sparky

This, this and this again. Like many, I win far more than I lose so don't mind taking the odd one on the chin. I certainly wouldn't be kicking up a fuss about a fag burn, if however it did smell of smoke that's a different matter altogether as far as Manheim are concerned. Just one more thing as Columbo might say, never ring an Auction with a complaint on a sale day as it will be about as welcome as a fart in a space suit.

Very much this. A mate of mine is (and I could probably back up if needed), one of the best auto sparks in the business, bordering on genius. Some kids pick up a golf club or kick a football, he picked up a multimeter. You would no believe how busy he is, how busy he could be and how many dealers would be fecked (including me) if he packed it all in. Anyway, nice to have another North Walian on the forum, especially after a such a good result yesterday

Out of the 30 I made up about 22 good ones. Each buggy had six heavy duty batteries, and boy were they heavy. Changing them over felt like one of the stages out of world's strongest man. I play a bit of golf so world got around and I sold them all, the rest that were knackered on ebay. With the benefit of hindsight I should have kept them and rented them out as those buggy auctions are a thing of the past and used buggies are like hen's teeth now.

I once bought 30 electric golf buggies at a manheim sale once, I knew I should have kept them

Well I've been North, South and West (not physically I might add) and all I have not bought a sausage all week, however I have just found out I'm in the running for under bidder of the week. When you look at all the elements that make up auction prices, it's not looking good is it? I really don't know what the answer is, to be honest I'm not even sure what the question is any more.

Steam steam Steam steam Steam Steam, steam, steam 1 to the 2 to the 3 to the Call me for the pleasure You can call me for the pain Call me on the phone Or on the mental plane I'll be the freak you need I can tell you what yoU came for Come without karma To destruct the dance floor Rise to the top, never stop Drop like cream You bring the body and I'll bring the steam You bring the body and I'll bring the steam Love can love you Love can heal you Love can see you Love can feel you Love can warm you (oh babe) Love can calm you Love will help you Love won't harm you Steam steam There's no need to be afraid Steam steam Let the lake of love flow Steam steam Tonight let's become one soul Steam steam steam steam Boy like the heavenly dream Steam, like cream dream

I think there is a strong case for specialising, there are many successful dealers doing just that including some on here. I suppose the question is what do you specialise in and how practical is it to do so? Can you get that specialist stock that other specialists are chasing and then can you get specialist money for it at the other end? My fear would always be putting all you eggs in one basket then dropping the basket, but maybe that risk is better than than being a jack of all trades, master of none. What sort of stock are you thinking of specialising in Linctrader?

Personally I like to have four or five bangers scattered about Rory. One at the MOT station, one at the mechanics, one at the paint shop, one at the auto electricians and a spare one for when one of them breaks down

You surprise me. Personally I'd rather my cars be washed in clean acid free water and not waxed with liquid. Slowly but surely I think folk are switching on to the fact that these cheap Eastern European car washes are no good for their pride and joy, and no good for UK PLC.

Very good.

I've been putting a bit more effort into vans this year and have done ok with them. I have to say, the whole prep and sales process with a van compared to a car is so much simpler and is what attracts me to them. I've stuck to kangoo size vans ( the bigger Transits and Traffics scare me a bit ) under 5k with lowish mileage. Side loading doors seem to be a must, non whites do well as do margin VAT ones as explained above. Touch wood, not a single bit of warranty work so far either. I totally understand why some dealers now focus soley on commercials.

3 weeks holiday, I can only dream......

Bump.

It is a lot but for a new business who will be desperate for leads from day one, but this should have been factored into your business plan from day one IMO. AT may be many things, but it will produce the most leads so take the hit and go with it. Bin everything else, apart from Facebook because that is the very definition of acorns and oak trees.

You know the job is on fire when a car that just come back from the paint shop covered in dust and is awaiting the mother of all valets sells.

There are a few threads on here and on the VIP forum about DA, might be worth a read and giving some feedback on them

Good luck with the new venture, hope it all works our for you. Just out of interest, not being a hipster tree hugging surf dude and having a particular dislike for VW, why are these VW Camper things so popular? In time, could you be open to the idea of other makes of donor vehicle (with the exception of Vauxhall obviously) or does it have to be VW?

Normally I'd agree with you, but deals are on the board, the mighty Wrexham start their promotion season today and I'm on a promise tonight. August, bring it on!

I had a similar customer (son of Frank maybe) a few months ago. Two identical cars on the pitch, he wanted the red one but told me the clutch had gone (bollox) and bought the blue one as according to him the clutch was perfect in that. A complete and utter fussball who I bent over backwards for. In between him picking us his blue car the red one sold after being inspected and the bloke is made up with it. Days after collecting his car son of Frank complains about a couple of minor issues and then tells me the clutch is not right and he'd like it replacing. I said no, he then asked if he supplied a new clutch would I replace it. Give me 5 mins I told him. I had a brew and thought were this might lead and rang him back saying that I think it would be best for all parties if we unwound the deal, so we did. The finance company commenting that they have never seen a dealer to unwind a deal before. Had the car back in, checked through and surprise, surprise, no faults found. Relisted, and sold to a lovely local couple. A £250 hit bit but worth every penny not to be dealing with a complete and utter buffoon. 3008's are good news, get it back in and go again with someone who deserves the car.

I'd imagine he/she is busy hiding the deeds of their house

I used to back in the day but now Sundays are by appointment only (as long as I've got nothing else on), qualified appointment at that. If a group as big as the Mitchell Group can close Sunday then there is no reason why the peasants can't in my view.

Yep, I've got the iVendi system which is good. Like many I guess, Motonovo pay for mine as long as I give them the business. If they didn't then I very much doubt I'd be paying 50 odd quid a month for it.

Well I really hope you can be the Levi Roots of the motoring advertising world but I'm a tad sceptical to say the least. All the best with it though.

I'm on a main road pitch, your classic ex petrol station. One deal a week from passing trade is not to be sniffed at as that's surely got to be worth at least a couple of grand a month. Personally I think you'd be mad to give that up and work from a unit where your going to get no passing trade at all. If you don't want to fill the site with cars, maybe look at getting some storage containers to rent out if it's a big pitch.

A bloke near me who I get my Ford bits off has only ever sold write offs and has done well out of them. He also has a bit of following and reputation for doing them well and business appears to be good. He has only ever done Fords and at the moment it's only Fiestas. Last week he was showing me an 11 plate 1.25 Zetec, in white with 33k. Nice car that had just had some front end damage. Many would rightly turn their nose up at that, but at £3k there must be plenty out there who only care about getting a nice shiny new car whilst saving 1500 quid.