Car Giant - can you barter?
- Thread starter NickXX
- Start date
Here's my experience of Car Giant, albeit eight year's ago, when they were called "The Great Trade Centre".
I saw a four year old Ford Escort that seemed a decent deal. Didn't have mega mileage like most of the ex-fleet vehicles there and looked in good condition. They wouldn't haggle on the price and they wouldn't let me test drive it so had to sit while their salesperson drove it. Could have been due to my age at the time but not sure.
The MOT had expired on this one and they committd to putting a new one on it. I began to get suspicious when it was not completed on the day they told me. A few days went past and each time I called they were a little guarded about why the car had not had the work done. Eventually I had one of their mechanics phone me and say, "It'll probably get through today now but to be honest mate, you probably don't want to touch this car".
I thought he was speaking on behalf of the company and took it as a good sign that they were not wanting to sell me a heap of junk. I figured they bought in high volume and so did the necessary checks and things when a sale was concluded rather than when they first received the vehicles.
So I went back and found another Escort I liked. This one was checked over and all was well. However three months later the gearbox died
Could have been bad luck I suppose but I won't be going back there.
Carland are a complete bunch of ******* Due you know how difficult it is to actually find out the price fo a car? The windscreen stickers only have the weekly finance figure on them and you have to find the small print to see what the cash price is. They really don't want people to buy the cars who won't take finance. They do not appear to have any concern over how they keep the vehicles either.
I saw a four year old Ford Escort that seemed a decent deal. Didn't have mega mileage like most of the ex-fleet vehicles there and looked in good condition. They wouldn't haggle on the price and they wouldn't let me test drive it so had to sit while their salesperson drove it. Could have been due to my age at the time but not sure.
The MOT had expired on this one and they committd to putting a new one on it. I began to get suspicious when it was not completed on the day they told me. A few days went past and each time I called they were a little guarded about why the car had not had the work done. Eventually I had one of their mechanics phone me and say, "It'll probably get through today now but to be honest mate, you probably don't want to touch this car".
I thought he was speaking on behalf of the company and took it as a good sign that they were not wanting to sell me a heap of junk. I figured they bought in high volume and so did the necessary checks and things when a sale was concluded rather than when they first received the vehicles.
So I went back and found another Escort I liked. This one was checked over and all was well. However three months later the gearbox died
Could have been bad luck I suppose but I won't be going back there.Carland are a complete bunch of ******* Due you know how difficult it is to actually find out the price fo a car? The windscreen stickers only have the weekly finance figure on them and you have to find the small print to see what the cash price is. They really don't want people to buy the cars who won't take finance. They do not appear to have any concern over how they keep the vehicles either.
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Soldato
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I bought an S60 from Car Giant last weekend.
They have no idea about customer service, but the cars are cheap and I think I got a good deal from them.
Saying that there is a knocking noise coming from the rear left suspension that I pointed out in the test drive. They said they fixed the linkages and it stopped, but it's back 48hours later.
Going to give them a ring tomorrow to see what they are going to do about it.
To be honest I think this a problem I would have had with any dealer, not just CG.
They have no idea about customer service, but the cars are cheap and I think I got a good deal from them.
Saying that there is a knocking noise coming from the rear left suspension that I pointed out in the test drive. They said they fixed the linkages and it stopped, but it's back 48hours later.
Going to give them a ring tomorrow to see what they are going to do about it.
To be honest I think this a problem I would have had with any dealer, not just CG.
Soldato
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NickXX said:Thanks guys, will wander over tomorrow with a bag full of skepticism and take some test drives.
You don't get a proper test drive at Car Giant. All they will allow you to do is drive around the industrial estate.
Also, unless you've booked your test drives in advance be prepared to be there for a long time. The place gets very, very, very busy at the weekend.
c/p from my answer on the s2000 forums on this CAR GIANT not carland.........
I've bought a total of 6 cars from them, going back over 15 years when they were on a site on the A40 I think, before they moved to Scrubs Lane.
Its a real "does what it says on the tin" place.
They are:
1) reputable (for what they do)
2) long established
3) able to offer cars at a discount to main dealers
They are not:
1) A Honda(or any other brand) main dealer
2) Interested in "deals"
3) Bothered about customer service
They buy fleet and finance cars in bulk, give them a minimum mark up and sell on volume.
They make their money in warranties and finance.
If you know what car you want, know what to look for (and avoid) and are not interested in paying for a main dealers facilities, then you could save yourself some money.
What I like about them is that I can go there, mooch around, take the keys for a number of different cars and see what I like/dislike about them - I can also compare different marques/specs in one place rather than having to visit multiple dealers.
Also, the "sales force" are not that interested in you buying a particular car - you ask to look at a car, they give you the keys, you go on your own - they don't follow you and tell you what a wonderful thing it is - they leave that up to you.
When you bring the keys back, they ask if you want to buy it, and if you do, then they will start the process of offering finance/warranty/gap insurance.
If you dont want the car they leave you alone.
You buy the car "as seen" - they realistically price the stock - don't ask for money off for a scratch, worn trim or whatever - they sell pretty much as is and price accordingly - though of course any mechanical/safety defects are dealt with.
They complete a "service" and will MOT all cars prior to hand over if required.
Tradeins are taken, but again they are very realistic on pricing - they operate on volume, margins are thin on the cars they sell so don't expect handouts on your vehicle.
If you are looking to buy a car with "provenance" and the warm feeling that comes from knowing that the prior owner looked after it, gave it daily hugs etc then buy private or through the classifieds here.
If you want the main dealer experience then go to a dealer but be prepared to pay the premium.
You wont get either of the above from Car Giant, but realistically, that is not what they set out to provide.
I've bought a total of 6 cars from them, going back over 15 years when they were on a site on the A40 I think, before they moved to Scrubs Lane.
Its a real "does what it says on the tin" place.
They are:
1) reputable (for what they do)
2) long established
3) able to offer cars at a discount to main dealers
They are not:
1) A Honda(or any other brand) main dealer
2) Interested in "deals"
3) Bothered about customer service
They buy fleet and finance cars in bulk, give them a minimum mark up and sell on volume.
They make their money in warranties and finance.
If you know what car you want, know what to look for (and avoid) and are not interested in paying for a main dealers facilities, then you could save yourself some money.
What I like about them is that I can go there, mooch around, take the keys for a number of different cars and see what I like/dislike about them - I can also compare different marques/specs in one place rather than having to visit multiple dealers.
Also, the "sales force" are not that interested in you buying a particular car - you ask to look at a car, they give you the keys, you go on your own - they don't follow you and tell you what a wonderful thing it is - they leave that up to you.
When you bring the keys back, they ask if you want to buy it, and if you do, then they will start the process of offering finance/warranty/gap insurance.
If you dont want the car they leave you alone.
You buy the car "as seen" - they realistically price the stock - don't ask for money off for a scratch, worn trim or whatever - they sell pretty much as is and price accordingly - though of course any mechanical/safety defects are dealt with.
They complete a "service" and will MOT all cars prior to hand over if required.
Tradeins are taken, but again they are very realistic on pricing - they operate on volume, margins are thin on the cars they sell so don't expect handouts on your vehicle.
If you are looking to buy a car with "provenance" and the warm feeling that comes from knowing that the prior owner looked after it, gave it daily hugs etc then buy private or through the classifieds here.
If you want the main dealer experience then go to a dealer but be prepared to pay the premium.
You wont get either of the above from Car Giant, but realistically, that is not what they set out to provide.
Soldato
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maby66 said:
Bang on really.
Went to Car Giant when it use to be called The Great Trade Centre with my dad a couple of years back. Virtually no customer services at all (read two posts above me for reason ), weren't allowed to test drive the car as they couldn't be bothered to bring the car out though my dad later found the car (top spec Renault Laguna 
) he wanted for a reasonable price, which he put down a deposit for.
We were declined for a part exchange (they weren't interested) though after all the paperwork was done, we were given an estimated date for pick-up. The day arrives to collect the vehicle, we called to make sure and were informed to wait one more day. My dad got annoyed, cancelled the order and lost his deposit placed on the car (it was non-refundable back then).
AFAIK, Car Giant do offer some good deals on cars once in a while but most of the time, they overcharge.
), weren't allowed to test drive the car as they couldn't be bothered to bring the car out though my dad later found the car (top spec Renault Laguna ) he wanted for a reasonable price, which he put down a deposit for.We were declined for a part exchange (they weren't interested) though after all the paperwork was done, we were given an estimated date for pick-up. The day arrives to collect the vehicle, we called to make sure and were informed to wait one more day. My dad got annoyed, cancelled the order and lost his deposit placed on the car (it was non-refundable back then).
AFAIK, Car Giant do offer some good deals on cars once in a while but most of the time, they overcharge.
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Soldato
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tzang said:
If you can find me a fully loaded 52 Volvo S60 T5 with 31k miles for less than £10k anywhere else I'd love to know where.
Or a 55 Focus 1.6 Zetec with 396 miles for the same price.
As has been said, they have no customer service, but you don't pay for any either. You pay a very good price for the car and nothing more.