AAM90

My sentiments and position exactly. The job is on fire at the moment. How long it will last who knows. Make hay while the sun shines. This week i've not managed to buy anything that will show a worthwhile profit. I fear I will have to join the 'pay anything to fill a hole' brigade

My guess we will be allowed to open for sales on 18th May

I live opposite a decent sized park. The kids play area is closed but i've never seen the park so busy with walkers, joggers etc. I walk it once a day. Most follow the rules regarding social distancing. It seems mainly the 'yoof' that don't respect the rules. Basketball game the other day with at least 6 players! The police now visit the park twice a day at 1pm and 4pm. Talking of 'yoof' has anyone noticed the high proportion of boy racers on the road? I leave the house once or twice a week to food shop and check the business. Every time I hear big exhausts and dump valves. I guess the boys are bored.

Alot of dealers are taking deposits and telling customers handover will happen when restrictions are lifted..whenever that is Loads of email messers atm in my experience

This exactly. It's not how many will die, it's the economic impact of lockdown. Look at the stock market and that says it all. I have given AT 30 days notice today, no point in paying my biggest overhead when customers are sat at home. Love the AT company line " more people will be at home looking at cars"..... just not buying Sensible reduction of overheads and i'll still be here this time next year

Interest rate cuts, giveaway budget are signs the government is preparing for serious economic consequences. Time to sit on some cash and buy selectively. To add some posativity I've just had the best 2 weeks since early January. Now sitting on plenty of cash which under normal circumstances isn't a good thing

Before I read this thread I wasn't really worried about Covid 19. But you lot have scared me now! The way I see it there is nothing I can do about it, life goes on and I hope business keeps ticking along. It's been a great start to the year but that money earned can soon get burned if there is a quiet 6 months ahead. Stay posative chaps!

As above. But DO NOT write on the invoice sold as seen, no warranty given or implied etc. Basics checks to make sure the car is roadworthy, if in doubt re MOT it. Brutal advert, choose customer carefully. Attach a copy of the advert to the invoice and get the customer to sign the advert. Don't worry about comebacks. If turns out the punter has too high expectations refund and move on.

3M Fastcut for used with polishing machine then Autosmart Topaz polish afterwards give me the best results. Topaz is a economical, easy to use and doesn't leave white marks if you happen to catch black trim

Sold a couple with high price markers. One customer questioned the price (£600 over market price according to AT on a 4k car). I knew there was nothing else like it and customer had seen plenty of dogs. So he just accepted it. However I have a few sitters now with high price markers. I think they are just being passed over. Normally in January retail prices rise in line with wholesale prices. But I don't see that this year. High price markers are to blame as traders worried to advertise with high marker. Short margins until normality returns

I have stopped buying Pandas. They always sell in the end but with hardly any margin by the time it's overage and reduced. Old lady car. Kids won't buy because of the looks.

Lots of messers between Christmas and New Year. Too much time on their hands!

my thoughts exactly

I can't load photos here. email me on john@albertabbottmotors.com. It's still here and I will take £1600 for it

My expectations are to pay the bills. Not alot of profit to be earned in a December with an election looming.But you never know. However December is the month to stock up and prep. I hate buying in January, prices are insane.

Just had another look. Can't seem to find it. I would appreciate a pointer in the right direction

I've bought 2 this week. But I can't find where to get VAT invoices for buyers fee. Emailed DA but no answer Any ideas? The first car I bought on Monday didn't show who the vendor was. I had to guess and make a phone call. This issue is sorted now. But it's a mess

I can't see this working in the long term. They will drown in returns. 7 day free returns. Can you imagine all those snowflakes ordering cars which in the photos look like new but in reality it's a used car

Double stock offer means time to play with Autotrader algorithms if you have spare space on AT If I have unused slots I shall leave sold cars live but increase the price by say £500 If enough of us do it it should move the price markers Anyone else up for this?

+1

Have any of you looked at the new sight on portal? Seems over complicated to me. Clearly not working properly. For example a Holdcroft car is listed as independent seller in Leicestershire ! Anyone who buys from Holdcroft will know they are franchise in Stoke

I try to stick to opening hours but flexible if arranged at least 24 hours before. Sundays strictly appointment only, I'm not opening the gates for tyre kickers

Betfred or Ladbrookes

Who else is on the Facebook group Car Sales/ Dealers? Alot of ranting on there about price markers. An Autotrader manager offered to join the group and answer questions/concerns. So they do know they are upsetting dealers.

It's almost as though Ebay has put a 'best/last price' filter on emails I signed up on 12 months ebay/gumtree package a couple of months ago and really regretting this now. 1 lead in 2 months!