Collection in Lockdown

[YorkshirePuding]

Keen to get thoughts from other members re the above as I've noticed car retailers are offering delivery services for new and used vehicles.

I've bought privately and was hoping to collect next month when the current restrictions are likely to be lifted.

Unfortunately however the seller needs it gone ASAP and ultimately requires collection tontake place this week.

So where do I stand - it's an 80 mile round trip that will take just under 1hour each way? Thanks in advance.

 

[idej_z4]

In short, you shouldn't be doing it as it's non essential.

That said, official police guidelines state you can drive to a beauty spot so long as you spend more time doing exercise than the drive takes...so just go for a walk and pick up the car in the process.

 

[Chippie]

You could probably pay a recovery service to collect it for you as they will be allowed to travel, unfortunately that would probably cost more than the fuel and any possible fine, so risk it and hope you don’t get stopped, there are still plenty of people driving whether it’s work, essential shopping, exercise, so I think you would be unlucky to be stopped, just keep to social distancing etc when you get there.
Post some photos when you get back

 

[kis]

It's not an essential trip. Simple.
However, it's not really that far in the grand scheme of things so if you wanted to risk it? I'd also be strategic about the time of travel. So I'd perhaps set off early in the morning to merge into a normal commuting time period.
Someone else did similar recently, see here, that was a 248 miles round trip!

 

[brillomaster]

hmmm... three maybes so far, so i feel i should pitch in for the No camp. Its not essential travel, therefore you shouldn't be doing it.

Just because others flout the rules doesn't mean you can. Stay at home.

 

[Mondo]

I travelled to get my car on Saturday and posted on here that I'd done so. One member called me some very choice names and wished death upon me for doing so!

I kept my distance from the very few people I even came across on my journey. For me, if politicians and even the PM himself can change or ignore the rules they themselves impose to suit their own circumstances, then it's fair game for all. Lead by example, and all that.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion, but the OP asked for opinions.

 

[enuff_zed]

If the OP had thought it through, and taken into account the reactions of others on this forum, then maybe he should have done it without advertising it to anyone?
At the end of the day it's an individual decision and all this is doing is publicising it and inviting possibly quite damning responses.

When people discuss exceeding the speed limit on this forum, others are quick to advise them that they shouldn't do so as anyone could be reading it. Does the same not apply here?

 

[Number5]

Perhaps arrange to meet half way ? Then you're only 30 mins from home ??

What the Police/Govt have said about travelling to beauty spots etc and the exercise must be longer than the journey is just so vague and open to abuse. I dont know why they didnt just say that you can travel to an exercise location, but it must be no more than X miles from your registered address. ( eg 10 miles) That way it would be easy for them to Reg check the car without even stopping you and know how far from home you are.

 

[Tich]

If the OP really has to have this car now why does he not put on the lycra and get on his bike to collect it. It appears that cyclists can go anywhere without question or being stopped by police. olice:

 

[cj10jeeper]

Perhaps arrange to meet half way ? Then you're only 30 mins from home ??

What the Police/Govt have said about travelling to beauty spots etc and the exercise must be longer than the journey is just so vague and open to abuse. I dont know why they didnt just say that you can travel to an exercise location, but it must be no more than X miles from your registered address. ( eg 10 miles) That way it would be easy for them to Reg check the car without even stopping you and know how far from home you are.

Some simple ideas don't work. My daughter's car is registered in Staffs. but spends most of her time in London, so she's always away 100+ miles away. She'd be pulled just for driving to do essential shopping

Anyway back to OP - if you're planning on breaking or bending the law then as posted earlier asking for advice never gets you anywhere decent

 

[WSXZ4]

Hi - I'd agree its not essential travel - I'd not go to collect a car myself, but (being an example of what may have driven this post), I had the garage (owner) deliver it to me, 100% contactless. The garage are allowed to travel to conduct business as it is running their business which isn't possible from home, but ultimately whether that fits the guidance is open to interpretation and so its a risk/decision the garage takes in whether they do deliveries, or not. The amount of companies still travelling and conducting business (with govt. blessing) is considerable, whether that's right or wrong is subjective, to some degree.

The other issue is that you assumedly need to be happy if its 100% contactless and delivery only, that you trust the car is as described, as you wouldn't have test driven it yet. In my case, I know the guy and trust him and he was happy to take payment after dropping it to me. My test drive was part of the week shopping to collect (genuine) essential supplies (medical!)

If the seller of this car (OP's reference) is desperate to sell it, surely he/she could consider delivering it - why force / expect the buyer to make an extended, non-essential journey.

Anyway, sure there will be varying views!

 

[eddiemunster]

Keen to get thoughts from other members re the above as I've noticed car retailers are offering delivery services for new and used vehicles.

A trader seller is allowed to move cars in the normal fashion, if you want to collect a car privately just use a collection agent; 90% of the time, they're as cheap as a lift/train ticket to your destination and then fuel back.

 

[scootr]

If the OP had thought it through, and taken into account the reactions of others on this forum, then maybe he should have done it without advertising it to anyone?
At the end of the day it's an individual decision and all this is doing is publicising it and inviting possibly quite damning responses.

When people discuss exceeding the speed limit on this forum, others are quick to advise them that they shouldn't do so as anyone could be reading it. Does the same not apply here?

^^^^ This, uncommon sense is refreshing
I had my car delivered for little more than the cost to go get it when I bought last year.

 

[ben g]

I travelled to get my car on Saturday and posted on here that I'd done so. One member called me some very choice names and wished death upon me for doing so!

I kept my distance from the very few people I even came across on my journey. For me, if politicians and even the PM himself can change or ignore the rules they themselves impose to suit their own circumstances, then it's fair game for all. Lead by example, and all that.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion, but the OP asked for opinions.

I wondered how long it would be before you got abuse :lol: you did take the piss tbh, but maybe it was essential for your mental health?

As said, the rules are open to abuse. That's why it isn't a lockdown and I hate the fact people keep calling it that.

 

[buzyg]

You shouldn't be making the journey simples. You know that.

Cough up and get it delivered, is an obvious solution. But as that requires a current key worker, AKA delivery driver, to make the journey in your new car I don't see how it is any safer that you picking it up yourself. Read that how you will, just my two peneth on the subject.

 

[Mondo]

I wondered how long it would be before you got abuse :lol: you did take the piss tbh, but maybe it was essential for your mental health?

As said, the rules are open to abuse. That's why it isn't a lockdown and I hate the fact people keep calling it that.

There's abuse, and then there's wishing death :roll: ... but I'm pretty thick-skinned when it comes to strangers' opinions online.

I observed the distancing rules at all times. Myself and the seller maintained a respectable distance. To be honest, there was more chance of me catching something whilst doing essential household shopping than there was going to collect a car on my own.

At least I wasn't preaching to stay at home and then taking my family to a second home for the weekend so, y'know.....

 

[YorkshirePuding]

Don't see how an independent delivery service could be a viable option when transfer of funds is based on satisfaction of performance and condition.
Equally meeting halfway or forcing the seller to conduct the same journey is in no way different to making the trip oneself.
That said thanks for all the responses and associated guidance.

 

[Number5]

Some simple ideas don't work. My daughter's car is registered in Staffs. but spends most of her time in London, so she's always away 100+ miles away. She'd be pulled just for driving to do essential shopping

I'm sure it would work in 90% of cases which would give Police a higher degree of accuracy than they have now and furthermore people would be more fearful of being stopped if many miles away from home, so fewer people would risk it.
I'm sure in your daughters case she would be able to carry some form of Utilty Bill/ID etc that would show her local address and quickly justify her being 100 miles away from the vehicles registered address.

 

[ben g]

I wondered how long it would be before you got abuse :lol: you did take the piss tbh, but maybe it was essential for your mental health?

As said, the rules are open to abuse. That's why it isn't a lockdown and I hate the fact people keep calling it that.

There's abuse, and then there's wishing death :roll: ... but I'm pretty thick-skinned when it comes to strangers' opinions online.

I observed the distancing rules at all times. Myself and the seller maintained a respectable distance. To be honest, there was more chance of me catching something whilst doing essential household shopping than there was going to collect a car on my own.

At least I wasn't preaching to stay at home and then taking my family to a second home for the weekend so, y'know.....

Completely agree

It makes me laugh when people say you shouldn't drive for non essentials, incase you break down/have an accident, yet no one minds cyclists or runners, who could quite easily injure themselves.

 

[AlienZed]

Its a bit off a pi$$ take your frowned upon by some because you want to collect your car , im not allowed to drive 18mls to ladybower via the snake to take nice gentle exercise ,but poeple can still come into the uk and no checks .
Wonder which poses the most threat to our health service ???,