Mark101

That doesn't do your VAT margin does it?

I might just do test drives - like a poor mans "supercar" experience type of thing. Always wanted to drive a Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 5 speed? - well now you can for just £50 per loop of the town.

I'm a sad old man James. Like you (I think) I pay AT about £700 notes per month for about 7 cars (maybe 8 with a cheapie). That's £100 per car per month (approx). I then divide 100/28 = cost per day per car and multiply that by the number of days it took to sell that car = ad costs for that car. EG £3.47 per day per car. Stock 1 - days to sell 45 = £160.65 Stock 2 - days to sell 3 = £10.41 Not an exact science but it does help understand the true ROI per car. Insurance is just a cost which cannot really be split per car unless I go really stupidly in depth. i.e - Insurance £1500/12 = £125 per month/number of cars (12 for me usually) = £10 per car per month - you get the picture.

I maybe Excel's biggest fan. Everything in Excel from PDI, Invoices, Stock Book, Forecast, Turnover but the MOST useful to me (an evolution of the stock book tab) is the "Rolling Live Stock" On this sheet I have columns for every conceivable expense on each stock car - at a glance I can see what I have spent, what is worth spending vs. likely sales price = gross, nett margin in £ and % ROI + VAT margin.

June 13-14 Sold with great margins July 2 Sold great margins, 1 Auctioned (loss) and 1 refund. (I was on holiday for a week or two though) Come on August, we can do it.....

I agree Sparky, smart wheels - you're right about the kerb rash and they're diamond cut so not a straight forward refurb.

No way; I was at BCA yesterday and looking at their floor it must be an epoxy resin finish. BCA undoubtedly have more traffic than any of us and the floor is mint - whenever I have used standard floor paint, it comes off and wears out very quickly. I think you've done a cracking job Simon and no doubt still "flying" off the fumes.....

https://www.imperial-marques.co.uk/cars/citroen/ds3/dsporthdi/189685/ https://www.imperial-marques.co.uk/cars/citroen/ds3/dstyle/192025/ Considering whether to get the wheels on the silver one recoloured black along with roof and ears? Red one is smart but red to me seems like what used to be doom blue.

Just another outlet for those whom failed the Jeremy Kyle auditions

How very wrong everyone is, we never do that.....it’s Judge Rinder we watch whilst waiting for the phone to ring.

Good shout D&M, thanks. Roof and Mirrors are already "factory" white but can't help thinking black would be better. Having said that, I also have a straight DS3 in red, very nice sporty spec and wheels but no interest. Everyone who sees it (when viewing or collecting something else) says how very nice it is.

I have sold a number of CAT C and D (now S and N) but have always been very upfront in advert, conversations and viewings - I have even pointed out where the damage was likely to have been (from my trained eye). Having said that, it can be so frustrating - I have a CAT D - 64 Plate DS3 with 18k - retails (straight at £7,500), I want about £5,000 but cannot get a sniff. When I say it is perfect, I am not exagerating, it really is. I could very easily sell this as a straight car but I won't - as in my opinion that isn't right, fair or the practice of a truly genuine trader. If however, someone wants a newish low miler for several thousand less that retail, it would make a great car and after a couple more years, the value will have bottomed out anyway. It is in doom silver though

So bloody irritating - why look at a manual and decide on an auto. I finally sold my BMW in gold - everyone who came to see it loved the way it drove and the condition but said they want a white or black one, why bloody bother?, it's obvious from the pictures that it isn't black or white - why? because it was the cheapest at the age and mileage and they wanted to see if they could "live" with the compromise. People who did complete, loved the colour, it is what attracted them to it - a bum for every seat?

I understood IPhone 6 Cracking pictures Simon, really smart.

But you can roll it in glitter

Do you think you'll ever go the whole hog Simon? Video sales, online payment, doorstep delivery. That I would love and not have to interact with some of the fools. Of course, distance selling rules will come in to play.

?

Have you been fishing recently, I am sure you have written that analogy twice already?

Welcome and I must say what an articulate and sensible chap you sound - I wish you well. You need to HPI everything but that can be as little as a couple of quid with a subscription. Good luck.

That's a bargain Simon and I have to say I am a little envious - MOT on your doorstep (presume you use the one on your estate). Cracking little unit, plenty of lighting (I know you fitted it) and a nice office/loo? Do you meet your customers at the unit now or at home or both?

Exactly right - I often increase the price of my cars for various reasons, it doesn’t mean that’s the price I ended up with, just the price I closed the advert off at - irrelevant.

I think the BMW will sell instantly but you’re going to live with the Mini - from my experience.

Fantastic thanks James. Dare I say, too hot? Can't seem to upload a photo (too large) otherwise I would.

Cheers Simon

Looks great Simon - that plain wall is crying out for a stencil of your logo