JobDone

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Posts posted by JobDone

  1. Posted

    My last 2 deliveries I was told 7 days until they could get them to me, then they both turned up the next day. 
    I know they are busy but how hard is it to plan a delivery? Shouldn’t complain really as they did come earlier than expected.

  2. Posted

    On 3/25/2022 at 2:00 PM, metcars said:

    I thought maybe I’d missed a trick. But a crusty 18yr old diesel focus estate! £1,000 at the hammer plus fees? It was sold at £500? There were at least two bidders who thought it was a bargain?

    Yikes! :wacko:

    Sent a 2005 Focus 1.6 Diesel with 240k on the clock and snapped cam belt to the scrappers this week and got £527 for it.......Prices are crazy!

  7. Posted

    On 10/1/2020 at 11:23 PM, Martin F said:

    So I know this is quite a familiar story on here (decided to start selling cars from home initially) so I won’t labour it too much. But suffice to say in June I was made redundant and as having always been a bit of a petrolhead (some people think I own too many cars as it is!) and having some redundancy and savings behind me I’ve decided to try selling a few cars.

    I’m taking it a little cautiously at first, but if this works out then I’m looking forward to being my own boss and hoping the flexibility will make life with a young family a bit more rewarding.

    So I have something niggling in the back of my mind that I’d like to ask for experiences or opinions on. I wonder if there is an upper limit to the price joe public is comfortable paying for a car from a home trader?

    I know it would be one of those illogical views by people, a bit like those views on cars with over 100k miles, but we all have these subjective thoughts about things.

    The cars I have been buying so far will list around the £5k mark, but I’m concerned if I go for more expensive cars people may be hesitant about buying from a guy trading from home. Thoughts?

    I must say I have learnt a lot from trawling this forum and also the great ‘How to be a car dealer’ article, so hope as time goes on I can add back in.

    Im in a similar boat to you, just started out 4 months ago. Learnt and are still learning masses from this forum! I spent weeks, if not months trauling this place, gleening any information  i could before i took the leap and its helped massively.

    What i did was start with a mixed bag. My stock now ranges from 3k - 10k. Theres a bum for every seat and aslong as they have faith in you as a trustworthy, honest seller and its priced sensibly you shouldnt have any issues.

    2 of the biggest things ive learnt are:

    1. Prep, prep, prep!!! This will save you hassle in the future! Take the time to make the vehicle as good as you can make it(margin permitting). Remember these people know where you live!

    2. If you want/need trade plates(which you will!) get the ball rolling on them now! Mine took 3 months to materialies and it really was a pain trying to get by without them!

    Good luck with the venture!

    • Like 1

  8. Posted

    On 9/6/2020 at 8:25 PM, oldmarcus said:

    Don't worry - that's simple - I can't speak for others, but mine are on my trade ins policy, maybe a thought?

     

    19 hours ago, Dave2302 said:

    AFAIK they have to be on your Trade Policy MID, they do according to my Insurers, otherwise you will flag an ANPR, and potentially could get a Car impounded if you get an arsey Cop ;)

    Cheers guys, already added ;)
    is everyone just putting them in the front and back windows? The rule on not covering the number plate doesn’t make it easy to position!
    I purchased a trade plate mounting kit off eBay but wondered if there’s a better way? What holders do you use?

  10. Posted

    So my Trade Plates finally arrived. I sent the application on 3rd of June so included June in the payment......

    I sent them a postal order for £105 which should have covered me for 7 months trade plate license as stated on the application. I have now received a letter from them stating that i have been charged £90.75 and that my plates expire on the 31/12/20, with no refund of the difference in what i sent? BUT more to the point i didnt actually receive my trade plates until the 29th of August!

    Do they seriously think im paying for the 3 months it took them to process my application?

    I tried calling the number on the letter but it says that the line is closed due to COVID(whats the point of it even being on the letter?). So i have now sent them an email asking them to charge me only for the 4 months that i will actually have the plates and not from when i sent the application. If the application is anything to go by they will get back to me some point in the new year....

    Is this standard for the DVLA and should i get used to it? Please say no!!!

  12. Posted

    23 hours ago, justina3 said:

    You dont have to have your own technician in house you can do as we did at first and have a local mobile guy come and look at faults. 

    Faults are a nightmare for sure but we take the view now is the time to shine fix it clean it get it back to customer job done.

     

    I hadn’t thought about using a mobile mechanic but this is a very good option! I will definitely look into this.

    23 hours ago, David Horgan said:

    Customers expect some form of warranty for sure , its a question they will ask you every time . 

    Depends on the approach to warranty and how its explained , NO One covers wear and tear on a used car 

    So you need to explain that warranty covers a LIST of parts that fail .

    But all this really does depend on how good you are at mechanical prep before you sell it . We all have to admit that when someone sells a used car and we buy it to resell there is going to be a problem of some sorts to fix before we sell it . 

    So our rule is here , FIX it before its sold , we don't get warranty claims then . Life at that point is easier . 

    Self administered is the way to go from a cost point of view and it helps you remain in control , but you have to know how to handle the situation when or if it arises . 

    A third party warranty will say no to just about everything and then the call comes back to you anyway , 

    Hard choices though because unless you have a workshop its expensive all way round . 

    Golden 3 secrets , PREP PREP PREP  before sale 

    Thanks David. This was my way of thinking. It’s all in the prep! I’ve been around cars my whole life so have a good understanding of Basic fault finding when it comes to issues. All my cars will be extensively test driven to ensure that any faultS present whilst in mY custody are dealt with. I’ve actually got PREP PREP PREP! Written on my whiteboard!

     

    21 hours ago, New year revolutions...... said:

    you say you are going to do it part time and from home so

    you have to put yourself in the seat of the customer

    why would I want to go to someone's home at this time to buy a car when I might just catch covid 19 from the seller his family the dog or even his next door neighbour coughing over the fence

    so a warranty is a bit of a USPS

    therefore its up to you and what the customers perspective of you is

    would you go to you and lash the cash

    Hi NYR. As far as I’m concerned I can set up the same standard of safety at my home as any other place of business. Nobody will be invited in to my home. All activities will take place externally. Customers will be asked to wear gloves and masks during all interactions. Vehicles will be wiped down with an antibacterial solution before and after every viewing. All appointments are by prior arrangement. I understand what your saying but I will do everything I can to minimalise the risk for all, just like anyone with a pitch. 

    I know being a doorstepper is frowned on by most but sadly I don’t have the capital to rent a pitch or unit and buy stock, so for me this the only option at this point. Once I have increased my capital sufficiently I will move over to pitch or unit. I will be paying tax and VAT when it becomes applicable. I’m not cutting corners. I doing everything in my power to protect my customers and myself.
     

    21 hours ago, trade vet said:

    If you are just starting up ‘ doorstepping ‘ ,prep your stock to death and offer a 7 day money back guarantee.Without a doubt,that will help.

    Thanks Trade Vet. I want to offer a service which will result in return custom in the future so will definitely be prepping to the best of my ability. All cars Extensively test driven and any fault, no matter how small dealt with. Mot’d and PDI’d at point of sale. I think your right about the 7 day returns. I will 100% stand by my product so this should never be an issue.

     

    Thanks to everyone for your replies!!!

  13. Posted · Edited by JobDone


    So im the new kid in town, finding my feet and learning what works and what doesnt, whats legal and what isnt. When it comes to customer warranties, whats the best option?

    I know i dont have to supply a warranty, but what is the benefit if i do? Is it just peace of mind for the customer? Will a warranty realistically pay out for things which should be covered under the CRA2015 as if its fair wear and tear it wont be covered and ill have them screaming down the phone at me? Or does it set a false saftey bubble for the customer? I just dont want to waste money if i dont need to supplying 3 or 6 months warranty only to have to pay out for claims because they arent covered.

    I know another option is the self administered route as offered by Lawgistics. As a new trader would this be the right way to go from the start? Set up an initial warranty pot of £1000 and add £100 for each car sold? Realistically it sounds like a good option but it would be nice to get some feedback from the guys who have gone this route. Doing this does it mean i can potentially deal with a claim that would have been covered by the CRA15 as a warranty claim? Meaning i still have my 1 oppertunity to rectify any future issues?

    I could initially try the payed warranty route and see how it goes when a claim arises. If self administered is going to save me money in the long run then maybe thats the way to start? I could ofcourse just not offer anything but what are the pitfalls of this?

    the cars im dealing in are £4-6k under 10 years, if that makes a difference.

    Feel free to tell me im an idiot if ive missed something obvious!!!

  15. Posted · Edited by JobDone

    Hi Guys an Gals,

    Just wanted to show my face. Ive been poaching information from here for 6 months or so and have found it a very inciteful place. I hope your all doing well and have got through this lockdown intact.

    I am just starting my car trader journey. Ive been fleet maintenance controller for a large accident managment company for many years but now feel the time is right to do something ive always loved. Ive always brought and sold, whether it be mountain bikes or antiques(i dealt for 2 years) and nothing sems to come close to the buzz of closing a deal. So im now in a position to go at this part time initially but hopefully moving fulltime in the next few months.

    I spoke to Ashley on here at UKGlobal who was very helpful and very competetive so it looks like ill be taking him up on his trade insurance quote in the next few days. Once thats done i will be applying for my first set of trade plates, something im really looking forward to for some strange reason....

    I will be trading from home initially and curently have space for 4 vehicles to get me started.

    Whats the biggest piece of advice you would give someone in my postion?

    I hope to get to know you all a little better over the coming months as i pick your brains on new situations that may arise.

    Paul

     

    • Like 1