Webuyanycar in OFT investigation

[Paul]

Online used car buyer Webuyanycar.com is making changes to its business following an Office of Fair Trading probe.

The OFT found nearly 96 per cent of customers who sold their car to webuyanycar.com received less for their vehicle than the original website valuation.

The OFT said consumers were given the impression that they would be paid the online valuation if the company’s onsite inspection matched the condition entered by the seller online.

But once at the appointment, some customers found that other factors reduced the final price from the headline valuation

The OFT also found vehicle inspectors were set targets regarding the purchase of vehicles.

“The company fully cooperated with the OFT’s investigation. Whilst the company and its directors believe that their business practices complied with the law, they have agreed to make changes in light of the OFT’s investigation,” the OFT said.

According to the OFT Webuyanycar has agreed to:

* Make clear that the website valuation is not a price at which the company is offering to buy the consumer’s car and that a range of other factors might be taken into account
* Not set targets for vehicle inspectors which have the potential to encourage them to reduce the valuation offered for inappropriate reasons
* Not deduct from the final price the amount of any refund available to the customer from the DVLA for the road tax remaining on the car

[makeitfit]

We got a valuation last year for a larf on my truck It was several 10s of pounds , I was tempted
I can't believe it's taken so long or that people are so thick as to sell to them in the first place

[R1cho]

webuyanycar.CON sorry had to correct your typo

[Paul]

Originally Posted by R1cho

webuyanycar.CON sorry had to correct your typo

Sorry did not see it..

[iain.s]

Got A valuation off them about A year ago about A quarter of price being asked for same car on auto trader

[kitchenman]

They offered me £50 for my BX, scrapper took it away for £175, it was still a runner with 6 months MOT, had to make room for the Mav

[macabethiel]

I think they are a last resort for the desperate or vulnerable people such as the recently bereaved who are left with a car they cannot drive.

Not sure how they compare to auction prices. I valued my Mini recently on the website and the price they gave for a 2003 plate Mini Cooper Auto with 39,000 miles & Pan Roof was £2,750. (I disclosed some vandal damage down side)

Later had loads of follow up e-mails from them but in all honesty it was out of idle curiosity as I will keep my motor for some years to come unless it starts costing a fortune in maintainance.

To be fair if you go to a dealer with a car you want to sell very few will buy at all and if they do its at low prices so nothing new really in what they are doing in terms of them wanting a bargain.

Like cash for gold they are in it to make money not to give you a fair price !!

[jims-terrano]

If you think about it, would you really expect anything else? they are a business not a charity. You have to feel that companies who buy items from you what ever they are seem to prey on the vulnerable people. It must be quite attractive to off load for some money with no come backs when you are desperate.

Jim

[clivvy]

well, last time i looked im sure it does state in the small print that they will assess your car during the appointment, and make a final offer...??

still, its a hugely misleading business practice...

[larson]

there only making a living and if your mug enough you will get spanked (unfortunatly for some). do we pay full price when we go look at a motor? i never have.

larson