TRADE SURVIVOR

Marshalls have to their credit are repaying all of the support afforded to the company by the government during the pandemic Vertu have a different view. Interested to hear what are we thinking folks?

And the lesson is do the job properly and thee will prosper.

Try Martin at Unit 20.com He really does know his Audi's

Always a buzz when a cheapie provides a decent return, I wonder is it that metal prices are rising or is the uplift in scrap due to parts shortages? Whichever way happy days. went off subject with my memories of t-cut and tyre paint in earlier post, so back to main dealers retailing older motors don't think they understand the customer and expectation that buyers of older cars have. Little or no knowledge of the common faults on their non franchise p/x's setting themselves up for a fall in my opinion.

The online sellers will probably bend over backwards at this stage to build reputation and retention those good online review's which are for anyone selling used cars in today's world essential. Perhaps they build in breakdown cover, not sure but we will be looking into their offerings closely going forward in order to react as far as we can. If there is an occasion whereby a customer local to us has an issue and the car purchased from cazawhatever under the supplier warranty is brought to us, we shall have a special labour rate to quote and it will not be cheap!

Oh for the days when motors were painted in cellulose sorted many a bloomed minor or zephyr, spend a day with compound. t cut, wax and wire wool for the chrome, tyre paint and wash the engine down with petrol off all things (HSE would have field day now). Clean the points up, clean out the out the filters. Mint ball on the forecourt and a decent profit. These days most older p/ex we only allow scrap value.

Spot on!

Same raided Motab site first lockdown before they closed the site we bought some stupidly cheap stock, needless to all gone with great margins. Hats off to you David in the current trade market, fortune favours the brave as they say. No doubt you have a number of Cazoo transporters on the way with fully prepped stock ready for you to retail.

We all know CAP is adrift on the money at the moment however current trade prices mental! Stock on our pitch in some cases a grand or more over retail for last September book, yet seeing motors making same money to trade. Time for caution as far as we are concerned not being negative but as you say how long will the current demand last? The good lady's motor has done less than 500 miles since covid she is one of many who will not be in the market to change this year.

Both interesting articles one thing I will agree with is Mr Chesterman is personally going to make a lot of money.

Amen to that Frank

I am more concerned about one of my customers rather than the economy who contracted covid in February 2020 and is still walking with aid of a stick, plus we have two retired members of staff who have spent many weeks in hospital due to the contagion. Our death rate cannot be attributed solely to the government in the early days it was the scientists who advocated a herd immunity approach, also the lack of common sense within our community's exacerbated the spread , we as individuals all have a responsibility which so many sadly ignore (been in a supermarket latley). Economy wise it's pretty cyclical around every ten years we have a downturn, we were heading there anyway just so sad for many families that this virus was the catalyst. Don't be nervous the economy it will recover. As for your point about our economy being hit harder than any other developed country I would love to see the numbers.

No real surprise here as many dealer groups have already started to consolidate their representation. Twitchy bottom time for many who hold one or more of Stellantis franchises, back to the future as in the 80's there was an appetite for manufacturers to have independents appointed as service points across the country which over time dissipated as the market was over represented. Times have changed and can see this policy being revisited going forward. Can see many planning applications from Stellantis dealers being submitted, block of flats coming to a location near you.

Really feel for you guys who are having tumbleweed days as we all experience them from time to time. Tomorrow is another day keep the stock mint and priced to the market , your turn will surely come.

Understandable Martin whilst Carzoo and Carzam seem to have a price war going on. Also dealers such as Evans Halshaw have retail priced cars that look value compared to current wholesale prices.

Ha ha yes there is the we should have taken the money at the time. Rare but we have all been there although they all go in the end. Please god said punter keeps driving past and does not come onto our forecourt to pleasure his rod.

Across various platforms today as we all are most days, cannot believe the money some of the stock is making really stellar money today! I do enjoy the odd sherbet and had to check this morning had I had one too many last night? Suitably checked and found it was not a sherbet haze but the reality of the current wholesale market.

Get the odd cynical individual who's view is that I am a car salesman therefore dodgy by default this type always have the view that we are liars, rather not deal with this type of customer as they usually turn out to be a pain in the backside. Thankfully we find we can reason with most customers and we deal at screen price, no discount. if and when the job falls out of bed only then would we consider discounting. With the wholesale market as it is right now if you can afford to do it let the morons walk and wait for the sensible customer.

Doing his best did not mean that I thought he and his cabinet had it right yes, there are shortcomings and failings that will come out in a later public enquiry, Which is inevitable. As will be the case for many countries whose governments struggled to deal with this terrible contagion. Regarding the Cobra meetings do you think Boris was chilling in Costa with a flat white? Think not. Weekend breaks? Maybe he was still working? Perhaps you are privy to what goes on in the prime ministers life and have more knowledge than I. As for India which sadly will probably turn out to catastrophic loss of life for some time to come I think your numbers my be off as the true figures are unreported. 1,366 billion souls in India compared to around 66 million in the UK not sure the death ratio you suggest adds up (ratio and death is an uncomfortable subject as we are talking about people and family's here) . Covid vaccine seems to have been a success in our country so far. Our government ordered millions of doses of vaccine for which they should be credited for and of course this vaccine is being administered by our fantastic NHS along with volunteers who continue to do so. I for one support a further increase in pay for our NHS. In order to do this we will all have to pay more into the pot, nothing comes for free whatever government we have!

Really? Once again I have learned something, not. Reduce my prices .No Sell a car for what the customer demands No. So pleased we don't have your customer experience fella, Thankfully our customers appreciate the value of well prepared cars and good service for which they are happily willing to pay.

I defer to your greater knowledge of my customer base I learn something every day despite being in the motor trade since I was washing cars at 13 years of age I'm now in late 60's so thank you for your advice. My support of trade Vet's post was to endorse the importance of a good local reputation, solely online is some years away yet . Your council is valued however, I think on balance we shall carry on with our current business model. During this last lockdown as a small independent we sold 150 cars all online and compliant with distance selling rules. Since 5 weeks back we have had excellent footfall onsite and sold plenty of cars thank you, my last three sales onsite were today so I'm as good as those last sales and looking forward to test drives booked by physical and online customers tomorrow and completion of more sales. Thankfully our workshop is busy with loyal and many new recommended customers who are happy to pay for good honest service.

We do have a similar model due in madam although it will be £17995 and unfortunately your Seat will still only be worth £100. So many people think there are plenty of nice cars with good spec out there in this climate and dealers are desperate. Wrong! There is a new car supply hiatus which may last for quite some time, therefore good quality used cars are in short supply. Seeing disappointed customers on a daily basis as they did not believe that we had other interested parties on the car they were interested in.

Exactly the same my user name has never changed.

Totally agree, Local reputation really counts and is paramount. We are fortunate to have a base of loyal customers who will never go elsewhere even to save a few quid, they buy from us based on long standing relationships and trust. In particular when they have had a problem with a vehicle and we step up to resolve the issue whatever it takes. No matter how many overproduced flashy ads are on tv or online. A hard earned reputation built on trust over many years through dealing with integrity pays its dividend, pleased to say many of our customers also drag their millennial offspring to ourselves for their first car. Cazwhooever will never get those customers.

I have been a member of the forum for some years however, having taken a break from posting for some time it seems I'm relegated to newbie status, no worries see you in the lounge soon TV