Casper

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Posts posted by Casper

  1. Posted

    18 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    No, the SMART repairer I use had some great looking polos, so I used his contact and to be fair she is really good.

    Its always good to get a contact like that where you have seen there previous work .

  3. Posted · Edited by Casper

    46 minutes ago, met said:

    There are cheaper sources than copart for salvage.

    In my opinion the prices of raw salvage has increased since the 'copart' thing, to the point where you'd be better off buying a shabby straight car from the block anyway. Where there is potential is from buying damaged straight cars from the block. Not only are the privates/amatuers put off but they're often an easy fix with the help of ebay. More and more people choosing to leave bodywork rather than involve insurance if the car still gets them to work, and just take the hit at PX time. Plus even at the block you can better judge pre accident condition clutches/engines etc

    The best days for rebuilding salvage ended in the '80s

    Like you say Met it's a  good idea .Have done in the past with ex motabilty cars

    Infact I know of one guy and that was his business he had a contact and bought the ruff ones in bulk and got them perfect then sold them on . 

    I remember going to the local garage with my dad years ago late 80s as a lad the guy was making good money from salvage he had a contract with a few insurance companies at the times 

    he actually did ok Into the 90s up to  2006 before he retired and sold the garage but that was doing unrecorded ex hertz stuff etc . 

    In 2006 he did a mondeo Zetec 3 months old at time 06 plate 3.5 k miles in black turned out a nice car but was cat d he sold that very cheap eventually and was good repair his brother was a great painter panel beater ( he used to fit odd number plates really annoyed my ocd lol ) I considered buying it as my daily driver at one point . 

    In comparison he had a basic black mondeo same age and 7k miles he fitted zetec alloys of a break only which sold no problems  for about 2.5 k more . 

     

  4. Posted · Edited by Casper

    53 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    I pay £14 for quality embroidered non iron polos and have half a dozen pairs of tan jeans (Sainsbury's I think).  It saves me wondering what to wear and adds professionalism IMO.  My valeter wears shorts and branded polos.

     my trousers and jeans come from Asda or Tesco Normally go for black or course good old primark 

     I bought a few sort of nice wool jumpers last time I was in Tesco in grey and black good for the winters and snow here . actually very smart 

    do you buy your polo shirts online Mark .

    thanks again . 

  5. Posted · Edited by Casper

    1 hour ago, jason doyle motor sales said:

    if the business is there then its a good idea to lease the machine

    if not just use the local good supplier when needs must

    im past putting slogans or we'had a good deal 'stuff in cars

    they always know where you are when they have a problem

    and they sure as hell arent going to walk out to the car in the rain to tell their best mate what the phone number of your gaff is

    we have internet for these things these days

    no vanity here

    just profit required

    thank you..............

    Funnily enough my mate stopped doing it for the very reason Jason .says the customer always has his number 

    He had all the branding stuff and stopped using it says he just prefers the stock plain now and thinks it a better look only time he changes plates is if there delaminated etc then he buys them from factors or internet .. 

  6. Posted · Edited by Casper

    15 minutes ago, Mark101 said:

    We are more or less 100% AutoSmart.  I have got better, more important and profitable things to do than decide if one Nano polish has 3 extra beads of polymer than another or is 50p cheaper.  

    Concentrate on the bigger issues is my advice Casper.

    Thanks for your input 

    It was really just out of interest Mark .

    I always like to hear people's thoughts and views and appreciate them 

    cost isn't really a deciding factor some times expensive isn't the best and neither is cheapest etc .  I've a few different makes but it's probably out of handyness as the auto smart and Nielsen men visit regular .  

     

  7. Posted · Edited by Casper

    On 7/27/2019 at 10:45 AM, Mark101 said:

    I had the same debate but.....

    Once you have bought the Hardware and Software plus consumables, unless you're selling loads of cars (or plates), I don't see a ROI.  I pay £19.90 for front and rear with my branding and it takes 5 minutes.

    The biggest issue though is all your "mates" saying "Can I just get a plate for XYZ please." Plus, I have already had one DVLA inspection, luckily, I am squeaky clean (same goes for HMRC, Insurance etc).

    Think I pay about £10- £15 a set . Made up just checked 

    but a local supplier nps offered me a basic printer for about £450 with some blanks etc which I thought was reasonable .

    I only fit plates to my own cars so paper work is easy enough 

    although as You was saying you get the odd call to make up plates I just say I don't sell them retail . 

    It's always best to be squeaky clean . 

  8. Posted

    Just now, Mark101 said:

    Wow - blast from the past

    I'm sure sports direct bought it as there own brand. Though the factory shop sell it too here so they must supply them . 

     The sweatshirts and t shirts/polo shirts  are actually ok quality for the money and for working with doing valets etc .    They sell not bad work boots and safety trainers too . 

  9. Posted

    20 minutes ago, Contracts said:

    We use Hills, not sure they are the best value but the girls in the office have to use the machine and it’s the only one they get on with.

    Is fairly easy to use the machines .

    last time I made a plate was with a manual jig and the spacer was missing that thing was off the ark and I never really mastered it perfectly though the guys I worked with could use it cause they were used to it .

  10. Posted

    2 minutes ago, jason doyle motor sales said:

    my local hospice shop always has some bargains in the dead mens clothes section,only thing is they aren't allowed to sell belts anymore because the local MP had bought one stuck an orange in his gob and dangled himself from his wardrobe, so you will just have to find a bit of string to hold your kegs up with

    hth....................:D

    :D:D:lol::)

  11. Posted

    8 minutes ago, NITM said:

    I mostly use Autosmart just because of price and availability, but i do like a bit of Poorboys and Mer-shine polish too. Theres that much on the market to choose from these days!

    I agree thank you for the reply I sort of mix it up a bit too 

  13. Posted · Edited by Casper

    I used to use branded clothing for years but its by its best now and I've also ate all the pies and gained a few pounds .

    I've been buying  t shirts poloshirts and sweatshirts from primark sport direct and a few from eBay just slazanger or plain ones to go with black trousers or jeans sort of smart casual 

    Promised my mechanic I use id get him some decent gloves and overalls  

    Any other recommendations ?

     

     

  15. Posted · Edited by Casper

    2 hours ago, tradegirl said:

    Jesus...sorry for your friend, but I suppose we learn from other people's pain sometimes. And for you to realise that while it's still early, is a blessing.

    There's a lot to be said for living, that unfortunately many of us (myself included) don't do. It's a Friday night and I've spent it on Car Gurus. On the one hand at 35 I'm still young enough to HAVE to work and make it happen, and get my house and be financially ok. But I'm 40 in 5 years and life has flown by...if I die tomorrow, all I'm going to remember is work and home, and worrying if my car photos are alright, and when the cars will sell. I've missed so many of my nieces' and nephews' moments, it's heartbreaking.

    So doing it small, and being less stressed, and having time for your parents and to get your health and fitness back, is probably the best way to do it.

    I prefer it I'm not much older than you but been involved in the trade in one way or another since almost leaving school at 16 which seems a lifetime away now the years fly by sometimes I look back and wish I had did more motor trade and business training 

    Although at one point i was buying cars for 4 -5 separate companies in my late twenties not on my own granted the owners etc were helping out when they could it was at times they couldn't make it to auctions etc as well as buying and selling my own stuff and never got a minute to myself I much prefer it the way I am now . 

    ive scaled it to down to buying for 2 companies regular who become more like friends than associates and buying and selling my own stuff  and much happier now . 

  16. Posted · Edited by Casper

    I registered as a number plate supplier some time ago who do you guys recommend to supply the equipment etc to make up the plates .

    im unsure yet if I should keep going to the factors I've had some ok prices in the past for printers etc that probably only works out about 25-35 sets of plates to buy from factors and got me thinking I should ask you guys and girls your thoughts 

    I think it may take me a couple of years to get my money back but think in the end for easy of use etc it would pay me If I decided to go down the changes ever set of plates idea .. 

  17. Posted · Edited by Casper

    14 minutes ago, tradegirl said:

    Ok I understand. We do get caught up in work sometimes and forget about balance and that we don't get that time back. And what you said about seeing your parents...well that's priceless.

    It's not about millions, it's about being happy. Success is happiness isn't it? I think a lot of the older traders have mentioned about health, stress levels and spending time with their families. I think every self-employed job means you work longer hours than others. But...as long as we strike a balance, and not let quiet periods, comebacks, and blown engines affect us, then...it's alright.

     

    It was actually something a friend said to me that really got me thinking

    his dad passed away last year and he said you cant spend time with them when there not there

    I guy used to come to the auctions with me he's passed away now was older than me and sort of looked up to him I remember when he died his son said to me at the funeral after we both carried the coffin he wished he had said more to him they hadn't seen each other in years 

    he said i cant speak to a headstone that really touched me and probably got me thinking i should spend time with mine when i can .     

    Its not about how much we make etc if i make a living wage now I'm happy 

    your health is wealth .. my dad says 

    sometimes i factor in both i might take a car to there house to valet it etc 

  18. Posted · Edited by Casper

    10 minutes ago, tradegirl said:

    Oh ok I see what you mean. Yeah some people selling their non-runners, only basically factoring in the repair. For example BMWs with engines gone, literally for only £1500-2000 below normal retail. Why would anyone buy a car and go into the trouble of rebuilding an engine, when it'll cost them the exact same money to just buy a normal one?

    Yes exactly . Id probs rather pay the money for the straight car rather than £1500 less for the write off factoring in the repair costs get someone to do the job etc and still have say a cat n against it would need a good saving for it to be worth it .  

    11 minutes ago, MarkTVS said:

    We had a 2010 Focus ST3 a few months ago, cat c’d in 2010 so must have taken a decent hit, normal retail was £9500,  we retailed it for £6500 and it flew out the door.

    Thats a good saving Mark you can see the appeal there thats exactly the point I'm trying to make  ..

    Would need to be saving around the 2.5 to 3 k to male sense to me and would think a customer would see it that way too . 

    Ive seen a few st diesels on copart part look good value and have often been tempted

  19. Posted · Edited by Casper

    12 minutes ago, tradegirl said:

    Casper, depends on the spec though IMO. For example, is a basic S/SE spec (dependent on make) is £9k, and the higher specs AMG/M Sports etc, start at 10500/11k, and your write off is the higher spec, then you're not going to price it £7k in line with the basic spec. You'll price it 8500/9000 in line with the better spec. At least that's what I do. 

    Because when it comes to write offs, people are only buying them because they can get more car for less money.

    Having said that, I have seen what you mean with smaller cars like Fiestas/Corsas, where the different in price isn't that much. And let's face it, you don't get much premium spec in a Corsa either.

    I do agree but I meant like for like I looked at golf gtds there was one in copart looked reasonable . But on ebay they were asking silly money with airbags popped etc for £1000-1200 more you could by a straight one from bca

    As i said in earlier post I've not got much experience with copart only heard stories the company I used to work for the guy used to buy ex rental salvage from hudson kepel trading as scratch and dent . They were fairly new he turned out some nice cars .I think a lot of those cars are probably ex rental

  20. Posted · Edited by Casper

    27 minutes ago, tradegirl said:

    Wish I had the money for properties! 6 years in. Years 1-3 were the golden age, years 3-6...not so great, but have to plan, work, and figure it out. Have to keep swimming at this point.

    Wasn't in it in a big way to be honest but I've gained knowledge off it now maybe to go back to that in years to come I'm happy doing away just now I've always had a passion for cars but  being honest i don't worry about what I drive myself now 10-11 years ago i was doing much more than I'm doing now .

    bigger bills more stress etc now I'm actually enjoying it . 

    It probably wont ever make me a millionaire im only stocking around 5-8 cars now so probably similar to your set up . Im unsure if i really want to go bigger again .

    I think it had an impact on my health and I'm not a fit as I was ten years ago but do get more  free time to see my parents etc now who are getting on in years .

    so I guess it swings and roundabouts. 

     

     

  21. Posted

    7 hours ago, tradegirl said:

    It's months like this where I wonder if this job is sustainable for me, if I'll ever get a unit, of I'll ever buy a house, or if I should just get a plan B and work towards something else.

    Then there are those who are doing well, and I wonder not me?

    Always have a back up plan I did a bit of property land development years ago alongside the motor trade . Keep at it you will I think you will do ok . 

  23. Posted

    3 hours ago, Dan W said:

    Border cars had been in trouble for a few years, their old accountant fleeced them for a lot of money and as the owner also was doing some dodgy deals not much was done, border cars even were taking deposits upto the day they stopped so the man who owns it is a criminal, he has now set up a new company in his daughters name.

    sorry for the staff and losing their jobs but the man himself had it coming.

    Its the staff I always feel for I've actually noticed a few dealers closing..and wondered if it was a sign of the times. 

    I noticed at the start of the year Hardie of Larbert were closing there doors too .. probably about now as the director said it would take a few months to wind down think that was more to do with Peugeot want him to spend a fortune to keep  on upgrades for the  franchise ..

    as there changing there Stirling branch to suzuki 

    The same also happened with a Peugeot dealer called Ladyacre Lanark up here in Scotland . Ive also noticed his other company Ross of Lanark are no longer a Vx franchise . 

     

  25. Posted · Edited by Casper

    I would say around 30 percent cheaper its has to be tempting enough for a buyer.

    The main thing is making sure the repair is done correct I've seen some cars over the years with terrible panel gaps poor paint etc