Believe they've been trading a while, but can't find any reviews. My sister (not put off internet car buying, despite my advice) tells me she's thinking of placing an order... Are they ANYTHING to do with New Car Discount?

Hi --- Stick the words, " UK-CAR-DISCOUNT " into Google for a bit of information and a few reviews, especially from the "Honestjohn" site.

As ever, always pay at least the deposit by credit card for protection under the consumer credit act 1974 ...that entitles you to the return of all the money paid, if the company should fail to deliver or enter receivership.

I thought they had gone bust?????

no, that was New-Car-Discount.. I know, they all sound the same...

Anyway, since my first question, I found out that there is a relationship between the two. Not a legal connection though, so it's not fair to mention it on a forum site.

I actually rang the people who did the 'winding-up stuff' for New Car Discount (Steve Durkins) and spoke to a man called John. They are supplying my sisters new car instead. I know there's no guarantees, but at least I've had previous experience and they seem quite a long-standing company.

Hi,

I was just wondering why you were considering buying from an internet site in the first place? Though I work in the motor trade, and have many contacts, I knew nobody from Skoda. I wanted a new Octavia vRS so went to the local main dealer and negotiated with them. I got a better deal than I could find online and had the peace of mind that I had someone to go back to if there were any faults etc.

It's all about trust - you don't know the company on the internet, and while i'm sure there are lots of good people doing good work in cyberspace, there are also the vultures. So I don't understand how there is a decision... Buy from a reputable main dealer and haggle to get what you want (which invariably you do), or buy from a faceless computer screen who may deliver the car and may not. Legally they are obliged to do what they promise, but it doesn't always work out like that, as many post on here are testament to.

Did your sister at least try to negotiate with your local dealer before hitting the net?

Rob

I used to work for an online retailer, and as you say there are vultures out there, and some badly run companies. You see complaints from a few people on here but how many people every day buy a car from an online company and are happy with it and don't post anything. The company I worked for sold upto 50 cars a week and the majority of these customer were extremely happy and reccomended us to their friends/family etc. I think you will find that the vast majority of people buying a car over the internet when dealing with the right company have a good experience.

If you can get the same deal from a dealer then there is no question - buy the car from the main dealer for piece of mind. Although in the present climate are you any safer buying from a main dealer? there must be a few of them on the brink of going under. Horners, For example, Skoda in Manchester I think it was recently where customers turned up to collect their cars and everything had gone, the company I think had gone into liquidation. There will be many more main dealers that are on the brink of this happening.

Buting a car over the internet, is quick, easy, no haggling with pushy salesmen to be done as the companies usually offer best price first time.

Regarding the pricing, with some brands you will be able to haggle and get the same deal from a dealer, with others, you might find the internet company gets you a fleet discount you are unable to obtain walking into a showroom yourself.

Either way, pay your deposit on credit card, then you are covered under the consumer credit act for the deposit and the balance.