Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: SMD on 04 September 2014, 22:07:20
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It's new car time and I'm sure by now people know I want to buy a Vauxhall Zafira B. I'm not exactly spoilt for choice though, there are only half a dozen petrol 1.8 Elites (but over 200 diesel ones :( ) which means I may have to travel to the far reaches of the country to find the right one.
I've been as far as Manchester from London to buy a car but I was young and hasty. Can anyone offer some advice on how to prepare for a long distance purchase, particularly when buying from a dealer - when they realise you've travelled 100+ miles to view a car might not be so willing to haggle because they will have sensed your commitment.
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It's new car time and I'm sure by now people know I want to buy a Vauxhall Zafira B. I'm not exactly spoilt for choice though, there are only half a dozen petrol 1.8 Elites (but over 200 diesel ones :( ) which means I may have to travel to the far reaches of the country to find the right one.
I've been as far as Manchester from London to buy a car but I was young and hasty. Can anyone offer some advice on how to prepare for a long distance purchase, particularly when buying from a dealer - when they realise you've travelled 100+ miles to view a car might not be so willing to haggle because they will have sensed your commitment.
Tell 'em you've got 3 more to view local to them while you're up there ;)
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Yes. That thought did occur to me ;)
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I bought my Omega 'blind' on ebay from a fella in Braintree, Essex and at the time I was living in Bristol. ::)
It turned out alright though as 8 years on we're still together! :y
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
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SMD you can always pay a small deposit over the phone to hold it, on the understanding that it be refunded if the cqr isn't to your satisfaction when you go to see it :y
Might even find that is a legal right under distance selling rules :-\
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Why tell the dealer you've travelled? ???
Just turn up and if he comments that you're not local, make out you're visiting relatives or something and thought you'd have a look around while there. :y
The only time the dealer needs to know where you are from is when he's filling out the paperwork! ;)
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
Very commendable ??? I even told him I had the folding with me. I suppose posh boy didn`t really need the £5k, but just wanted to sell the Speed Triple on his terms.
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
Very commendable ??? I even told him I had the folding with me. I suppose posh boy didn`t really need the £5k, but just wanted to sell the Speed Triple on his terms.
You missed the point............
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
Very commendable ??? I even told him I had the folding with me. I suppose posh boy didn`t really need the £5k, but just wanted to sell the Speed Triple on his terms.
There is a distinct lack of decency nowadays and the fact that your seller did not give into money is truly commendable. Most people are just greedy idiots that will have you travel for miles and sell the bike to someone else in the interim!
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
Very commendable ??? I even told him I had the folding with me. I suppose posh boy didn`t really need the £5k, but just wanted to sell the Speed Triple on his terms.
You missed the point............
He certainly has!
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Not far nowadays tbh. but I`m in the market for another bike.
Rang up a bloke about 20 miles away last Sunday morning re. his add on a well known web site. His answer was bizarre, " Well I want to sell the bike yah, but a guy is coming all the way down from Kent today to look at it & I promised not to sell until he`s looked first" ;D ;D ;D Bonkers or what. Cheeky bugger wanted to take my number & "will call me back if it`s still on the market" posh t w a t ::)
Numpty... What would you be saying if the bike was in Ramsgate and the seller sold it to some bloke from Dover whilst you were driving up from Pompey? He was actually offering to do you a favour...
I agree, his commitment to a possible buyer from afar should be applauded, if not necessarily good business sense....... :y
I have bought blind from ebay and was happy, I have bought from a distance by traveling and, despite all precautions bought a pup, yes it was a Mig...... :(
I am half looking for a car at the moment but am only looking locally, and only in a convenient area, rather than by distance as such; on auto trader currently looking........ ;) ;)
Very commendable ??? I even told him I had the folding with me. I suppose posh boy didn`t really need the £5k, but just wanted to sell the Speed Triple on his terms.
There is a distinct lack of decency nowadays and the fact that your seller did not give into money is truly commendable. Most people are just greedy idiots that will have you travel for miles and sell the bike to someone else in the interim!
Lighten up :) Being the greedy bugger I am, I may have done that when we sold swmbo`s Honda. Mind you the bloke that said he was driving up from Bournemouth never arrived or called to cancel. The little bird that did turn up even bought swmbo`s leathers after a try-on session :P. I rode the bike back down to Southampton for her by following her Mini. Bloody lowered seat, my Knee`s were touching my elbow`s
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Why tell the dealer you've travelled? ???
Just turn up and if he comments that you're not local, make out you're visiting relatives or something and thought you'd have a look around while there. :y
The only time the dealer needs to know where you are from is when he's filling out the paperwork! ;)
I don't want the car to be sold while I'm travelling and I think my cockney accent might give it away a bit. :)
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I went to go and see a C250 Estate (diesel) a few weeks ago, it was fairly local - however on my way there, phone call... "Sorry the person coming to see it later arrived early and I've sold it to him"
I was not happy... :o
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Why tell the dealer you've travelled? ???
Just turn up and if he comments that you're not local, make out you're visiting relatives or something and thought you'd have a look around while there. :y
The only time the dealer needs to know where you are from is when he's filling out the paperwork! ;)
I don't want the car to be sold while I'm travelling and I think my cockney accent might give it away a bit. :)
People move. We have a load of Suvverners that moved up here from Harlesden Heinz when that site was closed. :y
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I used to deal with a rental company in the 70s and wanted to buy an ex rental for personal use. So asked Rental co to look out for good Cavalier for me. Call came in to come and get a 5000 miler for about £2k 2 years old or so. Went down on train from Manchester to Hounslow area with bankers draft only to find that car had been on Orkneys or Shetland in oil business and was as rusty as he'll including engine compartment.
Luckily they had another vehicle I was able to go back with after a lot of negotiation.
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Given the sort of life zafiras have I drove round from Chester. Manchester. South Yorkshire and eventually found the right one in Stoke. Find the suitable ones on auto trader etc and plan a field trip.
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Cyprus :-X
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Cyprus :-X
Our 2 cars when I was a nipper came from there... ...mind you, we did live there for 5 years ;D
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Leeds.
For the right car, lands end to John o'groats.
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If it's the right car, i'd travel the country.
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I travelled from Northampton to Canvey Island to get mum's Fusion (needed to be Auto and there aren't that many).
Ended up going back home and having to go BACK after they'd donethe new MOT they insisted on even though it already had a ticket ??? but touch wood car's lovely and its nice downthere :)
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I once drove from Ipswich to North Yorkshire only for a bluff northerner to say 'tha's too late lad'
The tight bastard didn't even offer me a cup of tea. :-\
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Had a guy come to buy my T plate 2.5 miggy estate several years ago ,travelled all the way overnight from a place called Halkirk just south of John o groats to North Derbyshire with his missus kid & family cat in a cage in a old battered Honda civic bought my car without even looking at it or a test drive then asked me where the nearest scrappers was to dispose of the almost expired Civic! Well could have knocked me down with a feather on the spot then when I asked him when he,s travelling back north of the border said "oc no off to visit wifes family in Nuneaton (another 50 miles) then we all of on holiday to Cornwall cat & all " .Now thats what i call a leap of faith, emailed me 2 weeks later to say they had just arrived home after covering 1300 miles bonkers ::) ::) ps then theres the guy bought my Rover Sterling flew over from Galway & drove it all the way back apparently they never sold the Sterling in Ireland so there was quit a collectors market for them at the time again bonkers ::) ::)
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800 miles total, 400 round trip to see the car, Then 200 there on a train then 200 back in the car.. The car in question is my current 3.2 Elite... Was it worth it?.. Overall yes :y
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A few years ago I listed an accident damaged Honda Civic VTi (Rover 400 type) on ebay and I received a dozen offers to end the auction early, mainly from Poland.
I eventually sold it to a Polish chap for £550 who based in Ipswich but was on his way to Poland where he was going to repair it on the cheap and sell it for £3.5k
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Flew from uk to Italy to pick up car, all worked out well and kept it for 3 years.
It was a Sierra cosworth so it was a fun trip back !
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I live near Bristol, and buy cars on e-bay. I have realised that the bargain prices I get are undermined by travelling costs. I bought an Omega in Hartlepool 4 years ago for £300, and spent as much collecting it. Stupid. I bought a V6 Opel Omega in Haverforwest, went there on the train, jolly journey, but costly. I am learning now. Last car I bought was a 2.5 Omega estate in Portishead, 20 miles away. That was a bargain.
I get carried away buying on e-bay. I must calm down.
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Bristol :) Saved from the grasps of Robg ;D ;D ;D
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It's new car time and I'm sure by now people know I want to buy a Vauxhall Zafira B. I'm not exactly spoilt for choice though, there are only half a dozen petrol 1.8 Elites (but over 200 diesel ones :( ) which means I may have to travel to the far reaches of the country to find the right one.
I've been as far as Manchester from London to buy a car but I was young and hasty. Can anyone offer some advice on how to prepare for a long distance purchase, particularly when buying from a dealer - when they realise you've travelled 100+ miles to view a car might not be so willing to haggle because they will have sensed your commitment.
How far are you willing to travel...and do you drag the wife and kids along or head there on own via train.
Last Sunday we spotted a lovely looking Ford Galaxy on Autotrader (Dealer but works from home type) and I was so confident in the motor after speaking to seller I gave a £100 deposit over the phone.
Agreed with hire Company to return the Zafira back to them near where I was collecting our Galaxy...luckily we arrived at the sellers house before him,had a poke about and unlike me I actually had a look under the car,found coolant dripping,when he arrived had a proper look around it and went on test drive...came back and long story short when I checked the coolant,it was so pressurised it was like a bomb exploding when I started to undo cap...coverd both of us.
Cheeky sod must have known head gasket was shot and kept quite...that's after he was told it was a 130mile trip each way and we had to bring our kids,the bloke still refused to accept it was head gasket despite it being obvious to a blind man.
So a 260 mile round trip costing about £35 in fuel and about 9 hours traveling (coffee stops/wee breaks/kids hungry/daddy falling asleep etc) for a wasted journey.
Few days later...off down to Slough to look at a car that's under priced...over spec and sounds to good to be true...oh here we go again im thinking (bones will be broken if so) yet im gobsmacked at the owners (probably a dealer on quite lol) honesty and the fact the car is a complete peach...even has half a tank of diesel and drives like a much newer car.
Best bit is he listed it for £2150 (bargain) told the wife it was £2000 on the phone and let me have it for £1950...talk about total opposite of the previous car and seller.
Ive been from Huntingdon to Carlisle to buy a Sierra 4x4 2.9i....that was a long slog,but was off a forum member so knew it wouldn't be far off as described.
But for Omega"s...bought two so far from members off here...lovely lovely lovely Green Saloon 2.5 off a chap up north somewhere (Sunderland possibly...deal was done in Train station car park and was told to bugger off by station worker as not allowed to do deals on there car park...if your still on here hello,loved that car...lol.)
Other was off member from Reading...again a lovely Estate in Black...One of the best cars ive had,think I sold it in the end as was Manual).