awc1000

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Posts posted by awc1000

  2. Posted

    4 hours ago, Mark101 said:

    I heard on the news today that in 3 years (Brexit or not), we will be forced to be fitting speed limiting devices to our cars to match the road speed limit.

    That's a long boring drive for you @Dave2302 from Kent to IV40.

     

    I think the plan is for just new build? heard the device will dual with the proposed motorway pay per use, which no doubt is a coming, sad times ahead.

  3. Posted

    2 hours ago, Tadams said:

    Morning All, 

    Not sure if anyone has ever dipped their toe before but we had an email a few weeks back in regards to an opportunity to  get the company name on a race car, the series is quite a high profile one. 

    I guess it's hard to quantify a return of investment but i guess any exposure is good exposure ? Just wondered if anyone had done similar before and what they thought of it. 

    Cheers 

    I know a few folk who do this but it is very specific to what you do or sell, depends if you are looking for a return on the outlay or just a bit of kudos, what race series is it?

  4. Posted

    2 hours ago, XFS said:

    I see loads of tales of woe on the forums.

    Who are your target markets ?

    Im in the process of setting up again with the same target market as previously.

    I am only interested in affluent pre family individuals or post family/kids all gone people.

    Dont do families, sub-prime, finance, time wasters of any description. Kids are simply not allowed on the premises. Try and avoid local customers to and won’t sell to anyone I know socially.

    Rules out the majority of potential buyers I guess, but previously I rarely needed more than one per car.

    I am pretty brutal in assessing customers....if I sense a pest, they don’t get further than an email or phone call.

    sounds like you have already sussed things out, some dealers don't have the luxury of picking customers or not worrying about target markets - or even the way that this job is going regards needing finance commission to make a deal stack up / profitable etc , but like me you sound like you have the luxury of choosing, i don't even think about who my market is, stick to the main priority of this job which is finding the quality stock which affords you to operate in this way and sell at a premium, the price range you mention will as you know attract a more sensible customer anyway, in summary - find the good stuff, ignore the AT price dictatorship, sell at a premium, kick the p/ex hard, choose the the right customer, earn money and enjoy the job, good luck.

  5. Posted · Edited by awc1000

    1 hour ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    Well the investment was a reason.

    But then we knew it's a lot of work and we can split the work. 

    Sorry when i said we had specific i didn't mean we stick to these roles. We do chop and change. So the others know the different parts of the business as well.

    This way we can get more days off as well. We were used to 4 on 4 off as an example so we needed a way for time off. 

    Obviously we dont do 4 on 4 off or 3 long days on and 4 off. But we have the man power to take time off without loss of income.

    We have 70+ stock from £4k to £15k (£20k max)

    We try not to buy cars that attracts mainly thugs like GTi's / ST etc as they expect too much for their money and give the car a beating when they come to view it or "test" it as they call it.

    70+ units that's quite an investment for 5 fellas who effectively retired:blink:.

    can we have a look at your website / stock? curious as to what you are selling, you mention you don't sell gti's / ST type units - granted they can attract numbskulls but they can also command well over retail prices if they have the right pedigree, i.e profit! cant think of many dealers who pass on them / this.

  7. Posted

    22 minutes ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    A phone call is more personal.

    Dont get me wrong but written text is written in one manner and read another. (Think of some instructions in a flat pack that make no sense)

    @trade vet just asked me something and after a long day I nearly read it wrong and thought he was having a dig with sarcasm. 

    Whereas a phone call... You hear a persons voice... Always say "cheers" than "thank you very much". The latter is dull, its robotic like the virgin media call centres based abroad. 

     

    I didnt elaborate. I know the fellas over time and at work... Life and death situations let's say. 

    Over the years we progressed and in the force as you progress you learn more about management and running of a team or department rather than front line policing. 

    So since we all were fairly up in the ranks we had a lot of experience and knew what each of our strongest points are. 

    For example those that were good with communications prefer the sales side of things.

    I know what you mean about cock ups. But the key is communication. Be clear, be specific, if in doubt leave it out. 

    Interesting being a team of 5, and unusual... i'm curious was this decided because you needed a specific amount of money for a specific venture? i.e acquiring a site.

    and can i ask how many units you stock in what price range?

    for me i would not want to be an equal partner and share profits with someone who is doing the prep, marketing, or accounting.

  8. Posted

    25 minutes ago, akhtar said:

    is it possible to find cars at good price from bca catalgue with buy it now option after becoming gold member ?

    not really, the logic of a buy it now is you have the car pre-sold, then you have to realise buy it now's might have issues or the vendor wanted too much and it has not sold previously.

    forget becoming a gold member, if you cant make it work on silver your not going to make it work on gold, reduced gold card fee's are not going to launch you into profit.

  9. Posted

    your main cause of loss is paying too much too start with, not the other factors mentioned.

    be more open minded on brands, if you don't like certain brands other customers sure will.

    the cars you mention are saleable but you are not really likely to earn anything from them in the price range you mention-  if buying from auction.

    you need to understand what the market is wanting / buying, and you simply need to be able to value cars better.

    you need a rethink, also, being part time gives no excuse or reason to be incurring certain costs (valeting) or paying others (delivery), find time to either go to auction yourself, (leave buying online to the more experienced), or explore finding stock elsewhere, ideally locally.

    as others have said, with respect it might be that after 2 years trying this job might not be for you.

    • Like 2

  11. Posted

    Anyone still using autotrade-mail? i binned it in 2016 after 12 good years due to the inevitable autotrader fook up after purchase.

    just curious if the much promised site refurb and return to original format happened and is it any good or still ruined?

    cheers.

  12. Posted

    based on what you have said,

    with respect too you i think the next step for you is too spend 6 months selling some dearer cars from home without the overhead to get a feel, the reality is these are the cars you will be needing to sell to make any money, believe me there is a big difference on a monday morning to how much you "try" to earn this week and what you "have" to earn a week once committed to full overheads.

    regards 50k, at your stage it is too much especially if you have borrowed it, when things get tuff you will go out and buy more with 50k this will not help you, try 20k across 3-4 cars from home, the biggest issue for everyone starting in this job is contacts and sourcing stock, more money is not the answer at this stage, if you do get established and are earning good profit then don't worry about needing more money, there will be plenty of people happy to give it you if your doing well.

    and also, with 20k you will manage the 3-4 cars better and probably enjoy the job until taking the bigger plunge.

    good luck.

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    james,

    forget bca or manheim, buyers are not interested in anything that is not direct i.e the trade have touched it, and on the odd occasion you do get lucky they will rob you blind on commission.

    the only real answer is ebay auction under a specific disposal account, don't use your ebay motors account, use a war and peace add regarding the car being sold as parts / spares / repairs, same again with the invoicing, couple that to being picky who you sell it too should be enough too minimize much grief.

    or find yourself a decent local auction who will appreciate your business and not rob you.

  14. Posted

    6 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    Too criptic for me - nothing to hide mate.  www.imperial-marques.co.uk

    Call in if you're passing.

    rodways? sorry if i sound a bit evasive on here, i'm a trade buyer / underwriter for franchise's and supply onto franchise's / retailers, so i cant be as transparent as some of you retailers on here for obvious reasons, but yeh i'll stick my head in yours one day and nick a cup of coffee of you :D

    33 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    I am worcester - malvern area, i think i know where you are. think you maybe in a unit through someone i know? r....y??

     

    6 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    Too criptic for me - nothing to hide mate.  www.imperial-marques.co.uk

    Call in if you're passing.

     

  15. Posted

    21 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    I am worcester - malvern area, i think i know where you are. think you maybe in a unit through someone i know? r....y??

  16. Posted

    5 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    he had an audi rs4 at one point which i was asked too underwrite but he was on another planet, well he is scottish....

    9 minutes ago, awc1000 said:

    he had an audi rs4 at one point which i was asked too underwrite but he was on another planet, well he is scottish....

    15 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    15 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    15 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    His name is Angus Nairn - He had me on the M50 at 86mph.

    He is a nice guy actually and he did say I was the freindliest person he has ever pulled over.  I couldn't argue, I was bang to rights.

    Where are you awc - I'm in Worcester itself, just off J6

    he had an audi rs4 at one point which i was asked too underwrite but he was on another planet, well he is scottish....

     

    10 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    He's an alright cop actually, no chip on his shoulder.

    When he asked me why I was so happy to be pulled, I said "I'm just glad you weren't behind me last week when I was on my R1."

    i'm located worcester - malvern area, i think i know where you are, think you maybe in a unit through someone i know? r....y??

     

    23 hours ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    Good evening all.

    Ex Traffic Inspector here retired after 30 years. 

    Lovely forum here you guys have I must say.

    This topic on discussion is cut clear: MID.

    Motor Insurance Database (the clue to the answer you lot are looking for is in the name)

    If a vehicle is NOT on here then it is showing as NOT INSURED and you will be pulled over. You may have insurance that will cover you to drive any vehicle but coppers Dont know this.

    The whole issue of trade plates is grey area. For example they could move about and arent clear to read.

    Furthermore ANPR cameras are NOT setup to read trade plates. So if there is a roadside check point operation you WILL be pulled in.

    And do not listen to your brokers. There job is to make money and tell you whatever sounds easier. They wont defend you if a problem ever arises. 

    There are a lot of what ifs:

    1) anyone pulled can say they have trade insurance

    2) trade plates can be stolen

    3) how would you make your insurance claim if a vehicle was vandalised or stolen? Without it being added to the MID your insurer may not accept it is your car and it could be that of a mates (who had no insurance)

    I say this because myself and some colleagues have invested in a partnership of vehicle sales 5 years ago and when we renewed our policy at year 1 we was asked "did you not sell any cars last month?"

    I asked them what do they mean and they explained in the earlier months we had a lot of stock turn over and in the last month we havent added anything to the MID. They said they usually check as people buy trade insurance as its cheaper to insure their personal cars and dont trade.

    Hope this helps.

     

  18. Posted

    2 minutes ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    The Scottish fella - Do you mean the twins. They're both bald and they are identical and both are cops?

    In one episode both went out together in the bad weather in a 4x4 at 3am and am sure people would have been spooked bit like the fat cop in Terminator 2 who gets cloned by T1000 

    yes bold head rings a bell. i think you might be right, if they are twins it will explain how he get's about a lot:D:D

  19. Posted

    19 minutes ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    Are you in a rural area? Sounds like some cops which dont have real work on haha!

    We always shop around annually and then we know we aren't being ripped off. Just to get a price indication if that's all. 

    It just saves time not being pulled.

    rural - yes and no, worcestershire, we have in the area a police legend who is always on one of those motorway cop tv shows, cant remember his name but a scottish fella with a very hard reputation, you may have seen him, he always comes down hard on motorists, i have a friend who works internally on the police cars and they tell me he has been known to nick his own colleagues in the area - i kid you not, nice eh:(

  20. Posted

     

    38 minutes ago, AGS said:

    It's done 82k on a 59 plate overall a decent car full service history. I need to get a vagcom and hopefully get a clearer diagnostic. 

    yeh sadly common on VAG dsg from 80-100k, think its 40k service intervals which often get missed, if it lurches on the downshift in lower gears get rid, otherwise you might get lucky, might pay to diag and plump for the franchise box service circa 2-250, not cheap but i think you get a software update too, or you used too, hope you get a result.

  22. Posted

    28 minutes ago, twerp said:

    Small commercial - I bet he thought he was going to have a job for it and later realised the sums don't add up / can't be arsed

    yes its a shame this one, if you are still happy with it when you get it back hold out on the refund tell him it will be 5 days which is fare, then go and give a citroen dealer and hours labour to give their opinion, then trump him with the franchise's opinion, it might change his current awkward stance.

    ironically where else is he going to find another nice 61k berlingo van, what a numpty.

  23. Posted

    1 hour ago, AGS said:

    I've read it with a snapon diagnostic and there were a few codes all related to low pressure in the oil pump which is why I'm thinking it could be low oil. 

    Thinking about nearly every car that's caused me major aggro has been either a VW or an Audi yet I still buy them for some reason. 

    sorry too hear this, how many miles has it covered?

  24. Posted

    12 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    Sorry, I should have qualified that a bit more:

    When asked would you be interested in my car as a PX, I said.

    "To be honest, you would be better selling that privately - there is still a demand for large diesel estate cars.  If you do really want me to take it, I could only offer you the trade in value which is just over £1,000, whereas you will get nearer to £2,000 selling privately.  Trouble is, I have to provide some assurances and a diesel with 140k is too risky at that end of the market."

    They were happy to try and sell privately.

    I know she does short trips only and being a leggy diesel, I didn't want the potential issues plus it was an SE spec in manual on a big 5 tourer. At a grand, I would have a go but any more and I didn't want the risk.

    yeh i understand the logic, especially if you are retailing and don't want scruffy swappers mounting up on site, i've found it can pay too run their swapper through wbac online and show them the value, it sometimes swings it,if you can get your head around the wbac buying habit / cycles, these do change often depending on certain market factors.

    just think some chaps on here are missing out a bit, i know plenty of indy retailers who are doing ok out of swappers, and with the job being tight it all helps.