tradegirl

Shall we start a club?

No, small trader. To be fair, one was loose plug under the seat which threw up an airbag light on the test drive when they slid the seat all the way forward, and then the rear wiper was leaking water inside the tailgate an hour after they left. This after 500 miles of use (DPF regen), Sytner health check, MOT and clean PDI. Sod's law. Customer didn't want to come back down for repairs, so reimbursed labour etc. The other was on a £2000 2010 Focus. Full clean (legit) MOT 50 or so miles prior to sale. She called 2 weeks after sale to complain about a knocking she'd heard the first few days. But she continued driving the car for 2 weeks She was advised it was a ball joint, and indeed it was, but it was a noise we'd never heard before when prepping the car. She said she never hit any potholes. Again clean MOT, PDI, and car was thoroughly road tested. Easier to replace whole track arm, then replaced the other because I'd rather not see her again if imbalances creep up. Incidentally, both buyers bought the cars for a song, so...I guess it serves me right for not sticking to my guns on the price. Had 4 returns in 6 years (and 1 chancer), so...fingers crossed. James, unfortunately most people want the world. A mechanically sound car, with services, clean bodywork and interior, and all at the right price. Sensible people who know they're getting a great car at a great price, are few and far between.

Dead as a dodo here too. Sold 3 cars 8th-15th, now gone quiet again. Throw in 2 "first 30 day" repairs, and it's fun times.

Was looking at a car today, FSH, but failed the MOT at 30k (wrong mileage) and passed at 50k the same day. Something as cut and dry as that, I don't mind. Anything harder to explain, is just too much of a headache.

You gentlemen are right. Just had that this very afternoon. Still, when times are tough, sometimes I wonder if the gamble is worth the risk. Plus having a business partner who has a conflicting mindset to your own makes it harder to stick to your guns.

Lol, use your imagination. Well in THAT case, how far away do you live again?

You really don't want to know how deep down the gutter my mind went with it! No Dave, you're right on the money haha!

I don't understand how you gentlemen stay so patient with prices. When it's DEAD dead and you're up against the wall, cars that are nearing a month with no sale/viewing, get prices dropped, and I tread carefully when bargaining so as not to lose a sale. Even if it's less money than I originally wanted. And especially if there's an interesting auction coming up where I can roll my money over. A bird in the hand and all that. I'm not saying I like this method, I wish I could play hardball. But as a doorstepper and no other income, sometimes I wonder if I could support a family with this job.

March was awful. April started off very well. 2 away April 1st, enquiries on almost all cars, it was like everyone had come out of hiding. Our most expensive car sold on the 9th, now it's back to dead again. Prices have been dropped a bit, photos and text reshuffled, now a waiting game again. There's no ease or "home free" in this job.

James I try to follow your more descriptive approach nowadays. I do sometimes wonder if it comes across as too much. Still have people asking silly questions when everything is already in the advert.

I still don't understand this. Tell a customer you don't provide a warranty, because the car's been serviced, MOTd and inspected, they think you're some shyster. Tell them they're legally covered anyway, they usually don't know what you're on about, and I feel that opens a can of worms for them to bring the car back in 30 days for some silly reason. Easier to give 1-3 months warranty and hope nothing goes wrong.

The great thing about recalls on nice cars, is you have a beautiful green light health check from the dealer to go into your bookpack

Awful the past couple of weeks and back's against the wall. Funny thing is we have more cars for sale now, and it's completely dead. Couple of weeks ago we had fewer cars and more enquiries. Hope this passes soon.

You mean you do the recalls tradexor you don't?

Is this a euphemism? Or am I somewhere else entirely?

Lol PRS and PPL, long time since I had to deal with those.

I know Mojo. It's even been an article in this magazine last Feb. Apparently though even regular joes can be fined £2500 If they're driving around with outstanding recalls. Which seems to be like another money grabbing opportunity by the government.

Mark, the battery terminals. I remember someone in here (sorry I don't remember who) on of their BMWs caught fire. On the other hand maybe I leave it and get a nice payout lol.

Hi everyone, I'm a little late to the game. We get recalls done on cars, but I just read that traders can be prosecuted if they sell a car with an outstanding safety recall? Got a mint 1 series in, and was feeling a bit lazy about getting it done. Not now though! Edit: don't lay into me for being ignorant of the fact. Recalls still get done, despite my ignorance!

Drives fine but eventually goes into limp mode. Back to the dealers I reckon Dave I might actually take you up on that. I know it should have been shifted long ago, but it was that net of "we're losing so much it's better to fix it and get as much as possible for it." But the time has come to give it up.

Haha yes, still with him. He's a good partner, and we're both aware of things we need to do going forward. Thanks for thinking of me! Past few months have been alright. Ups and downs as is this business, but surprisingly better than expected. God willing (and Brexit willing) it'll continue.

None sold, but had none to sell. Only 2 went up for sale the past week, plus another 6 being prepped. Back's sort of to the wall at the minute, so hoping for a couple of quick sales.

Amateurs. Try a Jeep Cherokee still being repaired since 2015, 4 mechanics plus 2 visits to Jeep.

Very clever haha

Thanks for the replies. But why would anyone chose to hide someone on this forum? Everyone seems nice.