Leaderboard

These type of customers , should only be allowed to buy brand new cars .... I try and deal with them fairly, but really I want to punch them.

Get a PDI inspection pad and make sure you list any rattles or leaks if any on the inspection prior to sale. Make sure the customer reads it and signs to say they are happy with the car at the point of sale. State on it that the car has been test driven and is free of any faults. It is very hard for the customer to then after 2 weeks come back and say the car had a fault at the point of sale. Do your bit and treat the customer fairly but dont be pushed into a corner by them. If you dont think a repair is called for or your responsibility then refuse. Thick skin required in this job !

No sales today (one yesterday) but had 5 collections in last 2 days totalling about 20k so when that hits it's new stock galore!! Also took in a couple of hopefully decent part exchanges. 2007 Suzuki Swift 1.6 Sport 77k gonna go @ £2990 (very clean example too). 2003 Mercedes A Class 1.4 AUTOMATIC with only 50k on the clock, £1690 including 12 month mot. Hopefully get both shifted on by Sunday

Platinum fees on a £2200 car would be over £200! So I think I deserve to snuggle upto Umesh because my prediction is £2599 leaving him before VAT/adverts/expenses etc roughly £199.....clear profit of less than £99! PS......Do I need a windbreaker and a warm coat?

2 more since yesterday.

2 sold last night and 2 pending

My honest answer is no one knows. It's all open to interpretation and this new consumer right act just muddies the water further. Customers spend 5 minutes researching the act and the next minute are an expert quoting their rights and what dealers should and shouldn't do. I'm sure they are all thinking they are the first ones to bring up gettig trading standards on you. I try try and treat every customer fairly and responsibly. 95% of customers find this to be enough. You just can't please all of them all the time and I do feel the ones who feel hard done by just do not have the right expectations for buying a used car. treat people fairly, try and assist but something you just cannot win. Also I have had a dreadful day today and warranty/issues all come in waves . You get your warranty Monday's sometimes it's just the job.

Danny, i think in your tradeplates tv show you suggested that you were looking to move to stocking around 150-250 cars ( high number of some kind) within 12 months and grow into a car supermarket. Dont let your enthusiasm get knocked I thought you came across as a bit of a likeable lad on that episode. Think, shift the dead stock, try and maybe market a few special offers and get the money coming in because the bills will still need paying. Now your quiet what have you tried so far to boost sales have you done much? Are you getting response on autotrader stats etc mate ?

The same with me today Tom.....first customer humming & arghing......trying his best to get everything for nothing....says I will be back in 20 minutes with my "expert". Ten minutes later chap & son pop in buy the car and drive off happy. Second chap comes back totally bemused that I would sell to someone else! Its a ten grand car Sir first past the post wins!