sparky

About 10 years ago I started buy from Central Car Auctions. In the beginning, with no account and without an online banking facility it was a case of going to the bank, giving them the bank details of Central and the figure and they would do a chaps payment and give me a copy of the paperwork. So, a couple of weeks later I would do the same again but just use the original receipt altering the amount details only. In the mean time I had bought a car off AT Mail and used the same payment process to pay a dealer based in Manchester who I'd never used before but went with my gut and it turned out to be great buy. A few days later on the Thursday I went to the bank wanting to pay Central 25k, gave the cashier the paperwork crossing out the previous amount replacing it with the new amount. Happy days. Well it was until I logged on to online banking the next day on the Friday. I'd only given the cashier the wrong receipt and rather than pay Central 25k I'd gone and paid the guy in Manchester 25k and from a banking point of view, there was nothing I could do about it, nothing. Luckily, the trader I had given the money to was a stella guy and after wetting himself about what had happened agreed to give me back the money on the following Monday, which he did, thank **** for that! Looking back I still get a cold shiver about what I did and how easily it could have gone the other way which would have been goodnight Vienna.at the time. It's fair to say that whenever I do online payments now, it takes me a lot longer than it should do after I've checked, double checked and double double checked everything.

I once made £600 on a car, what a result that was, in and out the same day as well. Should put the newbies off

Slightly off thread, but one Friday I once lost 27k paying for some cars, my mistake as well. Luckily I got it back on Tuesday but that was one hard weekend.

Sounds like the usual type of gearbox guy.

Can you imagine Jim Reid or Umesh paying for this? No, me neither. Next......

I've suggested a naughty list before but sadly apathy reigns on such an idea. I suppose because in the interests of balance we should always give a shout out to those dealers who are professional and can be trusted. I don't know, maybe folk don't want to share such information and keep it under their hat. Here's a positive for example. A Kia dealer in Milton Keynes. Always lists a full and frank description and when I last bought from their was honest enough to ring me up and declare that a car I had won from them had developed a small minor fault and although it would no cover the full cost, could knock the car down to their SIV and take £100 less for it.

I've never understood why ebay don't do a more purpose built motors platform. I really do think they are batting below their average and could do AT some serious damage if they put a bit more effort into it.

My man! It's always the minority that talk sense on here Now has anyone got a light?

You are not going to believe this chaps. Customer calls about a car today, basically wants it from the off but doesn't know if I will take his part ex. It only turns out to be a bloody smart car, more or less the same as one I've got tracked on auction view for Monday. He views, we shake hands, deal done, happy days. The Lord works in mysterious ways. And with that, I'm off for a pint. Cheers!

I know I know I know. But it's a 100% goer. They can't be that bad, can they......?

Got a customer who has clearly taken leave of their senses and wants a Smart Car, the funny two seater thing. Looking at around 3k to buy in, apart from making sure they have not been used to deliver Pizzas in, is there anything else I need to know and look out for? Diolch.

Take a leaf out of Mat C's book and get it booked, then book again, and again on your return I never used to take them but now I agree with William, life is too short. Sadly we've booked nothing for this year apart from a little golf holiday for moi on religious grounds. Next year though we're off to Barbados, doors closed, phones off.

Rant away. I was the winning bidder on a car last week. HPI was all clear, sadly there turned out to be a major discrepancy with VOSA. Quite a big one at that and not the sort of thing you could put down to a fat fingered mechanic. Within two minutes at the most of me ringing in and explaining why I'm backing out it was back on DA with the exact same description, not a mention of any possible mileage discrepancy.

Caralot esque then? Wow, that's a lot of debt. I worry when I've got more than £5k once a year on my next gear just to keep it active! Lat year my smart repair guy who subscribes to a company data website showed me a website and forecourt of an old school friend of his, started off with nothing, employs 10, sells high end stuff and lives like a premier league footballer. Impressive. Until he showed me his company report which had more debt than a BHS pension fund. I agree, best of luck to them, hopefully it doesn't go **** up because sadly we will all bear the cost of that in some small way.

Very much this. If your in Essex then someone like BIG cars has to be your inspiration. I think your mad but good luck all the same.

Another impressive feature on them today, can't help but be impressed by what they have achieved so far. However, that in itself is not worthy of a new thread, but what is however is that of the 140 odd cars they have in stock, less than 10% are on AT. Food for thought as lunchtime approaches.

Slightly off thread, but would you rather have a painting by Picasso hanging in your office or a Defender in stock? I'm amazed what these things are fetching and selling for.

Cheers mate.

UK parking control Phil. I've just written back to them, basically telling them to **** off.

Car that was registered to my business was sold through copart Sep 2016. They had the V5 and it was yellow slipped. Dec 2016 three parking fines come through to me as for whatever reason the car is still registered to me. Copart have given out the V5 whilst DVLA have obviosly lost the yellow slip. That has now been rectified but not retrospectively so I'd still be showing us as the registered keeper at the time of the offences. I do have proof however that the vehicle was sold through copart so therefore was not the legal owner of the car at the time of the offence. The parking firm and subsequent debt collection agency are not playing ball so any advice on where I stand would be much appreciated before I appear on 'Can't pay, we'll take it away'. Diolch.

Fear not animal lovers, the cat has been saved.

Cocktail night last night and I've got the mother of all hangovers. Wasn't planning on coming in but someone rang up on a car and sounded keen as mustard, prepared to drive 80 miles to get here so I made the effort to come in. They arrive on time, but don't like the colour. I know, please don't say anything. Then the phone goes and it's 247 asking if a 7 seater is still for sale, happy days. Well it was until i found out he owes £3000 on his £700 swapper so that's that. My head is pounding, I've missed the start of the grand prix and I'm now waiting for my 2.15 to turn up on a van. The way today is going I'm expecting him to say he wasn't aware there was VAT on it, or it's the wrong shade of white etc etc. If it's a hat trick, then the cat better hide.

Agreed. I'm in the process of setting up a valeting/detailing unit and have tried a few of these snow foams in trying to achieve a 'hands free' wash and none of the cut the mustard from that point of view, although they look pretty. I've just had the lad wash a few of mine that looked they had been owned by Lawrence of Arabia. Presuming they have been valeted before, blast them with the pressure washer, then spray with a liquid wax like Tango or a rinse aid, pressure wash again then a drying towel and bobs your uncle, not a sponge in sight.

Yep. I also had stuff released without paying for them. A bit of good old fashioned trust. Compare that to other to Belle Vue for example who I buy a few from who wouldn't release a car this week that had been paid until the £10 late storage fee had been paid. Thanks Mat, I''ll bare that in mind

I used to buy loads from there when it was SMA. Whilst IMO they are still cheaper up there, they are not as cheap as they used to be and need to be by the time you factor in prep and transport. To be fair, they are a good bunch up there. More importantly, you have kept the missus happy. Mine asked for a Mini and ended up with some garden furniture. No early night for me!