Have found a van with the spec I want, I'd like to buy it but it's miles away and no time or way of getting there. Dealer via ebay, 100% feedback lots of transactions, will deliver for £150. HPI check fine. Going to speak to them tomorrow, how to play it? Will most take a deposit say by paypal/card to cover a bit of value and the delivery and then I pay balance directly by cash or debit card etc once here and happy all is well with the vehicle and paperwork. If they ask for all upfront, walkaway. Just wondering if anyone has done silmilar or what normal dealer procedure is before speaking to them? Cheers
Get an independent (AA?) inspection before committing? I've found sellers of commercials are notorious for neglecting to mention faults or damage, and also common to 'accidentally' tick a load of extra options it doesn't really have!
My first van I bought, I was assured I wouldn't be dissapointed...it had several dents, kinked rear doors and had been touched up on several panels in the wrong colour. After a 2hr trip, I reluctantly turned around and drove home. (I did buy it a few weeks later, after it had been sent away to a bodyshop to tidy it up)
The second van, I flew from Gatwick to Edinburgh, without revealing to the seller how far I was travelling as I didn't want to appear committed. Bought it, but it had a busted radio (an expensive double din touchscreen) which I noticed before buying, and after buying and driving a few hours, discovered it has an earthing/Canbus issue resulting in various fault lights showing faintly when its dark. (repaired under warranty, 11 months later the fault has returned, now being repaired again just a week before the manufacturer warranty expires!)
Other vans viewed had worn out diffs, miss-described models, fuel leaks, imaginary airbags, imaginary air con, various states of disrepair, doors that don't stay shut, broken heaters, broken window mechanisms! Buy with caution and trust no one...especially dealers!
Yep I'm always wary / cynical , why I thought only paying a deposit until seen and tried but may be worth getting independent inspection done up there first.
I probably would. I didn't because time was short, the van was only 2 years old with 14,000 miles on it. But it was nerve-racking until it was confirmed the faults were covered! I was cautious of the busted radio as it was clear it had been removed a couple of times, so I called up my local dealer whilst viewing it to ensure the warranty was valid (it also had a 5yr maintenance plan which the owner was unaware of!)
It was also a bit stressful booking flights without knowing if he would sell the van whilst I was flying up!
I have bought at a distance on three occasions, and been very fortunate. In the first instance, I had AA do an inspection for me, and while they flagged a few minor issues, it turned out very well.
In more recent situations, I have just spent a lot of time talking to the sellers by phone, and asking every question I could think of with the intention of walking away if anything didn't pan out.
It is a good way to buy, but the one thing I would say is it is probably better to go down by train or bus to pick it up in the end, than to have it delivered. Then you can dispute or refuse on site, rather than having it in your possession first.
Yeh I've got a train before to pick up a car darn sarth, drove it back, only after a good few conversations with the seller though.
If they want to sell it and are honest, they won't have an issue talking about the vehicle at legnth.