Ok, well you did say above that as the buyer for the firm, you are struggling to find decent cars with a margin after your recon costs. You were offered the advice (good advice imo) that you should look to increase your prices where applicable (the example of the only one in 60 miles being a good example) but you have stated that you prefer to work to a certain marker on AT with the intention of selling the stock quicker, turning more cars etc. Straight out of an AT Masterclass, some good advice in those classes I've found!
As the buyer for the firm, you're no doubt expected to get the cars as cheaply as possible. Someone else presumably is in charge of recon, another in charge of selling and so on. You all have your own difficulties within your roles.
Mr recon says to you "you're paying to much for the stock, by the time I've minted these cars up there isn't enough margin" and you're thinking "what are other dealers doing, I'm thinking we're minting up too much and how can I possibly pay less for the stock when everyone wants it"
Vicious cycle.
As a one man band I don't have these concerns or musings, if when I get a car delivered, it's got a marginal bumper scuff, or an alloy that is on the borders or nibbled/smashed then I just spend the £60 or £40 and get it done.
But what I do make sure I spend time on, is looking at what my competition is. I try and source cars that I have very little competition and even then I believe I can present better than them and steal the customer who is looking for that make/model/derivative. I try to aim for a price that gets the "good" marker because it does influence buyers but if you think the vast majority have a clue in the differences between good, great and low then sorry, they don't. They still think the cars are over priced, still want to chip, do a deal, get something off. But if I have a car that I know or believe will be popular, and I'm the only one, or one of two, then the marker means nothing to me and I'll put it at £500 above the good price marker.
Don't take this the wrong way but I can see you have been schooled in the AT way, price to 98% of market, turn more stock quickly so you can rinse and repeat etc. Maybe you think that it's the only way, the best way etc but I don't think it is. This is coming from someone who is a complete AT nut. I use all their tools, speak weekly with their performance partners and sidekicks and have been to a couple of master classes.
I think you need to have a word with whoever sets your prices and ask them to stop being so lazy and just pricing to 98% of the market and do some proper research into what your competition is, for each car and price it accordingly. There are ways to increase margin, add value etc and cutting costs or standards isn't the way imo. Not for what I sell anyway.
You cannot physically reduce the price of buying cars, You are doing your bit by as you say, scouring the internet and working hard to find the gems. Whoever does your pricing is being lazy and not putting in as much effort imo.
Good luck either way mate.
I agree entirely with you mate.