Has anyone had any dealings with Carcraft or know anything about them/
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Based on the fact that we're not allowed to name and shame on the forum, you will only see the positive replies to this post, not very helpful really.
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When I went there they were very friendly, large variety of cars but boy, they did a very hard sell and I ended up going elsewhere in the end
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Based on the fact that we're not allowed to name and shame on the forum, you will only see the positive replies to this post, not very helpful really.
A question for the Moderators really ~ If a forum member had a bad car buying/servicing experience, could they not recount the actual facts of the case and name the company, provided that they didn't cast aspersions on the company?
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L\'escargot.
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could they not recount the actual facts of the case....
L'escargot,
But how do I or the other moderators know the "actual facts" are actual facts and not simply made up?
DD.
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>>If a forum member had a bad car buying/servicing experience, could they not recount the actual facts of the case and name the company, provided that they didn't cast aspersions on the company
Simply say "Company X [strongly] not recommended, further details by e-mail if required" or somesuch.
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I saw a very interesting advert of theirs about 18 months ago, it was along the lines of:
53 Plate Mondeo!! Car Craft Price: £9995!! 'Dealer' Price: £ 17495
'Buy Now, Pay Nothing for 12 Months'!!!!
What they failed to point out was that the 'dealer' price was the MRRP for a BRAND NEW mondeo, which as you all know, nobody in the real world pays anything like the full up money for a a brand new mondeo. The carcraft car in the offer was 2-3 years old (can't remember the exact year/reg, but it was 2/3 years old and the price was definately £9995). Remembered checking in Glasses guide the value of the mondeo featured, and needless to say it was a whopping 2 grand LESS than Carcarft's offer price, and remember, since when have Mondeos ever made book money? I felt like notifying trading standard about this ad.
Also, just imagine being the simpleton going for this deal and paying 'nothing for 12 months', and then being in hoc for £10k on a car that is now worth £3K at very best!!!!!!!!!!!!
They seem to bombard you with advertising and figures, and lots of people seem to fall for it, show's just how many dimwits there really are out there.
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Their cars are all in the order of 2K over other supermarket prices. Last year they valued a Silver 2001 Mk3 Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia X with 58k miles on at £3,500 part-ex when they had a blue one on the lot, with 49K on, for £7,999. Slightly less miles but less desirable colour and same condition. They do let you have as many test drives as you like though, some supermarkets don't. TBH you're better of going to the dealers.
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Was recently discussed in forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=365...5
The GOOD thing about them, the vehicles are in a clean & tidy enviroment & you are able to make a pretty good look over (note I don't say inspection), without being out in all weathers, on an open forecourt.
Other than that, you'd be better off going to one of the bigger auctions, buying a fleet direct vehicle, which'll be as well prepared cosmetically, but well into four figures cheaper.
VB
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Apparently you can get away with offering *substantially* less than the screen price if you go in with cash...
Don't know anything else about them I'm afraid!
Blue
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I just googled them. There are quite a lot of sites which offer the opinions of others - the company seems to generate some rather forthright views.
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"Apparently you can get away with offering *substantially* less than the screen price if you go in with cash..."
I'm afraid you couldn't be further from the truth.
This company don't sell cars as such , but finance on the cars. I know this company probably closer than many ...... (no, didn't work there but I know the family that runs it)
They would not be in the slightest interested in cash because they make their money on the premise of people buying overpriced cars on a WEEKLY basis which, when calculated out sensibly (how come no-body does though ?!) gives a ludicrous price on a 5-year old car that is virtually worthless but there are still several years to pay the darn thing off.
A friend of mine went in with cash and was told where to shove it.
I could tell you a story about their earlier days, but I can't on this forum, but it basically involved two cars apparently being sold as one (if you know what I mean).
Wouldn't go near the place,
jdc
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Thanks for your observations they were much as I thought they would be.
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Blagger.com is a site for people to leave positive/negative feedback about companies. I always look companies up there if I can.
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Plenty of naming and shaming there...
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FWIW both I and my ex wife bought our current cars from them, and are well satisfied. While I doubt we got the best price, they are a very convenient way to buy a car quickly. They don't force you to use their finance, and there was no hard sell. This was before their recent expansion programme though - I went to the original site, in Rochdale.
Indidentally, their own brand warranty is pretty good too. I had to have the pas pump replaced for the 1st MOT after I bought the car and it was all covered with no hassle. That one repair was worth the cost of the warranty on its own.
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They sell money and give cars away ,they work on the fact 10% of the population is gullable there prices are 25% over other sources plus the high interest rates makes it a money cow for them.
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"Apparently you can get away with offering *substantially* less than the screen price if you go in with cash..."
Under FSA rules that's probably illegal. Purchase price should not be dictated by method of payment.
The company is a good way of seeing a wide selection of cars if you don't know what exactly you want, but check price guides carefully and check the paperwork if taking out finance.
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Apparently you can get away with offering *substantially* less than the screen price if you go in with cash..."
Thats the last thing they want and actively ignore cash buyers but who in the right mind would buy cash from them.
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I don't know about Carcraft but I can confirm that other similar operators WILL sell cars for cash at well below screen price - legal or not. At the end of the day if they can take a profit then they will.
The core market for these operators is 'sub-prime' and 'problem' borrowers who cannot access cheaper means of credit. Its all about how much you can pay per week/month (never mind the APR!). I believe that they often assess the punter's financial circumstances first and then steer them to a particular car.
Its not a business I care for much - bottom feeders basically. Unfortunately we seem to have a large are growing number of people who are in financial difficulty (due in part to the tactics of the financial institutions themselves and the crazy housing market) so I suppose these companies will thrive and grow.
Bear in mind that at a typical 'quality' car supermarket the strategy is also very much to sell credit and 'extras'. A typical car supermarket credit penetration would be about 60%. Then there is the 'paint protection', 'tyre insurance' blah blah blah. Potentially there is a lot more profit from all of this that from the actual car.
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Under FSA rules that's probably illegal. Purchase price should not be dictated by method of payment.
Like BT, and DVLA then?
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AFAIK BT and DVLA aren't in the business of offering loans.
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Sorry, I thought the reference was to selling things at different prices depending on the payment method. BT charges higher prices unless you pay by direct debit, DVLA charge more for road tax bought by credit card.
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Their cars are all in the order of 2K over other supermarket prices. Last year they valued a Silver 2001 Mk3 Ford Mondeo 2.5 V6 Ghia X with 58k miles on at £3,500 part-ex when they had a blue one on the lot, with 49K on, for £7,999. Slightly less miles but less desirable colour and same condition. They do let you have as many test drives as you like though, some supermarkets don't. TBH you're better of going to the dealers.
Forgot to mention above, the top Parkers book price for the car was £5,999
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