Del Boy

How many of you guys have had to stop the test drive and drive back yourself?

Well done that man! I love it when that happens, I mean proper margins for the month... maybe 5 figures? I’ve done it a few times. It makes me wonder if that’s why these ‘newbies’ get into the trade thinking it will happen over night and consistently every month with no losses! It’s no surprise they only last 5 minutes then go back to their day job.

Did these chaps barely speak English by any chance?

I’m surprised you get much hassle considering the way you do business. Are they all giving you agro over the deposit process? Or am I missing something?

Funny how they all come out at once isn’t it! Lol

I agree with all of this! However for me, I pisses me off even more being a Sunday.

I agree with everything that has been said so far! I sold a car on eBay last week and he’s collecting it today. Same story as above, foreign, and waiting for mate to bring him over. Not looking forward to this one!

You mean they didn’t negotiate hard anyway? Lol

This is shocking! However, a good decision from your salesman! Too many young lads selling cars looking for commission etc then cause more hassle for you later on!

Lol down south mate. To be fair it’s a tidy thing, 70k. Runs well. Had loads of interest in it, all wasters so far.

I had the same issue on a bmw. Sent abs pump to bba reman. £195 inc vat and returned within 5 days.

I feel your pain! Ive got an £895 focus 2003. I hate the sub £1000 market. You would think it’s worth a punt at £895 as it’s in great condition, well serviced, years ticket and belt done. But no, I have had NOTHING but time wasters on it. No-shows, kids looking with their mates, dads wanting to inspect every square inch of it etc etc etc.

Years ago when I worked at a main dealer (before the days of fca etc) an old boy used to come in and look at all the cars and ask constant questions etc. Now, we all know time is precious and can’t afford to constantly waste time on someone when another genuine customer will walk in and buy from another salesman. This happened to me constantly with this guy. All my colleagues kept telling me this bloke was a nutter and never bought anything. Anyway, I shit you not, one day this bloke walked in dressed as a woman. Honestly I shit you not lol. I couldn’t believe it. He always walked straight to my desk coz I was new, and the only person to give him the time of day. He never committed to anything even after me putting pressure on him. His excuse was always crap like ‘I’ve left my wallet at home’. After multiple times of this happening I spoke with my manager who gave me the ok to tell him how it was. So, the next time he came in I told him I’m not prepared to waste anymore time with him and won’t be speaking with him in the future. All the best. At this point he says ok I’ll have that fiesta in panther black please, on finance. We sat at my desk to process the finance, the first question I asked him was... are you Mr Smith or Mrs Smith? Lol I’ll never forget him!

That’s 6069

Full of time wasters at the moment. Luckily sold a few at the beginning of the month!

Dan, sounds like you’re having a similar day to me! Or week come to think of it! Been full of idiots this week moaning about cars for sale in the £800 price range

I just had another one! Bloke phoned me asking about a 2.5k Fiesta we have in stock. I had the rear quarter and bumper sprayed last week, however it’s been done properly and looks good. Maybe a slight orange peel to the lacquer but overall very good. I would never expect a normal member of the public to notice it, let alone care about it coz it’s been finished so well. Anyway, he phoned and straight away said has it had any paint work done? Coz apparently he’s the bollocks at spotting orange peel. I thought quickly and said I can’t say for sure but I would imagine it has considering its 11 years old. He said I won’t buy anything that has been accident damaged in any way. Then he started breaking my balls about how it’s due a cam belt etc. Then I heard his wife say ‘get his name!’ At this point I thought this is a classic painful customer who I just don’t need in my life. The car is lovely and will sell soon. I just don’t need idiots giving me a hard time on the phone. Imagine how he’d be in the flesh!

This is another one that irritates me. Its a blatent 'get out clause' for any car buyer

We all get the painfull 'customers'. I am interested to know what you guys look out for in order to avoid selling to them? My number 1 hatred is the 'home mechanic' type. You know, the sort that thinks they know the in's and out's of a ducks arsehole...but spends most of the time checking if all the indicators work! I had a guy looking at a BMW 3 series. He bought his 'mechanic' mate with him. The 'mechanic' spent his entire time looking over the car whilst listening to the horse racing on his phone (on loudspeaker). We went for a test drive and within 30 seconds he shouted 'oh no, oh good god no!!' ' What is the quickest way back please?' I didnt even bother to ask him what he 'thinks' is the problem just took the keys off him and walked off. I sold the car to someone else a couple days later and never heard another word from the happy customer. Then another guy who 'knows everything there is to know about cars' stating he has seen it all and has an answer for everything, asks me why my company name is not on the log book? THE CAR IS STOLEN!!! He says. At that point I think why bother even try expaining to him. Can you imagine the sort of hassle this bloke would cause afterwards? Anyway, do you guys have any tell tale signs you look for? Or even qualify on the phone beforehand? Cheers

Apple Watch if i remember rightly?

It’s not an Astra is it???

Hang on... have I read this correctly... A vehicle was purchased through eBay by a ‘trader’ and not hpi’d first? Rule number 1 springs to mind...

I’ve got the software to get the code. It should start with M. If it starts with V then only Ford can get it. Around £10 from memory

Do you know the serial number?

Hi one and all! Finally found this forum! I have been using IMDA since the closer of AT forum. I wondered where all the good ol’ boys went (nick, Simon, David etc)! I’ve been watching from the sidelines for a while and had a good chuckle at some of the posts... I won’t mention any names... I’ll jusy say Vauxhall Astra. It’s a bit worrying this is an open forum, remember if you post about issues you’re having with a customer and they google it... they might see us all slagging them off on here! Particularly if you’re using your real name! Just a heads up. Keep up the good advice guys, I’ve been trading for years and still learning something new every day from forums such as this!