Advert/price examples/guides for Amazons/Estates

[funkybeats]

I'm hoping one of your kindly gentlemen may be able to help me out with this, perhaps with some links to prior ebay ads etc. As you may know, the estate i'd brought decided it didn't want it's nearside read wheel after 4 days. My insurers have made an offer of a £1000 against a purchase price of £1775 and so I need as much evidence as I can to dispute the figure they are offering.

They have sent a cheque despite my rejecting their offer, and state in the letter to bank the cheque regardless of any dispute.....

Any help and assistance much appreciated gents :)

p.s. I joined as a member of the VOC the day after I purchased the car. Do the VOC offer any official price guides?

[Alf ista]

Man, those insurance companies are right b!*$*"#s!!! All that premium you pay over the years and then when you need them they shaft you! Typical. Anyway like most people here I guess I watch Amazon stuff on ebay. I have watched a good few cars over the last year but all have been deleted now. But here is a recent one. Its not an estate, its a 2 door, but still an Amazon. Looks really nice and it should be as it sold for £5000. It is item number 110386088896 and the linky is
http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110386088896&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:IE:1123

I am sure more people will have other links that will help. Best of luck with it and I hope you stick with Amazon ownership.
Hugh.

[AidanC]

Can you employ your own assesor to argue your case? There must be independent valuers out there who would have sufficient credibility to have the necessary clout with your insurance company to persuade them that your car is worth more money (or that a legal action by you would have a good chance of success)?. Any 'umbrella' type classic car clubs over there that you could contact? Your insurance company is trying to screw you but its most likely a negotiating tactic. They may well be aware of posts in a forum like this as well - their staff are partly remunerated in relation to their success in keeping claim levels down and so can be quite creative.

In my experience, they react only to a reasonable likelihood of financial loss, and as far as I'm aware, your costs constitute a part of the claim, so the more costs that you reasonably incur, the more expensive it is for them. You are required to mitigate your loss, so common sense must prevail. It is reasonable to engage professional representation, both legal and automotive and the costs of this will form part of your claim. At some point in this process, the value of the car will be a moot point.

Get some professional advice and make life difficult for your insurance company. Then renew with a more professional outfit.

[Derek UK]

Ebay only keeps sold items up for 90 days.

This one didn't meet its reserve http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330348366657&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C98757/ Trade sale

These are obviously better than yours nad nmaybe over valued and overpriced but they put you car into perspective.
The following two are either scruffy, non original or both even though I'm sure their new owners are, I hope, happy with them. They are obviously below your car as far as value goes IMO.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330348050262&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280376653590&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I'd have to be very sure of the wording of the letter that came with the cheque before I'd even consider getting it anywhere near my bank!

Did you get my pm re "local repairs"?

[Alf ista]

I agree with Aidan. I think you should fight your case. They are trying to screw you over on this and if I were you I wouldnt take it lying down. Get an assessor and/or legal advice as well. You dont have much to lose and a lot more to gain. I would pay money not to let them get away with it!

[1966 122s]

I'd also agree to fight your case... and don't be in a hurry. My impression from when it happened to me (motorbike) was that it ia a standard game the companies play... Make a low offer, see if you argue...... give in when there admin time is costing more more than settlement would.

I'd aim to cause the company as much admin time as possible untill they settle. Practical Classics (magazine) have a price guide "sponsored by Adrian Flux Car Insurance". A 12 month old copy list various 120 series but not estates. lowest value given is for 122s saloon lowest at £1600 in condition 2 and £3600 in condition 1. ... but you'd probably want to quote a more recent copy.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/buyers_guide_volvo.htm
gives a vague price guide stating "What to Pay. A solid but scruffy MOTd car should be available upto £1000, perhaps a little more for an estate, with good cars (especially GTs) climbing over £2500-3000, with very tidy cars heading higher. Basket cases and spares donors should still be available for £200-300 or so, simply because bringing a very bad example upto perfect order can be a wallet-lightening experience, as with most cars."

The game appears to need more of a marathon than sprint approach. You might alos want to mention charging for loss of use of the vehicle due to delay in nsettling the claim (heard this mentioned by mechanic years ago as being a ploy) ???

here's an online advert estate for £7999
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/63164

and another estate for £2000
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/9756