NOACROSS

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Posts posted by NOACROSS

  2. Posted

    17 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

    I got a £500 grant on our £700 Podpoint two years ago. Not sure if they still do it. 

    Yeah, looks like it. No one was available to take my enquiry - so am waiting for an email or call back. 
    As I said earlier, it’s like pulling teeth getting EV et al info. def an opportunity for someone switched on and customer focussed. 

  3. Posted

    7 minutes ago, Arfur Dealy said:

    Customers look online at the MOT history, they will want to know what they are potentially purchasing (advisories etc), they will won't to see the MOT completed and even better if its advisory free. Always MOT and prep the car first, when it then goes on sale it can be driven away immediately. IMO

    This I agree with.  For me with 30-40 cars, it's not possible (especially with current stock turn or lack of) or at least, very difficult.  I have always done as the OP, and had an MOT, Pdi etc done after sale so the customer gets the full benefit.  However, AD is right, the bastards are more often than not, looking online at the MOT history and having a mild breakdown over pathetic advisories.  I'm sure this stops some even calling or emailing about the junk.  So...I have been trying to MOT a few when they arrive before advertising.  Especially on the ones I think have a good chance of selling relatively quickly.  The last four I have done, have already sold.  So, once again- living in the past isn't the way forward.  Adapt or die once again. :0)

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    36 minutes ago, Contracts said:

    No idea on installing a point for commercial purposes but I would think Pod-Point or Chargemaster would be a good starting point.  In the future I think the market demand for commercial charging points will be on major roads that don’t have service areas, residential areas where occupants can’t charge themselves or retail food / leisure outlets where the EV driver has something to do whilst charging.  

    Locally there are several free charge points provided by a supermarket whilst down the road BP have installed one but despite being closer to most offices I often see people leaving their cars at the supermarket.

    We now have a charge post at the office but we got that for our Zoe pool car using the government grant (you need to show ownership or written order confirmation to qualify).  We now lock it as we found a local taxi firm started using it out of hours.

     

     

     

    Thanks Contracts. Much appreciated. I have approached a few companies today, but pulling teeth would be easier. 
    Inline with thinking of selling a few more EV’s (I’ve sold one i3) in the future- an on-site charging point is, I think, good idea  

    Those taxi people are outrageous for doing that btw! No shame. Did they just think it was free?

  8. Posted

    I guess if you have something people want, and can’t get elsewhere, then you don’t have to prostitute yourself. Also, not needing the money helps  

    There’s a place near us that sells used Teslas. I understand he gets them from their owners (sometimes on SOR) as Tesla won’t even take them back in chop. 

    Now I’m no oil painting, but that truck is Fugly!

  11. Posted · Edited by NOACROSS

    Have any of you fine people with sites/public access, thought about having an EV Charging Station installed?

    I have had this thought, as may be a good use of a space or two and a bit of future-proofing-but can't seem to find much help or info on the subject.  I called the local council, who had absolutely no idea.

    Would like to know likely costs and returns - if any. As well as any ideas or potential pitfalls.

    • Like 1

  12. Posted

    Hi Keiren,  I’ll bite.  If you’re upfront about the issues, and spell it out in the advert and document it at sale, getting the punter to sign to say they are aware and understand and that you won’t entertain any comebacks etc, then you’re still officially ***ked if they kick up a fuss. After all, we are the ‘professional’ motor trader and they are the poor old had-over innocent customer. 
     

    However, that’s the worst case scenario. Most people are normal and if you’re up front with them, you will normally be fine. From time to time however....

    On the whole, I would try not to sweat every detail.  Just get on with it and treat as you would like to be treated etc. 
    Better off selling well prepared cars with a new mot and all that  

    Good luck. 

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

  13. Posted

    27 minutes ago, BHM said:

    In my experience this is because Mrs. VAG man is actually more of a man than Mr. VAG man because he’s nowt but a spineless bellend repeating parrot fashion every bit of shite that is spewed across the Internet, pretending to worry about every aspect of his potential purchase in order to make a pathetically low offer which he’s praying you don’t accept because he hasn’t got the money anyway and even if he did, could he just check the Volkswagen wallet again “in order to check the veracity of the information contained within the documentation, by means of main dealer service stamps, against the manufacturers service schedule in order to satisfy myself as to the calibre of the previous owner”. Wankers.

    :0)

    Amen. 

  14. Posted

    2 hours ago, tradex said:

    I've a great had a 10 days, sold 3 cars, with a profit across 2 of them, one being money back. :lol:

    ....... all less my VAT, tax, advertising, MOT, warranties, repairs, valeting. 

    Over last two days I've shelled out £500 on warranties, £700 to mechanic, £400 MOTs, £360 motor factors (small bill as been on holiday)  £400 to replace my impact wrench.....

    .....I'd earn more pushing a broom around ASDA's:lol:.

    Got a 207 sitting with a HG out of it that was fine when bought, another f*cking £500 clutch as I'm now a clutch replacement charity...it's like pushing water uphill. 

    Feel for you bro -as the kids apparently say- dreaded vat, similar doom-can’t sell free ice cream in the desert at the mo. 
     

    Can I trump you a Qashqai auto gearbox crapping itself 5 months and 3 and a half weeks later? 

    As Screenman is saying. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Do you want to be around to see it is the pertinent question? Where’s that dark cupboard....

  15. Posted

    Only advice I can add (apart from don't do it!) is do it on the side as long as you can.  

    I'd gladly give up my site if someone wanted to pay me to go (unlikely nowadays) I understand your grief with staff, but this business comes with its own set of unusual hassle and doom, that I guarantee you're not prepared for.

    Have you thought about either renting some sales space to someone else (local trader) or getting some cars on sale or return if you must?

  16. Posted

    23 minutes ago, Casper said:

    Very modern funnily enough i only set up a personal one not long go for a couple friends to send holiday snaps don't mind it for business but deleted Twitter and facebook personal pages . As I'm not the type of person who likes to say we are out break into to our house . Or what I'm having for dinner 

    Ha. Yes. I only have Bookface for work. Apparently we should be on Instagram too now so I’m told! Can’t cope with that much change /really have no idea what it is. 
     

    Anybody using it with success?

  19. Posted

    6 minutes ago, umesh said:

    I have whatsApp had it about 4 months, within two days sold a car direcly off it a guy sitting at the airport in Italy on route back to Manchester airport, 4/5 quick messages, flew into manchester drove to me and bought the car! ( Would have driven it away but wasn't able to do the transfer and came back on the monday ) which he said he didn't really mind. 

    Had various other conversations and appointments made and sold off it. It's just another way for them to communicate and much better than live chat, which I also have. #everylittlehelps 

    @noacross display on the mobile phone , quick eand easy to respond IMO. 

     

    Thanks Umesh,  - everyone.  I'm doing it.   Soon as I can build up the enthusiasm.

  20. Posted · Edited by NOACROSS

    39 minutes ago, Rory RSC said:

    Can you give your salesman the facebook messenger  lead management/ whatsapp out of hours responsibility and let them earn a bit more if they convert from it save you dealing with it?

     

    He’s 70 (the one who would have to have this responsibility) and doesn’t even know how to use his old style push button mobile if he’s honest. Especially not a ‘stupid glass phone’ as he calls them. 
     

    I’ll just have to take another one for the team. I’ll just answer on the Mac/pc though if that’s a possibility. 

    46 minutes ago, justlooking said:

    Lee’s just told me I’ve got a nakerd box on a MX5 so off to Trents. Any time x

    My mate Scrappy Phil might have one

  22. Posted

    Just now, justlooking said:

    Hey NOA,

    I use it on my website, and it routes through to my (one and only) mobile. It's great, customers have enquiried via whatsapp as their first contact and left a deposit after I've given bank details, probably happened on more than a few occasions from memory, I think we should cater for however they want to converse, annoying I know, but sign of the times.

    I would get a new work mobile number and use whatsapp for your website that way if you really want that separation.

     

    Cheers,

    Yes, you’re right for sure- still hate it though ;o)

    So, does it then show the mobile number mate? What about having the Ap? on a desktop? Does that need a mobile number to work/install? 
     

    Troubke is, I’ll end up carrying two mobiles around like a drug dealer. 
     

  23. Posted

    So, as many regulars will know, I REALLY hate punters that text, rather than call or email.  I'm happy to agree I'm a dinosaur before we start that 'customers that text debate'.  It annoys me so much, that whenever I've received a text, I will simply call the number from the work landline (or voip).

    I've ended up asking for the (work) mobile number to be removed from the website etc and the work mobile is off and on permanent divert to the landline number. 

    Weirdly, I don't mind an email, or if they must, a Bookface message.  I think it's because it comes through on the laptop or computer, rather than my phone.

    (as an aside: My number one pet hate is people Whatsapping me, especially people I know, who have an iPhone and know full well that I also do!  One of my salesman will even text me an iMessage and then separately WhatsApp me a picture at the same time- WHEN HE'S GOT AN IPHONE AND HE'S AT WORK, CONNECTED TO THE WIFI!)

    Anyway, that's better, rant over and on with my question:

    I've had quite a few punters call up and then later ask to WhatsApp us some pictures or request the same WA to them. I have politely declined as I don't want them then to decide to converse only by text or WhatsAp- so instead have kept to email for videos.

    I'm vaguely aware of WhatsAp for business, but don't understand it.

    Can I set up a separate Whats Ap account to my (hated) private one and have it enabled on the Mac and PCs/ work mobile?  

    I don't under any circumstances want my mobile number on show or if possible, even the work WhatsApp mobile number displayed.

    Should I get back in my ancient cave or is it possible?  I see a few like @umesh have it enabled on their website.  How does that work/where do the incoming messages display?

  24. Posted

    27 minutes ago, Mojo121 said:

    Just picking up on what others said about EbayMotorsPro - dead as any thing for a long while now. 
    Signed a long contract not long ago and feel like trying to get out of it somehow.

    Feel like the eBay browsers have moved onto Facebook.

    Yes- as much as I still like ebay- I would agree, it's weird how the interest has dwindled.

  25. Posted

    7 minutes ago, Grantlfc81 said:

    just Taken a Dodge Journeyman or some rubbish in part ex. Just driven it 2 miles and the gearbox shat itself. 2 and a half grand down the swanny. Lovely start to the week.

    Sorry to hear that mate - just what you need on a Monday morning.  Best or worst job in the world.

    They're VW engines and boxes no?