MattR

bank transfers, most customers happy with that. Occasionally you will get someone where you concede and take a debit card balance, but at least you stop the bulk of the charges. In the meantime, card machines great for taking a deposit.

That sounds far better value than when i was with them. I was at 350 ish per month for 20 cars, binned it off after 3 months as it got me next to nothing. might be worth another look

Half book, and find an auction to put it through. I never retail anything thats on the hit list, you just dont know whats happened to it.

Hi EPV, I think it was me who made the comment about overprep, and I can only speak from my own experience. I started out 6 years ago and despite the fact I was selling up to 3 k stuff, I was refurbing alloys, painting bumper corners, and repairing trolley dings because I was scared of losing a customer over what, with hindsight, was nothing to worry about. My problem was coming out of a main dealer where we did everything. My experience now is to touch up small scratches, leave alloys unless they are bad (corroded or been whacked several times) and I honestly cant remember the last time I had the dent man round. If it needs paint it's done, Safety however, thats another thing. Everything MOT'd before it goes on sale and checked over for impending doom. Like many on here, I prefer a punter with an element of realism who prefers to see an honest car with a couple of minor battle scars, which, when you're selling in the up to 5 k range, is what it is. You are dealing with different stuff to me, so you may need to do more - I prefer mainstream to semi prestige. You will find a balance of customer expectation and reconditioning costs, but you will be working on a larger initial margin to me (I hope). Just be sensible, we are all different with what we do. It took me a couple of years to work out what works for me, and I still have to tweak it every now and again.

+2. Be nice to have something to be forwarded to Citizens advice bureau too!

it wont be funny if Ive made you waste a gallon of fuel....

Probably not your issue on this but Ive had fuel gauge issues with Astras where they stick in the wrong place so you think you have fuel when you dont. If it is starting, I guess thats unlikely but you never know...

Marc - if your mechanic says there isnt anything to worry about, I'd be inclined to believe him. Ive sold plenty of fiestas with the clutch bearing noise - you will never buy one without it. Likewise I have never had one come back with a problem. It really is a 'characteristic of the car'. I'm not one to skip on prep, new MOT on all of my stuff and in most cases a service too before I even put it on the pitch, but you learn when something really does not need doing. Spend your money if you want, but that then becomes a classic case of newbie over prep. I'd concentrate more on price pointing the car. If you are thinking just over 3k, bite the bullet and make it 2995. its not an easy colour to sell, use this exercise as a lesson!

trade girl, back to your first point, no lights on the dash - does that mean you can see what the mileage actually is? if he has verbally abused you, make a note of the exact time and date of the call and make notes as to what was said. He can complain about the car, but he cant say that to anyone without some sort of comeback.

Simon, grin and bear it. At least your selling process means the most the idiots can do is call you. They seem to be out in force this week, Ive had a variety of them this week. Its been as frustrating but I'll have forgotten all about them by next week when a couple of real buyers have been in

reduced or full up?

Avoiding selling on ebay and the likes is an absolute must for me. I wont claim to be a busy man however I really dont want to deal with any of the idiots who are frequently discussed on this forum. So I have found a few people who are more than willing to do so to supplement their regular job. So find yourself a plastic trader or 2 that you can build a relationship with. Go to your local industrial estate and find the car with a price board on and ring him, if he's a local mechanic or similar he may want to have a couple on the side. Suss out if he's likely to be a whinger or not. Lots of workshops and bodyshops will have people who do a couple of cars on the side, you need to find these people. Lots of them will happily work to earn a hundred or so quid, because if youre on 20k, an extra £100 a week goes a long way. And if they start giving you grief, go and find someone else. Theres plenty of them out there, you just need to know where to look.

But did sell one yesterday which started as a text on saturday 'is the**** still available'. Appointed for monday (because I had sunday off), arrived at 10 on monday, driving off by 1045. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt (but I never texted here back, I did call her and have a conversation - thats when you find out if theyre a t**t or not) Update. Text from him this morning (clearly the prime form of communication) 'Thanks for your time, Ive decided to look for a diesel instead' . Next!

I'm on a different train of thought on this and see it as a tax break for people who can afford to have an old banger thats all nicely tarted up. I appreciate that most testers would have no clue what to do and that in the majority of cases the cars which are now exempt from MOT will be restored and in good overall condition, but think that instead the owners of these cars should be giving the MOT money to a local, well deserving charity. They can afford a second car for sunday outings, they can afford to give £50 to the local hospital, or whatever. So its time for the classic car clubs to take the initiative. Just my 2 penneth worth.

Update. Text from him this morning (clearly the prime form of communication) 'Thanks for your time, Ive decided to look for a diesel instead' . Next!

gone to 'check the finances!'

Had a text in this morning at 552, asking about an astra I had (no, his name is Kevin before you all ask). I responded an hour later and booked him in today for 1 pm. Anyway, he's turned up with his mate, 'an expert!' Could this get any worse??!! Update later.....

Had a text in this morning at 552, asking about an astra I had (no, his name is Kevin before you all ask). I responded an hour later and booked him in today for 1 pm. Anyway, he's turned up with his mate, 'an expert!' Could this get any worse??!! Update later.....

Spot on. get something productive done. (says me who has been on forum for an hour already today)

I really wouldnt EVER want to sell to one of these 'punters'. i (almost) never need a car'taking off my hands' by one of these thieves.

stick to springwatch. you work out whats popular by what you sell. you work out whats unpopular by what sticks. then it changes because the car that stuck was maybe just the wrong colour (i think its called avalon blue on a focus). And the one you thought was a popular one only sold because it was low mileage. or the right colour (normally black). It takes years to learn or second guess the general public. Good luck!

I just clicked on your links, and one thing i spotted is that you cover your number plates. I know opinions differ on this, but then at a glace I didnt see how old the cars were without clicking another tab? May make no differnece, may make some, I dont know. But in terms of what you can do, pics look good etc. It could just be the car. Chat with your AT rep(if you use AT). Most will go through your stock with you and point out desirabilty etc if you ask.

Jan 808, more info required! Which auction site? have you checked with the finance house?

its a hazard of having a pitch.Dont fall out with the guy, he sounds harmless enough, I have 2 of these. 1 comes in every day. I say good morning, he does too, and thats about it. I have another who comes in for a chat every tuesday, between 1030 and 11. always asks if I have an automatic, tells me about his bad knee, and grumbles a bit. Bless him, he even apologises for wasting my time! It only bothers me if I have something better to do, or if he interrupts popmaster. I just take the view that he has a family who live locally, and will go and bore people in the pub. I'd rather he say something nice about me than tell everyone I'm rude.

Leave the tyres, do the parking sensors. you can still sell at 10k. Add 1495, increase your VAT BILL by 300.