Mark101

Awww thanks James, really appreciate that

I have often thought about setting up a "rent a wreck" business but never have - but I do have my "buy a wreck" business

Just sold my PX Golf for £595 with 10 Months Ticket (+ another 2 today) just after I said it had slowed up (9 for June so far from 11 average stock)

Clever - that got me, so thanks for settling it

They have already done this - it's clearly a get me out of here tactic - utter timewasters

My opinion - exempt or not, any car on a public highway should pass an annual MOT. You wait until this takes effect; Someone driving an MOT exempt vehicle has an accident and the unthinkable happens. As the driver of that vehicle, it is still your responsbility to ensure it is roadworthy, if the accident is a consequence of that vehicle being unfit - you're going to jail.

Started well, the last week has been slow but picked a number of enquiries up yesterday and today with 1 sales subject to finance, 1 viewing tomorrow and 1 PX enquiry.

I've currently got an 04 Golf Match in black (1.6 Petrol) - came in chop. Quite horrible but washed up okish, 114k with MOT until 4/19 - on at £695 (only because it cleaned up so well but will drop below 5). Guy asks me if it has service history and has the timing belt been done? ------------------------------- Tiguan enquiry: Can you read all the services out, date and mileage What was the last owner like as a person What brand of tyres are on it (I said black ones) Have VW inspected it following the emissions scandal (they have actually with a letter included) I am torn between yours and another one with a private seller, will you discount (no) Told him (and followed it through), added £500 to the advert, told him it was too cheap - goodbye. ------------------------------------ BMW (all this in the ad) How many owners (1 previous) Any History (Yes) Mileage 61k Is it due a service (it has just been done by us A&B) How long is the MOT (just done last week, no advisories) OK thanks, goodbye (what did he want?)

Curve ball - I have only good things to say about DVLA. I find them knowledgable, helpful and the Online services have really helped speed things up. The only criticism is the length of time it takes to obtain a replacement log book - otherwise, I get logbooks back in about 3 days.

Don’t bog yourself down with this nonsense. for example, I have had a bumper May and June yet my fellow traders are having a mare. My average time in stock is 20 days, what bollocks this is. I sold a Passat in 6 hours and have a BMW for 86 days - the average means Jack. you just have to trial and error - for example, I will never buy a Fiat 500 again (time in stock), never another Land Rover (cost to prep and warranty), never an odd ball colour, etc etc. Averages are a pointless exercise, look for problem cars and avoid them. Above all, go and buy some bloody stock instead of looking at stats which are skewed by large franchise dealers whom offer supported finance, extended warranties, service plans etc (all stuff you can’t). Whilst you’re wasting time looking at stats you’re earning diddly. Buy something you might make a few quid or lose a few quid but at least you’ll be doing something meaningful and learn something tangible.

I only care about my own stats and keep a log of what sells quickly with healthy margin. Nothing else matters to me.

I look at your site quite regularly James as we have a similar sized business and I also like how you present your stock. I don’t even need to click the links to see which cars you’re talking about because I see them every time I click your site. This doesn’t help much because I think you’ve done everything you can to present them as best possible - I think they’re just the wrong cars, types of cars that people can buy very cheaply and that are ten a penny. I have similar issue (as you probably know) on a BMW convertible (I know it’s the colour issue). Car is spot on but it just will not shift - I’ve increased the price by almost a grand and it can wait for that one person. Has a cover on it and is in my garage next to the TT convertible (trying to preserve the perfect roofs). I get to the stage where I hate a car when they’ve stood so long but actually, I still love the BM. Probably sell better down your way James

£150 for a bumper - perhaps allow another £50 if it’s a technical job?

I think you'll be surpised....it can only get better - surely?

Top man - how are you with gearboxes?

Best sitcom ever - the end.....

Yep, adding 500's to the Land Rover banned list - mine took forever despite being the right spec and colour. Pink was very brave Simon (or very cheap )

I feel your pain - I'm sending the RR Sport to the block (whenever the bloody V5 arrives) All sorted but I don't want to be selling a 158k Land Rover of any model - not worth the agro but helped me shift the sticky Fiat 500 by accepting it in PX

Reminds me of my childhood, Christmas lights wired in series instead of parallel - part the fun checking all those bulbs

I know you prep your cars well and go to town on the ad, so £10,995 allowing £500 wriggle room for either tyres or sensors if pressed. You need something like £2k margin on something wearing a Land Rover badge in my opinion.

I was thinking £120-£140 but £250 sounds too much

OK - Here's what I would do. Tyres = nothing, use that as a bargaining chip at point of sale (it will add more value then than it will now) Privacy glass = I agree and it transforms the car, do it. Parking sensors = on an RR, if that's the only fault you've got a goodun. Apart from tints, walk away and get on sale. The little tweaks can be made at POS if someone shows any objection.

I get the same idiots by phone, email and text - I also have good people contacting by phone, text and email - The only ones I ignore are the ones asking for a discount before they even see the car. Last time someone offered me £5,500 for a £6,000 Tiguan - I said no and that at £6k, I am actually undervaluing the car and going to increase the price to £6,500 (which I did).

Credit to them letting you know they weren't coming, genuine or not, still better than a rude non-shower

Unless you spend a shed load of money on click per view, Google ads etc, then don't expect your website to earn you ANY incremental sales. What a website has done for me has added credibility and assurance that I am "real" to customers looking at my cars listed on AT, Ebay etc - the website earns it's keep by people clicking on my AT adverts, saying visit dealer website. Without this function, who would even look for me and for that privilidge, add another £700+ per month to your marketing budget.