metcars

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Everything posted by metcars

  1. My mate Tony runs a workshop/MOT place. I think anyone that thinks its a money making scheme for garages should be invited to spend a day watching the 'death traps' that people present as roadworthy!
  2. I wouldn't mind his stock. Apart from the Astra
  3. ........ and on the subject of 'howlers' http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/used-cars-for-sale/vauxhall/astra/vauxhall-astra-1.6i-16v-ls-5dr-18956926 Seriously, the old girl could have looked better in that pic I particularly like the semi matt front bumper and broken door glass
  4. I remember when 'cap clean' meant ready to retail, ie no remedial work all ready to go. But now 'cap clean' is the auction house reserve price. IMO the real nonsense are the guide retail prices which are usually a giggle. Most of us set our retail prices by the market place? We all play that game on AT, put in your car details inside 30miles and see what else gets 'burped up'
  5. But if you do "name and shame" be very sure of your facts?
  6. Did your mechanic "square it up" with you before he started playing for the other team? If he's on your payroll then its not really ok. Has your mechanic got plans to set up on his own in the future and as such building his 'book' while you pay?
  7. Might I be the first to welcome you to the forum. Good luck, newbies tend to be viewed with suspicion until they've passed the test. "The twelve labours of Hercules" springs to mind
  8. metcars

    No V5?

    The v5 will usually follow just after you've sold it
  9. We've had this discussion before. We were all 'new' once and just because somebody is just starting out doesn't mean they aren't "bonafida". Plenty of home traders been working for 30yrs+, plenty of experts with 250k startups fail in 12 months? Who is worthy? I'm quite happy to talk to newbies or empire builders. It's private individuals and customer/punters that I don't want to have access. Talking about selling cars to other guys that sell cars is not in itself highly secretive. This forum needs to decide if its happy to support new business or just look after "the old guard".
  10. This is sensible and 'realistic'. I can't see the point of endless security requirements just to talk about selling cars? We're not opening a bank account?
  11. Do you guys bother replacing missing MOT certificates these days? The problem I have is that as my cars tend to be older, the buyers still expect to see a piece of paper, even though it is now actually irrelevant.
  12. It's business. I'd pay a few hundred at the block for that if its ok May I say well done for "£850", you're a hero!
  13. Not sure this is the case everywhere. These days 'everyone' is a new trader, why would insurance companies not want to take on new business. No NCB mean high premiums? Isn't that what they're in business for? What broker do you work for?
  14. All sorted... moan over. I was going to name and shame but after the nice lady called today and sorted it all out I'm in a good mood
  15. I think putting "this is NOT a write off" in my ads will start things off on the back foot Seriously, I have a 'Polish' guy a few doors up from me. I noticed he started doing some mechanics, looking after a small fleet of vans, servicing etc. Did the odd van to flatbed conversion. Then started doing a few damage repairables. Not sure where he gets them from as I know most of the guys round here who have deliveries from Copart, NSEC, HBC etc and I didn't recognise any of the 'screen marks. But he only dealt in sports/performance stuff, he had 3 Audi TT up for sale at one point, they all had major surgery, one had a new corner. He always bought stuff with mechanical damage no paintwork. It's all stopped now and he's back to 'mechanicing'.
  16. So, I had a slight 'issue' with my account a couple of days ago. Basically I'd noticed a car had dropped off my "bought list" when it shouldn't have. I had a few mins to spare and called a branch thinking that they could tap in the account number and see 'what's what'. Spoke to a really helpful chap who told me that I had to contact the branch where the problem car was purchased. I was 'bounced' from reception to back office to lady in accounts who put me straight back to where I'd started! To be fair, the guy was more than helpful and apologised for the runaround. He said he'd send an email to 'head office' and I'd get a call first thing in the morning. Guess what? What really surprised me was that nobody asked my name. Surely rule one in customer/call handling, get a name?
  17. There is quite an art to photographing cars in classifieds. I must admit to being a hobby photographer, and I quite enjoy the process of taking pics of my 'bangers'. When I skim through the internet looking at vehicle ads there are quite a few "howlers"
  18. Just an observation, but if a customers opening question is "is it a write off" I know they've been looking on Autotrader
  19. It's not only BMW, there is a huge difference in quality between genuine factory items and pattern parts. Regardless of what ECP tells us! Lots of workshops I know have stopped using ECP and GSF for parts. I was in my local garage a while back and he was on the phone to ECP "explaining" about the failed oil sensor on an M3, and the subsequent recovery for a customers car from the south coast! Interesting phone call!
  20. Would have to be done thoughtfully. Not the usual "I made a million selling cars and so can you!" type thing, or the "trade along with me in monthly installments" things you get at the back of the newspapers
  21. To be fair, OP was offered a 'ratty' old 320 not a beautiful 645ci
  22. Not forgetting "vaping " too. Who wants to walk around blowing out clouds of strawbwerry steam? I can't think of another business premises where they ignore people smoking. Try and smoke in a supermarket and see what happens
  23. Just an observation but if you do the "tax on the green slip thing" on an auction purchase that's been "put to trade", you're liable for a "no current keeper showing" tug from coppers on a quiet day.
  24. Are "No smoking" signs invisible at car auctions?