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Buyers mark it (down)

We sometimes need to sell our vehicles quickly and easily and do not want the hassle of bargaining with sales or public. I know you tell your readers of the auction route but I recently relented and went down another route. Can I offer some words of advice to forewarn others intending to use "We buy any Car" to sell their vehicles. What is advertised, as a Fair deal is in fact no different from going into a normal car sales outlet? To summarise the experience: Once you arrive at their office with your quote they will then find and point out every mark or scratch on the car (fair enough). This is put into a computer to calculate (reduce) the offer. They will apologise and then make you an offer roughly half of the original. If you refuse the offer then a call is made to a remote sales manager who will then ask you what amount you want. The offer will be increased by another 50% but they will not tell you that they will then take off the admin fee of £49 (included in the original quote). Deal done? Then you are expected to get yourself home by bus or taxi (I did blag a lift to nearest town centre). Expect your payment to arrive days later. You can have it more quickly, but at your cost. Finally you may get a call from the eventual owner who buys it from them, saying how they like the car, polished out the scuffs and scratches and who paid three times the derisory offer you were made. Not for the faint hearted and definitely not a "Fair Deal", especially as you expected an easy, simple transaction.

Asked on 5 October 2011 by KS, Bath

Answered by Honest John
Back in April 2011, it was reported that the OFT took enforcement action against We Buy any Car after finding that 96% of vendors had received less than the original offer. The company and its directors signed undertakings that include promises to: Make clear that the website valuation is not a price at which the company is offering to buy the consumer's car and that a range of other factors might be taken into account. Do not set targets for vehicle inspectors that have the potential to encourage them to reduce the valuation offered for inappropriate reasons. Not deduct from the final price the amount of any refund available to the customer from the DVLA for the road tax remaining on the car. Make it clear to customers that the next working day payment service (which incurs an additional charge of £24.75) is optional. If these undertakings are breached, the OFT may consider applying to the courts for an enforcement order under the Enterprise Act 2002 based on alleged breaches of the Cars and Tuckers. More at: www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consum.../ So I'm mildly surprised that they are still getting away with it. But, as you point out, I recommend www.sure-sell.info . It's still a gamble because it depends who is bidding on the day and what the market is for your car on that day. But some readers have done very well. You get paid within 4 working days, with no risk. And there is no risk of undesirables phoning you, arriving on your doorstep, taking the car for illegal 'test drives', stealing the car, or failing to pay.
Dear Honest John,

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