UK Direct - any positive / negative experiences?

me a mom

All,

Sorry have tried going back over previous posts but can only see complaints re: amounts of quantity and quality of advertisements / stock levels etc. If there are previous relevant posts apologies but just cant find them....

I am not overly precious about exact car I get....want a particular model, reasonable mileage etc. so as long as they can source car within those parametersgreat.....

I have been looking at UK / NI sites and UK Direct are a bit more expensive but at least I wont have to pay for planes, ferries etc.

Anyone have experience of them good, bad, indifferent? PLEASE!

Thanks

M

dirtydiesel

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055842729&highlight=direct+cars

Mc Love

Good bit of info on this thread

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055781291&highlight=direct

me a mom

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately I had seen those posts and they dont really give me any information on people who have dealt with ....has no one with experience using them?

I dont mind if car isn't in this country just want a particular make, model, spec etc.....but I do want to make sure they source good & reliable cars....

The car I am looking at is at least 4k more expensive through Irish dealers - noone willing to negotiate on price (max is 350 less - nothing).....

Yes maybe I could save approx 500 - 1k going to UK myself but with cost of flights, ferries, credit finance checks, days off work (getting car, sorting VRT) etc and what with being 37 weeks pregnant and other kids at home it would be great to have someone do the leg work for me!:)

So anyone with experience of purchasing off them / dealing with them please?

Thanks

M

Asha

Hi OP

As I have posted previously I got my car off these guys. Might be another option for you.

http://www.dreamcars.ie

Big Nasty

OP - as you know they source cars in the UK that may or may not be advertised by them etc. or may even be something slightly different to what they have advertised, etc.

Apart from that, the lack of comments here is probably a good thing. I.e. - we may not like what they do (have 5k units on various sites when maybe 50 of them are actually on Irish soil) but nobody seems to be able to say, 'I bought from them and they are s***e!' No news is good news and all that!

If you're just after a generic car and they can save you money and hassle why not try them out?

me a mom

Thanks for replies.

Just sent web enquiry to Dream Cars to see what they come up with....thanks for tip.

Yes, I cant find negative feedback in relation to actual purchases anywhere which as you say is good news:)! I'll mull over it another week or so but if I go ahead I will def. post back!

Just nervous I suppose dealing with the 'unknown factor'. I have to pay 1k deposit which is fully refundable (Ill also pay on Visa:p)....so I suppose will get my own mechanic to check things out once car arrives in country - they estimate around 7 working days. Wont actually pay over anything else until all signed off by my own mechanic.....

M

Mc Love

Just go do it yourself - its easier than you think!!!

And cheaper

me a mom

Thanks McLove I would go do it myself but being 37 weeks pregnant complicates things! The car I am looking at is working out around 500 cheaper doing it myself than UK Direct quoting me - thats without factoring in ferries, planes and credit finance / motor checks etc......have investigated getting it myself and was going to go ahead but UK Direct offering me pretty much same car (maybe bit higher mileage) for same / lower price......concern probably is if it sounds too good to be true then is it??

samsemtex

Do this lot not just advertise cars that are available from Cargiant.co.uk on carzone and then pretend that they have them. Why would you not just go over to england yourself and get the car. Cargiant will not negotiate with anyone on prices so its very unlikely you are getting a deal. Obviously they have to add their own commission to this.

I can see this idea being a failure soon though with the Pound strengthening.

Mc Love

The lady in the VRO said they have noticed a sharp drop in cars being imported.

You a Mom - should def thinking of getting someone to go over for you. Get the AA vehicle inspection done and of course Data check before so you get discount on vehicle inspection

-Chris-

It's surprising how few people actually post to say they've had any successful dealings with UKDirect. Every thread just involves people bickering over whether their business model is a good idea or not, nobody seems to actually have done business with them.

I'd also be dubious of the "no news is good news" philosophy - I'd put far more weight on a recommendation than an anonymous internet put-down, look for someone who can actually say they're a worthwhile company to deal with.


If specific information is generally lacking, the best advice I can give you is to trust your gut (and that's advice from a car salesman). Go to the garage, check them out, ask loads of questions. If anything feels wrong or if you're not happy with the way you're treated or how your questions are answered, just walk away. There are plenty of companies offering the same service, and probably the same cars.

-Chris-

Also, post a link to any car you're looking at here. You'll get plenty of good advice about the pros and cons of what you're looking at.

samsemtex

UK direct - Audi A4 TDI 170 s-line
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/2.0-TDi-/201009197148413/advert?channel=CARS

€21,400

Car Giant - Audi A4 TDI 170 s-line
http://www.cargiant.co.uk/Audi/A4/details-452801-Audi-A4.asp

€13,232 + €3,192 VRT + €150 ferry =€16, 574

Thats a lorra, lorra money just to have them bring it over to you.

You'd want to be mad/very lazy to buy off these lot.

mickotoole

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but I would rather build on an existing thread regarding UK Direct.

I bought a 2008 Honda Accord from UK Direct at the start of July. As was mentioned in earlier posts they do require a 7 days turnaround to bring the car in from the UK but that didn't bother me.

I called up to their car lot in Man-O-War in North Dublin to see the car.

When I got there I took the car out for a test drive and found nothing wrong with the car. When I got back to the lot I checked the bodywork and under the hood, basically I gave the car a good once over. The car had a full service history so I was happy. Another thing that put my mind at ease was the it was still under the Honda warranty.

I did notice that (perhaps when it was being valeted) the ashtray was missing. I mentioned this to the sales guy and he told me that they would contact the supplier in the UK and get a replacement for me.

I was also only given one key and I was also told that they would source the second key from the supplier.

Fast forward 7 weeks and I am still waiting on my key and ashtray.
I have had a few emails back and forth with UKDirect and they tell me that they are still trying to get the ashtray and key for me but I'm still waiting.

I guess the moral of this story is that if you are looking for after sales service from them you might be waiting, as far as the car is concerned it's running great and I've not had any problems with it.

When I hear back from UK Direct regarding the ashtray and key I'll update this post, until then I'm hoping that this review helps some of you out there.

Pkiernan

After 7 weeks, it is unlikely they will be sorting you out.

A coded key and ashtray could run you over €250. I would try writing a letter saying you will bring them to Small Claims Court for the cost of the items.

Anan1

Pkiernan wrote: »

After 7 weeks, it is unlikely they will be sorting you out.

A coded key and ashtray could run you over €250. I would try writing a letter saying you will bring them to Small Claims Court for the cost of the items.

+1. Also, and not meaning to worry you unnecessarily, but did you verify the service history with the garages who stamped the book? I always ring all of them to make sure.