Mark101

Before reading all this I though poor battery and that would be my first port of call. An OEM quality battery rated correctly for that car, then get the ECU read and codes cleared. Only from my experience or lessons learned (caveat: I have no mechanical or electrical skill)

Had a truly fantastic June (13 sold + 1 desposit for collection on 7th July). July is like someone turned a light switch off, only a few enquiries, no sales (except the 1 desposited in June) and the enquiries turned out to be timewasters. Anyway, off on holiday on Friday, so perfect timing.

I have only done it once and to be fair it worked well. I did all logistics, advertising, prep etc, he bought the car and we split the nett profit equally on the understanding that if it comes back, we share the pain. It was a one off and my best mates, so no real risk. I guess if it is incremental business and the funder is prepared to stand any share of comebacks, what's to lose?

Exactly what I do too. Open your first image in Paint, then open your copped business card in Paint - copy and paste business card onto image and resize/position.

If you follow my video appraisals, I might post a video for you - and you're right, I won't be able to stay off the forum.

Use you business card logo Simon, rather than just typing Transparency Cars - your cards look nice. I have to say, the indoor pics do more for the car but I really like your outdoor backdrop. Compromise - nice flooring in unit and a small tree in a tub in the corner of the unit (please)

I'm off on holiday in a week and when I get back I have a meeting with my accountant (as I am now passed the VAT threshold). Once I get my VAT number, I will be applying to the FCA (I used to have a CCL and that was much easier to obtain).

The only form of payment I don't like is cash. I take credit, debit cards, cheques, bank transfer - doesn't bother me paying 1.75% with iZettle - better than 1% and a trip to the bank to pay cash in. Usual takes 5 working days to hit the account, which is fine.

Can you add the same text to the outside picture? It makes a difference.

I think it will give the AA/RAC another attachment point for its inevitable recovery

Did she do a video appraisal and request a deposit before coming to collect?

Your ad should read something like "Main Dealer Service History + Full Service by us and New MOT prior to Sale/Collection." Just done same on a CLS - Services missing for last 48k - so my appointed garage did the lot (inc. one rear coil spring, gear oil, pollen/cabin filters, both air filters, engine oil and filter, brake sliders greased, freed off one sticky calliper - about £450 inc MOT and genuine MB gear oil). Sold in under 6 hours.

4x4 and estate cars - leave on. Saloon, hatch, coupe, conv - off

It frustrates me too, not only financially speaking (can I bid on any more? the pot isn't bottomless) but mainly space - I can fit 12 off the road and I like to be at 12 as much as possible. Worse still, some Vendors don't allow you to come off bids but are happy to make you wait more than 24 hours.

As it stands, I prefer your home images. Having said that, I would be tempted with some quality tiles on the floor (high gloss), plasterboard and skim the two visible walls and have a nice quality sign made for the back drop. Then you're talking.

I have no idea how James does it and since he let the cat out of the bag regarding Photoshop, I have studied his pictures and still can't tell they're shopped. See for me, that is 100% on the money

I really like the pictures you take at home Simon, I think that is as near perfect as you can hope for.

Wow

Thanks NOACROSS - two PX at cost (needed rid) the rest proper (and I do mean proper four figure) margins. Have more or less reinvested the capital plus profit into more stock and higher value, whilst enjoying a decent wage. It’s why we do this stuff - right? Thanks again mate, I’m chuffed to bits with the last two months.

12 sold and gone, 1 deposit paid, collect 7th July - total stock 11

TV - you talk an awful lot about “our guys.” Whom are you referring to, have you sold your business and working out your contract or P/T or consultant or....? Just intrigued.

I trailed that site but at more than £600 a year, it’s something I can manage easily on Excel

I list everything bought the same evening - no pics save for generic “just arrived - pics coming soon” - on collection day usually the day after sale - mini valet - list in and out pics and video. Then off to workshop for MOT and service ready for sale. More often than not I sell cars prior to MOT and service - take deposit and arrange collection for a few days or week later after all work completed. I have too few cars (about 12) to wait for valet, paint, workshop before listing.

Excel - Stock Book with autocalculation showing Gross Margin, VAT Margin and Nett Margin - needs norhing else.

Absolutely anything Vauxhall I avoid - anything