I'm sure it's just because I'm a girl:suspect:

All I want to do is buy a Volkswagen Beetle. I know my stuff, I've done my homework. I know how much my car is worth as both a part ex OR a private sale and I have a rough idea how much the Beetle should cost but even so I'm treated like a foolish little girl to be taken advantage of....and told everything I think is rubbish. I don't want to spend £8k - a nice average miles x/y reg would do me (as long as it is green or yellow) but I just feel like I'm banging my head up a brick wall! One guy just refused to let me test drive one on his forecourt until I'd agreed to buy it and sorted out the finance - as not to waste his time!

Can anyone out there recommend a garage where I can be spoken to like the intelligent human being that I am where I won't get patronised OR ripped off? PLEASE!!!:)

Green is a very unpopular colour, it's very accident prone, so you might be in luck finding a cheap green car.

Calm down sweetheart ;)
Only messing :)

If all else fails then take a bloke with you. I know it shouldnt have to be that way but you know what car salesmen are like.

Can anyone out there recommend a garage where I can be spoken to like the intelligent human being that I am where I won't get patronised OR ripped off? PLEASE!!!:)

You will be lucky to find any second hand car dealers that wont at least try to rip you off. If you've done your research try and buy privately. Dont worry if they patronise you, just play along with it. They probably patronise anyone they suspect is not a pro car dealer type.

One guy just refused to let me test drive one on his forecourt until I'd agreed to buy it and sorted out the finance - as not to waste his time!
So play along with him ;)

If he hasn't let you test drive it, he'll have to let you have a 14 day cooling off period :D

But seriously, I'd report him to the FSA for his sales technique and probably trading standards too - just for good measure ;)

You will be lucky to find any second hand car dealers that wont at least try to rip you off. If you've done your research try and buy privately. Dont worry if they patronise you, just play along with it. They probably patronise anyone they suspect is not a pro car dealer type.


Isn't this risky though? No warranties etc? I know I can get the AA to do their check thingy which will minimize risk but do I fork out £150 quid or whatever it is for every car I want to buy?

I do need some finance too and my credit history is a little delicate (and yes I know i'll end up paying a higher apr but this is where my hands are tied)

If all else fails then take a bloke with you. I know it shouldnt have to be that way but you know what car salesmen are like.

This is what I'm going to have to do I think...it just annoys me!!!!:rant:

Arrange your own finance - we've found it cheaper in the past ;)

It also gives you more confidence when you're actually shopping

Consider carefully what outfit you wear when you are browsing - especially if you are a young female ;)

Consider carefully what outfit you wear when you are browsing - especially if you are a young female ;)

I like your style Strix:)

Thanks for the input guys - keep it coming. I'm calming down a bit now....Think I'll still bid on the VW daisy stickers on ebay...

If he hasn't let you test drive it, he'll have to let you have a 14 day cooling off period :D


Is this true? (What I mean is, according to which Act?!) And, does it only apply if they won't LET you have a test drive, or if you just don't have one?

Don't worry about it absynthfairy,
Car salesmen tend to loose their job after 6 months. So don't bother taking a business card from one of them at a main dealer, chances are they will have had their cards by the time you go back..

When you are talking to them grin and think about that if you think they are being smarmy.

my brother is a car salesman for BMW and he is ver patronising hahahaha

seriously though, if you've got £8k to spend on a car I'm selling mine - it not what you said though, its a toyota MR2 roadster VVTi 1.8 with a soft top - very nice...... :-)

seriously though, if you've got £8k to spend on a car I'm selling mine - it not what you said though, its a toyota MR2 roadster VVTi 1.8 with a soft top - very nice...... :-)

No ta! It's definately going to a Beetle - have wanted one since I was 15 and with my new promotion at work I can finally justify having one after 6 years of varying degrees of bangers. There's no rush - I'm not that impatient and will wait for the right one. Another few months can't hurt after 12 years of gazing longingly!

Is this true? (What I mean is, according to which Act?!) And, does it only apply if they won't LET you have a test drive, or if you just don't have one?
Actually, that probably requires further research, but doesn't it apply to presure selling of an item you haven't seen?

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/buying-selling/sale-supply/page8599.html

Go to a Car Supermarket as most of the salesmen are not on commission. Going to a main dealer you'll pay more and get someone wanting to boost their own wage.

Sell you car in autotrader or on here, then either get a £100 runabout or get a friends to run you about to look at ones for sale.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?nU=0&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=BEETLE&min_pr=75&max_pr=&postcode=S7%201HN&miles=40&max_records=50&modelexact=1&photo=1

Some top ones to consider.

If they won't let you test drive it, then just walk out. It's not worth the hastle.

Keep an eye on autotrader, you can get a nice deal on there, garages often advertise at well less than the screen price for some reason.