A1 Carriages

My visit to A1 Crayford confirmed my preconceptions about private used car businesses - rude, unprofessional, dishonest and overpriced.

Upon entering their car lot, stepping over the hosepipe being used by a man to wash the cars, I walked past another man wearing an ill fitting suit and smoking, thinking he was a customer. After unsuccessfully finding a salesperson I went to the office and was asked what I wanted by the man in the suit.

I explained I'd phoned them earlier in the week and was told to bring my car to them for a part exchange valuation. The man was uninterested, and told me to have a look around the yard to find a suitable car.

After looking at the outsides of the locked, dirty vehicles on offer, I went back to the office to ask about a valuation of my car. Rather than being invited to sit down, I was made to stand outside the office door and answer questions about my car to two men standing inside with their arms folded.

After what felt like an interrogation, and having no one actually look at the car, I was offered a price less than Webuyanycar.com , and promptly left. I was unwilling to accept such a low value for a dirty, overpriced replacement.

After that I went to a Ford main dealer and received the proper service I would expect.