Why Is A Car I Like Cheaper On An 'Online Price'

[Treacle71]

I saw a used car I liked on a car dealership website (proper car dealer). I went to look at it in the showroom today (well, it was in the forecourt). I asked to sit in it etc, but he came out with a price £2,000 more expensive than the 'online price' advertised on their website. Why the difference? Why an online cheaper price?

Thanking you in advance.

[ToraToraTora]

He saw you comming?

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe they don't expect haggling on the Net, whereas they assume a potential buyer will try for £2k off in the showroom.

[Gizmonster]

I would have just asked the guy in the showroom  :)

[Redhelen72]

Sit in the car try it out and if you like it buy it online.

why is it cheaper online, perhaps because of commission if it was bought in the showroom 

[Treacle71]

I walked away, Gizmonster. I need a car with a bigger boot, and he wanted to know why?  

[Hopkirk]

You are wise to research before going. It told you the maximum price you had to pay them, as you could easily quote their online price to them.

Most sensible people would then try to bargain it even cheaper.

[Old_Geezer]

So you told him that you couldn't possibly get all the bodies into a boot that small ?

[barry1010]

When you buy online there is no test drive, no commission for the salesperson and no haggling. 

No chance of asking for things to be replaced or upgraded as a condition of sale. No 'throw in a .....' or 'fill the tank up'.

 

 

[zebo]

My daughter and family bought on line, apparently you have a 7 day period to return it for a full refund and they will also deal with any problems that come up in the warrenty period through local garages.  They were very pleased with their experience, it was considerably cheaper than going to a local main dealer.  No you can't blag odd extras but as your saving to much maybe they don't matter so much.

[Zacs-Master]

There's no real reason why you should have gone to view a car and then decided the boot was too small. Every element of a car is researcheable. As for why it was £2k cheaper on line.....I have no idea. 

[barry1010]

The law states 14 days return for cars bought online but you could still lose money in cancellation fees for insurance and lose some road tax

[barry1010]

I wouldn't buy any car if I had not seen an identical model.

Reading the stats and figures does not help me visualise the size of the boot, the headroom, the blind spots and a hundred of other things I need to see, feel and experience 

[Zacs-Master]

'Reading the stats and figures does not help me visualise the size of the boot'
no but a video, and photos, which most car adverts come with would. 
I agree though, I would never buy a car without a test drive. 

[DarceyK123]

You did the absolutely right thing going to see the car first, i wouldn't buy a car i hadnt test driven, too much hassle getting a refund if you buy it and dont like it.

The stats for sizes of things like the boot are not always helpful, you have to see it if its important.

If you ever in a similar situation and dont feel comfortable haggling why not test drive the car and if you like it go home and buy it on line?

I did that with a sofa once when the salesman wouldn't match the on line price.