Mark101

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Posts posted by Mark101

  3. Posted

    2 minutes ago, David Horgan said:

    I've always fitted DUNLOPS  Jag Rated Tyres as its what they came with .

    Rears £360 inc VAT a pair ,  Fronts £240 Inc VAT a pair , 

    I budgeted on £250 a corner, so I am happy with that but I thought Pirelli were OEM.

  4. Posted

    3 hours ago, tradex said:

    How much are decent branded boots for these at the moment? Tyres prices are on the rise for sure. 

    Off topic but strangely I just can't source 16 245 50 Z (or V rated) in the UK anymore for my Trans Am and friend with a porker has similar problems.

    I've had to purchase from Italy, along with my Panda rear bumpers that fit straight on at £49 delivered:D

    I was just going to ask David that question because these 20" are all on about 3mm and quickly approaching slicks.

    I have had the car 2.5 days and just filled up for the second time - worth every single bloody hard earned penny. Had someone ask me how much the tax was, I said, I wouldn't let that concern you :lol:

  5. Posted · Edited by Mark101

    4 hours ago, NOACROSS said:

    So, as many regulars will know, I REALLY hate punters that text, rather than call or email.  I'm happy to agree I'm a dinosaur before we start that 'customers that text debate'.  It annoys me so much, that whenever I've received a text, I will simply call the number from the work landline (or voip).

    I've ended up asking for the (work) mobile number to be removed from the website etc and the work mobile is off and on permanent divert to the landline number. 

    Weirdly, I don't mind an email, or if they must, a Bookface message.  I think it's because it comes through on the laptop or computer, rather than my phone.

    (as an aside: My number one pet hate is people Whatsapping me, especially people I know, who have an iPhone and know full well that I also do!  One of my salesman will even text me an iMessage and then separately WhatsApp me a picture at the same time- WHEN HE'S GOT AN IPHONE AND HE'S AT WORK, CONNECTED TO THE WIFI!)

    Anyway, that's better, rant over and on with my question:

    I've had quite a few punters call up and then later ask to WhatsApp us some pictures or request the same WA to them. I have politely declined as I don't want them then to decide to converse only by text or WhatsAp- so instead have kept to email for videos.

    I'm vaguely aware of WhatsAp for business, but don't understand it.

    Can I set up a separate Whats Ap account to my (hated) private one and have it enabled on the Mac and PCs/ work mobile?  

    I don't under any circumstances want my mobile number on show or if possible, even the work WhatsApp mobile number displayed.

    Should I get back in my ancient cave or is it possible?  I see a few like @umesh have it enabled on their website.  How does that work/where do the incoming messages display?

    We are brothers from different counties.... exactly the same for me.

    Best thing I have done in this business (apart from taking a holiday) was to get a new completely seperate mobile number/contract for the business. This is where all VOIP calls are routed too. When work finishes (or I decide), phone goes off and I can relax knowing when my own mobile rings, it isn't a screamer. BTW, for those of you who have my number, that is my personal one, so I am not blocking "forum fweinds" just the midnight dreamers and screamers.

    I don't see WhatsApp on @umesh website. Cracking site though, lovely set up too by the looks of it.

    • Haha 1

  7. Posted

    I am seriously tempted to get a set of Miltek exhausts fitted but the thing is deafeningly loud anyway. Three neighbours came out this morning for a look.

    On a serious note, the car can be a handful and in the wet, probably the slowest car I have driven. I need a bigger gap to pull out (in the wet) than in a 1.0l Micra because it will simply sit and spin.

    With traction control on, you can look like a hero - with it off you're a brave man in the rain.

    This is a video I took of my final drive in my old XKR before chopping it in for a E350 cab.

     

  8. Posted

    15 minutes ago, David Horgan said:

    Just had a new XFR

    In 2014, I sold my XKR and it is the only car I have ever regretted selling, I actually regretted it instantly and have done since.

    Yesterday, that all changed when I bought myself another one and as I pulled out of Blackbushe sideways yesterday and pretty much for the rest of the day, I remembered exactly why I love them so much.

    I am almost certain this one has been breathed on because it seems so much quicker than my last one.

  12. Posted

    1 minute ago, tradex said:

    And needing work too FFS, I heard a rumour from the brother of a feret keepers son that there was 35k on the sheet?

    ..my mate who does a lot of classics tell me that his business is the reverse of mine at the moment....he can buy easily but selling the classics is proper hard work now, the 'toy money' seems to be going AWOL. He is only taking on SOR gear now.

    A lot of these classic dealers work on SOR. I have done a bit of SOR (I have one at the moment but the vendor is a PITA, wanting daily updates - I have offered him £15k for his car but he prefers £16k SOR - madness).

  13. Posted

    Just now, tradex said:

    Jesus H Christ, does he live in box or something, I'd feel guilty paying him that little:P

    I gave him an extra ton last week. Mate, he was blown away. He is a top guy and knows his onions (diagnosis isn’t his strong point but fitting is his game).

    He wants me to invest in a unit with him and/or form an alliance - I am considering.

  14. Posted · Edited by Mark101

    I’m talking off the cuff of course. Discs and pads always amaze me how inexpensive they are given their function.

    I always use quality parts, not the cheapest. Mann filters, Gates Belts etc.

    I am lucky with my mechanic (he’s the one I am considering partnering with BTW).

    Last month he did 5 services and inspections for me £115 - I supply the parts and fluids (I have 45 gallon drums, well 200l in modern money).

  17. Posted

    7 minutes ago, NacMan said:

    I am just going to get it delivered by BCA as its a trek 8 hours for me! done it before its torture, they said it might be cheaper Monday.

    The price isn't the issue with BCA deliveries, it is the timescale. Waited 3 weeks once.

  18. Posted · Edited by Mark101

    1 minute ago, Nick M.K. said:

    You mean Autosales and VT?

    No I mean VT (1 package) Sage (2nd Package, supplied by VT as they do programming for Sage they can offer discounted packages). The two equal £500.

    You can take VT as a standalone but then it can't do MTD.

  19. Posted

    16 minutes ago, MattR said:

    And some will still click on a car which has a 'high' price marker against it if only to see why. And if the 'why' is because that car has had 1 lady owner, a cambelt change, Leather, sat nav or whatever else, they might, just might, consider it better value than the cheaper one without those bits.

    My kind of customer.

     

    16 minutes ago, MattR said:

    So I'm not going to send a protest letter into AT. It'll take me longer to write it than it will for them to throw it in the bin. 

    And neither shall I.

    There are probably 20 serious active traders on here and even if all 20 bothered to complain, it would be a drop in the ocean to all their other customers.

    We are small fish my friends. I will stay with AT regardless what they do for as long as I can realise a return. The minute that stops, I will try something different.

  20. Posted

    16 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

    Mark, I was thinking of setting up with Autosales / Sage but they've been too slow to respond. Are you happy with VT / Sage? What other limitations do you see other than the servicing invoices?

    There are no other real limitations. Being picky, it isn't very flash looking - my own created invoices looked much nicer but as regards to knowing your anticipated margin, SIV, VAT margin (and of course MTD) it is excellent. Both packages about £500 per year.

    I will do my VAT return on Monday and it is as simple as one click.

  21. Posted

    31 minutes ago, Grantlfc81 said:

    I’ve been playing around with it.... it already seems difficult to use.... it looks nice but that’s about it.

    I’ll stick with dragon 2000 for now

    With Dragon 2000 - can you invoice workshop repairs and car sales?

    VT is great (for vehicle sales, margin, MTD etc) but on the rare occassion we do a service job, I have to manually create an invoice.

  23. Posted

    9 hours ago, NacMan said:

    I was thinking it should be same price or cheaper on a transporter

    Not a chance (unless part of a larger load)

     

    9 hours ago, NacMan said:

    Im thinking of just going down myself but 4hours is a long journey!!!

    Lol, that's why it isn't cheap (8 hour round trip).

    Truck + driver + fuel + loading at Blackbushe.

     

    I think £277 will be the best money you've spent mate.

  24. Posted · Edited by Mark101

    Moaning is futile. They are not daft, believe me.

    For as long as they are more important to us than we are them; either put up or shut up.

    Personally, they haven’t isolated me to ginneau pig an idea, it affects everyone from main agent to doorstepper., level playing field. Do I like it, no - is it the same for everyone, yes.

    So, my question; What has changed?