Mark101

I had a mate who asked if I would sell his 66 plate Fiesta Eco Boost for him. I said Eco Boost, no thanks. He said, but you can keep anything you make over £10k for yourself

To be honest, I usually would but the first one bothered to pick up the phone and request a viewing. When I said, I work 8.30 - 5.30 (at least) Mon-Fri, I do weekends by appointment, which means if no one is coming I can have a well deserved day at home - what time would you like to come? He said, you enjoy your weekend and I will come to you on Monday, would you like me to call first? What a gentleman. I just said, you're ok to turn up, if I'm not there I will only be at the workshop around the corner. I am not going to gazump him for the sake of a loose CG generic lead, I shall reply to them on Monday. Maybe foolish but respect works both ways.

This is the reason I use a VOIP system - at a certain time each day, calls automatically route to a voicemail saying "we are closed, leave a message and we will call you back upon reopening." These people will buy a car from a main dealer and pay £30,40,50K+ and accept that they close at 5 or 6pm - us independents, they think they own us - which is why I no longer publish my mobile number - just a VOIP landline which gets routed to my mobile. I also call out from my mobile via VOIP, so it appears as a landline number and I can be anywhere in the world but it looks like a proper business number. Voicemail when I chose not to take calls.

Just had another lead for Kia Soul (from CG) - couldn't write a script for this job.

That is unbeliveable but very funny

It’s always cars I think will sell instantly that sit and the ones I think will be around a while sell instantly. Funny old game.

Typical, no sooner had I posted this - the phone rings appointment 10am Monday, Kia Soul Ok, the power of Sod’s law, I also have the following ornaments...........

Ouch...... I’ve got one as an ornament - cracking fun car but I must be the only one who likes it. Good luck James - sensible introduction and a good age to start out. You’ll get plenty of interest in sporty stuff just be aware of the knowitalls who will consume your time checking every detail and telling you how wrong each car is. Having said that, they always sell - unlike Kia Souls Keep visiting us and apply for the secret room ASAP for when you want to discuss anything too sensitive for the open forum.

That is a lot of mouths to feed an equal portion of the profits to. I would rather scrabble around by myself than have a business partner. Having said that, I am looking forward to a time when the business can afford/justify a right hand person. For example, I miss so many walk ons over a weekend (I go in on appointment). I have thought about working weekends and taking a day off in the week but I get walkers in the week as well, plus I would never see the Mrs (she works mon-fri), I also prefer attending auction in person but every time I try, I get the call saying, I’m outside your unit - can I view etc.

Back in the day, I used to give each retail customer a loyalty card inviting them to use our workshop. It was a friends and family scheme and was placed in the pocket below the tax disc (remember them?). Proper plastic, professionally made credit card style, thought I was very creative, the result was disappointing.

I suppose unltimately, I chose the best (well least worse) position.

OK, I bagsy the one that isn't being sandwiched.

+2 and if it is a real shitter - add a match and the problem is gone for good.

Who's who though

Car Dealer 5 - Packages start at around £500 fully integrated feeds to EBMP, FB, AT Really good guys - ask for Adrian

I've got myself in to a horrible routine of waking up at 2 or 3 am, having a look online at cars/auctions and this forum - leaving myself no chance of going back to sleep. Sometimes I just get up and start researching - this is ok. What does hurt is when I occassionally do drop back off at say 5 or 5.30, only to be woken at 6am by the Mrs' alarm. It's an age thing. When I was younger, I would never go to sleep before 12am - 2am but struggle to get up. Now I struggle after my evening meal (about 8-9pm) to stay awake and I am awake by 6am every day - often earlier and hungry to work.

Something deep in my memory is telling me that the law changed regarding this enforcement of warranty. I am sure if servicing is carried out to manufacturer's guidelines (possibly using OEM parts), the warranty should be honoured. I might also be talking shit though.

You need to read the Forum more often

Disco as a daily driver bought 7 years ago and it is a goodun. Of course it is for sale as well, at MY price or I will keep it another 7 years. I drive all the stock home and back once but only to test them as they are all transported to me.

You lot make me feel lazy, becuase I simply use.................................... Someone else

There are plenty about but very expensive for the number of cars I turn a year. My accountant has put me on Xero and they make a manual VAT adjustment for the margin scheme. I only sell around 100 units per year (pro rata as only 1 year old). If I were to double that, I could justify a proper DMS/VAT/Electronic system.

I really admire your work Mr C and everyone knows there is a big market for this stuff, brand new, recently converted and even old dogs. For me, if I were paying that kind of money on a day van/light camper - I want a fixed bed, a shower and a toilet otherwise to me atleast, it is just glorified camping and still have to trek across a muddy field to relieve my alcohol infused middle aged bladder. My mate is massively into this scene He has a £170k German built proper camper which is amazing - I get it. He can wild camp and need for nothing with 3 days worth of water and power, scooter in the garage to nip out for supplies if required. He has an £85k very early 23 window bus which he loves - I don't get it. No toilet, no proper washing facilities, fold out bed, no head room, no power. Each to their own I suppose. That said - top quality work Mr C - wish I had your skills as it must be easier, sorry more rewarding than trying to polish a grand in to a generic used car.

I think we are saying the same thing

They did: Skoda, Hyundai, Kia - they're not cheap anymore and now Dacia - watch them gain traction and start adding bells n whistles and increase their pricing too. Whether you're building a compact car or a large estate - the raw costs to the manufacturer are not too disimilar. Aldi/Lidl - compare their pricing when they entered the market (UK) with today and yes they are cheaper than the other big brands but nowhere near "cheap" anymore.

Consider karma - what goes around and all that...... If you bin her off for the temptation of a higher profit then you are no better than the buyers who make an agreement with you, only to go and buy another one elsewhere and ignore your calls. I would take more pleasure out of being a gentleman and honouring an agreement and even more pleasure telling the other guy, sorry mate - it’s sold (without saying snooze you lose).