"re listed due to timewaster"

[Tfp]

How many times do we see this on adverts?

It's puts me right off, makes me think that someone's been along and the car wasn't as described.

What's other peoples experience?

I've purchased loads of cars, lost count, but more than a thousand, probably approaching near two thousand.

Last car I went to buy, last week, was an MX-5 described as lovely with FSH.

Got there to see serious rust and a four year gap in the service history.

Hardly as described, he probably thought I was a time waster.

So I wasted a whole day, drove 106 mile round trip because he did't describe the car fairly.

So think twice about writing that on your adverts, because I don't bother ringing them anymore.

 

[GazHyde]

I particularly like "first to see will buy", especially on ads which have been running for weeks. Not sure what's goes through the minds of some sellers.

Saw an ad the other day for a car with a "massive service history". Clearly running out of superlatives, when comprehensive would do fine.

 

[hard top]

You still in the car biz then?

 

[Tfp]

You still in the car biz then?

Afraid so, but no longer as a dealer myself.

I now inspect and buy cars for other dealers, when they're "as described"

 

[Tfp]

I particularly like "first to see will buy", especially on ads which have been running for weeks. Not sure what's goes through the minds of some sellers.

Saw an ad the other day for a car with a "massive service history". Clearly running out of superlatives, when comprehensive would do fine.

Agree, "first to see will buy" gives me a bit of confidence.

And some people say "I've tried to be honest"

Why write that?

 

[t-tony]

Afraid so, but no longer as a dealer myself.

I now inspect and buy cars for other dealers, when they're "as described"

Sounds like a thankless task, not an easy way to make a living these days.

Tony.

 

[Tfp]

Sounds like a thankless task, not an easy way to make a living these days.

Tony.

Very frustrating some days, but luckily I'm semi retired so not every day.

And a lot of the cars I go to buy are at other dealers, lots of those are completely mis described.

Many people think it's ok to lie when selling a car.

But then if everyone was 100% honest my job wouldn't exist.

 

[hard top]

I now inspect and buy cars for other dealers, when they're "as described"

Sounds like a thankless task

I don't think so, that is why I buy from my local garage, due to people doing this job.

 

[t-tony]

But then if everyone was 100% honest my job wouldn't exist.

A very good point!

Tony.

 

[Tfp]

I don't think so, that is why I buy from my local garage, due to people doing this job.

Yes.

Local garages selling to local people really do care about their reputation.

Best way to go when buying.

 

[hard top]

As I posted on the other thread, if what I am looking for is not in the showroom, I ask them to look for me and that is where people like you come in. They have never heard any complaints from me on any of the cars I have bought.

 

[hard top]

And as I also said on the other thread, if it is going to cost me 500 quid more than one advertised on Fleabay or what ever, I don't care, as I know I am going to get a decent bit of kit. How far does 500 quid go when things go wrong?

 

[t-tony]

It's only a tenner a week for the 1st year mate and these days that's only 3 pints?

Tony.

 

[Tfp]

How far does 500 quid go when things go wrong?

Not far these days when main dealers are charging £90+ per hour for labour.

 

[hard top]

I can honestly say, hand on heart, I have never had a car break down on me (except for the ones I crashed)

 

[Shelly]

How annoying
It's so wrong that people can get away with doing things like that
They should write the truth
As its saves a lot of time for all concerned

 

[Grumps]

I just sold my Saab on autotrader. I like @Tfp was a sales manager, buyer and valuer back in the day. I left the trade due to its dishonest approach. Can't stand bullshitters.
When I wrote out my ad I put everything down I felt relevant and said "please feel free to ring and I will answer any questions as honestly as I can". A gentlemen did that, turned up yesterday and said "well it's exactly as you described, I'll have it". And the moral to this story is...........

 

[hard top]

And the moral to this story is...........

He knows where you live....

 

[Tfp]

I just sold my Saab on autotrader. I like @Tfp was a sales manager, buyer and valuer back in the day. I left the trade due to its dishonest approach. Can't stand bullshitters.

Pretty much all of the work I do now is between the trade only, via autotrademail.

But occasionally I'll accompany someone when they go to buy from a dealer. I stand quietly listening until I can't stand the bulls..t any longer.

And I have to say, Main dealers are some of the worst offenders.

A few years ago the missus wanted an Audi A1, there were so few turning up at auction I decided to just buy retail from my local VW dealer.

We finally got a car on the fourth attempt after leaving three deposits and them getting them refunded because of messing around and lies.

The first attempt was laughable, my first words were "are we too late to get a new car for Sep delivery?"

His reply, "if you order today you'll be ok for a Sep delivery"

A few days after depositing he tells us were looking at December.

It took the threat of court action to get my deposit back.


I blame poor training and the fact the motor industry is largely unregulated.

Salespeople think they can say what they like to secure a sale. I often point out to them that anything they say up to, and at the point of sale is binding even if it's verbal.

Sorry to waffle on.

My advice to everyone when buying a car private, or from a dealer, is to take someone with you that knows the industry.

 

[Tfp]

I like @Tfp was a sales manager, buyer and valuer back in the day. I left the trade due to its dishonest approach. Can't stand bullshitters.

We should have a coffee one day when I'm passing, our exchange of stories would be entertaining.