Having hard time in Garages

Rmgblue

Ive been to two garages recently with the intention of trading in my car against either a PCP or Second hand option. One garage asked me to leave my details and basically ran me without as much as looking at my car. Second car valued my car at 10,000 less than a lower spec they currently have for sale on their forecourt and without even entertaining me and thrashing out a few offers. Any thoughts on this? Are dealers over run with second hand cars? Carzone has my car valued at 38,000 (a pipe dream I know) and there isn’t a single one for sale in Ireland at the min. I’m not in a hurry to sell and definitely putting it on the long finger now due to the lack of interest in both garages.

User1998

Carzone valuation is not accurate. Dealers definitely aren’t over run with second hand cars. Quite the opposite. What car is it? Year, mileage, etc.

Dealers have to make profit on your car, prep, service, valet, give warranty, pay overheads, pay VAT on the sale, etc.

Rmgblue

A200 Merc 192, just under 60,000km

edited to add it had just been serviced and fully valeted at this garage that undervalued (imo) it. Always been serviced in this garage

User1998

Well theres a lower spec one as a private sale listed at €25k, realistically it would sell for around €23k, so I’d imagine the trade value of yours is in and around that, considering the garage could go out and buy one for that price if they wanted.

Rmgblue

Fair enough, I was probably a bit naïve thinking it was much higher value. It’s worth more to me than that. Reluctant to sell anyway. Baby on the way is forcing my hand but il sit tight for a little while and see options in the new year maybe

standardg60

Sell the car privately if you're not happy with the valuation.

Having to re-sell a car and all that entertains has a lot to do with what you may be offered on a trade in.

Rmgblue

Something I might consider alright. I don’t know what I expected I just thought they’d at least encourage me to buy, and they didn’t. The experience in the first garage was entirely bizarre - leave us your details and we will give you a ring type of thing.

@User1998 i can’t find that car you have mentioned. There is nothing of the same spec as mine and closest is still priced at 35,000

User1998

As I said, its lower spec. But you get the jist.

Is yours AMG? You didn’t mention.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/32415789

Rmgblue

Done Deal. Gotcha. Not AMG, just AMG line. Brought in from the uk pre all the new fees

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772147#Comment_119772147

How big is the baby that's on the way? Why won't it fit in an A Class?

Squatman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058268368/having-hard-time-in-garages

Expecting €38k for it, even as a pipe dream is crack cocaine levels of delusion. i particularly like how you went with the calculator, and not similar adds on the same website. Good luck with sale. I dont think at that value anyone would part with cash on a private sale.

Rmgblue

Wasn’t at all expecting 38,000 for it. I only mentioned it as a value as it’s all I had to go on prior to me querying with the professionals. Hard to compare with similar ads when there are literally none. It’s like you didn’t read my posts at all - my initial queries are outlined in OP if you’ve any interest in starting again.

@citizen6 no room in front passenger seat with car seat in the rear. Thinking more medium term than short. Will reevaluate and see what way money is in the new year

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772368#Comment_119772368

That shouldn't be a problem in the shorter term. Seats like the Maxi Cosi for new borns don't affect front seat too much. But then that changes when they need a bigger seat.

Casati

A200 is 163bhp, presumably auto and AMG Line is a great spec - i.e. a totally different car to bog standard, plastic seated, 109 bhp manual in flat black - i.e not a fair comparison imo

Looking quickly you might get a VAT qualifying in the UK for £18k plus €6k VRT so landed here inc transport the cheapest a dealer could import one is circa €26k/ €27k. - i.e. they would hunt out one less than 3 years old/ vat qualifying.

Hence multi dealers are pricing them at €31k/ €32k - like this one https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-a-class-a200-amg-line-finance-arr/30747117

Im not sure its a super popular car here so even a main dealer could sit on it for a while so might not be jumping for joy to buy another - I quite like and its v possible that dealer you went to with the lower spec one asking big money, got caught paying too much for it.

Im thinking it could be worth up to 27k private and maybe 25k to a dealer. You might do better however trading it into a multi-dealer who has something you like but also doesn't have to get the average Merc main dealer margin

walterking

Wrong time of year. They will be applying 2023 valuations. Also chip shortage is all but over, a market slowdown is coming (especially in the UK) and deals will be back on the table next year.

KaneToad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772652#Comment_119772652

Is this true or wishful thinking?

Rmgblue

Thanks @Casati & @walterking. Both make sense and make it a little easier to understand their disinterest. Aware in the current climate that the sellers just might not be out there at this time of year too.

@citizen6 thanks too to you. I will be good for first 6 months hopefully so. Love the car so happy enough with that news

bazz26

You should try getting an offer to buy from the likes of zucar.ie, betterdeal.ie, etc. You can upload photos and they will give you a valuation (pending inspection). Could be better than trading it in.

GusGus

I really no doubt that you would do any better with those websites - you’d be mad to go with them as generally they offer rock bottom.

garages in my experience do really want stock but given the present state of getting new cars they will not offer huge trade in value . Just because they havea car on -line for say €25000 - this would mean you’d be lucky to have had €20000 offered as a trade in value . They will talk about VAT, service , warranty , depreciation, risk and of course their profit -

agree with poster - give it a year or two and deals will be back as the shortage of cars will ease .

bazz26

Sorry but that's not always true. I got offered a bit more for my car by the dealers of those websites than I did trading it in. My car isn't a cheap banger either. My point is it's another option to explore.

Squatman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772368#Comment_119772368

no point, i think you are beyond helping, if you cant grasp how the principles of buying and selling cars.- I wasnt expected 38k for it, thats why i mentioned it in my original post cos its soo helpful to articulate why i cant add depreciation onto my own car.

In summary, to answer you question "Any thoughts on this" send in an adult to represent you on financial or automative matters and ask them the break down the conversation into small words that are easy to understand. Effectively , tell your representative to talk to you as if youre a child.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058268368/having-hard-time-in-garages

Got similar story about dealers. Why the lack of interest? Yep the Carzone values are way too high, again why?

Murph85

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772147#Comment_119772147

Can the existing car not take a car seat ?

Rmgblue

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779202#Comment_119779202

Beyond helping! Ha, the king of the buying and selling forum has spoken. How are you so knowledgeable? And why not share your thoughts on it. I’m just a silly little girl, dumb it down for me. Wait no don’t bother. Just sold it for €35,000 privately

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779750#Comment_119779750

You sold it privately for €35k? You didn’t even have it advertised two days ago?

Rmgblue

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779889#Comment_119779889

I know! Threw it up on a local fb page to gauge interest. Was valeted so seemed like great timing!

pale rider

The tread has moved off topic.

i am also having a hard time getting dealers to call me back and I can buy straight or trade, it’s a pain at the moment but won’t always be.

having a GM tell us he will call back Monday with a trade in valuation and then ghost us is rude at best and very arrogant.

premium brand by the way but not a premium experience.

Padre_Pio

Customer service in main dealers is always crap unless you're spending big.

Part of it depends on you though.

If you came in looking for 10k more than they want to pay, then they're wasting their time with you.

Rmgblue

My experience primarily too. The first garage in particular - we’ll call you? No I’m here now to talk. It didn’t make sense that they weren’t at least going to try sell me something on site - I’m open to options but won’t be shopping in either garage going forward

bazz26

Current demand for cars is outstripping supply of them so it draws arrogance and ignorance in the motor trade. Won't be like that always though, the dark clouds of the rising cost of credit and spiralling cost of living haven't really rolled in yet but it usually takes time for that to bring certain areas of the economy back down to earth with a bang.

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119781445#Comment_119781445

Exactly. I remember selling a car in 2006 or early 2007 and salesmen hardly lifting their heads when I went in to look at cars that I wanted to buy that day.

The chip shortage and lack of seccondhands has had a similar effect this time. This cost of living crisis and the jump in interest rates coupled with the mad price of new cars is going to bite main dealers hard

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779926#Comment_119779926

Jesus you sold a 35k car on Facebook. I always classed FB like adverts when trying to sell something.

Rmgblue

Yea same! But previous car I advertised on car zone - no calls. Stuck it on FB then and sold within an hour to a local lad. Wouldn’t be my thing but said I’d chance it again not really expecting much but went well.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119772627#Comment_119772627

You forgot VAT and import duty on the import. Aren't they due now also?

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779202#Comment_119779202

Jesus Christ.

Buddy Bubs

You need to match with a particular garage. I sold 2 cars recently, my Audi A6 and the GFs Toyota CHR. Got trade in values for both of them against an EV I was buying. The garage offered very low on the Audi so I sold it privately for 3.5k more than they offered me.

The Toyota attracted a great offer so traded that in against the EV. They never even advertised it and it was sold in 2 days. They knew had a buyer for a relatively new Toyota SUV hybrid and valued it accordingly. They would have had to farm the older Audi out to the trade I imagine.

So have a look around

walterking

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119781774#Comment_119781774

You just need the right person at the right time. A neighbour heading to USA for a couple of years sold her car after putting it up on FB and asking friends to share it.

She was looking for €25k

It surprised me, but someone was looking for the particular car and they connected

rodge123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058268368/having-hard-time-in-garages

I don’t suppose one of them was a main Merc dealer in north Dublin? Had the worst experience ever in one last year, was genuinely interested in getting new car but they never followed up with me. Sales guy was completely clueless about their own products on the day also…wouldn’t ever visit the place again. In comparison a main merc dealer I contacted in west of Ireland was the complete opposite.

Ended up getting a new BMW instead anyway! 😂

Rmgblue

Yes, yes it was!!

pale rider

I wanted a new NX 450H Hybrid plug in and another SIMI priced it with a Lexus dealer, a price was quoted and a deal agreed that I was happy with, I sent my dealer a deposit that afternoon.

later that day the Lexus salesman called back and said he had to have the paint protection (€500 ) and essential pack (mudflaps and boot liner - €445 ) added on or he would not take the order, After dwelling on it for a few days and after contacting Lexus Ireland who were useless I decided to hold out another while, imagine not honouring a price agreed with another dealer and simply being arrogant to bolt accessories on, accessories the end user and payer ( me ) did not want, they can stuff their ' premium ' product.

I wouldnt mind but that was my first choice but I'm no mug, money is hard earned and business and customer loyalty similar, in this case it was about money for nothing, nothing I valued anyway, also its hard to trust them down the line with carry on like that from the off.

bazz26

These car manufacturers and dealers are now no better than the estate agents and property developers of the Celtic Tiger era. They know this bubble of demand outstripping supply won't last so are trying to bleed every last penny out of customers while they can. Some of the stories I've heard about how people have been treated round gouging of prices as well as if you don't want it someone else will, from both car manufacturers and dealers is beyond belief. Their thinking is that if someone is still willing to wait this long for a new car and isn't cancelling because of their desire to have it or the cost of living crises isn't effecting them then their is more money to be got from them.

But people putting up with constant price hikes, delivery times being pushed out, no information on delivery at all or renegotiating trade in values and virtually being spat in the face need to walk way. If enough do it then it will put some manners on them. Accepting all of that carry on because the desire to have the car is so stronger just endorses what they do while they laugh behind your back as you drive away.

Casati

Poor form to increase price (via extras) after the deal was done but can you advise why you were dealing with the Lexus dealer via another SIMI dealer and not directly with them? Surely adding a middle man increases the price?

pale rider

He was doing me a favour on the basis that it’s usual for the trade to get a better price than the public, usually he is in the deal but wasn’t this time as there was no real savings, have bought new cars from them for years, differing manufacturers.

Wouid have liked that Lexus but I’ll get something else, I can’t abide that carry on, might be different if I was financing as these add ons are hidden in the monthly payment.