Mark101

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Posts posted by Mark101

  2. Posted

    1 minute ago, Trader86 said:

    Hi All,

     

    Just to give you an update on where I stand at the moment. I have managed to stock 12 cars now with total retail value of around 26-28k. Also had my cabin / office delivered. Its being kitted now. 
    I am ready to hand my notice and list them all on 15th Apr. The only thing worrying me at the moment is that bloody virus, as I have no idea how it’s effecting the second hand cars market, or is it effecting it at all? 

    I would NOT be handing in my notice to go self employed until this situation calms down. Can you afford to pay yourself sick pay.

  5. Posted

    I'm of the mindset that providing at least 8 cars sell per month, I couldn't care less whether they have been in stock an hour or a year. There is no way I am binning off a perfectly fine, retail prepared car to risk buying a lemon and going through prep again. 

    Caveat: Unless it is a problem car riddled with germs and bugs.

  7. Posted

    18 hours ago, justina3 said:

    I have no idea either.

    I will send you a video because I don't tolerate timewasters :P

    I like(d) the chap, he had some really good points and ideas but unfortunately couldn't back down in a debate and sometimes you need to.

  9. Posted

    6 hours ago, BHM said:

    Tbh do views make a difference anyway? 

    No but quality views do.

    I have just had a boring but very tidy estate car with 9 watchers sell within 24 hours with proper margin.

    Now, I have just listed a Focus ST and I guarantee it will have 10 times that number but 90% of them will only be using it as wanking material after the middle aged man closes Pissed on Heads on the iPad.

  10. Posted

    Independent Dealer.

    Not a chance I would extend a right to reject. I offer a proper self funded warranty for 3 months and stand by it. Besides tyres, I cover everything.

    That said, I have just chased someone away on a £1900 banger advertised brutally as such and £1,000 below retail because his first question was “what warranty does the car come with? I know you have to give 3 months by law and I have a garage local to me that I want to use should the need arise.”

    Car will leave with a new MOT, 3 new tyres and will be safe. There will be no faults present other than those non safety related faults noted.

    I educated him and he left.

  13. Posted

    26 minutes ago, justina3 said:

    Looking at your plan to scale up to 4-5 cars a week thats a lot of work you will no doubt need to employ staff 2 if not more people and there in lays your next hurdle.

    As a 1 man band, you have zero chance of doing 20 cars per month, there is simply not enough man hours in a day, especially if you do the job properly:

    MOT

    Service

    Cosmetic Repairs

    Valet

    All pre sale.

    I am on for 12 this month between 2 of us and to achieve 12, we are entertaining 30+ visitors in the month (only work 5 days per week). On Friday, we had 1 customers pop back for a tiny  job, 4 walk-ins, 1 appointment, 2 cars for MOT and another for Service plus 3 cars to prep, photograph and advertise.

    • Like 1

  15. Posted

    If you're running a proiftable business, being VAT registered will cost you money but ultimately you'll have no choice. If you're not profitable, then being VAT registered may save you a few quid but what is the point? If you're not profitable, it is all academic.

    Personally, the more VAT I am forced to pay (as well as other taxes) the happier I am. Why? because my nett income increases too.

  16. Posted · Edited by Mark101

    1 hour ago, BHM said:

    About three weeks ago I received letter S46 from the DVLA regarding an untaxed car. I completed the rear of this, ‘Your Statement’, advising them of my trade plate no. & that the trade plates were in the window.

    I sold an ML 3 weeks ago with really dark privacy glass (B Pillar back). The customer contacted me saying it was being driven without tax the day before he collected it, which he has explained to DVLA and let me know what he was doing. Nice guy, only going to say that he bought it the day after the offence to see if they "give up."

    I racked my brains and recalled sending my valet to collect from the wheel refurbishers, trade plates in front and rear window (the rear which can barely be seen through from outside).

    I shall copy your example Mark if and when the inevitable letter arrives.

    Why didn't it come up for no insurance though? It was a stock car so not on the MID. I would be more focused on uninsured than untaxed.

  18. Posted

    1 hour ago, sparky said:

    There was a lovely quote on here from someone many years ago. "When it's sunny my lender wants to lend me an umbrella, when it's raining he wants to take it away".

    It was. When it is sunny my lender will lend me an umbrella. When it is raining he wants it back AND my raincoat.

  20. Posted

    I have switched and have too noticed that all the information is now contained in one paragraph. Do I care? Not one bit; Autotrader do exactly the same but charge me 3 times as much for 50% of the stock. No one reads the adverts properly anyway in my opinion and if I was looking for a Civic Type R, there is nothing in your advert that would put me off.

    Re: seeing how many people are watching/saving their cars. You can still do this through your Ebay account, click on Selling and a list of your stock is there with the information to the side.

    I know you said Rory has missed the point but the website is such a great asset, especially with repeat customers who now go directly to my website instead of any other platform (captive audience). My top package with CD5 costs me less (much) per year than AT does per month. 

  23. Posted

    1 minute ago, JA Trader said:

    I almost guarantee. I had a cat N one a while back advertised it at a cheap price the phone literally melted but it still took a month to sell. Swore id never buy another and yet here we are.

    I have been though the same thought process but now have two Lounge models in white, which should give me the best shout at a sale vs. other specs.