tarquin trousers

trying to sell the scoob and had arranged to meet a potential buyer. He took it out for a spin and was very complimentary on how well she performed. It all went horribly wrong when it came to service history.

One way or another, a few stamps are missing. I have receipts documenting all work that has been carried out (in my opinion, this is better). He wasn't having any of it. I said to him I could easily get it stamped and he'd be none the wiser, so surely receipt are better!!!

He was incredibly damning and I am now feeling angry at his inferrence that the car was not all it was supposed to be. If anything, I'm too honest about its history, and hand on heart, the car is exceptionally clean and an absolute bargain for the person who eventually buys it.

What am I doing wrong? what are peoples generl opinions on the validity of service history stamps??

incidently www.snurl.com/1ra1 is an add for the car...honest answers please (not too crtitical, 'cos I don't know if I can take the rejection!!!)

GaryScoobNCBR

i can only imagine that if the cars got a full history then there no reason it shouldn't be stamped.

Squizz

It is a shame, and I can understand that you feel slighted by his opinion...

However - personally, I'd have resolved the stamp situation with the dealership(s) before I advertised the car. It's a buyers market for scoobs at the moment, so why have any hint of doubt over the car you're buying when another has no such question mark?

Don't worry, get the stamps sorted and away you go.

Edited to add:

I've had to return to my dealership on one occasion (at expense in terms of time and cost! ) to get them to stamp my service book. They should have no problem doing it, as they simply check versus the computerised service records and stamp it for ya.


[Edited by Squizz - 7/16/2003 9:38:14 AM]

pban

I would have to see all the reciepts, stamps can easily be fabricated.

I bought a Forester for the wife from a dealership. The reciepts for the services were missing but the book was fully stamped. I insisted they proved the history so they took me to see thier computer system with the cars full history from PDI to the last service. I still don't have the reciepts as they were never supplied with the car from the previous owner, but I do have print outs of the history from the garage.

Still the reciepts should be enough to prove service histoy IMHO

Treacle

Sorry, i have to agree with squizz . There are so many cars with stamped history that there is no need to buy a car without it . This is really frustrating for you, as you know the cars history, but to the buyer who doesn't know you it's possible cause for concern . I suggest going back to the garage and seeing if they'll stamp up the book . Shouldn't be a problem if they did the work and you still have all the receipts, and wait for another buyer .Good luck.

Scooby96

Just try selling a WRX!!!

Shark

Stamps mean nothing IMO. I would much rather see a file of invoices detailing exactly what was done at each service.

David

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

David, If required could any Subaru Dealer provide a print off of services that have been carried out on a specific car?

Cheers

Guy

tarquin trousers

hurrah!! thankyou, I agree, but for those who trust in a rubber stamp, I will be looking to bridge the gap in the book and get it sorted. none-the-less, as already mentioned, it is a buyers market, and damn it...i'm a seller!!!

shall, I mention that it has been driven by one carefull lady owner?

Duck_Pond

My brother is the Used Car Sales Manager at a branch of Evans Halshaw and he said a couple of weeks back, a potential customer was trying to trade in an RB5. Said the car looked immaculate, but had no service history to speak of, and thus his dealership wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I can't see why you'd not get the car serviced by a proper dealer. Just makes sense. Doesn't cost that much either. Servicing the Scooby I have now costs no more than the Celica I had before.

Brun

STi v4

Leslie

Maybe he was hoping to get you to drop the price by behaving like that. Some people will try anything!. I can imagine how you found it upsetting too. As you say,get the stamps sorted and there is no excuse then.

Les

Boro

iTrader: (1)

My advice, being a sales manager too at a car dealer. Get the book stamped and get the printout(s) from whichever garage has serviced the car.

I often get cars with missing stamps, its easy for the service department to forget to stamp the book but they HAVE to put it onto the computer system in order to print an invoice.

Edited to say: PS, if your buyer still isnt happy, give him the address, telephone number of the garage and he can check himself

[Edited by Boro - 7/16/2003 10:56:39 AM]

tarquin trousers

most dealerships won't touch the imports. I begrudge so called 'subaru specialists'that charge #50 to change the mid section to get it through an MOT...charge you a fee for disposal etc, when the reality is they are no better than some local garages who have years of experience working on turbo cars i.e. cossies etc, and charge #15 instead, and do a far better job, with no hidden costs. Maybe I've just been unfortunate, maybe many of you have just been lucky.

The guy did ask me what the cheapest price I would let the car go for.....so maybe he was chancing it!

Attu

You do say im the advert that a Full service history is included, now to most people that meens its got a fully stamped service book as proof.
Yes you can get the book stamped with out the service if oyu know some one but you can also get a reciept the same way.
Have the stamps been missed since youve owned the car ? if so try and get it stamped, as people have said before its a buyers market and there are alot of cars to choose from.

Andy

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Another point with FSH (maybe not in your case) is car that is fully stamped, but has had services carried out after the date/miles that they should have been done. (i.e 3 months late). To me, that is not "full" service history as the car has'nt been serviced on time.

Anyhoo, it still very dependant on how well the garage services the car and if the onwer has done "additional or intensive" services rather than just the basic ones.

For example I know someone who was Sold a BMW by a dealership. It was "just" serviced and a umpteen point inspection. We noticed on a test drive (prior to service and inspection) that the coolant light was on, pointed it out etc.

Bought the car, it was serviced and inspected, drove it home to find the light still on - the coolant cap was loose and it boiled out the coolant! Could have been nasty, but luckily the engine was ok. But it shows that a car with FSH is not always well maintained.

[Edited by ALi-B - 7/16/2003 11:11:37 AM]

Boro

iTrader: (1)

Lets face it, anyone can buy a rubber stamp and these day with scanners and laser printers anyone can produce genuine looking receipts. THE ONLY real way of checking a cars history is to do the leg work, ie ringing the dealer and making sure its been serviced and that the dealer IS a dealer.

Shark

Guy

Yes, most dealers store service history on computer.

David

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Thanks

Duck_Pond

Furry muff - had my blinkers on earlier and hadn't thought about imports.

You could always sell it on Ebay. There was a 2 pence coin for sale on there yesterday... with a leading bid of £10.50.