Mark101

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah195/Imperial-Marques/IMG_4108_zpsevwk9pwx.jpg Does that work? http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah195/Imperial-Marques/IMG_4108_zpsevwk9pwx.jpg How do you imbed an image on here, I am soooo old

IPhone - point and shoot

I think so, thanks for the advice mate. Having said that, the CRV was a Shpock enquiry - weird. I will give you a bell tomorrow if you're free - I've got prep and deliveries coming out of my ears.

Finally started to pick up. Two collected yesterday, deposit on CRV and someone seriously considering the Yeti. Volvo V70 being collected today too.

Personally, I would say go for it, after .......................... You have all your ducks in a row: Stay employed and use your spare time to source ALL your stock, get the first batch prepped and ready to show/go - then switch. Don't under estimate how long it takes to gear up to 10 good buys, all prepped, all pictured, all advertised, all recon and ready to go. Where's your income coming from in the first couple of months whilst you're spending time doing this? Make the most of your Dad's garage space and start filling it before you quit a wage. Just my opinion but go for it, if you're not happy.

Some of the jokes were crap but they help during this quiet time to lift my Moo.....d

I do a lot (relatively) of BMW stock and Merc. Speak as you find, I haven't (touch wood) had any serious issues with BMW or Merc. My most expensive warranty to date was a Scirocco requiring both EGR valve and EGR cooler to fix the fault. Vauxhall on the other hand, not a chance, not here, not ever (unless in chop).

I use Cazana - on a contract. 10 by provenance checks per month (which roll over if unused) and 1200 price searches per year - cost about £50-60 month. There are some good insights on there too, many include a copy of its last advert if sold in the not too distant past. speak to Kieran - he is on here.

Thanks Google

Hopefully, the only consequence of this is that AT try to become more competitive.

Similar but pub

Price always plays a part but it is NOT everything. I am (normally) always above AT retail checker and invariably (unless a rare car) I rarely appear on page one of searches. My stock takes much longer to sell than most but it does always sell, you just need that one person for that one car. I remain convinced that for most sensible and normal (the ones I want to deal with anyway) people see paying £250-500 more for a straight car, low owners, plenty of history and well prepped backed by a good warranty (in house) and on their doorstep as good value (or better value than driving hundreds of miles in the hope they might find a golden egg, only to be dissapointed by a poorly described advert). Having said that, I am so so so so quiet this month (and last to a degree) but did get a Volvo V70 away yesterday (deposit left) with a healthy margin deep in to four figures and a repeat customer is finally coming to collect their BMW they reserved at the weekend with similar margins. So finally a few quid back in my direction. I target 8-10 cars for any given month and so far have only done 2 retail (good margins) and 1 Ebay auction (loss £150). Way behind. It always comes back, so as others have said - don't panic, tweak adverts, clean cars, clean the office and workshop/showroom - get ready for a flood of enquiries. I had a long chat with EPV (James) the other day and he offered me some sound advice and took the time to review a couple of my ads for me - it really does help to talk to fellow traders in this "lonely" at times job.

They might be grey actually as I have never seen one

He would if they were grey

Simon's is double that, his unit is twice the size of mine.

Gulp! Cheers Simon. I shall let this "new" crap paint thin a little further first then (get some value out of it). Thanks again.

Cheers Simon Save me doing the math (as they say in the states) - costings for 1/2 the size of yours?

Now can you lie and give me some better news

Can I ask a cheeky question? How much? What size is your unit? I have 1600sq ft and the grey floor paint that was already down (fresh but just cheap crap) is already starting to lift (as I knew it would). Trying to work out cost pro rata from what it will cost you.

QuickBooks - In a word NO. I used to use Sage back in the day and manually calculate all my sales margin but it did track my VAT owed to me from receipts entered. Very easy to do but I'm just giving everything to my accountant to sort out. I just try and spend my time, selling, prepping, etc

Once I get my FCA licence, I am going to pinch a little of your video technique. That being, a brief introduction, mention of finance and other payment methods, PX etc and showhorn that in to the beginning of each video. Total 5 mins max. Just wish I was a handsome as you Simon

I was talking about my lunch costing the same as 5+2 @ £5 = £35 Being next door to a cafe doesn't work out well for a fatty like me.

Wow, quick learner - what a breath of fresh air, someone asking what to do, no argument and within 24 hours acts out the advice. Good man. I was also going to mention the boot being centred. Re: you web and phone number, I would keep it in. You're on a PAYG contract and without it there is no direct link to your website (I guess that's why you did it).

That sounds about right on the starter 5+2 package. I went on standard (which weirdly is two packages higher) and reckon more like £3 per car per day. Now I'm on premium and reckon that is a fiver per car per day - almost as much as my lunch per day.