umesh

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Posts posted by umesh

  1. Posted

    Had similar last year with couple of 'unknown' reviews! I simply replied something like ... I didn't know why they left a negative review as I don't know them and have never done any business etc etc ' Think if others look they can at least see yuo have responded and will also see thay are not genuine! Absolute pain when idiots do this sort of this ! Had it with FB couple of years ago similar found out one was a valeter for another used car dealer locally - when I challenged him with similar to above he replied it was an 'error' and quickly changed it !! 

  4. Posted

    the whole area has changed, every single dealer I know says the same with the trade platforms , if selling not getting good prices or other dealers bidding silly to try and pinch stock , trying to source cars off the platforms no one ever calls/emails with anything .. I think it's just sign of the times and the difference in dealers on these platforms ! ( I was one of the 1st on ATM ..But sadly had to throw the towel in after AT took them over as I feel they destroyed THE BEST Trading platform) 

  6. Posted

    15 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

     

    Getting it right is far from obvious and straight-forward but I feel buying in general (hotels, flights, electronics, books, music, films, even food and clothes) is moving more towards "from the comfort of the home" rather than "go and see many".

     

    Agree 'click and buy'  is happening and we all have to be ready , as I've said for many years video's sell cars and people are buying unseen and having cars delivered. 

  7. Posted

    Think in reality we all build our businesses in different ways, from the start I've concentrated more on building my brand /name more locally than nationally, so I’ve spent more on local marketing inc local press that I still use 21+ years on.

    AT gives me national and local exposure ( as much as I spend locally some customers half a mile up the road have never heard of me ) as they haven’t been in the market for a car.

    I have another friend who’s got a village location, been in business approx. 30 years had a few ads on AT and not sold much and really can’t understand why other dealers pay a fortune to advertise on there, but that’s just his take and his business model.

    Opposite spectrum dealers who totally rely on AT and believe without AT they will have no business, as I’ve said, each to their own but everyone needs to closely monitor where the leads/sales come from.

    And you also have to work out if you’re spending £4/5k per month, how many cars do you actually sell to pay that? If you’re only selling 6/7 cars for example you’re working for the platforms, if you sell 15/20 cars then it’s working for you. ROI

    BTW - Nik - Love the Valeter Comparison :) 

     

  8. Posted

    12 hours ago, Nick M.K. said:

     

    I am yet to see a single dealer that does better AFTER leaving AT. 

    Nik, Jim Reid left AT about 4/5 years ago and look at his business, never looked back.

    This debate will go on for ever! what works for one doesn't work for another dealer, it's all about ROI and if it's not working bin it and move it regardless if it's AT, Motors, Cargurus , local press.... 

    the market place is changing so much and so are the buyers. 

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    1st for me! if money is in your account surely that is not correct???

    Was told if its faster payment it cannot be recalled back - keep us posted as I'm sure everyone on here needs to fully understand how this can happen, if thats the case none of us are safe.

    • Like 1

  11. Posted

    FB is a mine field just when you learn what works they change it and charge for it. All about interactions rather than likes, many are having it away on there for very little money need to build the audience and fully understand targeting / re-targeting etc. The IMDA did a social media masterclass and even some of the very advanced dealers picked up lots of tips to help them. Forever changing and the challenge is to learn and adapt and not get too carried away by likes or simply boosting posts IMO. 

    Feel free to share :) ! 

    • Like 1

  12. Posted

    14 hours ago, stockedup! said:

    If it wasn't for being in the IMDA I would never have got the level of insurance for the money I paid, thank you IMDA.

    Thanks again for your positive feedback 'stockedup!'

    The IMDA are helping so many dealers just like you with better cover , better prices , very special and exclusive offers from suppliers, We've teamed up with industryexperts to bringfor dealers' The Best Practice & Social Medai Masterclass's.' In just over 12 Months we have over 330 members all enjoying the benefits of being a member of The ONLY Association for INDEPENDENT DEALERS in the UK ! 

    The IMDA helped dealers with GDPR when it was a hot potato, Best priactice information about selling / advertising ex-rental / lease cars after talking to the ASA so dealers don't get caught out , free* legal advise/support with IMDA Legal partners Lawdata , regular blogs and information on the IMDA Hub, and not forgetting the IMDA Forum!

    And we're looking at bigger things for 2019. Watch this space and THANK YOU for your support.

     

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    26 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    I was about to join today but have relatively few contacts for the reference section - could I use BCA and ECP.  I am not sure that my Indi garage, smart repairer or valeter would be sufficient (or can I use those I regularaly converse with here, Umesh for example?)

    Mark, I would'nt put 'Umesh' ( Me) you won't get past the entrance .... :) !  Fill your details in - put my name as ref mate.! !  

  15. Posted

    1 hour ago, David Horgan said:


    Maybe we should take note and ring for bank information from now on , as you say , You didn't see it coming

     

    I've done that many times, called and asked them to confirm what the details are compared to the email/invoice they've sent. 

    .( Only because I remember the programme that RHC mentions so made me very cautious from that day!) 

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    Sold many cars unseen but customers have collected from me , delivered quiet a few but don't make a habit or promote delivery,  everyone thrilled and never had any issues- ranging from 3 - 6 year old cars, this is becasue we're doiing it on a smaller scale and more personal to us smaller dealers, we take pride in what we're selling, but to scale it up to the volumes they need thats a different story, unless they are going to try just the late used market ( which is no guarantee but better than maybe older cars) 

  20. Posted

    Zoopla founder raises £30m for new car website venture Cazoo

    Download.aspx?PortalId=4247&EntryId=4849

    The serial entrepreneur behind the Zoopla house-hunting website has raised more than £30 million for his next venture, which is aimed at disrupting Britain's used car industry.

    Alex Chesterman, who made a windfall selling Lovefilm, the video rental company he co-founded, to retail giant Amazon seven years ago, is to launch Cazoo, a car buying and rental website.

     

    Through the Cazoo platform customers will be able to buy, finance or rent a used car online and have it delivered it their door within 48 hours.

    Mr Chesterman has set his sights on the car industry following ventures in film and property.

    In 2003, he launched DVD rental company ScreenSelect, which later became Lovefilm and was offloaded to Amazon for £200 million in 2011.

    In 2008, he founded property platform Zoopla, which floated in 2014 and was recently sold for more than £2.2 billion to US private equity fund Silver Lake.

    Cazoo is backed by seed funding from the owner of the Daily Mail newspaper, Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), as well as Stride Capital, Octopus Ventures, Entree Capital and others.

    Mr Chesterman said: "I'm delighted to announce this investment in my latest venture, Cazoo, and am very excited by the opportunity to transform the used car buying experience, which suffers from poor satisfaction and convenience and is failing to meet the needs of consumers.

    "Buying a car should be no different to buying any other product online today."

    DMTG was biggest shareholder in ZPG, the company that owns Zoopla, as well as comparison websites Uswitch and Money and property website Primelocation.

    Paul Zwillenberg, chief executive of DMGT, said: "We are delighted to back Alex again in his new venture. He has an unparalleled track record of identifying and capitalising on opportunities for technology to disrupt whole industries, delivering tremendous value for consumers and shareholders alike.

     

    “The UK used car market is worth over £50 billion per annum and is yet to enjoy the benefits of digital transformation that Cazoo will deliver."

    Cazoo said the funds will be used to expand the team, website and operations.

     

    Thoughts on this guys and girls? 

    Umesh 

  21. Posted

    15 hours ago, David Horgan said:

    Not one to get down on a months figures  

    Its what you do each year when in business , make this deal  better than the previous is the goal . 

    Each deal earns money in my world , some more than others and lady luck does play a part in this job I must admit .

    Take one example ; Buy car £15k and sell make profit with px and bolt ons + commission on finance , take px  and prep to sell on at profit plus bolt ons and commission on finance & PX ,  take px and sell after prep for profit , down the line this goes till you get a £100 chopper and sell out to last of line customers for £500 sometimes its 6-8 cars till its finished Known one deal last 15 cars and finish with a 50cc moped .

    Another example buy car £15k sell on debit card no bolt ons , no Commission for finance with no chain finishing with £400 profit on a banger .

    This is in my view how things can change a great month into a medium month as Ex 1 earns £8/9,000 poss £12k  , Ex 2 earns maybe £1,800 

    My MOTTO is chase every £££££££££££ i can get out of them EVERY single time , every customer , learn new tricks every day to increase profits , As my old dad said ;

    "Lad if its not working its not the job ITS YOU " Get off your arse and make it work and don't let me hear you MOANING "I never moaned :)

    Plus , if your happy your NOT pushing for profit and you have met your ceiling , I don't have a ceiling ,as my wife puts it "your never satisfied :) " She doesn't get drive :) 

    The old lads are romancers too , they earned pro rota similar money as us  , it was hard , stock didn't fall at their feet , customers were just the same . There was great traders , lazy traders and shit traders just like today , traders who earned money and traders who lost it all just like today . 

    November 

    Today we bought 4 and sold 4 + two phone deposits taken for Friday and Sat , took two PX as well , two sales on finance , all upgrade warranties , one paint protection . 

    £1200 in warranty upgrades £299 paint protection +  £1400 in finance commissions with Metal profits too on top . .

    I don't trawl through last weeks / months / years figures chasing rainbows , I watch /learn /think of different approaches , modify techniques , change ideas , Adapt and survive  and in my thinking that moves you forward one deal at a time , its where the fun is for me , Deal Deal Deal Profit profit profit  , as the happy customer drives away i smile and that's the kick of working .

    So in answer to Nick , No I'm not happy , But I damn well will be trying to improve tomorrow and that makes me ecstatic . 

    I'm very very old school though , so you young un's  can ignore me LOL :) if you want :)

     

    David what can I say ! #agree 100% !

  22. Posted

    1 hour ago, Mark101 said:

    Do you guys count number of sales at point of deposit or point of collection/payment?

    Only asking because I have two deposited which are being collected Saturday and Wednesday - do they count?:D

    I always count them the when invoiced -paid- and delivered.. 

    Everyone does it different.

  23. Posted

    31 minutes ago, RH Trading said:

    Congrats Rory, very well done Sir. Everyone would love an award and the kudos it gives you with customers, so hats off to everyone. Am looking at entering for one of these next year if possible, always been a bit reticent about blowing our own trumpet but Rory's correct, you've got to be in it to win it, and my service team really deserve a shout out

    There's another one coming up, the auto industry excellence awards - does anyone know anything about it? are they worth entering? I think a lady from there rang a few weeks ago to ask us to enter but it sounded expensive?

    and any idea how to enter the autotrader awards? is this worth winning do you think?

    Advice very welcome gentleman

    Details here to Auto Excellence Awards : http://www.autoindustryawards.co.uk/

    http://www.autoindustryawards.co.uk/award-categories

    Think with AT They choose I from they platform who performs best from what I understand i.e. stock turn etc etc. Never seen it myself where dealers actually apply, but I could be wrong! 

    Good luck 

     

  24. Posted

    Love what I do , get a buzz every day , the days when I stop getting the buzz I'll Pack it all in.

    Of course we all want to do well as already said each one of us has different targets/ objectives to achieve each month, and as we all know it's so mixed up one month could be the best this year and the next the worst! Just got to be positive and look for new ideas, little tweaks that all add that extra to the bottom line.

    Some look at sheer numbers of cars sold others look at margins - we're turned on by different things.

    When I see others doing well I always think fantastic ! love to see others succeed.

    'Good old days' ? was there such a thing? 21 Years in business and every year is different - new challenges and new opportunities ever year. 

    Keep smiling and fighting guys and girls the big dealers /groups are after more of 'used car business' share.

    • Like 1

  25. Posted

    I know its annoying,However you can expalin to your customer how through the MOT tester is as they picked up on the service light as part of the MOT and of course you've had the car serviced after the MOT etc etc .... The customer will not even question it!. think you're worrying too much in my opinion.