MattR

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Posts posted by MattR

  1. Posted

    15 hours ago, Del Boy said:

    What kind of success rate are you guys having when the opening line (over the phone) is ‘hi, what’s the best price on this car?’

    I’ve had it loads recently and they’ve been nothing but time wasters 

    that you are happy to discuss the price in person when they have looked at the car with you. If they arent prepared to come and look, there really is no point in going any further.

    • Like 1

  2. Posted

    5 hours ago, JA Trader said:

    No complaints used it on two cars.

    Leaves a small amount of chemically clean smell but a traditional air freshener round the mirror and it has been great since.

    One car went this weekend no complaints from the customer.

    I'll agree with Airvidox. Used it on thursday, overnight so longer than the 8 hours the product recommends, still a slight chemical smell but certainly no other odours. Just make sure you dont have a test drive booked in it just after youve finished, the car will need a long airing to get rid of the chlorine smell! 

  3. Posted

    1 hour ago, Earunder said:

    As others have said, unless you have a starting block of, let's say 200,000 vehicles advertised to start you off or a multi million pound backer I wouldn't waste your time.  There are hundreds of free advertising sites out there that have been lost into emptiness due to the competitive field that this is.

    My current spend with AT is £11,152.68 inc VAT per month (Includes Premium, Dealer Finance, Lead Generator @ £200.00 p/m - which we are kicking this month) but the ROI has been shrinking due to the margins in the industry going down significantly in the last 18 months.  It hasn't been helped with the big supermarkets now focusing on finance retention and working off their finance commission as a primary source of income and moving vehicles on for a "over head cost margin".

    We're in the process of re-structuring and lowering overheads as I think this year will prove quite a testing time for most of us in this industry.

    On a good note for us, Ebay will be launching their new platform this year which I've been looking forward to since their bought out Motors.  That should be good news for our advertising costs.  This in my eyes would mean lower costs all round due to CarGurus, Ebay and Autotrader all plying for our business like it used to and should be!!  Even Exchange and Mart and The Loot don't even bother in this field.

    That alone should give you a brief, and to be honest enough insight into this industry and to maybe try something different.  

    11152.68?? how many cars is that??

  7. Posted

    1 hour ago, BHM said:

    Snap. I’ve never had so many pathetic dreamers sending emails or fucking idiots phoning to say along the lines they’re “passing in an hour or two & fancy a drive out in a few cars” - no way, José!

    On Christmas Day I received 24 emails, 1 phone call (ignored) & a text asking me to phone them!!

    Anyone serious isn’t offended & will not object to phoning for an appointment. Only the messers, test pilots, tyre kickers & bored middle-aged men filling in their spare time object to this or the questioning of their intentions.

    24 emails on xmas day???!! Wow!

  9. Posted

    Well, you learn something every day. I cant see he is entitled to request payment for work he has authorised without your say so. But, with the info given (its not something ive ever thought about before as I only sell cars from my car business), then logically the CRA 2015 does apply as you are a business selling something to a private individual. Bit harsh though.

    If he has requested a rejection and refund, then do so if there is a fault with the car. what makes him think the timing chain needs replacing? is it a garage scaring him? Or has he had a warning light come on? He seems determined to get his money off you for the service, is it possible a mate of his with a garage has given an estimate (for work which isnt required) which is roughly double what the customer thinks is what you 'owe'him from the service etc in the hope you'll go 50/50 on this estimate? 

  11. Posted

    18 hours ago, 15Cars said:

    Evening All

    I've just received my FCA permission through. I'm initially going on with Close Brothers - I haven't given much thought about sub-prime yet - is it even worth it? Your thoughts are most welcome.

    My stock is mainly VW, up to 9 years old, 1 or 2 owners, FSH, highly prepped and under 70k miles. I'm in a semi-rural fairly affluent location, nearest city is 25 miles away, my customers tend to be very similar; frugal, 35-60 years old, middle class and funds don't seem to be an issue but price, condition and the history of the car does. It's rare that I'm asked for finance as my punters don't appear to need it.

    Naturally I'm frothing at the mouth to start putting some finance deals through to progress into the higher commission zone so I'm wondering if you lot find a particular price point, brand or some other demographic that is likely to attract more sensible finance punters? I'm unlikely to change my current model drastically as it seems to be working but I'm curious none the less.

    Cheers

    15

    I'm surprised you haven't had many ask about finance already. I'd imagine many of your middle class punters are strapped to the eyeballs in Mortgage and credit card payments. Make it very prominent in your ads. They will be borrowing it from somewhere. you may have had some clues so far. A credit card deposit and 'collect in a few days' (so they can sort the loan out.). just sent a car back that was on PCP 'because they never own it' and now looking at a 3 year old car with you. not got a company car any more, get an allowance instead.

  12. Posted

    19 hours ago, 15Cars said:

    Evening All

    Sold a car yesterday evening - it is nearly new and very low miles. I took it from a punter as a downgrade part exchange. The punter couldn't find the V5 so I HPI'd it and took it in.

    The car is A1, serviced, MOT'd, PDI'd, 12 months warranty etc. Punter insisted he needed it, so I let him get on his way with a V62 to tax and change keeper himself after he'd paid, signed PDI and invoice etc. The punter (nice chap) has just been into his PO and they're saying the system is declining the car and they are unable to tax and change keeper as they need previous owner's postcode.

    I've never been asked for this, I have the previous owner's postcode back at the office so will forward it tomorrow but I've never experienced this before - any thoughts please?

    I know we all sometimes end up with a car from a known source without a v5, but a car from Joe Public without a v5? Thats nuts. You should absolutely insist that the customer applies for one  before releasing the car they are buying. It costs them £25 (i think). And if you then let the car go without having the reg doc for the p/ex in your hand make sure you have something to ensure they have a reason to bring it to you such as a deposit. How do you know he hasnt done a log book loan that morning? or if it even belongs to him?

    I had a customer have to do that this week, but their swapper was a 2007 peugeot 206 worth £100. Still made her apply for the log book. I sold her the 206 and she's a regular so I knew I'd get the v5 when she did, but still told her if I didnt I'd be driving it past the speed camera down the road and she'd be getting the ticket. she rang the dvla on the thursday and received it the tuesday after.  

  13. Posted

    On 12/3/2019 at 5:05 PM, tradex said:

    Mine only works on ChromeB)

    I want to see want a vendor has in Northampton.....type in Northampton as a keyword and not recognised and can't search by county, so I have wade thru pages of cars, fucking abysmal system:angry:

    type in a northampton postcode for your location (if it lets you) then put a distance of say 5 miles. PITA but could be a workaround?

  18. Posted

    and one of them just rang up (2.28PM). 'Hi I rang up earlier about the Mazda, google maps says we will be there in 29 minutes'

    Me - 'sorry, as I said, I have to close at 3 today'. He sounded genuinely miffed. 

    'Oh. But we want to have a look at it'

    Me - ' I did explain earlier, i have a night out booked with my wife. And I'd rather disappoint you than her. I'm sure you understand.'

    When are you next open? 

    Monday.

     

    Right, time to go and lock up before a tyre kicker gets in - I think the rain has washed away my enthusiasm today!

  20. Posted

    Not my favourite question! But just had 2 calls in quick succession asking the same thing (first ones of the day). Especially as this evening I'm actually out with my Mrs, so finishing at 3 instead of 4.

    Explained that I'm leaving at 3 today, come what may, as I'm out with the good lady. 'but I wanted to have a test drive!'. And you can, just get on your way now (only local) and thats fine. Lets see if that happens. 

  21. Posted

    On 11/18/2019 at 5:47 PM, tradex said:

    At our old site in Hastings we had a 'messer horn'. 

    One of those £2.99 fleabay air horns. 

    We shared the site, but not the cars so it was bloody good fun at times. 

    Typical scenario.... I would be chatting, well more like u'umming with the VAG twat as he is bending down inspecting the tyre treads on the 4th tyre with his magnifying glass after, already being onsite for an hour, all whilst having to explain the 'hawwwwwwhhhhhh' coming out of the sales office every 5 minutes:D

    VAG twats cost us a fortune in gas canisters until we stopped selling them. 

    was your explanation that it was the messer horn?

    Better to use these when they are in a position to jump, bang their head on the open bonnet, dislodge it from the bonnet stay and land on their fingers. 

  23. Posted

    41 minutes ago, Kieran said:

    Hi guys! Another question/query. If you sell a car that has issues, and the customer knows of these issues before buying it, are you still liable for those issues?

    For example, say I've got a very cheap, sub £1k car that has a light oil leak, which has been highlighted as an advisory on an MOT. It might not be worth fixing, but the car drives well, and it's it's only a very minor leak, but it isn't worth fixing, let's say it costs £500 to fix. If this is highlighted to the customer before they buy it and they're okay with it, are you, the dealer, still liable for that problem (even if the customer accept/acknowledge the problem before agreeing to buy it)?

    Obviously this isn't something I plan to do and probably something that isn't recommended, just curious as to what the answer is.

    A remarkably specific circumstance for a hypothetical question.........

  24. Posted

    On 11/10/2019 at 8:51 AM, David Ayers said:

    Good luck if you go for it.

    Just be aware of how much profit you might actually make.

    Unless you set up a limited company you are already paying 40% tax on any profit.

    Add 20% Vat on your margin, difference between buying and selling price.

    So if you want to walk away with £500 profit in your pocket by the time you account for all the prep, advertising, etc then you will need a couple of grand mark up.

    I'm sure the OP will be declaring all his profits in full to the relevant tax offices.