Exposing The Tricks And Scams Of Rogue Scrap Dealers
With over 90 years’ experience collecting scrap, faulty, non-runner and damaged vehicles we’ve seen it all when it comes to underhand scrap car tricks and scams. We hate the idea of our customers getting caught out, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help stop you falling victim to a rogue scrap dealer.
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1. Prices Too Good To Be True
How does that old saying go? If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is! Some scrap dealers will try and catch you out by offering to pay a minimum price of say £200 for your car with absolutely zero intention of paying this amount. You may be thinking you’re quids in as you see the offer and look back at your old banger, but it’s the scrap car dealer who’s reeling you in.
These dealers are interested only in cars that have a high scrap value, so if yours doesn’t fit the bill don’t be surprised if you’re kept waiting (and waiting) for a collection slot that never arrives.
We have no problem collecting cars, regardless of whether, or not its scrap value is high. Our advanced pricing technology factors in market prices, vehicle weight and value of salvageable parts to give you a fair and competitive price for your scrap or unwanted car or van.
2. Surprise Haggling
Remember to be aware of companies that won’t stick to a fixed price on your car, because chances are, they will try every haggling tactic under the sun with you when they turn up to collect.
A rogue trader will often try to identify faults with your vehicle and try to knock you down on the price that they originally quoted you. What’s worse, these issues likely will have minimal impact upon the scrap value of the car.
Another tactic used is trying to renegotiate based upon missing paperwork, specifically the V5C, or as it’s commonly known ‘the logbook’. If you are selling your car for scrap the V5C isn’t essential. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to see the value of your scrap car re-negotiated if you fail to provide this. However, please be mindful that if your car is being quoted at better than scrap value, the V5C being present factors into this valuation.
This haggling tactic is not only frustrating but increases the likelihood that you’ll get fed up of getting messed around, cut your losses and accept the rogue dealer’s counter-offer.
Haggling is a bugbear of ours and has no place in how we operate. Nobody wants a seemingly great price dangled in their face to have it swiftly taken away at the last second. Provided you accurately and truthfully describe the car or van you’re looking to sell we’ll pay you the price we’ve quoted. It really is as simple as that!
3. Imposter Scrap Car Collection
This is a relatively new scam that we’ve seen and yes, it’s as brazen as they come! In almost all cases when you’re shopping around for the best price for your scrap car or researching how much your car is worth you will get quotes from at least a couple of companies.
We’ve had some of our customers fall victim to this scam and don’t want you to get caught out. Put simply, you might think you’re selling your car to ‘Charles Trent’ but in all reality it could be anyone!
In some cases other companies you received quotes from may contact you after you’ve agreed to sell your car to us but before the agreed collection has happened. This is done in the hope that you might let slip the date and time of collection and other valuable information, such as the amount you were quoted and who ended up opting to sell your car to. This may seem innocuous, but it gives a window of opportunity for the imposter scrap dealer to turn up at your address before we do, pretend to be us and leave with your car.
In the absolute best-case scenario this imposter matches the amount we offered to pay, takes your car away and recycles it properly. However, the chances of this happening are slim to none. The reality is that you will part with your car after being haggled on price with absolutely no idea of where your vehicle is headed, whether you’ll ever receive payment for the car or what will be done with it. A worst-case scenario would see a potentially dangerous faulty vehicle end up back on the road without your knowing.
Hassle-Free Scrap Car Collection
We are a fourth-generation family run, fully licensed and registered Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), collecting more than 40,000 vehicles each year. Get peace of mind by choosing Charles Trent to collect your scrap, faulty, damaged or simply unwanted car or van. Simply enter your vehicle registration and postcode now to get an instant free online quote.