MattR

You dont need to do this guy a favour. Every time ive done a deal where the deal involves very little cash, theres a problem (normally significant) with the swapper that I hadnt spotted, intermittent running fault etc. I'm happier taking swappers for a few hundred quid, can always get rid of them. So go with your gut, and sell to someone else. If he really wants your car, he can use WBAC and turn up with the cash

Not sure how a broken dipstick makes it a non runner. The owner should have at least informed you, but dont think that is a legal requirement unless its on your order. There are plenty of similar situations on here, I think you need to consider what a judge might do if it went that far. its a problem within 6 months so unless theres some serious abuse taken place, I think you would still be responsible (in his eyes)

Yes, and getting rid of a google review is very hard. If you have other reviews on there, it does, of course dilute it. In my experience, most people who look at such things will take it with a pinch of salt if you do a professional reply. If someone had a real problem with your business, you would know about it. So this is some idiot who likes to go around trashing businesses. But dont attack the person who has left the review, there was some unfortunate business that got trolled (details were on here a few months back) and tens of awful reviews. That is the last thing any of us need

why would that be your 'main thing'?

And it is a real one because i've just spoken to them on the phone! I actually sold one from a cargurus lead in between xmas and new year. I have the free package where they have to contact by email and you dont get anything apart from a car gurus email address to reply to , but its getting a fair bit of response so far. I know its been discussed before, but for the people who do well from cargurus, is it the free package or a paid for one?

I dont do the windscreen stickers anymore, I have a roadside pitch. But as everyone else says, its mainly internet driven. And most of the good stickers like 'auto' 'low mileage' etc have gone missing over the years. Dont think 'electric windows' or 'power steering' impress many people anymore....

Im not sure why you would specialise to that extent. If you were to go to an auction and dismiss 99% of the stock because it isnt a Mini Cooper, it doesnt leave you much to aim at. End result, you wont bother going. We all have preferences as to what we sell, but not many will stick to a small part of a brand and try nothing else. So my tip is to consider buying anything you regard as good value.

what a lovely genuine customer you have there.

Future classic price

its quite a walk from the station - by the time you get there you may have the code!!! PS they also ask you to bring some ID.......

It was a voicemail, but the phone ringing still woke me up!

If you'd seen Karen, I'd imagine he gets up early to avoid her amorous intentions

Maybe they could underwrite some cheap shit for me!

i would have said the customers who dont do as they promised- 'i'll let you know' until 613am today when Paul and Karen rang to let me know 'they wont be going any further with the Nissan Note' Why would you think calling at 613 in the morning is a reasonable thing to do?

Let him see you in court for reporting wheel wobble at 80+. and other 'faults' which indicate aggressive driving. what sort of tool puts that in an email?

I also applied in early december, still waiting. good tip re the mystery shop...

Are you over prepping on the cosmetics? you are in a market place where it is very price driven.your competitors are, as you say, not prepping, but you would assume still selling. So there are people out there who will buy cars with MINOR scuffs, scratches and trolley dents. in fact most will. So try and work out what you may be able to 'get away with' at your current price point. But Dont skimp on mechanical prep. EPV is spot on that cosmetic prep needs to be better on 5k plus. So you may not make much more per car. But you can get a better quality p/ex which you can go again with. And you wont be in a bidding war to buy that. But do be aware that if you decide to go to 5k plus you are competing against some bigger dealer groups on smaller cars. so dont go stocking up on 14 reg aygos and expect to do any better. you'll still be looking at them in 6 months time.

I meant from BHM after you told him to lighten up. However it is lonely in my 'office'

awaiting explosion

Sounds like he's getting the car for free - and a kia ceed will have aux in points etc which is all most of them are bothered about !

As above. Technically you could also sell it as a loss, as we all will have done at some stage, however that would raise an eyebrow at an inspection

Ditto with the valeter - you dont need to employ someone to do that, find a mobile valeter who will charge you per car instead of being a drain on your bottom line every month. I pay 30 to 40 per valet. if he was on minimum wage he would be costing me the same as 10 valets per week, and I dont have that sort of turnover. You'll have plenty of other fixed costs, you don't need another.

Put simply, if a prospective customer is put off by the wings being a different shade to the rest of the car, allow yourself a gallic shrug and let them go and buy something else, they'd live with you anyway if they were that fussy.most of my stock is 8-12 years old, so will have had paint done. And 90% of customers at this age/price range is realistic enough to know that. Does it have any bearing on the reliability of the car? No. Which when they are 12 years old, is surely the most important thing. So dont kick yourself about it, it will sell!

I think if you pay one of the motoring magazines to advertise then you could be on there too? They have their reputation to consider, so if they are 'recommending' a dealer or website, they will want to know its safe for their customers. they dont want a customer saying ' i used someone what car recommended and they were rubbish and ripped me off'

I'm up for a free breakfast courtesy of Lucas. But how many of us will be standing there waiting for him?