon and they promised (over the phone, not in writing) a 5 day delivery time. 

It's now been 2 weeks and after I've repeatedly chased them, the car is still being inspected and no delivery date in sight. 

Not once have they contacted me regarding the car, I've been the one contacting them. 

What are my options here? I'm tempted to get a refund. Is that possible?

Thanks. 

Grey_Critic

rentasmallhouse said:

Not once have they contacted me regarding the car, I've been the one contacting them. 

What are my options here? I'm tempted to get a refund. Is that possible?

Thanks. 

I would ask for my money but from what you say you might struggle to get it.

How did you pay. Credit/Debit card? Talk with the bank

rentasmallhouse

Grey_Critic said:

rentasmallhouse said:

Not once have they contacted me regarding the car, I've been the one contacting them. 

What are my options here? I'm tempted to get a refund. Is that possible?

Thanks. 

I would ask for my money but from what you say you might struggle to get it.

How did you pay. Credit/Debit card? Talk with the bank

They wouldn't take credit card so I paid via bank transfer. 

I'll speak with the bank and see if they have any ideas. 

I'm wondering if threatening them with a lawyer or something else might get them to speed up or allow me to cancel the purchase. 

Ectophile

Bank transfers aren't refundable.  That's why so many traders love them.

You can buy Google reviews on the internet.  There are plenty of companies offering them.  Tell them what your product is, and they will write a 5 star review for you, to be posted every few days.

ontheroad1970

did you pay a third party "escrow" company.  That's a very common scam.  

cymruchris

Have you checked the company exists - other than the google reviews? Are they on google street view? Do they have a physical premises with a big sign outside?

rentasmallhouse

cymruchris said:

Have you checked the company exists - other than the google reviews? Are they on google street view? Do they have a physical premises with a big sign outside?

The company definitely exists and has a physical forecourt. 

GrumpyDil

Might be really helpful to name them as then people can possibly check them out.

It's not unknown for websites to be set up with pictures from other companies etc. This sounds suspicious so the more info you provide the more people will be able to provide useful suggestions.

macman

Have you actually visited this 'physical forecourt'? Did you view the vehicle and test drive it, or is this yet another case of a remote purchase without any checks of the V5C, HPI etc?
Did you make any part of the transaction by credit or debit card, maybe an initial deposit? Just £1 on a credit card would have protected you for the full transaction value, if it was under £30k. Your bank won't be able to do anything to help if it was done by a transfer.
I hope I'm wrong, but this has 'scam' written all over it.
Post a link to their website.

rentasmallhouse

I was hesitant to post the name but since people have asked. The company is Car Firm in Peterborough 

k3lvc

rentasmallhouse said:

I was hesitant to post the name but since people have asked. The company is Car Firm in Peterborough 

Positive news is it does exist on Companies House but IIRC this used to be a salvage yard next to A1

They've some fairly high-risk stuff on their site given their location - and a clear note that the accept credit/debit cards

How far away are you in terms of going to visit/collect yourself and how special is the car