Mark101

Love it when that happens. To me, whenever I say someone else wants to see the car - I feel they will interpret that as trader bullshit.

Target 8 Actual MTD 1 sold (small loss), 1 deposit (good margin)

Ironically my HQ was in Vegas and I agree, in the US, people are expected to have tried and fallen at least once. I don't think for a second I will ever get there or ever want to be, but how many times have the wealthiest fallen before they made it - risk can go both ways, however my failings weren't entirely down to risk (albeit if I hadn't risked things it wouldn't have happened) - it was 99% down to my stupidity and greed, wanting to buy the latest gadget, car or boat. I still want all these things, of course but now if I want to blow £50k on a car, I will have £100k to spend. I don't think TT expected the backlash and to be honest I didn't expect the support (and I certainly don't deserve it). I think perhaps TT saw a failure offering advice and made a quick remark without considering there may be a back story. I would rather have been able to say, I made £1m in my 1st year, £2m in my second, £3m in my third but lost £156k in my 4th. That to me would have been a much nicer tale but the truth is basically, I was a twat and lived beyond my means, over stretched, expanded too quickly and had no reserve funds - the end.

Thank you very much. It is very early days and I will never take anything or any success for granted again. The difference is largely down to me having grown up. At 27 earning those figures, I would think nothing of smoking around in a Jag or RR and buying cars which I liked to drive. Now my daily driver is a Ford Transit that I paid £1k for and I love the old bus - my money is now tied in stock and two houses and I get more satisfaction knowing that I could cash it all in and buy a new 911 than actually doing it. Thanks TV - there's no need for TT to respond; I really don't mind what people think of me or my business and I certainly don't mind people having an opinion. I am happy to help or advise anyone on here if they think I can add value or help through the tough times (which is when people need help). I am sure I am not the only one who has lost everything, is close to doing so, or thinks they can't make it work. One thing I shall never do is be smug if I make this work and/or try to belittle those who are struggling. Thank you AD Thanks Sparky I take ownership of every bad decision/greed of my previous disaster - what more can I do than learn from it. Probably cost me less than a University degree nowadays.

Just for clarity, it was my 3rd or 4th year of trading and I blame nobody but myself. I started trading properly at 27 and did very well initially, everything aligned and I was selling between 3-7 a week with great margins and very low overheads (open pitch £100wk all in). I'm not proud but fast forward a few years and I decided to expand far too quickly, employing staff, taking on additional property - ex's went through the roof and for some unbeknown reason, cars stopped selling. Being a "green" young man, I had not built any reserves, living a lifestyle that wasn't really sustainable, stupidly believing that I would always earn those figures having not worked through hard times previously. Long story short, it ran away with me and I lost everything. I reiterate, it was no ones fault but my own. Forced by my own stupidity, I re entered the employed sector and after a while earned board positions with multi million pound organisations and I put that success down in part to the lessons I learned running my own business. Last year, I decided (after 12 years of rebuilding things) to quit my corporate life and start again and that's the story. I agree True Trade, I am a wannabe, maybe I will make it, maybe I won't but believe me; if anyone needs advice I talk from real and painful experience.

You’re in business, a quite successful one by the sound of it. Therefore you know the difference between top line and bottom line. I could easily sell my entire stock every month if I reduced my margins but I like to do the job right and stand by my customers if a fault occurs - that requires a lot of prep, proper servicing, paint, MOT, PDI, etc etc. People often say to me, how much did you pay for that then? (Why the fuck do they think you should tell them that). It is irrelevant. I often have £2k gross margin (hammer price to selling price). Less: Buyers Fee, transport, fuel, MOT, service, valet, paint repair, mechanical repairs, VAT margin and Tax (my variable costs) less Rent, heating, lighting, phones, advertising, etc (my fixed costs). In truth on a good car, good deal - I may make £600 pre tax (taking everything else in to consideration) and if I am lucky sell 8 a month. See my VAT margin looks great but in reality, like everything. It’s not about what you bring in but what you pay out.

I have an enquiry on a Skoda Yeti 2013 with 3k from its one owner. Haven’t got a single picture up yet. Can’t wait until it is up for sale next week.

Or just get your kebab ready for you with plenty of mayonnaise and lots of salt and vinegar on the chips - FFS, when will they learn, that’s all a bevvied up man wants to eat. Amazing Umesh - didn’t Saab go pop at least 3 years ago, where can you find these nearly new ones?

Thanks for bigging me up (I need it). If I could repeat the other months performance every month, I could achieve the figures spouted on the other thread but reality says out of 6 complete months proper trading, two have been stonking, two have been a minimum wage and two I may as well have shut shop. Am I worried? Not overly, I'm full of decent stock, my average value has increased and AT has just told me they will double my package for free Dec/Jan - what could possibly go wrong?

In at the deep end. Big win or big fail story will follow soon.

Just for balance, I lost £156k one year (2005).

There have been a couple of occasions where I have had a 2 seater (TT, Smart etc) and a mature couple have arrived and obviously both want to go out and I’ve had more than 1 set of punters to deal with. In this instance, I have let them drive themselves around (both times leading to a sale). Or on a real old PX shitter, I just can’t build the enthusiasm to lock the office up, put a sign up just to listen to their pitiful bullshit - to make a couple hundred.

Absolutely shit here at the moment too. Only enquiries I get at the moment are asking me to pay an invoice. 12-14 in stock, 1 sold at a small loss, the other healthy margin. It is said on here a lot but as we’ve just moved to a VOIP phone system, I am constantly ringing myself to check it works. Weather does not help lift my mood either but at least my stock is looking superb and indoors which can only help. Onwards and Upwards. In the words of D’ream.......

I'm all for anything kebab It is really, really, really quiet here too.

Just ordered one - thank you Tradex

I see it differently. My first car was a Mk2 Escort 1.3 Pop with twin choke Webber and a K&N filter, paid £290 and resprayed it. I was soooo embarrased to drive it as it was the equivalent of the 80/90's chav car. Even in that spec, I couldn't afford to buy a clean one nowadays. Personally, I would drop the fluids and replenish and store in a dry place for the next 20 years - remember this post. If you want it gone PM me - I hate that model but I can see the future appeal.

I have 1600 sq ft (including office) I can easily store 9 inside, 10 if I get creative. Room for 8 outside too. Unit is almost a perfect square 40 x 40. Wouldn’t want to go any smaller.

I have done a half way thingy. Filled in V62 and got customer to sign but with a change of address to mine (save bothering the old dear again, or chasing her, or hoping she doesn't bin it as she has already lost my cheque). All things being equal, I should receive the new V5 still in customers name but delivered to my address, then I will simply place the car in trade. I even used a postal order (first time ever), to avoid my details being on the cheque further muddying the waters. Fingers crossed.

I wouldn't be here if I did

Not to be argumentative but just to offer some balance. I may have been lucky but as yet, I have no single complaint with DVLA - they have always been helpful and prompt and the Online system works for 90+% of everything I need to do day to day. I do not work for the DVLA, never have, nor do I know anyone who does, it is just my experience so far.

Close Brothers - free Gentlemans agreement that I reward their efforts with some business.

I have a Class 1 HGV licence but gaining an O licence is too much of a faff - plus sometimes the truck is in the unit, other times it is at home. I don't think even my reasonable neighbours would appreciate 44 tons and 11 cars outside overnight. I would consider a smart 7.5t two car transporter and trailer option though (still need O licence though)

I thought a "dolly" can only be used for recovery?

+1 I did and it already earns its keep - all vehicles back within 24 hours of auction close (5 the other week). Again, be careful with payload - dont expect to carry anything much bigger/heavier than a small hatch - I have 1500kg payload but only if I don't have lunch that day.

I thought you might be with someone else (wife, friend, etc) whom could drive one and you the other? You’re not going on your own are you, you know.... to find yourself, be at one with nature.