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petrol head
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Posts posted by petrol head
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3 hours ago, metcars said:Many, many years ago I sold a car through a Sotheby’s auction. Some really high-end stuff in the catalogue. But what amazed me was the ‘horse-trading’ afterwards? I think there’s an assumption that classic car auctions are mostly attended by ‘enthusiasts’/anoraks and mid-life crisis guys liberating cash from pensions. Whereas, the majority are dealers. So, there’s no saying how much a buyer is willing to give. Even ‘blue chip’ classics like E-types don’t always sell?
Your right the majority are dealers, but there has been a steady rise in the number of private buyers. I think with so many TV programs focusing on classic cars, the private punter is more confident than they possibly used to be. In addition the auction companies are better describing vehicles, along with pictures and video's available well in advance of the auction.
The market will always be volatile, but certain models will always be in demand. When I see a Lotus Europe in very good condition selling for 25K and an escort mexico for 60K, I have to give my head a shake.
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These E Type's have relatively low estimates:
May go and take a look.............
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35 minutes ago, Frank Cannon said:Can only speak for a friend who runs a classic car business, been doing it 20 odd years, high end Fezzas etc and 20k plus gear plastic classics.
Not buying at all now, everything is sale or return and turning stuff away.
As usual, your mileage may vary
Your friend is right its going a but soft, but its a correction in the market IMHO and the usual variable trends of what's in and what's not. If you look at some of the prices Nick and the boys at Silverstone achieved last year, they were astronomical in many cases:
https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/auction/archive-auctions
Inform your friend there is some, but limited and activity for high end classics in HK and Singapore, but be aware in the latter the car/motorcycle must be at least 35 years old from the DOR.
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11 hours ago, Frank Cannon said:I'm informed the classics market is on it's arse, even blue chip stuff is going backwards at a rate of knots....it was prior to C19.
Not if you look at the results from Silverstone Auctions?
The classic market is always volatile, look at the boom in the late in late 80's, also certain cars are in vogue. IMHO the 80's stuff is over hyped and will drop, also the market for concours cars is not in vogue. For me 60's and 70's original cars is very strong, amongst a few other classics I have a P5B Coupe, original, 27K and been in my family since new, I get massive offers al the time for it, but its not for sale.
I think overall there will be a drop in used cars values, period, in 2021, but lets see Guy's.
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I'm not sure how relevant this is, but I was buying a TV a few years ago from an independent retailer and was trying to negotiate the price as we dealers do..... This was at lunch time and the manager completely ignored my offer and simply said "what time do you finish work" to which I replied round 6.30-7 and he said" the TV will be in your house and working before you get home". That was the end of the negotiation and I went on to spend thousands with them for our home and dealership.
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9 hours ago, Frank Cannon said:PSA and FIAT/Chrysler merger, what no mention?
Pug, Citroën, Vauxhall, FIAT, Alfa, Masa, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth....
You have forgotten, Opel. Jeep, RAM, MOPAR, DS etc.
Marriage made in hell for me, similar to the Daimler take over in 98, conflicting cultures.
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23 hours ago, David Horgan said:Had a call yesterday , golf Q ; has it had a cam belt and water pump , Has it got two keys , Does sat Nav work , Whats the make of the tyres . When was last service done .
A : All the info is on the web site , take a look but don't mess about as its very popular
2nd Q list , Is there any rust has it got leather seats , Are they heated , whens MOT due and will it have a new one .
TODAY ;;
A; Told you not to mess its SOLD .
THEN
Q ; 3rd list , If all those questions can be answered correctly and by close of business i can offer you £18,000 and take it away .
Answer , ; Listen my friend The car has a CHAIN not a BELT , Its advertised with TWO KEYS , SAT NAV works and its on the PICTURES i told you to look at , Advert says its NEW PIRELLIS all round , Advert says JUST SERVICED NOW , Pictures show its NOT LEATHER but cloth and Suede and yes its HEATED because it says so and PICTURED , New MOT Stated on Advert , There is no RUST as its only just 3 Years old ,
BUT ITS NOW SOLD and NO i wouldn't have took your £18,000 as its advertised for £21,000 BUT ITS SOLD you missed it .
Response from him I Can offer £19,000 then
I didn't answer so the prat sent a Row of ???????????
Thick stupid idiot , Good job he didn't buy it as its 300 bhp and his brain cant work that fast
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Brilliant, keep them coming.......................................
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Yes I read the article and whilst I feel sorry for them, it is very slack management.
In several companies, I think probably 20-30 sites, I have used Paul Smith from Traka Automotive, their customer service is first class as are their systems. Get in touch with him, a good key management system is worth its wait in gold, not just in terms of security, but also productivity and customer service. The cost of techs and salesman running around looking for keys is massive!
Makes me laugh Dealers will have several million pound showroom, several million of stock and a peg system for keys !
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1 hour ago, metcars said:With that sort of sense of entitlement it could have been a “social media influencer?”
This was around 92 from memory, social media didn't exist then. One of those grade 3 celebs...............
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Many years ago when I ran a west end site, I had a well known hairdresser walk in, although I didn't have a clue at the time. Flounced in with his obnoxious Mrs and demanded to see a Director, so I met with them. Wanted to buy a unit which was limited in supply and I could sell unit several times over, demanded a discount because of who he was and it would help us sell more units. I explained I can't get anymore units and couldn't give him a discount when I don't give any other high profile people discounts as it doesn't make financial sense, he didn't grasp it and the wife was giving me hell. Off they went and complained to HQ about me and the Distributor, they got the same answer!
I was very tempted to say "do you need a discount, because you can't afford it", but managed to bite my tongue.
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Yes I read the article and whilst I feel sorry for them, it is very slack management.
In several companies, I think probably 20-30 sites, I have used Paul Smith from Traka Automotive, their customer service is first class as are their systems. Get in touch with him, a good key management system is worth its wait in gold, not just in terms of security, but also productivity and customer service. The cost of techs and salesman running around looking for keys is massive!
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2 hours ago, Ratt101 said:The offers we are getting are between 23% less than ask up to a couple at 40%. they seem to think we are desperate sellers, although sales is shut my mechanic is working starting cars etc and answered the phone today, customer bought a car December 2019, done 30k miles since purchase but due to them being furloughed, partner lost job, they have done no maintenance failed its MOT on 2 tyre's and and front pads and dics, as they have not used it much !!! they think we should pay because even thought it came with 12 months mot (no advisories) it was obviously not fit for purpose complained to finance company, waiting their response just hope it is polite
Beggars belief, you watch these shows like "The Sheriffs are coming" and someone has spent 2K on a car and expect it to be like brand new. I don't know how you Guy's selling the sub 5K units cope with this crap, as the courts will always side with the customer.
I think if I was offered 40% less than the asking price I would ask them which half did they want!
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There are some nut jobs out there, that really think Dealers are charitable organizations.
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1 hour ago, David Horgan said:So this customer rings me today ,
hello i want to sell my car back to you . I bought the car in June from you but I'm working from home now so don't need a car anymore .
Ok tell me the reg and mileage and I'll look up the car .
She wants £9,000 back
top and bottom of it all .
Only fair as I've haven't used it
she goes
I asked her " what do i do with that then as there is no profit for me in that deal . "
She said , sell it again of course , but there's nothing in the car for me i repeat , What do you mean she says you would get £9,000 for it
how much do you want .
My God the world is going mad , I knew about PROFIT when I was 10 yrs old .
Have you tried We buy any car , , yes but they offer lots less money , DUH dopey prat
I just said no .
You have to remember, accordioning to the great unwashed, as car dealers we are no entitled to make a profit!
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Apologies for posting on this again, but these situations make my blood boil. You have sold a good car at no doubt at a good price, done hours worth of work and they are rejecting it for not having electric folding mirrors. Never heard such nonsense in my life, there will be a back story to this, such as:
- They have lost their job
- Got a new job with a company car
- Wife is pregnant
Reminds me of a tenant I had back in 2010, rented a beautiful apartment I have and during their tenancy there was a small leak when it rained in the kitchen. All it did was leave a pool of water on the tiled floor and several building contractors couldn't fix it, they made such a fuss about it and I did my best to fix it. So about 10 months into a 2 year rental they want to terminate, bear in mind it a was a few grand a month, to save the grief I said yes. So a couple of weeks later I get a call from a good friend who had been at a dinner party where the aforementioned tenant was present and was boasting about how he broke the agreement without penalty, citing the small leak. This was due to them wanting to live in a house rather than an apartment and live in a different area. I called him and told him what I thought of him, then found out who his company were subcontracting to and through a mutual friend met the CEO of the company he worked for and recalled the story to him. Left it at that, but I do know they no longer have that contract, however I'm sure there are more robust reasons than my apartment.
As they say "buyers are liars".
Good luck with the next sale.
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Customers can leave reviews for our businesses, it's just a shame we can leave customer reviews!
I had a punter trying to return a car a few years back, as he wasn't happy with the radio, naturally told him to go and do one. Did a bit of digging around the trade and found he had tried to return 3 other cars, for spurious reasons. Needless to say he didn't get a refund or much time from me.
Back to your case, folding mirrors, really does than spoil your enjoyment of a vehicle or affect a buying decision?
I would imagine like a lot of us, you Guy's watch shows such as "the sheriff's are coming", people expectations of cars they spend a few grand on are unbelievable. Don't know how some of you cope with these idiots.
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Free car hire for 2 weeks!
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I have officially cancelled it!
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2 hours ago, Willoughby said:After more problems car only went back to customer last week, so last week got the EZS with the chip on but doesn't really help as its just a circuit board covered in tape... have taken some legal advice which was basically that assuming I could overcome the fact that the car was purchased some years ago well outside any auction claim period, I would need to prove that the mileage on the car was missrepresented at the time of my purchase. Which I am unable to do as it doesn't have much if any service history prior to my purchase, and the problem was caused well before it ever saw an MOT. This raises the question of how can mileage be warrantied if a car doesn't have a correctly documented history? as I bought the car for the mrs to use I didn't really think much about this at the time - I suppose if I had raised it at that point - things could have been different - A big lesson learned.
I did get a bit of discount from Merc for the job, and the customer is happy so from where I sit now I think it could have been massively worse . . . . suppose its the 1 on 100 that's a nightmare....
I feel your pain here, but if the vehicle was on lease, if memory serves me correctly then somewhere there is service history. I don't think time comes into the equation if the mileage was misrepresented. Don't give up on this, every time we do someone gets away scott free.
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On 11/19/2020 at 10:05 AM, Willoughby said:Car should be fixed today and back to customer, then will get my hands on the ECU you never know under the tape it might show some information that could be helpful ...... I'll then have just about as much info as I can gather and will then give it my best shot with BCA and Mercedes. Will let you know....
What's the outcome @Willoughby
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I think there is a crash coming, but happy to be wrong.
Certainly the lumpy stuff has dropped a lot over the last month or two, in terms of demand and prices.
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If you want reliability stick to anything Japanese. We have had 4X4 for donkeys years in various countries, so my experience is...............X5 is ok, but my god its boring, few issues with the ones we have sold, wouldn't recommend. ML, built is Alabama, you shouldn't need to ask more! Q7's have all been spot on, a bit less boring than the X5 IMHO. However we always end up back with a Range Rover, the build quality is terrible, but they are great to drive. We buy late models and flip them, buying a 10 year old one is financial disaster.
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Whilst not of any comfort we have all bought a "wrong un" from time to time, the best advice I can give you is advise from my Grandad who was a Dealer, "your first loss is your best loss"!
Also stock profile is very important.
I hope you get out of it without too much of a loss.
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On 11/11/2020 at 10:32 AM, Willoughby said:Thanks for all your advice and info guys...car is W205, C220. As you can see its a dogs breakfast.....Merc still say not possible to find any dates or mileage changes in other module, have now spoken to 4 or 5 good Merc Indies and couple of companies who fix and decode ECU's and my key guy all think its unlikely they can do much. When I get the thing back and take the tape off it might just open up some other possibilities - I've told them to get the car fixed and back on the road to keep customer happy. Then gather the best evidence to see what Merc and BCA say.
How are you getting on with this Buddy, I'm keen to know the outcome as its a very interesting thread.
Classic cars
in General Dealer Chat
Posted
Elan Sprint is one of the best cars I have ever driven and I have been lucky enough to drive and own some great cars. Once you have sorted the electrics out the rest is pretty much bullitt proof, I really fancy a Europa, have seen a few, but either been out bid or they weren't good. An Elan or Europa for 1/2 the price of an Escort, as our friends across the pond say "go figure"........