The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
When my mother lived in Holbeach, she insisted on using Fleet Road Garage, even after being advised by our family not to.
She bought cars off them which were far too expensive for what they were worth, and sold cars to them for half the value that the car was actually worth.
My mother, was a lovely lady (widowed and living on her own) and always thought they were doing the best for her. Both she and Dad were using them for about 20 years, buying petrol, getting the cars serviced and buying their cars off them.
Recently my mum died, and I had to come over to Holbeach to sort out the many affairs, the funeral and try to sell her little car, which, incidentally, was immaculate like everything she owned.
I phoned Fleet Road Garage who offered me £500 for the car. I could not believe it because the value in the car magazine was £1,200.
Then the trader said that he knew my mother so well and that she was “so lovely blah, blah, blah” (lip service) and would offer me £600. As I was travelling back to Australia at the end of the month, I reluctantly accepted the price, thinking “oh well”. The next day, I drove past the garage and saw my mother’s perfect little car sitting on the forecourt for £1,999 after they had paid only £600 for it.
These guys met my expectations; they are unscrupulous! I was in tears when the car was driven away as my mother had always been a good customer to them. I think that they did wrong and these people should be exposed as to who they are.
Jane Walker
via email
Sorry to hear about your mum but a rather unfair dig at Fleet Road Garage (I’ve no connection). You chose to sell the car to them and accepted the price, you could have gone elsewhere. The fact that your options were limited by having to get back home should not reflect on the garage. Traders have to cover warranty issues etc as well as cover overheads and make a living and so there’s bound a difference in price. The £1999 is only an offer price, they may not actually get that amount when it’s sold.