CJ Underhill

It's not arrogance at all. Of course we take the vehicles for a spin down the road, on first appraisal before PX and before we upload them to auction site. Anything that is obvious, or not correct, lets say a knock, a rattle, funny noise when changing gear etc of course we will list, last thing any of us want is a hard time on collection But there can be alot of issues that you cant see, hear, or tell from a run down the road, If we are not aware of an issue, we cant list it. I don't think dealers (or most decent ones) are trying to hide behind the "not inspected" to sell a shed or a car with a serious issue. Its just a way of being able to cover our backs

Yeah you have to be careful with the "not mechanically checked" however, i sell on Dealer Auction, and some of the buyers are worse then retail customers when it comes checking the cars... "theres 2 more stone chips on the bonnet you didnt mention" "the undertray is slightly damaged" etc With the cars we trade, theres no profit in them, after the fees you might make £100 - £200 if you have a few bidders, but its not enough to spend time mechanically checking. I don't know if a suspension bush is on its way out, or theres a bit of play in a wheel bearing... but unless you state its not been mechanically checked, buyers get arsey if you haven't mentioned it.

I've just took in a an old Rolls Royce with a built in... wait for it..... barometer.... why would you ever need a barometer in your car? Tho as you pointed out, the one door only remote locking has to be the most pointless Or fighting with the once touch window to only open it a quarter of the way

Direct to dealer I personally would be weary of buying a car thats been described by the general public. I think we've all had customers that describe their car as "mint" "like new" or "very good" and when they arrive to part ex its a complete shed. Also their version of full service history, is completley different to ours. If a member of the public is trying to sell their vehicle, i would question why. If they are going to the effort of describing the vehicle condition and uploading it for dealers to buy, why they wernt selling it themselves privatly? And also, i'd imagine its because they are unhappy with the trade in value on theirs and hoping for more than book price. Finally, is a member of the public trying to sell their own vehicle really going to declare that it doesnt start first time in the morning, the turbo has gone, the abs light comes on now and then etc?

I tend to stick the mentioned places Dealer Auction, Sytners, Rybrook and Full Auction. Tho on these sites we do tend to try and buy from the same few centres, as there is alot of trust involved. Building a good relation with the dealer is key. As we all have different views on what a "tidy" car is. For more specific stuff, i use Manheim. Mainly because their giant Bruntingthorpe centre is only down the road. Plus the auction inspections are usually very accurate. I never really got on with ATM. I found it very expensive, and alot of traders wanting "bids" or "offers" and then never hearing back to wether or not you've actually got the car. I prefer to be giving a figure, or able to bid upto a figure. That way, it saves alot of peoples time. There also seemed to be alot on ATM asking almost retail prices on stuff. The main thing that annoyed me, was if i put out a specific "wanted" car, i'd get calls from loads of traders offering me other stuff, or what other cars i'd buy from them. As for Trade outs... dont even get me started. Due to their main guys attitude i wouldn't use it now even if it was free, and would not reccomend them at all

You couldn't be more correct Wheelerdealer. The strange thing was, once i left school i really wanted to get into vehicle sales. I'd spent most of my youth reading about cars, learning facts and figures etc, but nowhere would employ me for "lack of experience". I must of applied to every sales centre in the county. So i actually gave up trying and took the job elsewhere. Its also strange how the weird choice of A levels i took. I picked random subjects that appealed, where most people were taking the courses needed to get onto a uni course, and nobody could understand why i'd picked them. Again, turns out i use and rely on most of them in the job today. Media, Law & Politics, Philosophy, Business, Economics & Accounting Funny how things have a way of working themselves out

Another vote for the Iphone. For a phone its a very good image. And always in my pocket. Sizing is good, and easy to upload to a computer. For autotrader, Ebay etc the quality is more than enough, and good for attaching to emails too

I think i was always going to end up in the Motor trade Growing up as the son of a master tech, whos owned his own garage for 20+ years, i dont think i really had much choice. I was always into cars and engines since i can remember. Once i left school i went to work for a independant inspection company, where i started my training to be a vehicle inspector, doing de fleets, ex rental and auction cars. I gained a good knowledge of the auction trade working at and for auction sites. I got made redundant just as the credit crunch hit, very much last in.. first out. Took a job sweeping floors, washing cars and parts collecting/delivery for a garage, while i was looking for another job. A salesman left and i temp filled in to cover.. realised i was pretty good and enjoyed it. 4 years later im now the sales manager. Pot luck i guess

I wouldn't say it has an interesting history, but we were asked by a good client if we could go and collect a triumph stag he'd bought blind off the internet on his behalf. All we had was an adress in Crewe, and a blokes name. We were told we had to collect it on a particular weekend as the bloke was some sort of musician and was leaving the country the next week. Name didn't ring any bells, thought nothing more of it.. Until we arrived at the gentlemans house. lovely house, nothing over the top, and ask to borrow his bathroom. there in the corridoor, Gold and silver discs everywhere. When we asked him what his association was with this "Artist" expecting him to have maybe performed in a backing group or something. His reply was... "I am him" Turned out the gentleman in question was actually Dario G. Lovely chap, very down to earth. Talking about the classic "Carnival de Paris" tune, he reminded us his first hit was actually "Suncyhme" (The Chris Evans Monday 8:00am song" and continued to sit at his piano and play the opening bars. Only other interesting history, was that my dad many years ago bought a second hand SAAB 900, that was orginally owned by Kate O'Mara

Barn finds tended to have a great story attached to them An Aston Martin DB5 found in a run down barn is a remote part of France, untouched for years A rare pre war Bentley in an overgrown spinny in a farmers field These are proper "barn finds" Now it seems everybody is classing any old tatt as a barn find and trying to ask a fortune for it. Your nans XR2 thats been parked under a tree for 12 months is not a barn find, niether is that MK3 Golf taken off the road to be repaired, messed up, realised it wasn't an easy fix and left in the garage for 2 years.. again isn't a barn find.

Optional extras are always an issue, wasn't too bad in the day of the Glass's Checkbook, but i've been informed they no longer produce these. Its the "packs" i find most confusing, as somebody said, even the main dealers can't tell you what these "packs" contain... climate packs, sports pack, chilli pack, comfort, drivers pack,smokers pack etc etc I've also noticed over the last few years, many manufactures moving away from badging the vehicle spec, be it an S, SE, SXI etc etc

The Koreans seem to match the Japanese technology.. But at a far less price, With great warrantys.. but that could just be my rose tinted glasses

Pretty common around me, we've had our scrap metal stolen, wheels, cats etc Also had a number of customers, mainly Disco owners having the spare wheels taken. I guess once your under the vehicle you might as well take that too Never a problem until in the past couple of years, we've had a large amount of Irish caravanner's move in.. Needless to say my 4x4's will be kept inside over night now

This question always buggs me, "how much is my car worth".. "how longs a bit of string" we all know how customers lie.. we know their understanding of "mint condition" is a million miles away from ours. Simple thing is tell them their car is worth between £50 and top book. Or quote them/get them to do a We Buy Any Car valuation, and tell them you pay more

I'm not a huge fan of the Lewis advert, however, i guess the fact it gets people talking and the name thrown around is the clever bit. I'm sure you've all been asked if you have seen the Lewis advert, or the Coke advert.. However, if the reported figure of £1m to create the Lewis ad is correct, that’s a fair old spend on advertising Can't say ive seen a "vehicle retail" advert that has particular caught my attention.. Apart from motorpoint or available car (I can’t remember which). This got my attention for all the wrong reasons. I do think the manufactures have got more cleaver with their advertising, and many now hardly show the vehicles in question. Dacia & SsangYongs recent adverts i felt were fairly clever in the fact they were to the point.. no frills.. no fancy graphics or beautiful scenic drives with attractive “perfect†families.. "Here’s the car.. Here’s the price" SsangYongs first advert for the Korando, didn't even feature the vehicle. To me, a consumer.. Big fancy adverts = Expensive... Expensive advertising = "am I paying too much"

Personally i have taken the "casual" approach I'm rather young i guess for the business, but decided to take my own approach on things. Having bought a few cars in my past, and spend many afternoons looking, the sharp suited salesman, who’s bathed in aftershave and has it seeping out his pours, designer stubble and fancy watches put me off, as does the constant being referred to as "Sir or Gentleman".. Of which.. i am neither. Pompous door opening, adjusting my seat for me... i am more than capable of doing it myself.. I guess it’s all down to person preference, but it really puts me off, and gets my back up I go for the laid back approach, I’m sure some of you veterans may not agree, but we all have our own way. I go for the smart and always polished leather shoes, Suit trousers and a well fitted, company embroidered polo shirt, and a smart V neck sweater. I don't feel comfortable in the suit and tie, and is easier when I’m mucking in cleaning cars, sweeping the showroom etc. Also, I don’t go for the Sir/ Gentleman.. In the words of old Swiss Toni, i mirror my customer’s attributes. If they are a youngish guy, occasionally I may refer to him as mate (I am from Leicester after all) or ask if I can address them by their first name, much more friendly, personal and relaxing for both me and the client I feel. Obviously an older gent, I will call "Mr …," his wife.. "Young Lady"

I've just bought one of these, albeit the early square dash model, but i prefer them.. tucked away in storage now.. hopefully thats my pension sorted Some people already class these as classics, and values have been appreciating but i'd go for SAAB 900 T16 S

I wouldn't say I enjoyed this article as enjoyed would be the wrong word.. I was more intrigued by it, mostly by Richard Smiths comments, I’m sure if you had asked the rest of us dealers you would of had a completely different response to his comments, he's clearly been informed and knows more than rest of us