Hi folks,
We have in the last few years been supplying nearly new - 3 year old cars which of course come to us requiring minimal preparation. We are finding that this market has been becoming fruitless in terms of margin in the past 18 months or so due to main dealers focusing their efforts on used cars rather than the new market. We do get some nice retail part exchanges however which we would otherwise struggle to buy at sensible money and my question is how fussy to you think I need to be with preparation older stock?
The reason I ask is the reaction I get from our paint and workshop guys when I present a job to them sometimes. An example would be a 61 plate BMW 320d, 58k miles, leather, park assist, xenons etc with FBMWSH very tidy inside and out apart from 3 wheel edges all similar to the one pictured and a scuff on the front bumper which has all polished out except for what can be seen in the second picture. Do you think I'm fussy painting all the wheels and the bumper corner or is this now expected with a 7 year old car. I hate the term "..its a used car Sir" but I'm being told that I'm trying to make every car like a 12 month old one but not convinced. My reason for asking is that on numerous occasions I have sold an immaculate 5 -6 year old car and 6 months later seen it parked with all 4 wheels mullered, a dings in the doors and or a cracked bumper etc. Would you touch up or spend the money? Interested in your thoughts...