The Car thread

[tom27111]

So, not strictly speaking about cars, just putting the feelers out really.

 

As many of you know from some posts on this thread, I was a car sales exec for a car supermarket, Imperial Cars. 

 

Cazoo bought us out over lockdown, I had to reapply for a job with them, and thankfully, I got it.

 

Rather than a car salesman, I'm now a 'Customer Centre Specialist'. Basically, Cazoo are stopping free deliveries and starting to charge for them, so customers come to hubs across the country to collect their cars.

 

Cazoo have a massive advertising campaign, you can't miss it, TV, Radio, Everton and Villa.

 

But I'm amazed to discover that Cazoo have only sold 7000 cars since they went live in February. It sounds a lot, but it isn't, especially when they don't sell warranty to boost profit and are making less than £500 per unit.

 

Most of our stores, selling in the traditional sense, were shifting 250 cars a month.

 

It was touched on earlier in the thread, but how many of you would be happy to buy a car online, without seeing it or driving it first? Because that's what you have to do, even if you collect it from a hub. That includes sometimes signing up to a finance agreement which is obviously on your credit history.

 

I wouldn't. 

 

For me, it's like seeing a house online, saying you'll buy it, signing up for a mortgage, then being allowed to get the keys and looking around.

 

I cant see how it will work. Be interested and appreciate to hear your thoughts.

Edited 18 September 2020 by tom27111

[FoxesDeb]

8 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

So, not strictly speaking about cars, just putting the feelers out really.

 

As many of you know from some posts on this thread, I was a car sales exec for a car supermarket, Imperial Cars. 

 

Cazoo bought us out over lockdown, I had to reapply for a job with them, and thankfully, I got it.

 

Rather than a car salesman, I'm now a 'Customer Centre Specialist'. Basically, Cazoo are stopping free deliveries and starting to charge for them, so customers come to hubs across the country to collect their cars.

 

Cazoo have a massive advertising campaign, you can't miss it, TV, Radio, Everton and Villa.

 

But I'm amazed to discover that Cazoo have only sold 7000 cars since they went live in February. It sounds a lot, but it isn't, especially when they don't sell warranty to boost profit and are making less than £500 per unit.

 

Most of our stores, selling in the traditional sense, were shifting 250 cars a month.

 

It was touched on earlier in the thread, but how many of you would be happy to buy a car online, without seeing it or driving it first? Because that's what you have to do, even if you collect it from a hub. That includes sometimes signing up to a finance agreement which is obviously on your credit history.

 

I wouldn't. 

 

For me, it's like seeing a house online, saying you'll buy it, signing up for a mortgage, then being allowed to get the keys and looking around.

 

I cant see how it will work. Be interested and appreciate to hear your thoughts.

 

I have done similar, maybe you should target women! I love cars, and have been through a few recently. The first one I bought without driving first, I had decided exactly what model I wanted. But I knew what colour, what engine, and what spec. Unfortunately what I wanted had to have been chosen as options by the person who ordered it new, so it was very difficult to find. I found it in Barnsley though, at a great price, and bought it without seeing it. The same when I bought an Alfa Guilia, and most recently my Clio. I spend a long time deciding exactly the model and spec, so when I find it I know it's what I want. If I've driven one locally I know what to expect, and I'm not bothered about driving the actual car. 

I think you would need to be the best, or very close to the best, price on the internet though.

 

Oh and I am also exactly the type of person who would buy a house in the way you describe too

 

 

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, FoxesDeb said:

I have done similar, maybe you should target women! I love cars, and have been through a few recently. The first one I bought without driving first, I had decided exactly what model I wanted. But I knew what colour, what engine, and what spec. Unfortunately what I wanted had to have been chosen as options by the person who ordered it new, so it was very difficult to find. I found it in Barnsley though, at a great price, and bought it without seeing it. The same when I bought an Alfa Guilia, and most recently my Clio. I spend a long time deciding exactly the model and spec, so when I find it I know it's what I want. If I've driven one locally I know what to expect, and I'm not bothered about driving the actual car. 

I think you would need to be the best, or very close to the best, price on the internet though.

 

Oh and I am also exactly the type of person who would buy a house in the way you describe too

 

 

 

Thanks, Deb. That's interesting. So you'd go somewhere else to drive a similar car first? Even if you didn't intend to buy that one? Then find the specific one online? 

 

Nothing wrong with that, in fact, I'd recommend it. But how we worked before, with 300 cars on site, someone might love the thought of say a BMW 1 series. They'd look around it, drive it, decide they hate it, but I'd get them in an A class Merc or an Audi A3 and they'd buy it. That isn't an option anymore. 

 

And you'd seriously buy a house like that? I thought my Mrs was bad for shopping, you are another level 

[stix]

29 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

So, not strictly speaking about cars, just putting the feelers out really.

 

As many of you know from some posts on this thread, I was a car sales exec for a car supermarket, Imperial Cars. 

 

Cazoo bought us out over lockdown, I had to reapply for a job with them, and thankfully, I got it.

 

Rather than a car salesman, I'm now a 'Customer Centre Specialist'. Basically, Cazoo are stopping free deliveries and starting to charge for them, so customers come to hubs across the country to collect their cars.

 

Cazoo have a massive advertising campaign, you can't miss it, TV, Radio, Everton and Villa.

 

But I'm amazed to discover that Cazoo have only sold 7000 cars since they went live in February. It sounds a lot, but it isn't, especially when they don't sell warranty to boost profit and are making less than £500 per unit.

 

Most of our stores, selling in the traditional sense, were shifting 250 cars a month.

 

It was touched on earlier in the thread, but how many of you would be happy to buy a car online, without seeing it or driving it first? Because that's what you have to do, even if you collect it from a hub. That includes sometimes signing up to a finance agreement which is obviously on your credit history.

 

I wouldn't. 

 

For me, it's like seeing a house online, saying you'll buy it, signing up for a mortgage, then being allowed to get the keys and looking around.

 

I cant see how it will work. Be interested and appreciate to hear your thoughts.

 

Do Cazoo offer any more in terms of warranty than other dealerships that operate in a more traditional manner? Simply because of the way they sell their cars? 
 

Obviously we’ve been in conversation recently about my new purchase, but I don’t think I could ever buy a car without looking at it at the very least first. 
 

I remember a good few years ago, I found a Mercedes CLK online that looked the bollocks and I really wanted it. Up in Bradford. Drove all the way up there to have a look, it was a right mess. Paintwork all over was ruined. If id have just bought it from the photos I’d have been livid. 

[The Bear]

I had the same experience when buying my Audi A1. Drove to York after seeing it look great in the pictures, and the interior was a right mess. Scuffing, dirty carpets, faded plastic dash, mud in the boot. Just terrible. Took me 2 mins to walk away. 

[tom27111]

Just now, stix said:

Do Cazoo offer any more in terms of warranty than other dealerships that operate in a more traditional manner? Simply because of the way they sell their cars? 
 

Obviously we’ve been in conversation recently about my new purchase, but I don’t think I could ever buy a car without looking at it at the very least first. 
 

I remember a good few years ago, I found a Mercedes CLK online that looked the bollocks and I really wanted it. Up in Bradford. Drove all the way up there to have a look, it was a right mess. Paintwork all over was ruined. If id have just bought it from the photos I’d have been livid. 

 

If the car isn't right for you, you have 7 days money back guarantee. But that causes problems with the DVLA over number of owners on the car and from online reviews I've seen, it isn't that straightforward to return the car.

 

So, if you were torn between the 1 series and the a class, you don’t get chance to compare. You buy one and hope it's the right car. If it isn't, you return it, learn your lesson and go back to the traditional way of buying cars.

 

They give a 3 month warranty as standard and soon, you'll be able to extend it, but only by adding it to your basket online. 

 

Who would add that? You don't know what it does. Warranty is great for some cars, I bought a 5 year one with mine, because I know the benefits and I also got value for money. Warranty is a massive profit maker for dealers and some people can be ripped off. It can also work both ways. A small margin for the dealer and peace of mind for the buyer. That's how it should be.

[FoxesDeb]

9 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

Thanks, Deb. That's interesting. So you'd go somewhere else to drive a similar car first? Even if you didn't intend to buy that one? Then find the specific one online? 

 

Nothing wrong with that, in fact, I'd recommend it. But how we worked before, with 300 cars on site, someone might love the thought of say a BMW 1 series. They'd look around it, drive it, decide they hate it, but I'd get them in an A class Merc or an Audi A3 and they'd buy it. That isn't an option anymore. 

 

And you'd seriously buy a house like that? I thought my Mrs was bad for shopping, you are another level 

So, the first car, the one in Barnsley, I had driven similar elsewhere yes. It was a Focus, and although it was a lovely car, it was a bit boring so I chopped it in for my first Giulia. I didn't drive that at all, just bought it. When it started getting a bit high on miles I changed it for another one, again without driving it first. And my current car,  the Clio, I had never driven one at all. I've maybe been lucky, but I've never had a problem and never regretted one of them.

 

Houses, yes I probably would! We're looking to relocate currently, albeit abroad, and with the way the market is moving atm we definitely might end up offering before we visit. It's all about the research 

[tom27111]

8 minutes ago, stix said:

Do Cazoo offer any more in terms of warranty than other dealerships that operate in a more traditional manner? Simply because of the way they sell their cars? 
 

Obviously we’ve been in conversation recently about my new purchase, but I don’t think I could ever buy a car without looking at it at the very least first. 
 

I remember a good few years ago, I found a Mercedes CLK online that looked the bollocks and I really wanted it. Up in Bradford. Drove all the way up there to have a look, it was a right mess. Paintwork all over was ruined. If id have just bought it from the photos I’d have been livid. 

 

Exactly this. And if you did take the chance and it didn't work out, you would never do it again.

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, FoxesDeb said:

So, the first car, the one in Barnsley, I had driven similar elsewhere yes. It was a Focus, and although it was a lovely car, it was a bit boring so I chopped it in for my first Giulia. I didn't drive that at all, just bought it. When it started getting a bit high on miles I changed it for another one, again without driving it first. And my current car,  the Clio, I had never driven one at all. I've maybe been lucky, but I've never had a problem and never regretted one of them.

 

Houses, yes I probably would! We're looking to relocate currently, albeit abroad, and with the way the market is moving atm we definitely might end up offering before we visit. It's all about the research 

 

Thanks, Deb, appreciate hearing your thoughts.

 

I don't want to sound offensive or derogatory, please don't think that, just trying to judge what customers we'll see...

 

What makes you choose what car you want? That's quite a varying range youve owned 

[Steve_Walsh5]

11 minutes ago, stix said:

Do Cazoo offer any more in terms of warranty than other dealerships that operate in a more traditional manner? Simply because of the way they sell their cars? 
 

Obviously we’ve been in conversation recently about my new purchase, but I don’t think I could ever buy a car without looking at it at the very least first. 
 

I remember a good few years ago, I found a Mercedes CLK online that looked the bollocks and I really wanted it. Up in Bradford. Drove all the way up there to have a look, it was a right mess. Paintwork all over was ruined. If id have just bought it from the photos I’d have been livid. 

I remember you saying you were interested in getting a 4 series from that place in Nottingham did you go ahead and buy one? After you mentioned them I had a look online as I’m interested in a 4 series myself and like you said they have some nice looking cars on there.

[FoxesDeb]

Just now, tom27111 said:

 

Thanks, Deb, appreciate hearing your thoughts.

 

I don't want to sound offensive or derogatory, please don't think that, just trying to judge what customers we'll see...

 

What makes you choose what car you want? That's quite a varying range youve owned 

The Focus? I thought I needed something sensible, I'd just left my husband. The first Giulia? I realised the Focus was boring, and I'd always wanted an Alfa. The second Giulia? I loved the first, but it was getting too high mileage and the red wasn't bright enough! plus it was diesel which I'm not a fan of, and so I went for a newer, petrol, brighter red one. The Clio because I was meant to be downsizing my monthly payments, plus I fancied a change. I don't know really, I just like changing my cars!

[stix]

9 minutes ago, Steve_Walsh5 said:

I remember you saying you were interested in getting a 4 series from that place in Nottingham did you go ahead and buy one? After you mentioned them I had a look online as I’m interested in a 4 series myself and like you said they have some nice looking cars on there.

I did mate. I picked it up this afternoon. 430d in the end. Too early to really judge the place, but they seem a good bunch. Definitely worth nipping up there for a gander. They’ve got LOADS of them mate. They put brand new wheels and tyres on all of them. They’re replicas mostly, but all of them look the bollocks mate. Car lovers dream. Just give them a bell and arrange to go up there for a mooch. 

Edited 18 September 2020 by stix

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, FoxesDeb said:

The Focus? I thought I needed something sensible, I'd just left my husband. The first Giulia? I realised the Focus was boring, and I'd always wanted an Alfa. The second Giulia? I loved the first, but it was getting too high mileage and the red wasn't bright enough! plus it was diesel which I'm not a fan of, and so I went for a newer, petrol, brighter red one. The Clio because I was meant to be downsizing my monthly payments, plus I fancied a change. I don't know really, I just like changing my cars!

 

Nothing wrong with that, the Alfa is a lovely car, so is the Clio actually, but more sensible.

 

You'd have been my perfect customer before we got bought out! 

 

Thanks for your input, appreciate it.

[Steve_Walsh5]

4 minutes ago, stix said:

I did mate. I picked it up this afternoon. 430d in the end. Too early to really judge the place, but they seem a good bunch. Definitely worth nipping up there for a gander. They’ve got LOADS of them mate. They put brand new wheels and tyres on all of them. They’re replicas mostly, but all of them look the bollocks mate. Car lovers dream. Just give them a bell and arrange to go up there for a mooch. 

I might nip up one day next week. Looking on autotrader they do seem to have plenty in. I quite like the Estoril blue colour, don’t see many of them around.

[stix]

Just now, Steve_Walsh5 said:

I might nip up one day next week. Looking on autotrader they do seem to have plenty in. I quite like the Estoril blue colour, don’t see many of them around.

Worth 40minutes travelling time for sure. Are you looking for a 2dr or a Gran Coupe?

[Steve_Walsh5]

Just now, stix said:

Worth 40minutes travelling time for sure. Are you looking for a 2dr or a Gran Coupe?

Gran Coupe. Ideally I would have a 2dr but not very practical with 2 young children.

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Steve_Walsh5 said:

Gran Coupe. Ideally I would have a 2dr but not very practical with 2 young children.

Stunning cars. As I said to @stix, the auto gearbox is the best on the market, without doubt. The 3 series GT is also a decent and practical option for a family 

[stix]

1 minute ago, tom27111 said:

Stunning cars. As I said to @stix, the auto gearbox is the best on the market, without doubt. The 3 series GT is also a decent and practical option for a family 

I did look at those too briefly. It’s got a massive arse. If I didn’t have 2 gangly teenagers I’d have probably opted for a 2dr @Steve_Walsh5 too. They look incredible. Unfortunately it wasn’t really an option for me though. 

[FoxesDeb]

3 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

 

Nothing wrong with that, the Alfa is a lovely car, so is the Clio actually, but more sensible.

 

You'd have been my perfect customer before we got bought out! 

 

Thanks for your input, appreciate it.

I'm actually getting rid of the Clio on Monday, I think we spoke about it before. It's a 17 plate auto and it's only done 6k, it's still immaculate and just like new, I'll be sad to see it go but I just don't need it anymore. The Renault dealer on Abbey Lane has offered me nearly as much as I owe, so I'm happy with that, still going to be sad parting with it though...

[Steve_Walsh5]

5 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

Stunning cars. As I said to @stix, the auto gearbox is the best on the market, without doubt. The 3 series GT is also a decent and practical option for a family 

Is there anything to specifically look out for that are common problems ? The last BMW I had was a 3 series with the N42 engine and it ended up needing a new engine at 38,000 miles. It turned out it was a common problem with many BMW’s with that engine.

[tom27111]

3 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

I'm actually getting rid of the Clio on Monday, I think we spoke about it before. It's a 17 plate auto and it's only done 6k, it's still immaculate and just like new, I'll be sad to see it go but I just don't need it anymore. The Renault dealer on Abbey Lane has offered me nearly as much as I owe, so I'm happy with that, still going to be sad parting with it though...

 

Yeah, you mentioned the other day about getting rid. At least it works out not too bad financially for you 

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Steve_Walsh5 said:

Is there anything to specifically look out for that are common problems ? The last BMW I had was a 3 series with the N42 engine and it ended up needing a new engine at 38,000 miles. It turned out it was a common problem with many BMW’s with that engine.

 

Nothing that I'm aware of, I've seen quite a few I've had as part exchanges with nearly 200k on the clock.

 

Just service it regularly. If it's sold with a service history, check it on the idrive if it's been done by a manufacturer, if not ask for service prints.

 

If you see anything or want any advice, please ask me, by all means. I don't know everything and won't pretend to, but I'll pass on any experience to help you guys get a decent deal and you're happy with it.

 

Most sales guys were motivated by money. I did alright at my job, but my satisfaction was seeing someone walk out the dealership, get in their new car and know they'll love it for the next 5 or so years 

[Bob666]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

So, not strictly speaking about cars, just putting the feelers out really.

 

As many of you know from some posts on this thread, I was a car sales exec for a car supermarket, Imperial Cars. 

 

Cazoo bought us out over lockdown, I had to reapply for a job with them, and thankfully, I got it.

 

Rather than a car salesman, I'm now a 'Customer Centre Specialist'. Basically, Cazoo are stopping free deliveries and starting to charge for them, so customers come to hubs across the country to collect their cars.

 

Cazoo have a massive advertising campaign, you can't miss it, TV, Radio, Everton and Villa.

 

But I'm amazed to discover that Cazoo have only sold 7000 cars since they went live in February. It sounds a lot, but it isn't, especially when they don't sell warranty to boost profit and are making less than £500 per unit.

 

Most of our stores, selling in the traditional sense, were shifting 250 cars a month.

 

It was touched on earlier in the thread, but how many of you would be happy to buy a car online, without seeing it or driving it first? Because that's what you have to do, even if you collect it from a hub. That includes sometimes signing up to a finance agreement which is obviously on your credit history.

 

I wouldn't. 

 

For me, it's like seeing a house online, saying you'll buy it, signing up for a mortgage, then being allowed to get the keys and looking around.

 

I cant see how it will work. Be interested and appreciate to hear your thoughts.

I've bought my last 3 cars via a car broker without seeing them upfront (& I'm male ).  It helps that the broker is a trusted family friend & the outlay is less than 10K + cars are small family (eg clio, citigo etc).  Normally see pics before committing but I'm more interested in price than spec.  All cars purchased to date have been bang on; delivered for free; low mileage; & well below dealer prices.  Takes the hassle of having to haggle with the "sharks" (no offence ).

[Kopic]

I could never buy a car without driving/seeing it first. My last car, a mk4 golf gttdi, I always liked the look of the mk4 but as soon as I drove it, I had to have it. The car itself was immaculate inside and out, 1 owner from new (it was an 03 plate, I bought it 8 years ago) and drove absolutely mint. I'd only had an old fiesta and a 90bhp golf before that and so it felt ridiculously quick. Shame the camshaft shat itself otherwise i'd still have it now. My current car, an a3 tdi, again the moment I drove it i knew I wanted it. Great dsg gearbox with the paddles, and its bloody quick (for me). But if I'd just seen photos I would never have bought it. It was keyed down one side at some point in its life and it was very off-putting, but after test driving it I had to have it. Dont even notice the scratches anymore; i did look at getting it fixed but quoted about 800 quid. The audi is starting to sound quite rough now though, struggling to start with some electrical issues to boot, so I'm starting to look for something new. Absolutely won't be getting anything without driving it first though!

 

Doesn't always work out well though. My girlfriend passed her test a year ago, and always dreamed of a mini. Found a lovely one at a great price online, went to see it, got the old hard sell from a young lad claiming he is just starting his business blahblah selling at good prices as he wants to build a rep. Drove the car myself as she hadn't passed yet, was lovely apart from bad vibrations from the brakes. The blokes dad owned a garage next door and said he would sort it out and deliver the car. Only offered 1 week warranty as it was a px (bollocks). So delivered the car, brakes all sorted, everything fine. Car sat on drive for a month or more, when she started driving noticed the heating didn't work. Opened bonnet, they had left the coolant cap off. Its obvious now but thought nothing of it. Put it on, car started overheating. ****ing head gasket gone. They clearly knew it too as they left the cap off. I won't name the place but its in Ashby, wouldn't do anything to help us, 1 week warranty and all that bollocks, so my missus juat lost nearly 2k having saved up for a car and just passing her test. Really, really soured my opinion of car salesmen.

[Footballwipe]

RE Cazoo. Do we know what their target market is? Is it literally just trying to turn car buying into e-commerce or do they have a target audience they want to make money from?

 

I guess this is obvious, but if I was saving money from buying elsewhere, and I could guarantee the quality/feel of the car, I'd probably do it. But how many people really would be willing to spend £x thousand on such an asset without seeing it? Enough to justify their big expansion?

 

Is there a potential that traditional dealers will see a rise in time wasters? See an A1 on Cazoo and want to feel what it's like to drive? Head down to Audi/used dealer and take one of theirs for a test spin. If you like it, buy it on Cazoo if it's significantly cheaper! I'd be interested to know what traditionals make of this site tbh.