View by appointment only...

dokko · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:30

Why do car garages do this? Saw a car I like on AT, went to website and that is all they say, no postcode or anything, must ring to view by appointment only.

Seems a strange way of doing business, is this a warning sign to stay clear?

BTW there are quite a few doing this from a quick google search, though couldn't find a discussion.

Cheers.

[TW]Fox · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:32

Because they are not car garages, they are traders operating from home or a lockup and do not have retail premises.

dokko · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:38

[TW]Fox;22362683 said:
Because they are not car garages, they are traders operating from home or a lockup and do not have retail premises.

Ah, so stay away then?

[TW]Fox · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:40

Depends how clued up you are. If the car is a good price and you can assure yourself its a good example then you don't need to neccesarily avoid. If you are buying from a dealer because you want the reassurance and backup of a nice showroom and a warranty etc, then look elsewhere.

Treat them as a private seller even though legally speaking they are not and you'll probably be ok - but be wary and verify everything about the car yourself.

This means don't go paying dealer money for cars sold from a guys driveway.

dokko · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:46

Ok thanks for the info, much appreciated.

#Chri5# · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:53

Or, you're buying something from Tom Hartley

Visiting our showroom is by appointment only

dokko · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:57

Ha I wish!

Joe T · 17 Jul 2012 at 13:36

Even those who work from retail premises do this. For example if they only have a small number of staff.

[TW]Fox · 17 Jul 2012 at 13:47

Joe T said:
Even those who work from retail premises do this. For example if they only have a small number of staff.

This scenario is vastly outnumbered by the people in my reply though.

chad116 · 17 Jul 2012 at 13:48

I suppose its just a way of being organised rather than people turning up on your doorstep when you may be busy with another customer...

shauncr91 · 17 Jul 2012 at 13:56

I suppose it's also easier if you're selling a more... Prestigious car. A lot of tyre kickers simply won't bother if this is the case.

Tbid · 17 Jul 2012 at 14:11

We used to do this at the company that I worked for, mainly because we had a small number of staff but also there was a large amount of valuable cars at one of our locations so having the address on the internet wasn't really a sensible thing to do.

dokko · 17 Jul 2012 at 14:30

Were talking a car for £1700.

http://www.gtcarsales.net/used-cars

Peerzy · 17 Jul 2012 at 14:43

dokko said:
Were talking a car for £1700.

http://www.gtcarsales.net/used-cars

All the photos of any cars are just in some random location with trees in the background and the contact us email address points to [email protected]

Joe T · 17 Jul 2012 at 15:10

[TW]Fox;22363333 said:
This scenario is vastly outnumbered by the people in my reply though.

Thanks for your input.

Skeeter · 17 Jul 2012 at 15:17

Joe T said:
Thanks for your input.

AtreuS · 17 Jul 2012 at 16:06

dokko said:
Were talking a car for £1700.

http://www.gtcarsales.net/used-cars

As has been said... all photos taken in what appears to be a picnic spot car park, or country lay-by and only contact is a mobile number and hotmail? i would avoid personally.

dokko · 18 Jul 2012 at 21:51

Anyway I went, was from someones house.

Car wasn't in anywhere as good a condition as advertised and had a damp smell, and afte losing mine in the floods it was too much negative along with half a service history.

Didn't harm looking, in fact it just adds to the experience of it all and hopefully my diligence pays off.

[TW]Fox · 18 Jul 2012 at 22:28

dokko said:
Anyway I went, was from someones house.

Fancy that Joe T, looks like my input wasn't that bad after all

alexthecheese · 19 Jul 2012 at 09:07

#Chri5# said:
Or, you're buying something from Tom Hartley

Ha. I thought I recognised that name. A group of us stayed at a house that he owns in Overseal for a holiday last year. We were checking the place out, peered over the fence and was... :eek:

SLRs, Veyron, Bentleys, Rolls Royce's... it was quite something, and it didn't even look like a car dealership. Quite a nice selection of kit that guy has on offer!