have a word with the wife

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Posts posted by have a word with the wife

  1. Posted · Edited by have a word with the wife

    10 hours ago, David Horgan said:

    I'm not questioning anyone about a cotton face mask , haven't done for for previous few months so not starting an argument now , Just upset a customer that wants to spend a few thousand quid with me is not my way of first contact  if they don't want to . 

    As for putting signs up stating you have to wear one , what if they want to spend a few thousand quid and don't want to wear one , they would just turn and walk off , again not for me .

    Social distance has worked just fine , a cotton face cover will do nothing . 

     

    I am just really pleased the government's  not put the burden on us to ensure that customers  comply, I thought it might have gone that way :huh:.

    Would I serve a customer wanting to spend "a few thousand quid" but refuses to wear a face covering in a enclosed public place ? Where I work ? Where other customers  are / may enter ? NO !

  2. Posted

    On 7/22/2020 at 10:11 AM, David Horgan said:

     

    Does the public have to wear one then to visit us in a unit showroom? , or just in the office ?, but the office isn't a shop so I'm not sure . 

     

    Sounds a total mix up if you get into the rules of yes or no , then whos going to question someone if they come in a showroom with both doors open wanting to spend a few thousand quid . Chances of the cops following them in is pretty remote isnt it . 

    Yes, it is a enclosed  public place ! Customers must wear face coverings ! Unless  exempt.

    Outside no, inside yes.

    On the question of who is going to question someone if they come into a showroom? Er, you ! :lol:.

    Alleviate  the problem by a simple sign "face coverings to be worn"

     

  5. Posted

    32 minutes ago, Mojo121 said:

     

    Maybe they’ll finally scrap Income Tax :lol: bit of trivia for you but it was introduced as a temporary statute in 1799 to recoup the money spent on the Napoleonic Wars... sure we’ve paid that off by now. The statute gets renewed every year.

    Penny for every pound it was, I thought it still was till the judge told me otherwise  :lol:

  7. Posted

    13 hours ago, chan said:

    hi,

    i would like to take off a private plate from a part exchange car that i got .how do i do that  ?

    It is held by two screws, these may be hidden under plastic covers, either yellow or black in colour, then you'll see the screws, turn them to the left with a suitable  instrument, usually  a "screw driver" will suffice, remember, lefty for Lucy, right for tighty :lol:

    • Haha 3

  9. Posted

    Talk of reducing the social distance this coming week, so all who including me, have wasted money on making / buying 2 metre gaps signage :rolleyes:

    But, here, it is staying, and customers will have to abide until it is zero distance, at just over 3 foot it is too near spitting distance!

    I think at one metre your just saying back to normal, I think a bad move, as it is this week I have had to remind people about the gap and the worst thing is reminding people to stop touching things! Nearly run out of anti viral spray already!

    But we do need to get driving instructors and examiners back somehow, I do a lot of business  with daddies little twinkle,  and it can be a quite easy sale.

    Test drives ? At 1 metre are you now willing to go out with them ?

    Or do you put them in the back.? No way will I be going in back by the way, I like to be near the wheel for customers  that can't judge where the kerb is !

    Been inferred  this week l may be going over cautious, reminded them it is my business,  run by me, my way, if you do not want to buy at a covid secure business,  erm, go away :)

    • Like 2

  12. Posted

    On 6/10/2020 at 9:43 AM, Stashio said:

    Hi guys, a bit of background about me. I'm late 30's, have always enjoyed fixing up cars and am looking to turn my hobby into a business. I am under no illusions it will be hard work without a guarantee of success so the goal is to start off part-time, keeping my full time job, keeping costs low, while I see how things go. I do want to be an above board trader from the start though, offering cars with a warranty for peace of mind, etc.

    There's a loads of great threads on here with the nuts and bolts of starting out, etc. so I have a good idea of what's required (I've ran a few IT contracting LTD's so know what's required on the accounts side of things). BUT I wanted to run my business plan by you guys and get your thoughts if you don't mind. Constructive feedback welcome.

    In general I want to offer modern classics (90's era) coupes and convertibles. I think having a niche is a good plan and will let me focus on a few core models at first (MR2, MX5, MG, etc.). I'm looking to find fundamentally good cars that need work to bring up to scratch. So something with good history, low/average miles/owners but has body/mechanical/presentation issues (no write offs) then fix any issues, full service, MOT, valet, polish, etc. full prep prior to sale. The goal being restore them back to their former glory on a sensible budget, build a good reputation and learn the ropes. Not chasing profit yet but working towards being able to jack in my soul destroying IT job eventually if it works out.

    As I'm starting out the goal will be to learn rather than take any big risks so I'm thinking get something worth a bit fixed up but relatively cheap to buy when they need sorting out - MK1 MX5 being a good example. Eventually I'd like to restore/update older classics, sort out bigger bodywork jobs, improve drivetrain/handling/.etc - I'm thinking MGB V8 conversations would be popular and a good earner (a big process I'm reading up on at the moment).

    I have a double garage at home with a pit and some storage around the side of the house. It's presentable so initially to keep costs low I plan on starting out from home (but as a trader as I mentioned). If things work out I'll upgrade but the goal is keep costs down in the early stages so it doesn't make sense to rent somewhere bigger at the moment.

    What do you reckon?

    Cheers,

    Matt

    Neighbours ?

    Who would provide the warranty ?

    I have got in my head a mx5 with rotted out  sills, smokey valve stem oil seals and a slipping clutch at £500 ? And hoping to get  £2495 ?Am l wrong ?

  14. Posted

    8 hours ago, BIGNIT said:

    Always wanted an indoor unit, is there anything that I need to know,

    Such as fire regs or health and safety stuff eg fumes inside or anything really.

    Always traded outside up to now

    Absolutely impossible to answer, you need to break the question down into smaller sections of what you are unsure on eg security rates water etc, and to be honest hse advice is better found at hse, a lot of it is common sense (HSE).:)

  15. Posted

    I see the problem, there was 2 properties, a showroom with 9 outdoor parking spaces, and the second, a petrol retail station, you have taken both and you are either getting 2 separate Bill's or the council in there wisdom have combined the 2, without reviewing the petrol station!

    There will still be rates to pay for the additional parking, the cost of which you will have to look into personally, I would look at similar sales pitches on voa importantly in your local authority area to get a idea of cost.

    My advice, listen carefully ;) the showroom and 9 outdoor spaces need to be totally separate from the expetrol station that is now car sales parking in regards to billing,  I would put the expetrol station in your business partners name:ph34r: and the showroom in yours, or whatever .

    If the 2 were combined, which afteralls is less paperwork for your local authority this could possibly result in a bigger overall bill than having ex petrol station separately rated, it maybe actually under the 15k discount (look up rates discount exemption) and result in paying no rates whatsoever, so, as the actual properties were rated separately before I can see no reason that they cannot again (I am basing this assumption on they have billed you as one).

    So, rather than worrying about paying or getting your grant reduced by £2800 I may have just saved you £10,000 +...........

    To be honest, and I am not knocking you, but for you and anybody else reading this, ALWAYS check all figures before jumping in feet first, a good example, again, my friend has just moved from a pitch to a indoor warehouse, fantastic spot secure, clean, but guess what, his insurance company have now set up many hurdles for him to jump before they will quote as it is allegedly in a bad area !

    I wish you well.

    • Like 1

  16. Posted · Edited by have a word with the wife

    55 minutes ago, supreno said:

    thats what stresses me out, can they really tell me that they have run out of cash? 

    99% sure no, local authorities  worked out how much they would need and told the government, looking at the website some payments have gone out =http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/19283/Business-Grants-payments

    in the meantime watch out for scam emails purporting to be the council asking for your bank details.

    the whole idea of these grants is to get them quick, the councils have been told this !

    if you go here = https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy have a read through for handy information.

    i found out for you this =

    allocated to Spelthorne Borough Council

     

    Spelthorne Borough Council£15,132,000

    paid out so far 

    £12,975,000

    to 981 of 1161 recognised

    hope that helps.

    i would phone them and tell them if you do not receive payment in the next 7 days you may go bust.............

     

    		     
    • Like 2

  21. Posted

    Mot histories, a good mot history that shows no gaps in months / years, particularly if a mot was due to expire in 10th nov was it done on or before the 10th nov ?  could show a caring owner, gaps of days / months might imply something else, advisories, not to be over cautious on these, it is the opinion of the tester at the time looking at a second hand product, everything wears, but not to the point of failing, and a advisory may have been dealt with one week after advise.

  22. Posted

    41 minutes ago, Boycie said:

    Just confirming that you think that people who are trying to buy stock to sell in their newly reopened car dealerships are 'idiots'?

     

    yes :lol:

    read the whole thread boycie, "quality stock" that is "fresh".......................

  23. Posted

    Think you might struggle with this one James, it does take many years of experience, (top tips ? Sounds like edd China :lol:).

    Stand back, walk round if space allows, looking for colour panel match ( if space is at a premium stop on the test drive in a more open space) compare any noises you are not sure of with another of same model, matching tyres are always a nice sign, especially if they are good make, interiors are quite rugged on modern cars  so use your nose and your eyes here, check all the controls, especially if the car has something that you need (eg air con ?  ) check the roof, always check the roof :(.

    And a dam good tyre kick does no harm.

     

  24. Posted

    Many people will / have already lost jobs, just like the virus I recommend slow nervous steps into the new world, just now on the daily update boris has said "there will be many jobs lost with the forthcoming  recession " .

    I am putting my foot in the water and testing the temperature before any consideration of loans, it is, after all, very easy to obtain, (too easy)? And at 25% of turnover is great.

    • No rush, great consideration before any leaps :)

  25. Posted

    1 hour ago, Paul C said:

    I have heard the government, or its ministers, say "car showrooms" about 100 times but at no point did they slip with the tongue, or paraphrase to say "car dealers".

    Car dealer != car showroom

    BUT....its pretty clear that the risk at an outdoor car sales pitch is less than an indoor car showroom environment, so based on the spirit/intention of the rules, it would not be an issue. Unless you're doing something very wrong or desperately cutting corners (and I think the vast majority of the public would be aware of this too, and not put themselves at risk).

     

    2 hours ago, metcars said:

    That all seems pretty straightforward? All the info you need? 

    Correct  clarity for everyone.

    • Haha 1