Psy80 Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Hi all, I've been signed up to this forum for a few months now and have been educating myself by reading all of the very informative posts - you guys really do know your stuff so thanks already! All the while I've been looking for 'that car' which ticks all of the boxes and I keep on coming back to a dealer called 'Toybox' up in Tamworth who seem to have a nice collection of boys toys. Has anyone on here had any dealings with them or heard any feedback about them positive or otherwise? Thanks in advance Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I saw them when looking for my car and did some digging - general consensus was 'avoid'. Things may have changed since then, but it doesn't appear they are as fanatical or knowledgeable as WSCC members http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin....482d756 I bought a car through the forum, and it's been great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpetstu Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 He is a car dealer, he buys and sells them but last time Toybox was discussed, he knew very little about them! The consensus was he talks some utter b*****k too? There are good car dealers (JeffC ) and some not so good, but read the stuff on here and make your own conclusion ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psy80 Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Thanks for your input guys and for the link to other posts Adam (I did a search myself but it came up blank... more practice required!) I'll have a good read through those but having scanned a few so far there does seem to be a negative theme The hunt continues but as everyone keeps telling me - the right one will come up eventually Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Thanks for your input guys and for the link to other posts Adam (I did a search myself but it came up blank... more practice required!) No worries - I think the search is set to search 'this month' only (last option box), I needed to change to 'the beginning' to get those results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTR2Turbo Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I would just treat Toybox as another seller. I sense that most of the negative comments concern the fact he is more expensive than buying privately but he is a dealer what do you expect. But it is still cheaper (if that is all that matters) to buy second hand from a dealer than it would be to build the kit from new yourself) People have obviously sold to him because they could not sell the car privately at a price, timeframe or ease of transaction that they wanted so he has filled a gap there. There can be advantages of buying from a dealer too. He may have more choice of cars for you to see and sit in / drive, may be nearer to you, may deliver the car to you, may be more flexible on payment etc etc. This may mean more or less to you but I don't see having the choice as a bad thing. I think those new to the brand / kit cars and less comfortable checking a car mechanically may feel £500 or £1000 to be money well spent to buy with some warranty or legal protection as buying from a dealer not privately. Likewise not everyone has time to drive around the country viewing cars or knows the club members or the cars to be able to assess just from an advert. I see it as wrong how some knock it because he is providing a service for a price. As I say not for eveyone but there for those that want it. If not enough do want it then he goes out of business - simple as that. For a long time Terry Nightingdale used to do the same. Generally buying cars over the winter when the market was very quiet and selling in the spring. I bought my first Westfield off Terry. I could sit in 6 different cars and he had stock of 13 different cars so I could see what I liked and didn't like. He adjusted the seat mounts and steering column length and height for me to be comfortable and it was a great car. Edit to add I am in no way connected to ToyBox and have never used their services but just wish that people could be a bit more open minded about the value of a dealer in Westfields same as almost any other car you care to mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psy80 Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Fair comment XTR - I tend to agree with your thoughts after reading through the other posts and definitely want to make sure that I buy at a fair price. I'm going to stick to my £6-7k budget and see what comes up. The hunt goes on but it's not so bad... the more I look, the more I know Thanks everyone for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I was thinking of visiting Toybox myself just to see the the variables in Westfield prices, when I get time to travel up there. I'm quite used to buying off dealers and I do know they come up with some carp most of the time. There is not many Westfields for sale on the Boardroom lately that have what I want except one and that is down in Devon, not exactly around the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_t Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I bought my car there as it was what I wanted. I'm very happy with it, as i was with the service. I probably paid over the odds though, but was/ am comfortable with that. Just treat them like any other dealer, and check the car out properly (as you would anywhere). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBlenk Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi Simon, I bought my SEiGHT from Toybox about 7 weeks ago and like Dave_T, I am very happy with it so far. The main benefit is that they are only half an hour from where I live and have a good selection to chose from. Andrew Rowe is the proprietor and he said he has sold around 350 Westfields over a number of years. Like any other dealer he is constantly looking to pick up Westfields at a bargain price, "tart" them up and sell at a decent margin. He was quite open with me as to what he had done to my car (nothing significant) and I checked through the copious history before buying. He even gave me the contact number for a previous owner, so I was able to verify some of the history. There is no doubt he made a good profit on the car, but I don't consider £11k for a 10 year old 4.6 litre SEiGHT with 10k miles, to be over the odds. Good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedditchJay Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 its is what it is...... a Westy / kit car dealer........ no harm in seeing what they have for sale.... you choice to purchase or wait until October when prices start to drop.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funbobby Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Psy80, whats on your list of wants mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Seabrook Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Does anybody have a real beef with Toybox or is it just people dont like to think of someone making money off a car they may have sold or brought from Toybox? He is a car dealer and in it to make money surely that's reasonable isn't it. After all who on here would if given the chance buy something cheep to be able to sell it for more? I know I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven (WE51STE) Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi Simon, I'm the Warwickshire Area Organiser ( although live in Tamworth, Staffordshire ) I've never been to Toybox myself although I have spoken to the owner at Stoneleigh a few years back. Yes he is a car dealer specialising in Westfields. Yes he has his overheads and is in business to make a profit. As with any car purchase you may be able to buy a car more cheaply with a private sale than a trade sale. However, there are some benefits in buying from a trader, not only will he have a larger stock for you to look at / choose from there is also some financial comeback. As far as I can see you have nothing to loose by going and having a look. No one will force you to buy anything. If you do decide to pop up let us know when your in the area. I don't mind going with you to be an extra set of eyes. Regards, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psy80 Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 Hi all, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all of the responses to this post and I will start off by saying that I personally have no beef with Toybox but was just trying to get a feel for what other forum members thought or knew. I think I've got a good idea now and thank you all again for your comments and links to other posts. Dave & John, what you and others have said about dealers needing to make money is perfectly reasonable - I work in the motor trade myself and know the importance or turning a profit! I hope to be joining you both soon in Westie ownership and really can't wait - I bet you're loving the weather at the mo! Funbobby - ideally I'm looking for either a Zetec or Vauxhall engined car. I'm not particularly mechanically minded so am leaning more toward a more modern (and hopefully more reliable engine) so that I can spend my time enjoying the drive and not fixing it Windscreen would be preferred to aero screen and the more classic shape is what I'd prefer. Steve - thank you for your generous offer and I may well take you up on that. I'm on the Hampshire/Surrey borders so a trip to Tamworth 'just for a look' doesn't seem sensible if I'm not nearly 100% but if I feel the right car is there then it would be well worth the journey. I've got my eye on two at the moment but both are a little over my budget - any opinions on these two cars; http://pistonheads.com/sales/2298594.htm http://pistonheads.com/sales/3060149.htm Well that's me done - better get back to my day job for now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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