Earunder

Price increases again! Only posted on Tuesday that we've had some decent price increases, was inevitable seeing as the AH's have been going insane lately, but only 2 days later I've had another shift of around 2-3% where my Great Prices turned to Low, Good Price turned to Great. Naturally updated the price back so another good price update for me. Also noticed not many on the LOW PRICE side of things now so I can only imagine the "Let's Play Cheapest Price Wins" brigade have finally caught on that you need to make money to pay your bills. Brilliant news, hope you're all "reaping" this period.

That's right, only a certain amount of buyers at any one point. No one ever shops in one place and that's the same as car buyers, don't let anyone tell you any different. Auto Trader may well be the "on the tongue" brand but stats are out there, available online that show you *CUSTOMERS also visit cargurus, ebay motors, aacars (theaa), parkers (provided by motors.co.uk, therac, etc. Some may tip that balls, but ask yourself this. When shopping for a holiday do you only visit British Airways / Virgin Atlantic or do you go to the holiday supermarkets, virgin holidays, TUI / First Choice etc? Of course you do and car buyers are no different. I down my advertising numbers with AT every year also, coming out completely in December and rejoining January. At just over 10k per month, December is too risky. November I tinker with numbers to usually half stock and let clickdealer auto rotate. Seems to be keeping the ROI reasonable the last few years. I wouldn't panick, as the majority of the time these months Aug-Sept tend to be quiet months anyway with the odd influx every now and then but that's more luck that you have the right car for sale at the right time etc. EDIT *

I think it's the first I can remember THAT much of a market increase across various makes and models. I'm over the moon with the findings this morning as it makes a change to my 14 days stock pricing where normally I'm pricing down £50-75. I'd say I've seen at least a 3-4% INCREASE. Positive times!!

Here come the price increased... Always was going to have a knock on effect as there is still very little quality stock around. So according to my car gurus and auto trader accounts 32(CG) / 29 (AT) of my vehicles show market value increases meaning my vehicles are now price Great - Low on AT and Great Deal with CG.

In Brief... As you're new with finance I would recommend a broker until you understand the breakdown on what to do with applications and have some experience. Evolution Funding, Close Brothers, Mann Island Finance are all good brokers that can help. When you have had a fair bit of experience go direct to lenders, you''ll need 3 to ensure you cover all basis of "credit scores". I wouldn't recommend any more than that as remember each search goes against their credit score so you have to be responsible with what you do.

The new search has made a huge impact. It's completely devalued Premium as I believe it's now made people choose the results filter order of Low / High even more now. I wouldn't panick as by looking at the AH prices over the last 4 weeks you're best to hold on to your stock as you can't replace it at the moment. I've forwarded my opinion of the new search on to my account manager. Worst decision AT have done in years and that's including the decision of a 7% price hike for no valid reason other than greed. It's going to be an interesting April pricing decision this time round for Auto Trader, that is if they are still owned by the same group.

Who speaks like that? Hold on... is that James May?

Another expensive day today. Sitting here watching BB now and just cringing... Going to end up just doing a shed load of commission bids for next week and see how they go. Can't spend another whole day looking at my screens and getting nothing, feels like such a waste of a day. It's driving me nuts haha. I just hope Enfield / Paddock Wood pick up my P/ex's in time for this influx of expensive buyers to buy them

+1 Don't forget you have to give 12 month cancellation notice to HPi

Yeah it has been dragging out. I mean, they are putting cars through 3/4 times nowadays. Used to get the majority from BCA now it's all spread from 3. I understand there is a shortage of "quality" used cars around, especially now 2/3 more main dealer groups have started within the used car market and not putting as much of their part ex's through, but prices in the last 2 weeks have been insane.

Why have the majority of all AH gone, let's ramp up the price mode. BCA - Silly money lately, unless you want a bucket that you need to spend a week or 2 at different places to get the cosmetics sorted. Manheim - Just as expensive but they've started sneaking the conditions up again (Grade 2 when should be higher) Although I'm a big lover of the "Odour" report. Aston Barclay - Not as pricey and currently doing £50 delivery nationwide but no mech reports. I'd usually rant, but not overly busy, just ticking over and still have enough stock at paint, workshop et all to restock the site, but it's just weird this year.

Don't rely on AA for sales. We use them for brand purposes only. I feel that's what the majority do. ============================================================== If your based in a densely populated area then go facebook with £25-30 per car targeting the "right type" of buyers. I've mentioned on her to others before, it works well for us. Does require quite a bit of tinkering around to get targeting correct, but once you do it right you'll be laughing. ============================================================== Auto Trader at over £114.50+ VAT per car, per month... I'll let that price sink in alone. It works well for some, not so well for others. ============================================================== CarGurus - I was in the same position, but just thought I'd rather not sell the vehicles just to pay for the advert so cancelled. ============================================================== Motors - Not yet. Been bought out by Ebay and will shortly be introducing a new platform, but early days and only whispers at current. Probably more concrete news next year. ============================================================== PistonHeads - Bought out by CarGurus, little to no traffic and massive tyre kickers wanting a 2016 Focus RS, White, 26k miles @ £24,900 car for £18,000 as that's all it's worth and he was doing us the favour... Worse than Ebay Motors ============================================================== Ebay Motors - Got to simply for the price. You'll sell a few and as a bonus get a laugh out of the messages. "I'm a cash buyer...", "I've only got x to spend", etc ============================================================== Radio & SKY TV postcode / area advertising - Good for brand awareness, not so much for direct sales ============================================================== Papers and Magazines - Good for local sales. You should be able to get a full page spread for around 50-75 quid per week nowadays. It's trial and error on what papers work for you, we still use 2 newspapers in and around 3 local boroughs. ============================================================== Yell, The Loot, Exchange and Mart, Autorola, and the rest aren't worth it as they don't promote their website enough and rely on SEO growth which will take years. You'll be best to focus on your own SEO marketing if you want to do that. I think that's what we've used. It's all trial and error as there is no set rule. As with any business, what works for some may not work for others. You'll have to find out what does work for you and what doesn't by monitoring sales and leads. Hope that helps a little.

Amazes me how many still believe the hype train of Auto Trader... Been dropping off for about 18 months

Where's my bucket and sponge

We've all been there in this situation with customers neglecting their vehicles and unfortunately this is part and parcel of the trade as you get some right turnips like the one you've got right now. I understand your concerns and share your anger as it were, but just way up the pro's and cons. Take the hit, fix it, sell it and move on without it on your mind - My choice Argue it out, spend money on reports, spend time and mental worry on it, then wait for months for the court date. Don't forget the finance company will also do an ACE report. The only worry, even on the report you instruct, is as the fault was so quick, they could turn round and write in the report there is a "possibility" of the leak being there at purchase. That will in turn lose you the case outright. Everyone learns in this trade constantly, anyone who says any different are full of it. I've been doing this for 17 years and am still learning as it's constantly a changing market and industry. Good luck with what you decide.

Extremely tricky decision and one that if went to court I'm sorry to say you will most likely lose. The ACE reports are vital if you are going to defend it. Most companies use these to verify independent complaints / issues. That would not be your problem. Your problem is that the vehicle went wrong so quickly, we all know it's pot luck on these types of things but a Judge, in law, does not see it like this. You should think about 1) is it worth all your time, hassle and money to go down the road to dispute something that may or may not cost an arm and a leg OR 2) simply just offer the customer a full refund, fix it, sell it on to someone "more responsible". He sounds like a lemon driving a car when advised not to so the possibilities of further issues with him / her are pretty high.

Yes it's relatively quiet, majority of businesses are down in numbers this year and I'm not specifically talking about the motor industry. I wouldn't hold on to any money if you think prices are going to crash, keep your capital rotating the best way you can as this industry goes like this but I've never seen a MASSIVE price crash in my 25 years doing this. Only thing I've noticed that are crashing HUGELY are R/R Sports 2015 -> but that's pretty much down to the market shifting and them loosing their "popularity", let's be honest they had a great stint and it was a successful ride. It goes like this, I would say Brexit plays a small (Maybe 30%) part in it, but not solely the reason. Around us, (South East) the roads are even quiet, the shops are quiet, it just doesn't seem busy anywhere. Just keep playing the game to the best you know how. I haven't noticed diesels slowing down either but that doesn't surprise me to be honest. Lots of scare mongering out there. The ULEZ charges have affected us with some older cars but that was inevitable being so close to the city.

Nice try Yeah advert response doesn't load tho

It is true, I asked to be moved back to the old portal but nope, not available any more.

I don't know what you mean I don't know what you mean

We invoice extended warranties separate to the vehicle sales invoice. We then charge the customer the VAT on the extended warranty. I find It's an easier way as it keeps everything separate and simple. We use The Auto Group who have been very good over the last 2-3 years.

Thanks for the helpful tips guys. We've got an iPhone here so will see how the lads get on with the iMovie app. Didn't even think of it to be honest, thought I'd be forking out but if this works out, I'll be chuffed to bits.

Like this? So they do work? They look all fingers and thumbs. Just don't have very good reviews but I suppose that could be from people like me who are all fingers and thumbs...

Hey guys, We've all been doing pics for some time now and just wondered how you guys got on with videos and what setups you were running. We currently have a Nikon D3300 and take between 40 and 60 pics per car. The guys hate me as I'm a finicky fucker and have them follow my photo guide to the book so want but I'm kinda stuck as when I've gone to do videos, the movement of the camera just frustrates me (as I said I'm pretty finicky). I don't know anything about stands, hand held thingy's that make it smoother or even if they work at all so any help and advice would much be appreciated. PS - I tried the YouTube smoothing rendering thing but that just came out like the car was warping in and out from a star trek movie O.o