What’s the catch?
Discussion
I’m after a new (used) van.
I’ve seen one about 40 miles away at a used car pitch. It’s under book by a significant margin, as are most of the vehicles on the guys website.
The vehicle is just under three years old, so it hasn’t yet had a MOT. I’ve HPI’d it and it comes back as clear.
I’ve spoken to the local main dealers who tell me that if it’s been clocked, then their diagnostic software will show up any discrepancies for a fee of £99, but this could only be done after I’d bought it, assuming that the seller isn’t happy for that to be done prior to sale.
I’ve twice verified over the phone what the price of the van is inc VAT.
So, what’s the catch here? Any ideas?
I’ve seen one about 40 miles away at a used car pitch. It’s under book by a significant margin, as are most of the vehicles on the guys website.
The vehicle is just under three years old, so it hasn’t yet had a MOT. I’ve HPI’d it and it comes back as clear.
I’ve spoken to the local main dealers who tell me that if it’s been clocked, then their diagnostic software will show up any discrepancies for a fee of £99, but this could only be done after I’d bought it, assuming that the seller isn’t happy for that to be done prior to sale.
I’ve twice verified over the phone what the price of the van is inc VAT.
So, what’s the catch here? Any ideas?
105.4 said:
I’m after a new (used) van.
I’ve seen one about 40 miles away at a used car pitch. It’s under book by a significant margin, as are most of the vehicles on the guys website.
The vehicle is just under three years old, so it hasn’t yet had a MOT. I’ve HPI’d it and it comes back as clear.
I’ve spoken to the local main dealers who tell me that if it’s been clocked, then their diagnostic software will show up any discrepancies for a fee of £99, but this could only be done after I’d bought it, assuming that the seller isn’t happy for that to be done prior to sale.
I’ve twice verified over the phone what the price of the van is inc VAT.
So, what’s the catch here? Any ideas?
You've seen it - or seen it on a website?I’ve seen one about 40 miles away at a used car pitch. It’s under book by a significant margin, as are most of the vehicles on the guys website.
The vehicle is just under three years old, so it hasn’t yet had a MOT. I’ve HPI’d it and it comes back as clear.
I’ve spoken to the local main dealers who tell me that if it’s been clocked, then their diagnostic software will show up any discrepancies for a fee of £99, but this could only be done after I’d bought it, assuming that the seller isn’t happy for that to be done prior to sale.
I’ve twice verified over the phone what the price of the van is inc VAT.
So, what’s the catch here? Any ideas?
blue_haddock said:
Many dealers have gone deathly quiet in the last month or so so perhaps he's slashed prices to try to generate sales?
There is a long running scam whereby the scammers set up a website, use pics taken from autotrader, make viable looking stock lists at too good to be true prices. They offer a phone service to discuss your purchase and you then pay a deposit / the full amount on line.They will also use the business address and even the company name / number of a viable business in that area and also will have their business address as a viable business park / enterprise estate.
If the O/P has been to see the vans and sounded the sellers out, thats one thing. But he has mentioned "speaking to them on the phone" twice, so it would be good to clarify if hes actually been to them.
If someone is selling something at "too good to be true" prices, then it usually is.
A website link / link to the adverts would be good.
I was due to go and view on Monday afternoon.
I was told that the van was in for a service and would be back with them on Thursday.
I had a drive to the postcode listed online, which also matches the address on companies house website, but it was all farms and barns.
Spidey Senses tingling increased
When I last spoke to them, I offered to pay a £250 deposit to secure the van. And if it was as they said it was, I’d buy.
They turned that down and said they’d want a 20% deposit.
I’m about 90% certain that it’s as dodgy as Captain Dodgy McDodgy from Dodge City, but…. there is some strange folk out there selling vans for a living. It’s almost as if some of them try their hardest to actually not sell a van.
If I’m still getting messed about on Friday, then I’ll post a link.
Cheers all
I was told that the van was in for a service and would be back with them on Thursday.
I had a drive to the postcode listed online, which also matches the address on companies house website, but it was all farms and barns.
Spidey Senses tingling increased
When I last spoke to them, I offered to pay a £250 deposit to secure the van. And if it was as they said it was, I’d buy.
They turned that down and said they’d want a 20% deposit.
I’m about 90% certain that it’s as dodgy as Captain Dodgy McDodgy from Dodge City, but…. there is some strange folk out there selling vans for a living. It’s almost as if some of them try their hardest to actually not sell a van.
If I’m still getting messed about on Friday, then I’ll post a link.
Cheers all
105.4 said:
I was due to go and view on Monday afternoon.
I was told that the van was in for a service and would be back with them on Thursday.
I had a drive to the postcode listed online, which also matches the address on companies house website, but it was all farms and barns.
Spidey Senses tingling increased
When I last spoke to them, I offered to pay a £250 deposit to secure the van. And if it was as they said it was, I’d buy.
They turned that down and said they’d want a 20% deposit.
I’m about 90% certain that it’s as dodgy as Captain Dodgy McDodgy from Dodge City, but…. there is some strange folk out there selling vans for a living. It’s almost as if some of them try their hardest to actually not sell a van.
If I’m still getting messed about on Friday, then I’ll post a link.
Cheers all
Like you, I definitely wouldnt be parting any sort of a deposit until you have actually seen the van.I was told that the van was in for a service and would be back with them on Thursday.
I had a drive to the postcode listed online, which also matches the address on companies house website, but it was all farms and barns.
Spidey Senses tingling increased
When I last spoke to them, I offered to pay a £250 deposit to secure the van. And if it was as they said it was, I’d buy.
They turned that down and said they’d want a 20% deposit.
I’m about 90% certain that it’s as dodgy as Captain Dodgy McDodgy from Dodge City, but…. there is some strange folk out there selling vans for a living. It’s almost as if some of them try their hardest to actually not sell a van.
If I’m still getting messed about on Friday, then I’ll post a link.
Cheers all
If they are selling all their stock at well below retail price then they should be flying off the shelves.
If they are scamming weasels they will use an active company and company number as "evidence" that they exist and are legit, though usually they will use a "similar" name for their website, not the actual company name.
Have they any actual pictures of their team / their building on line? You could try reverse image searching for them. Thats usually good fun.
Bobupndown said:
Must be a hell of a service if its taking 4 days.
Suggest going to see it at the garage doing the service?
There is no service, there is no van.Suggest going to see it at the garage doing the service?
He will pay the 20% deposit and then nothing will happen!
If it's way under market value it's a scam.
Demand for vans is still high.
All IMO of course
GreatGranny said:
Bobupndown said:
Must be a hell of a service if its taking 4 days.
Suggest going to see it at the garage doing the service?
There is no service, there is no van.Suggest going to see it at the garage doing the service?
He will pay the 20% deposit and then nothing will happen!
If it's way under market value it's a scam.
Demand for vans is still high.
All IMO of course
Better a pessimist proved wrong, and all that.
Website link would be good...
GreatGranny said:
There is no service, there is no van.
He will pay the 20% deposit and then nothing will happen!
I will not be leaving a 20% deposit. I’ve already declined that invitation.He will pay the 20% deposit and then nothing will happen!
I’ll be doing some more digging tonight and I’ll be phoning them on Friday to arrange a viewing on Friday afternoon.
KTMsm said:
Pistonheader101 said:
why bother.
if its too good to be true....
Whilst it may well be a scam - I've bought some great cheap carsif its too good to be true....
Probably the best was a 3 Dr Cosworth for £3250 - sold within weeks for £4800
Unfortunately they then rapidly rose to £20k
Billyray911 said:
I’m smelling a clone.Either they’ve discovered it and want to sell on quickly or those farm buildings hold a few surprises.
That was my biggest concern, as there’s some very well cloned vehicles out there.Bearing in mind the van will be three years old in November, so it hasn’t been MOT’d yet, surely if it had been clocked by 100’000 miles, they be selling it for only slightly under book.
This van is massively under book.
As I’ve said, I’m 90%+ sure it’s a scam. I’m just intrigued to find out what the scam is.
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