Leekent

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Posts posted by Leekent

  4. Posted

    3 minutes ago, XFS said:

    So, are you guys ok with builders wolf whistling and making lewd comments when a girl with a short skirt passes by and stuff like that? ie. she is wearing a short skirt so it’s open season?

    Maybe I have misread something. I thought I was pretty normal and had a normal adult viewpoint. 

    Yes......;)

    • Like 1

  7. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    Hi all, as some of you may know from previous threads I’m a an electrician/security engineer. I’ve got a new security guy starting soon so need to purchase an estate car.....Preferably black and no older that a 2012 plate. I quite like something like a Vauxhall insignia around the 5-6K mark. I know I could just look on AT but reading the threads on here over the last year and most people on here seem to be good people. If you have something in stock let me know. I wouldn’t be to bothered about viewing it so it could be delivered etc TIA Lee  

  10. Posted

    2 minutes ago, EPV said:

    It will be a converted container mate, rented, so yes.

    Most of our sites rent them from a company called RS French in Kent. The ones they normally hire come as an office, toilet and a little cupboard type thing with a built in generator. Might be worth a look. I’m not 100% but I believe they are around £40 a week. 

  11. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    Solar and turbines are no use for what you want. You would have to store the energy they produce so you can use it when they stop producing. To store the energy you would need batteries. 

    Batteries on this scale require regular maintenance and are expensive....in the region of £1000 to £2500 each to buy. 

    A silent running diesel generator will be your best bet and you can run it on cherry. 

    The generator will need Automatic voltage regulation because if it doesn’t it will fry electronics like laptops etc. 

    A 6KVA generator will give you about 20A of power. 

    6000 watts/240V=25A

    There will be losses through the generator so you have to allow for power factor....0.8 would be a reasonable Pf.

    25A x 0.8Pf=20A

    Running at 50% the generator will use around 1.4 liters an hour. 

    Are you thinking of buying or renting a modular building? 

     

     

     

  13. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    The other thing I’ve learnt from his that he advertises on AT, eBay/gumtree motors pro, car gurus, RAC, desperate seller, motors, RAC, Facebook and says they are all useless really apart from AT which is costing in the region of £1500 a month. The only reason he’s keeping up with the others atm is because of brand awareness. 

  14. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    57 minutes ago, stockedup! said:

    Highly unlikely unless he has a constant supply of very cheap cars which, if he has, won't last forever.

    To turn 80% of your stock/month is great going if you are pulling profit out of them, which he claims he is. What does he deal in? What is his stock outlay? Where does he get them from?

    Some great advice on this forum, no matter how long you have done the job you still learn everyday.

    Part time effort equals part time pay, how well would you have done with your current business if you did it part time?

    I have seen many people blow their nads off getting involved in something they know little about, be careful and good luck.

    Mainly thinkgs like S-lines, M sports, AMG’s, etc seem to come in to stock often then sell within a month. I’ve been keeping an eye on his pricing and they all seem to £100-£250 cheaper than the top end retail price given by AT.  Other stock he keeps are the likes of qashqai’s, Tiguans and Kugas that seem to do well. I know he has a 250k stocking facility but not sure who it’s with....I would be interested to know. I suppose I could HPI one of his cars to find out? I know he uses BCA but buys using the online auction side of things rather than actually going down to the auctions. He did say he had a “buyer” as he called it. I’ve been keeping an eye on his sold vehicles as he marks them as sold on the website and he’s done 9 this month so far. 

    He said he thinks he’s doing well because he offers same day drive away rather than the customer having to wait a few days to collect. He doesn’t valet or do any of the work on the cars himself and doesn’t have anyone at his pitch doing it so I can only assume he takes them somewhere for a valet etc. All cars are sold with a 3 month mechanical and electrical warranty, PDI’d etc. 

  15. Posted

    2 hours ago, trade vet said:

    Yes Len I think it is.To give you an idea of how tough this job is,take a look at Big Motoring World.Huge operation,vast stock and debt but a successfull company in your area.If finance commission and sales of warranties were removed from their financial results it appears they would not make any money.I know it is hard for electrical contractors with all the regs (we have plenty also)  plus I understand you guys need £5m insurance liability cover which is expensive so you can quote for good  jobs etc .You should take note from the guys on here,they are genuine with their advice.

     

    I know the one. As a kid I lived a few doors down from Babchild motoring world which I think is where Peter Waddell (big motoring world) 1st started. I do appreciate the advice from all who’ve taken their time to reply. 

  16. Posted

    Yes it has taken a lot of hard work. I’m not looking to jack it all in and become a car dealer over night. I’m just interested in making more money whilst I’m young and able to. I would like to build the business in to a position like my electrical business eventually. 

  17. Posted

    4 hours ago, trade vet said:

    Hi Lee

    Rather than ask your friend to show you his annual accounts,you could casually ask how much VAT he paid last quarter.Tell him how much you pay etc.

    Having a conversation the other day about and he said 12k. If my maths is correct that equates to 72K profit marginal. 72K/3 months=24k a month. If he’s averaging say 19 units that’s £1263 on average per unit. I was thinking surely this is bullshit. 

  19. Posted

    Just now, Stephen said:

    Sounds like he doesn’t do it part time alongside another business to me

    if he’s limited check out his books, anything’s possible I know various car dealers that are sitting very pretty now 

    He’s also into developing so his time is split. He has 1 salesman. 

  20. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    9 minutes ago, Stephen said:

    Got to agree with epv I’ve tried part time and basically, it just doesn’t work have I made money probably lost 1/2k over a year learned a massive amount, thanks to mainly people on here but as it’s still part time either take plunge and do it full time or walk away 

    i still haven’t decided what to do but think walking away will happen

    One of my friends has a pitch and stocks 25. The pitch isn’t anything special yard and portacabin style but is doing 16-22 units a month and claims to of made 165k this year after expenses. Just done his second years books...does this sound like bollox?   

  23. Posted · Edited by Leekent

    7 minutes ago, Stalker said:

    Welcome Leekent.

     

    In a country that has a huge skill shortage, I think I would be looking to rinse the electrical contractors side of things dry if it were me. 

    There is more money to be made doing a rewire on a 3-bed semi than there is in selling 5 cars. (Nett of course) 

    sorry for the negative reply. 

     

    Thank you for the reply. I do ok out the electrical contractors business but it’s not as cushy as everyone thinks. Most sparks around my way demand 170 a day and realistically can only be charged out at 220 a day. Nicking 50 a bloke is only scalable so much IMO. Im not looking to totally switch trades but more of another string to the bow. I’m only 29 so plenty of working life left in me, willing to Graft and don’t expect things to come for free. I’ve got my business to a point where I don’t have to be massively hands on everyday and looking at other avenues of making money. 

  24. Posted

    Hi all, long time lurker here and decided to sign up just now. Absolute newbie here from Kent. 

    Ive been avidly reading the forum for about 7 months and think I’ve possibly read every thread from when the forum 1st started lol. I own an electrical contractors business and employ 6 so business isn’t a new thing for me but obviously this trade is...Looking for a little advice really and wether it’s worthwile having a go. I have a unit and parking that would comfortably fit 6 inside and 6 outside. I’ve found 4 traders within a 40 mile radius that advertise their stock as sold on their websites. Over the past 6 months I’ve been recording what cars sell and what seems to sit about a little longer. The stock I’ve identified seem to pretty much sell within 30-40 days If under 90k miles, no older than 2012 and priced a couple of hundred quid under the top end price given by auto trader using their valuation tool. I have a bit of money myself and a private backer and thinking of having a go. Being able to offer finance would be a must IMO for my preffered stock so would need to go down the FCA route etc. sales would be by appointment only at my unit which I’m there pretty much 8-5 Monday to sat. I have friends in the trade that run their own businesses auto electrician, mechanic, body shop etc. would you say go for it or totally sway someone like me totally away from having a go? If I kept 12 cars in stock my projections would be based on doing around 7 a month...does this seem reasonable? Thanks for your time Lee