I had a very disappointing experience purchasing a car from Auto Globe, especially with Patrick as the salesperson. Since I live in Timaru and the car was in Auckland, I bought it without seeing it in person, so clear information and honest communication were extremely important — but that’s exactly what I didn’t receive.
From the beginning, Patrick avoided providing basic information I requested. I asked for the last WOF report, and he told me he didn’t have it. Later, I found the exact report inside the car myself, which shows clear carelessness or dishonesty. He ignored many of my calls and messages, and the grooming of the car was not done properly when it arrived. The boot has major oil staines and little pieces of stones below the cover.
When I asked for a few close-up photos of scratches and minor dents before the car was shipped — things that can’t be captured properly from far away — he spoke rudely and acted like I was asking for something unnecessary. He kept saying, “I already sent you the photos of the car and tyres, why do you want more?” He never understood that I was only requesting photos of the scratches and dents I later found on the car, which I needed to confirm whether they were caused during shipping or already present. His attitude felt like he was doing me a favour rather than providing basic customer service for a car I had already paid for. Before payment, he was extremely active and responsive. After payment, his behaviour changed completely — rude, dismissive, and slow.
The only good thing he eventually agreed to was giving a full tank of fuel, and even that happened only after I asked multiple times. Many dealers offer this even with cheaper cars, so it shouldn’t have been such a big issue, especially since I didn’t negotiate the vehicle price at all and sent all the photos after requesting him many times.
The finance process was equally frustrating. He added multiple optional insurances without telling me they were optional. I had to ask him directly what happens if I don’t want them, and only then he admitted they could be removed. This caused a 2–3 day delay because he stopped responding quickly once I asked for changes. He also initially gave me a very high interest rate and only reduced it after I questioned it — something he could have easily done from the beginning.
Overall, the entire experience felt unprofessional, careless, and stressful. Buyers, especially those purchasing a car remotely, deserve transparency, proper communication, and respect. Based on my experience, I would not recommend Auto Globe or dealing with Patrick.
Dealer response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations, especially given the challenges of buying a vehicle remotely. However, we would like to clarify several points to ensure the situation is accurately represented.
From the beginning of the transaction, our team — including Patrick — did our best to assist you and provide all the information you requested. We completed all steps required for remote purchasing, including photos, documents, finance arrangements, and nationwide transport. At no point did we intend to withhold information, and if there was any misunderstanding regarding the WOF report, we apologise. It was never our intention to be careless or dishonest.
Regarding the vehicle’s condition on arrival, it is important to note that intercity transport naturally exposes vehicles to dust and minor dirt, which is normal for all transport companies in New Zealand. The vehicle was groomed before shipping, and any dirt that appeared afterward was a result of the transport process. Additionally, this is a 9-year-old used vehicle, and while we strive for transparency, minor imperfections are expected with pre-owned cars. We did our best to accommodate your requests for additional photos, and any limitations were due to practical constraints rather than unwillingness to help.
As for fuel, full tanks are not standard for used vehicles in New Zealand, even for newer or more expensive models. Nonetheless, Patrick agreed to provide a full tank as an extra goodwill gesture, despite this not being part of the vehicle deal or negotiated price. This was done purely to support you as a remote buyer.
During the finance process, we also ensured that all optional products were explained and removed immediately after you indicated you did not want them. The delay you experienced was due to the revision and re-approval steps required by the finance provider, not because we were ignoring your messages or acting unprofessionally. Interest rates can vary depending on lender criteria, and we adjusted the rate as soon as it was questioned, which is part of normal finance procedures.
Throughout the entire transaction, we made every effort to support you, respond to your requests, and provide solutions wherever possible. We regret that you still feel disappointed, but we stand by the fact that we acted professionally and provided all the assistance we reasonably could within the scope of a used-vehicle purchase.
We appreciate your feedback and will continue improving our processes, but we also believe it is important to acknowledge the full context of the situation.
Manager
Elvin
