FREE DELIVERY and free two-year warranties for Britain’s key workers have been introduced by the online car marketplace BuyaCar.co.uk.
The move comes as scores of major dealerships temporarily close their doors amid ever tighter government measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
But key workers, in the frontline of essential services like the NHS and the police, workers in the food supply chain and other vital service providers must be helped as much as possible, says Andy Oldham, CEO of BuyaCar.co.uk.
It means the business – which has sold and delivered more than 20,000 cars in an ‘Amazon-style’ approach to motor retail – will even sell cars at a loss, to help keep key workers mobile.
BuyaCar, which has seen a recent increase in conversions – the percentage of visitors to the site who buy a car – is also pledging to prioritise deliveries to key workers, for the time being.
The offer was announced within hours of Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging all non-essential business outside the home to temporarily cease as the government imposes ever more stringent rules on ‘social distancing’.
BuyaCar’s decision to suspend its £199 charge for delivery to key workers – and provide them with a £499 two-year warranty free of charge – will be operated on an ‘honour system’ without requirements for people like doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers or other essential service providers to prove their occupation before receiving their car.
Already, BuyaCar.co.uk has introduced ‘contactless handover’ for vulnerable people, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, as the business seeks ways to help consumers and dealers overcome unprecedentedly challenging times.
The business is also in the process of boosting the stock available through BuyaCar.co.uk, with stringent preparation and cleaning processes in place to ensure the safety of customers, who can now buy and even receive a car without stepping out of their home.
Andy Oldham, Chief Executive of BuyaCar.co.uk, said: “Our decision to do everything we can to help key workers was easy – they are the people we all rely on to keep us safe and healthy and they are already under pressure as the coronavirus problem continues.
“It’s our turn to give them all the support that we can, regardless of the short-term financial cost to us, and we are proud to do so. We have to help Britain’s most essential people stay mobile during this crisis, whatever the cost.”
Cars sold by BuyaCar.co.uk are sourced only from the most reputable suppliers and can be delivered to a customer’s door, with finance arranged online, in as little as five working days.
Contactless handover at the point of delivery can be arranged in advance for customers who believe they are at particular risk and wish to maintain isolation from other people. Cars are delivered by healthy drivers only and all contact surfaces, controls and handles are cleaned before the customer takes charge of the vehicle.
