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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to just want to buy a car without losing will to live?

34 replies

Honeybooboo123 · 01/02/2018 16:15

current car about to go to car heaven (repairs cost more than its actually worth) so trying to buy a new car.

Even getting in one means giving your life story and all possible details. Then you get in it, and afterwards you say, ok, how much ...

so, no one seems to want to you actually buy a car these days, its all PCP so they give you those options but I'm a cash buyer (decided to be so I can at least scream no when they start down the PCP deals)

and when I said ok, give me the figures, can you just email it through as I have to go, I get an email saying 'can you come back in, it's all a bit complex and confusing so you will need an appointment?!?'

WHAT????

It's a car!!!

I just want a car....

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 01/02/2018 16:32

I loathe cars salesmen..... I hear ya Honeybooboo123 Flowers

ChasedByBees · 01/02/2018 16:34

I hate this. So much I’m driving a very old car rather than go through the pain.

Celtic1hair · 01/02/2018 16:35

Try carwow, they expect to be via email and are a bit clearer (although not perfect!)

youngnomore · 01/02/2018 16:37

Buy privately if you’re going to buy cash. Look like buy.

43percentburnt · 01/02/2018 16:39

I have bought 2 cars from a dealership in the last few years both were great. I paid cash both times and made that clear early on. No pressure with pcp's or finance options. Funnily different towns same make of car, so not due to the manager. They have been good post sale too.

villamariavintrapp · 01/02/2018 16:39

Agree carwow were great and saved us loads!

Original poster
Honeybooboo123 · 01/02/2018 16:41

I thought buying a house was painful...

I would buy privately but want to get rid of old car as a trade in at same time
Although no one will give me a straight answer for how much its worth

and then you drive something and think. wow it's got wireless charging for my phone....

I DON'T NEED THAT REALLY but now I must have it!

OP posts:
Cath2907 · 01/02/2018 16:41

Where are you? Try CarGiant if near London or Fords of Winsford if near Cheshire. Have bought multiple cars off both over the years with no issues and no crappy salesman shite!

WhooooAmI24601 · 01/02/2018 16:45

I bought a new car a couple of years ago from a garage. I'd initially gone to the garage opposite and been patronised to the ends of the earth with "don't you need to talk it through with your Husband?" and "how can you be a cash buyer, are you sure you understand how it works?" So I had a Pretty Woman moment, told him he was a rude piece of shit and went to the garage over the road and bought my lovely new car from someone who was thrilled to bits with his commission and never once mentioned DH or his need to be there (presumably because wimmin need supervision when purchasing cars?). Buying a car should be fun, not soul-sucking.

CoffeeWithMyOxygen · 01/02/2018 16:46

E-mail them back saying that if telling you how much one of their cars costs is too complicated for them then you’ll go to a different dealership. Don’t dance to their tune!

TheRebel · 01/02/2018 16:50

Just make it clear you don’t want to go through all their crap, walk into the dealership, say “I want a car that costs £x, I’m paying cash, show me what you have.”
When they want to take all your details etc just say you’re not comfortable giving those details out until you’ve seen a car you’d like to test drive. Remember you’re in charge and they’re not going to turn down a sale because you won’t follow their system.

bigbluebus · 01/02/2018 16:51

Having bought 2 cars in 2016 from garages for cash, I quite agree. I remember when they'd have snatched your hand off if you were a cash buyer - but not any more. Could have got the car cheaper if I'd signed up for finance and then paid the finance deal off after a few months with my cash!

And the car I chose had no CD player so I had to kiss goodbye to music other than radio in my car (although I have since purchased an IPod to rectify this). So may features on cars these days and I bet most people don't use half of them - like they only use 2 programs on the washing machine and one on the dishwasher!

AJPTaylor · 01/02/2018 16:55

Keep it simple.
This is the car i have....... this is the car i want. What is your best price to change? Is it new or nearly new you are after?

BrownBiscuitBarrel · 01/02/2018 16:55

We had to sit through the salesman going through the FSA regulations on financing as it was "a legal requirement" even though we were paying cash.

Then they tried to charge us for a police search to confirm it wasn't a stolen vehicle - "so, are you saying some of these car might be STOLEN??!" - said very loudly. "oh no, no... we'll just waive that fee..."

ClementineWardrobe · 01/02/2018 16:58

Buy from Jemca car dealership if you're near one. I got ours in Bromley and got a bit off the list price (which was clearly stated) and a small trade in on my very old car. Totally happy. We were buying outright so no faff with finance.

Tipsntoes · 01/02/2018 16:58

A new car? Drive the Deal every time. A fair price, excellent service, car delivered to your door and no salesmen. I've bought my last 3 cars through them and it;s always been excellent.

I've sold my "trade in" through webuyanycar. I know people will tell you they don't offer a good price, but again I've always found them fair, certainly better than any trade in offer and the service is excellent and pain free.

Ollivander84 · 01/02/2018 17:00

VW have been really good for me, I've stuck with them for 6 years now. He knows I want servicing, insurance, reg plate change, breakdown cover and tyre insurance and a full tank of fuel before I even consider it Grin
(In the north west if it helps)

Doesn't go through any shit, just sorts the car, i don't need irrelevant details and he's clear with pricing. That's why I stick with them despite him putting his head in his hands when I walk in Grin

I would just go in and say "I want a car, I'm paying cash, I'm not interested in finance and I want to trade in my other. Can we do this as simply as possibly because I don't want to get bogged down in details?"
If they can't then they're a shit salesperson so I would leave. Usually as you go to leave they change their mind....

billyt · 01/02/2018 17:28

When I moved from company car to car allowance a few years ago I spent ages looking at cars. I was looking for six-months old rather than losing money buying a new car and instant depreciation. Went to an Evans Halshaw as local to me. Me - I'm looking for nearly new car. I don't want to look at new. Him - let me show you our latest models, we can deliver in six weeks. Me - not new and if you try and push a new car again I'm walking.

Result was I left there and then

ps, they are the culprits who want to charge you £100 for checking the car is legit and not stolen, written of etc. .

sillyswimmer · 01/02/2018 17:34

Another one here that's used Carwow. I got a price for a new car and a trade in price for my old one via email. I used that deal in my local dealers to get a decent discount. With Carwow it worked out cheaper to buy new rather than 18 months old.

RaindropsAndSparkles · 01/02/2018 17:41

Don't ever say this how much I've got what csn I have. Say this is what I want, show interest in a few cars £2/3k above what you intend to spend (if talking say 13-15k). If you like it, offer x and your car.

RainyDayBear · 01/02/2018 18:08

If you have a branch of Available Car near you I’d strongly recommend them. They don’t pounce on you the second you start looking at a car, they’re really non pushy with sales. And the showroom was nice - much better than trawling round the used car places. I really rated them and have recommended them since getting my car there.

dingdongdigeridoo · 01/02/2018 18:13

Opt for small local dealers attached to garages. So much less pressure than the big chains, and they’re usually better at sorting out issues if anything goes wrong.

I was put off Car Giant because they wanted to charge £149 ‘admin fee’ on top of the car price. I’d rather buy privately than deal with that shit.

Original poster
Honeybooboo123 · 01/02/2018 18:42

Glad I'm not alone...

Toyota said 'how much you looking to spend' which i avoided.

Should have said AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!!!!

OP posts:
SellFridges · 01/02/2018 18:47

I sympathise. It’s a nightmare if you don’t want PCP.

Celtic1hair · 01/02/2018 20:38

Not sure what your looking for but try the hyundai rockar innwestfield and bluewater- best prices by far for these cars, lowest interest which you can then pay off in full- that's what we did because it actually worked out cheaper & was more transparent. You can go online and see prices immediately. They told us that the staff are not paid commission so there is no "haggle room" which means the prices are just lower iyswim