Felt like I had been deceived

We had an immaculate 10yr old VW. Online valuation was acceptable to me. I didn't see the tiny link after the valuation that asks for additional damage logging. I booked an appointment with a distant branch - my nearest was closed for 3 days (yet when I checked after, it was open for those days) The WBAC guy rang me ahead and asked to clarify the condition - I stated clearly it was a 10 year old car and had no dents nor damage other than what you'd expect of a 90,000 miler. ie. it will have a few scratches from 10 years of use. That was ignored.

Their inspections at the branch are geared up purely to reduce the "chip" price. They are not interested in the unseen mechanical state of the car (they auction it on so they don't care) - they only want to knock you down, so they spend time picking faults in the bodywork, tyres, MOT, Service record... or if you have exceeded the 7 days since the valuation (which I had by one day because the local branch was closed). We were knocked down by £250.
The price had gone down because of the extra day, on a 10 year old car? and because our mileage was 200mls more, for a 90,000 mile car? and one chip and an inch long scratch - on a 10 year old car? In fact he admitted the car was a superb example and far better condition than most other 05 plates.

So they have got you - their whole business model is built on enticing with a good online price - that you'll miss the damage log link, and that 95% of the time they can "chip" you down, and that because you'll have to drive to a distant and out of town location ( and probably in 2 cars) that you won't want to walk away.