EPV

Agreed. Cheers for the help all.

I’m in north west Kent chap, Bromley. If I can find someone mobile to do it, it’s £200-£250 from what I can make out. What would you put it up at Mark? After doing all that?

I’ve got an 08 RRS, 2.7TDI, 93k. It’s a two owner car, decent history. Grey with black 22” wheels. This is what i’ve sorted so far; EML (turbo hose and clean up of EGR) Sat Nav thought it was in California (replaced antenna) Renewed drivers seat bolster Currently having the alloys refurbed and colour changed to grey New belt(s) and waterpump Full service and new ticket (clean) It stands me £8k and at £9,995 i’d have a decent margin but the proper retail price is around £11,600. So this is where I have a decision; The tyres are all on 3mm The rear parking sensors don’t work and the front are a little sensitive although they work well, for example when passing a parked car closely they bleep The rear windows aren’t tinted. Given the type of buyer (look at me type) I think tinting will add massive kerb appeal I reckon the tyres will be £600, the parking sensors £150ish (needs the bumper off and could be a wiring issue as scanner isn’t picking it up) and the tinting is £250 So if I get all that done it will stand me £9k but I could rightly put it up for £11,495 and increase my margin by £500 or so but it will also slow down the process and also eliminate the max £10k budget crowd who won’t care about the depth of their tyre tread or the parking sensors. So, what would you do? Put it up as is or get it very sorted and charge strong money?

These things are the bane of my life, they seem to be failing on every car I pick up. Luckily my regular garage will diagnose and replace faulty ones cheaply. In some cases, I replace the lot for about £100. I rarely paint them in that instance.

Lol. Spoken like a true miserable old fucka

Click Dealer are excellent. Not cheap. But then excellent things rarely are.

No, I had my toungue in my cheek

That’s my experience too. Having said that I get a decent amount of success from the chat function, I immediately ask for a number and time to call and engage with people quickly

Cheers, will do the same I think.

What DMS do you use?

The multi vendor ones Same as. I only have an 0800 number that comes straight to my mobile. More than happy to text people to update arrangements or answer any questions they may have forgotten to ask on the phone but I am more than happy to miss out on that one sale where the person can’t engage via telephone if it means I don’t have to put up with instances like the OP has highlighted. Quite clearly a dreamer

Come on, an auction is just that, some go miles above some miles below. Car sales is a fixed price or as near to it business.

If you have a car up for £3995 and their budget is £3500, then they shouldn’t be looking at your car.

My second question when someone calls, right after “have you watched the video I made” is “where abouts are you in your car buying journey? Have you looked at many others or have you made up your mind you want a Focus/Fiesta etc?” You’ll know by their response what to expect. If they are the type that have seen loads of misdescribed crap then you have a great opportunity. If they say they have got 3 more to see after yours then i’d probably tell them to go and see the other three first and when they’re ready to buy come and see mine. I also NEVER do same day appointments. Nobody who says “we’re the area and wondered if we could come and see yours” ever buys. Well, not from me. Those that say “I love the colour” or “i’ve been looking for one with ivory leather and walnut dash” are ready to buy.

Same as my “was looking for a bigger car” response. So there’s people out there that are looking for an automatic cruise liner but email about a manual shoebox. Yeah. Right

Great rule of thumb, thanks for that mate.

No but according to my smart repairer, each manufacturer works differently and you can find out their paint depth by calling the main dealers. Obviously when something has been repainted it’s a different story, what’s your experience when dealing with safe micron levels?

Indeed but I just want to make sure i’m not buying a toy. I don’t want to spend £150 but £30 will be expensive if it doesn’t do the job and I end up burning through clearcoat and needing a smart repair! If anyone has bought a £30-50 jobbie and it’s worked satisfactorily then i’m happy to take a punt

How many fake ones do you get though mate? Does ANYONE leave a number for you to call them back on?

Rather not spend £150 on one as I don’t work in a body shop but as I am starting to get into the realms of wetsanding and compounding more and more cars I think it’s wise to have one. Any recommendations?

There is a world of difference between updating your ETA by text to trying to arrange an appointment. Time and a place for everything.

This may have been discussed before but how do these sharks get away with sending what are blatantly fabricated enquiries via email? I’ve had 5 in a week or two, all the same text “i’ve seen your xyz and you can email me on xyz” conveniently the email address is anonymous. I’ve replied to all 5 and not got a reply back. When i’ve chased up asking if they are still interested i’ve had three responses which are clearly bullshit; ”thanks but i’m looking for a bigger car” (last time I checked it hadn’t shrunk) ”I was hoping to get down on Monday evening but that’s not possible so probably best you close the enquiry down” (wow you really WERE interested weren’t you?) ”well my husband is away until next week so when he comes back he’s going to review my list” (yeah right your husband is letting you pick the cars and where’s he gone that doesn’t have internet, mars?) i don’t care if I don’t get anything from them (it’s free with a click Dealer website) but just don’t send me erroneous leads because I can’t exactly ignore them can I?!

Well the ones I got seem to do the job. Got in a car I hadn’t been in for a fortnight and no smell of dog.

Well I agree with you both. I have an 07 A6 avant with 127k on the clock, 1 owner, main Dealer SH, drives very straight. Would I get those alloys done? No. But a 09 72k XF with every toy going? Different story I think. I will def tackle a set using Simon’s method. Worst that can happen is i’ll have to get them done properly but if I can make a job of it I may just add a little bit of kerb appeal.

I had in my mind “flash alloys for Boy racers” but having sat looking out of the cafe window for 10 mins there are all sorts of cars, Hyundai’s and Mazdas etc driven by men in their 50’s and 60’s that have non silver wheels, be it shaded chrome or two tone and so on. Have booked the XF in to have a colour change to gun metal grey.