Where do you get your stock from?

[Where do you get your stock from?]

Glad to hear you like it.  The plan is to make it clear to sellers that they need to be honest in the description as there will be an inspection and if the omitted important information the dealer is within their rights to withdraw their offer.  The service is free to dealers, if you would like to sign up you can on our website http://www.direct2dealers.co.uk/registration/ where we also have more information.

 

 

I like his style that is one way to try and get a car for a good price.  Next he will be taking stickers with him that look like scratches!

 

Not sure the auction house would be too impressed though.

 

What is your view on the costs of buying from auction.  They have always seemed quite high to me.

 

Chris.

 

As far as auctions prices go, Its always been the same, if you buy popular stock then you will have to compete for it. Personally I dont tend to buy 'trendy' bits. I have mates that insist on buying 'privately', but I couldnt spend all day driving around the world looking at cars mis described by private punters!

 

I understand that Japanese auctions are run purely on computer, you sit in a room with a computer and selected stock, press buy and its delivered to your site. This is obviously where our UK large auction houses are intending to go. But, and its a big but, the Japanese style auctions are built on totally "honest" descriptions! Whereas in my experience, the big UK auctions house will always be up to their old tricks!

[Where do you get your stock from?]

I source everything from 'the block' both Manheim and BCA.

 

I trader friend of mine fom my local BCA branch has got the 2 minute inspection down to an art. When there are some private punters hanging around a car he is interested in he jumps in and 'tests' the clutch. Loudly revving the engine and not clearing the clutch so everyone hears grating gears.   

[Poor service]

Agreed...

 

I just got back from taking our trading up Clean at the local handwash. Manned mostly be eastern Eurpoeans ( though interestingly for the first time there was a bit there today). However the work these guys put in to cleaning the car is amazing.

 

There must have been 4 or 5 of them on the car for at least 6 - 10 mins. All that for £5.... Even with a £3 tip ( all my change) when you work out the hourly rate it just shows what they are prepared to do to earn...

 

Sadly, our younger class of unemployed could learn a thing or two... but we know they won't

Well, to be fair, I wonder how much tax they are paying on those earnings. And I wonder exactly 'where' and 'how' they are living, if they are not claiming any benefits?

[RE: Reputation far more important than price when it comes to choosing a garage]

Personally I think customers pick price (the absolute lowest price) and expect quality. Reputation is something that mattered 'pre' internet days when the trade was a local community. 30yrs ago I knew every trader in my local area, probably went to school with them or my dad knew thier dad, now its a very different and "everybody" is trade

[What camera do you use for taking car shots?]

I'm quite a keen photographer and wouldnt bother getting my kit out to take car pics, especially with the limitations of the websites. I've been told the iphone has an exceptional camera with some very professional features where 'metering' is concerned. I would be more concerned with the subject and background than the camera to be honest

[What do YOU want to ask the DVLA?]

I, like Jim, am concerned that no communication from the DVLA mentions the 'passed to Trade' status  - they just talk about 'registered' or SORNed. Will that staus even exist any more?

Or have I missed something 'cos of the red mist...?

 This! I'm pretty sure that ' in the trade' will soon disappear. I dont think they want to admit 'trade' even exists

[What do YOU want to ask the DVLA?]

Also if cars are still passed to trade in the same manner via posting out a V5C/3 (Yellow Slip) it could take a week or so to for DVLA to process it meaning the P/X is still taxed for a short period, not idea be long enough to use the fuel that's left in it!! A simple online check will tell you if its still tax'ed.

 

 

I certainly wouldnt trust the DVLA for this sort of info. And I wouldnt want to be explaining it to a copper at the side of the road. Unfortunately the police have the ability to check MOT/TAX/Insurance 24/7 with the ANPR built into most traffic cars, but as motorists we dont have the same power to update our information, or to be sure its done correctly!

[Sold a car with an interesting history?]

Did anyone catch the James May show on Sunday? Cars of the people or some such

Anyway the history of the beetle was covered , which was quite fascinating in itself, and rather more interesting James drove a certain beetle

Anyway I won't ruin it !

 

I'm not a fan of the TopGear mob but I did catch the back half of the Russian episode. Quite interesting until they went all "topgear" and dropped the thing from a helicopter for some inexplicable reason other than to impress 14yr old boys!

[What do YOU want to ask the DVLA?]

Anyone else seen this?

 

http://www.unicominsurance.com/vehicle-tax-rules-changes.php?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Are+you+prepared+for+paperless+Tax+Discs%3F+%282%29

[What do YOU want to ask the DVLA?]

...... Also as the largest number of un-taxed cars will be sitting on dealers forecourts why do they seem so unwilling to engage with us.

+1 this. Will "in the trade" exist any more?

[Important European directive - what are your views?]

Interested in the definition of 'customer'; does that apply to auction buyer?

[RE: New European directive gives customers more rights]

It is a worry, although many EU countries seem to be at war with businesses. Try and start a small business in France!

 

But there does seem to be a new breed of savvy customer who knows just enough about consumer rights to be able to 'work it' for themselves. My ex wife had a friend who would always complain after any purchase. Even if she was completely happy with the service and the procuct, complaining was the last piece of the transaction that she hoped would always bring a good will discount. She was particularly good at complaining about holidays; inventing the smallest problem to use as a lever for a discount. Who protects 'traders' from customers like that?

[Van sales?]

I don't get involved with vans, but I'd always thought that they were a winner regardless of the economic climate. After all, when times are hard, many people get a van to use at the weekend to pick up a few quid, whether its gardening, DIY, cleaning etc. I think the difference is that in the boom times the vans are newer/better condition! I have to say that in my area window cleaners now seem to favour old Focus estates

[Does the motor trade need help?]

I'm guessing it will be the same formula that we see with all these programmes. A business struggling because the owner has lost interest, won't let younger family members push it forward or just hasn't embraced new technology.

 

The answer will be freshen up the site/showroom, a family arguement, a change of advertising involving a new website or an vast improvement on the one they have, another arguement, getting everyone smartly dressed and to stop smoking in the sales office, walking around the local town with flyers and various sales aids (this part is always undertaken by the shyest or less confident member of the business to add cringe factor). The end result is more sales.

 

I very much doubt they will chose a business that is struggling because the cars are such a poor standard and their attitude to after sales is as criminal and the people who run the business.

You forgot the inevitable 'coffee morning' on the day of the big relaunch!

 

I dont know about you guys, but car dealers are down there with double glazing salesman and estate agents. Try mentioning what you do for a living at a barbecue and see what happens. Usually later on when everyone is drunk they want you to find them a 5yr old BMW!

[Cabriolet]

I hate TopGear, but I have to agree with Clarkson in that you dont look cool sitting in the back seat of a 4 seater convertible

[RE: Car dealer fined for pretending to be private seller]

I blame Ebay for inventing a new sort of seller, that is, one who is clearly 'trade', but doesnt obviously advertise the fact. Sort of trade but with a very small T!