MattR

If he takes this all the way, and I am in no doubt he will if you ignore him or fail to contribute, you will be screwed. how can you try to sell it privately and hope to get away with it? And how can the paperwork give it away if you never registered it to you? if you are a motor trader, you have to behave like one, dont cut corners. No wonder the General Public thinks we are all t***s with behaviour like this

i'd trade to a specialist. its going to have a really limited marketplace. If you retail it you will do one of 2 things; sell instantly and make a fortune, or be giving it a birthday cake

' I really wanted a black one' it wasn't black when you looked at the advert. it wasn't black when you got here. it wasn't black before the test drive. it still isn't black.

Get a feel for the customer. I have it on my website, many dealers do. But if its not what you would normally stock, dont do it. I did try it when I was a little greener, and joe public doesnt follow through as they should when you find the car they asked for. Make sure that what they are looking for actually exists too - when I worked in a vw showroom I had one punter ask me to source a used polo diesel auto. He couldnt understand why he had never found one. Until I explained VW had never built one........

Can't imagine they are a pleasure to deal with. However, none of us like the greedy customers who are likely to go to them. Its not right that someone can sidestep their responsibilities, but they make it absolutely clear what their terms of business are. If youre brave (or stupid) enough to buy from them, you deserve everything you get.

I'm hoping so! my pitch is at least full now....

I'd suggest debit card, even though its going to cost a few quid. He isnt far from you, so how about booking him in for an MOT with your garage next week? Then you are in control of avoiding any kwik fit advisory issues!!

Quietest April i've ever had. 6 on the board for the month when its normally a 13-15 month. Fortunately had a good first quarter, and not doing anything different, hows everyone else?

I like those too! It puts a smile on your face because they're normally happy to have just got something done they had little interest in doing. Much Like I feel if Ive got to get a new washing machine or similar!

Its the same as customers making a cheeky offer! the difference is, he is at least likely to show up and pay unlike the normal behaviour pattern of the late night keyboard warrior

And watch out for the VAT threshold - remember its Turnover that counts not profit for VAT!

a likely occurence in real life.....

If theyve said they dont want a refund, they clearly want the car. So give them something for nothing - they are without the car that they have paid you for, and have (presumably) Taxed and insured it. Which may mean they have uninsured their current car? There are genuine costs and inconvenience for them here and although you are doing the right thing for them, they are likely to be out of pocket by a few quid. If all they are asking for is 70 to 80 quids worth of fuel, I'd give it to them and then they will be a little more likely to smile at you when you do drop it off. I think they may see you as a reasonable person too, and trust that the right thing has been done on the repair. We all know selling it is easy, its keeping them onside that can be difficult. Theyve made a sensible request, not an outrageous one.

An interesting thought. A star/ review system may work, I think we all understand problems with a car can be missed but its how its dealt with that matters. Many of us drive a distance in the car before an issue becomes apparent, which is more than I would expect the selling dealer to do. However, some issues are plain to see and are deliberately excluded from the description.

Some of the assured checks cover next to nothing anyway. car goes in first and reverse? Check. No drivebelt faults? check. Fluid levels? check. Dashboard warnig lights? check. Steering? Check. Engine operation? check. So suitably vague that you still pay them £40 but with next to no comeback. So when you buy a car that needs a clutch, strut top mounting, has a broken coil spring etc, it money for nothing. I'd rather buy the cars without wasting my money and if something needs doing, its down to me anyway. The problem is, they still put it on anything thats less than 10 years old, even saw it on a cat c car recently! I know that can still be 'mechanically sound' but it hardly promotes the benefit of the product...

Alicante to Nottingham in 27 hours, in a 3 year old golf 1.4 from a former employee who had moved out there then decided she wanted to sell the car back, cheap winter break though! Non stop, thought we might get a doze on the calais to dover night ferry but all the gypsies were eyeing up the trade plates.....

C'mon BHM!

I forgot about those, I took one in swap with that problem. Fortunately the customer was honest and told me! Think its repairable but thats not really your issue is it....

I reckon a toyota with MMT autobox. Or a Renault!

Not sure why they arent bothered, but I do a few with them each year. payout is always quick but it can take a while to get a decision from them

Good confident answer, and well done for standing strong. Manufacturers MPG is only ever for comparison anyway

Did get 'rusty bullet holes ' into a conversation with an old dear customer many years ago with the excuse it was 'trade talk' for stone chips on the part ex.

Not with Zuto

3 door cars in black. Clios, Corsas, Fiestas, doesnt seem to matter how rough they are, theres always some kid wants to buy it. Normally see them a few months later too after theyve rolled it or put into a tree

I had one of these 2 weeks ago. Lady with her friend because she said herself that she knew nothing about cars. They are always going to pick every fault out that they can see, thats why they are there, if they dont, they'll get grief from the 'customer' who brought them along. On this occasion, they went back to their car and as I was mumbling to myself that she would never buy a car with him around and putting the car back in place on the pitch she came back..... on her own. She bought the car and the 'expert' wasnt even mentioned again. It doesnt happen often, but when it does, it gives you a big smile!