Puchasing from Carzam - a word of warning

iwb100

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

Grumpy_chap

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. 

That is the thing - buying a new car (brand new or second hand) is one of the largest purchases most of us ever make.  It is also a very tactile and subjective thing to buy, so you want to look and feel at the car for real and may just love or hate some very small and innocuous feature.

I am not sure how the conversion to online will allow "in the flesh" dealers to continue to exist, nor why those "in the flesh" dealers don't seek to actually convert interest to orders?  

As an example, when my Mum bought her car, she saw it and drove at the local dealer and then asked me to support "closing the deal".  List price was £18,036.  Online best price was a tad under £17k.  Visited the local dealer that had put the sales effort in ready to place an order if they were near to the online price (we had in mind £17,250 or better).  After much time wasting, sucking of pen, deep intakes of breath, obtaining manager's approval etc, the dealer came up with "best price" £18k (saving £36).  Went home, confirmed online price, which actually came out at £17.1k so placed order online.  Two days later, local dealer called and said they could have matched the price we placed the order at.  Well, why couldn't they match it when I was in the shop ready to sign?

Same thing when I bought a brand new car - different brand - difference dealer - same nonsense.

When it comes to used car, the condition of the actual car becomes ever more important.  Having said that, I would now consider buying a nearly new car from main dealer as online, but I've only reached the point of "consider"...

diystarter7

iwb100 said:

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

I agree but my fault I should have said cars up to about 18 months old from a main dealer.

I've never really sat in a car at a dealer I've bought from for a good 15/20 years as often family has a similar car and I often buy the higher sepc from a main dealer over the phone and get a better price than the local lot.

troffasky

Grumpy_chap said:

I am not sure how the conversion to online will allow "in the flesh" dealers to continue to exist, nor why those "in the flesh" dealers don't seek to actually convert interest to orders?  

Presumably it won't. If you can carry out the transaction online entirely then there's no point buying new through a dealer, the manufacturer might as well sell direct.

iwb100

Grumpy_chap said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. 

That is the thing - buying a new car (brand new or second hand) is one of the largest purchases most of us ever make.  It is also a very tactile and subjective thing to buy, so you want to look and feel at the car for real and may just love or hate some very small and innocuous feature.

I am not sure how the conversion to online will allow "in the flesh" dealers to continue to exist, nor why those "in the flesh" dealers don't seek to actually convert interest to orders?  

As an example, when my Mum bought her car, she saw it and drove at the local dealer and then asked me to support "closing the deal".  List price was £18,036.  Online best price was a tad under £17k.  Visited the local dealer that had put the sales effort in ready to place an order if they were near to the online price (we had in mind £17,250 or better).  After much time wasting, sucking of pen, deep intakes of breath, obtaining manager's approval etc, the dealer came up with "best price" £18k (saving £36).  Went home, confirmed online price, which actually came out at £17.1k so placed order online.  Two days later, local dealer called and said they could have matched the price we placed the order at.  Well, why couldn't they match it when I was in the shop ready to sign?

Same thing when I bought a brand new car - different brand - difference dealer - same nonsense.

When it comes to used car, the condition of the actual car becomes ever more important.  Having said that, I would now consider buying a nearly new car from main dealer as online, but I've only reached the point of "consider"...

Yep to all that. The future though looks like dealers being agencies rather than the traditional reseller model you have now. They will not be doing the dealers but acting as agents on behalf of the manufacturer. I note some are talking already about accelerating towards this, Mercedes is one I think.

So your local dealer would be able to let you test drive, sit in the car touch it. Help you with options. Even order online for you if you like. But you’d be dealing with the manufacturer as the seller. 

This will happen. I’ve no doubt about it. 

born_again

iwb100 said:

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

So a short drive with a dealer or 7 to 14 days with the online retailers at your own leisure & no pressure. Now which gives you the best chance of picking up faults?

RogerBareford

born_again said:

iwb100 said:

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

So a short drive with a dealer or 7 to 14 days with the online retailers at your own leisure & no pressure. Now which gives you the best chance of picking up faults?

The first situation allows you to pick up the faults before buying the car and if you feel the test drive isn't long enough then nothing stopping you asking for a longer one.

The second situation you have paid for the car, insurance and tax so any faults you find will cause you a bit more hassle if you have to return it.

iwb100

born_again said:

iwb100 said:

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

So a short drive with a dealer or 7 to 14 days with the online retailers at your own leisure & no pressure. Now which gives you the best chance of picking up faults?

I think the issue is reports are that actually getting them to honour their returns policy is not that easy. And in a physical sale I can have the car inspected. In an online one I can’t do that till I’ve parted with cash. I’m not saying that some won’t be comfortable with it and I’d be a new car online no issue. But second hand and a few years old Id really want to have a proper look first. 

diystarter7

RogerBareford said:

born_again said:

iwb100 said:

diystarter7 said:

iwb100 said:

Online buying works for brand new cars. It’s fine. You can find out enough information online look at reviews and where the model is already out, go to a dealers to look at it and test drive. There is no real reason to go through a dealer other than for those not confident online or who have questions. But let’s face it, new car buying will be online for a lot of purchases in the next few years.

Second hand car buying though….purely online transactions make no sense. I need to see the car. To drive it. To have a proper inspection of it. I don’t want to risk it online and yes they have return policies but who thinks that really is as hassle free as they advertise? Fundamentally it’s just not going to work. People need a relationship when buying these cars as it just feels more secure. 

We've bought online, but only from a main dealer. Dad bought his brand new merc online from a main dealer miles away as it was about 1k cheaper.
It depends on whom you buy from and if you are familiar with cars.

Like I say…new cars absolutely. Second hand ones…especially the mid market options these online sellers have…no chance.

You look on cinch and they are selling 18/19 reg mainly. Not cheap bangers. And therefore I’d want to see the car, sit in it, drive it, and have it checked before I part with cash for it. 

So a short drive with a dealer or 7 to 14 days with the online retailers at your own leisure & no pressure. Now which gives you the best chance of picking up faults?

The first situation allows you to pick up the faults before buying the car and if you feel the test drive isn't long enough then nothing stopping you asking for a longer one.

The second situation you have paid for the car, insurance and tax so any faults you find will cause you a bit more hassle if you have to return it.

So excellent points here that I've not even considered and would have only noted once I'd made contact with them.

Having stated that, having the car for a few days if it quiet different to your previous one or you are new to cars is very helpful.
I may use one of the outfits for my next car.