James Baggott

The Audi I've just got out of kept shouting at me that I'd left the engine running while I had be door open. Yes I know it's open I OPENED IT! What good is that whatsoever? If you don't know the door is open you shouldn't be driving.

Hi all. Thanks for all your comments so far. They've been incredibly helpful. Our new editor Colin Channon started this week. Tomorrow we'll be getting together with the rest of the team to discuss your ideas, and ours, to make Car Dealer more relevant and interesting to you. Now is your final chance to get those burning issues off your chest and tell us your ideas. We will be using this thread in the meeting tomorrow so anything you want to tell us, good or bad, no matter how silly you think the idea, please share it. We're looking forward to reading what you think. And don't worry we will be reading back through all the other posts on this thread. Thanks for your time all, as always, it's hugely appreciated.

Sounds like he was trying it on. But that said I think you did the right thing. Far better to keep your reputation, especially as you're just starting out, than to lose it all because one customer doesn't like the feel of the clutch. Next thing you know he'll be bad mouthing you all over town and business gets tough. Annoying as it is now, in my opinion, you made the right call.

Nice idea. Let's see how this thread pics up and if it works out I'll dedicate a section to it instead.

I thought the same! Apparently the buyer's fees (which BCA are donating) will be considerably more than they paid

Holy cow bells WHAT IS THAT?

I had a good old-fashioned email from a reader this weekend. I though I'd post it in here for you to see. It made me laugh. Dear all. Following recent comments in Car Dealer magazine concerning so called improvements in technological wizardry, I think readers might be interested in this home spun gadget - a driver's knee rest - in a car we had in for service the other day. Anyone want to go into production with me, or do I have to take it to the Dragons? Peter Murray, HLG High Lane Garage, Stockport, Cheshire. I emailed Peter back telling him how funny I thought it was. And he added: Thought it might amuse you! The car is a Mazda 3. Years ago, I used to deal with a chap who drove a yellow Beetle, towing behind him a matching yellow dog kennel on a trailer, containing his beloved Alsation. Not sure about the legal take on this nowadays, but it must have been OK in the 80's, as he was a policeman! Maybe you could open this up for other dealers to enlighten your readers about home brewed motoring gadgetry? And I thought that was a good idea. Have you seen any mad modifications on part exchanges you've taken in? Can you remember any that would make us chuckle. I'd love to hear your stories...

Don't push your luck

Hi William. Hopefully you've seen in the latest issue we've served up exactly what you asked. Thanks to Scott Sinclair at Google we've compiled a Top 10 Tips piece for using Google Analytics. I hope it helps and thanks for requesting some content for the mag. If anyone else has any specific requests for features in the mag let me know. Hopefully this proves we do listen and take action!

Great thread this and exactly what we were hoping it would be used for when we launched the forum. It's great to see so much encouragement and advice shared. Warms the cockles!

Welcome to the forum Ken - it's interesting to hear your experiences. Wishing you the best of luck with the venture. A subscription to Car Dealer would obviously be your best investment at £39.99.... you get lots of benefits too. www.CarDealerClub.com All the best

I can feel another Blackball Media artwork coming on Andy... I'm going to start buying them up. http://blackballmedia.co.uk/micro-machines-mural-adds-splash-colour-blackball-media/

This would be interesting to know guys...

I feel an under cover investigation coming along...

Brilliant. Keep them coming...

Sideways down the Stelvio... YEAH BABY!

Another recall for Toyota, but they always seem to handle them so well. Unlike some other brands recently...

Maybe that's it. No trade plates...

Hi all. Got this email from an old friend. I'm unsure what the answer is. Sure you guys will know... Just a quick enquiry: my mate here at Wiley has just phoned a bike dealer in Worthing about buying a new bike. He was planned to shoot over and test drive it only to be told that due to the new tax disc situation they were not allowing ANY bike road tests. They would not even let him ride on their property for fear of the bike being damaged and thus uninsured… Have you chaps come across this potential banana skin yet? Or has this dealer got it all wrong?

Have you thought about investing in a DMS system? There are lots available and it could prove beneficial. It might be a little sledgehammer to crack a nut for you at the moment so maybe a simple Excel spreadsheet could work? I wonder what the others on here use.

Thanks Paul. That's noted.

Welcome to the forum. Please keep us informed how the set up goes. We'd love to hear about it.

Sounds good. Look forward to seeing you on the start line!

They'll be able to laugh at me breaking down in my Mazda mx-5 or going off the Stelvio sideways...

Dear oh dear... not good