tradegirl

I know what you mean Mark, I'm much the same. When it's all go and no life outside of work it gets draining. Or when it's dead and you can't do anything about it, it's even worse. I can hack the long hours as long as things are moving financially. When money is down, and stock is sticking, then hectic or quiet is irrelevant.

Really Dave? Sorry to hear that. I think being self-employed sometimes you're able to rest up or get lazy, but most of the time the pace of this job is insane.

We were with Staveley Head for years, (underwritten by Geffion this last year at least) and they would always come out cheaper than others. But customer service is shoddy when it comes to it. No customer loyalty, since they're the cheapest I guess they don't care much. We were paying around £1200 for 2 partners plus 1 spouse. The app comes in very handy. I think you've got a good price.

Thanks guys! Off to Halfords! I'll follow your wisdom and hope I don't mess this up

This made me chuckle

Got a 2012 BMW Coupe in that I was hoping to get online today, even though it needs an MOT yet. Even if I can advertise it in a "prep underway, taking enquiries" capacity. It's missing the one headlamp washer cover (got it from BMW but no option to have it painted today) Body shops are closed now. Is it worth me painting it with the BMW Jet Black spray? Or will it look like I painted it with a spray can? Been one of those days where if I hadn't been delayed I could have gotten the car sorted and online today. I know a weekend isn't the end of the world, but still. Edit: my question is, do spray paints do a good job? I've never sprayed a car part with them, however small.

Looking forward to your new chapter! You've certainly done well so far

Had this with a polish mechanic. Turned out to be dodgy as hell. They locked one of our engines in the premises and a BMW as I recall, because the mechanic owed the landlord money. The landlord was a shady bugger. We couldn't exactly mess with him. The engine wasn't even finished, but the mechanic still asked us for payment, which he gave to the landlord and they then released our things. I'm pretty sure we called the police and they said it was a civil matter. Sorry Andy

I love when threads go completely off-topic into a pub-talk area, except it's with cars, celebrities or TV characters, and cars I've never heard of. Also, who on Earth are June and Terry?!

Not bad, certainly better than April/May. Many cars tied up in prep though and only a handful for sale so it's lean times for the minute. It comes and goes in waves.

EPV I'm not sure if I accidently reported this post.

Where there's a will, there's a way! You're like the MacGyver of cars. Any other tricks?

Unfortunately sometimes offers come in after they've driven the car. At least they do the way I progress the conversation. They see it, they drive it, we talk numbers. It should be the other way around though.

Do any of you allow test drives without a deposit or without the customer's verbal confirmation that they'll have the car? Have you ever lost customers because of that? Like...I've never done that and wonder if the customer asked for a test drive and I said "Are you willing to buy the car if it drives ok?" it might be a bit offensive to some and put them off buying the car. And then there's the "I have another one to look at brigade" who never come back anyway, but if they answer "well I have another to look at and want to test drive this one first", what's the answer to that? Sick of time wasters myself, and despite being a bit desperate at times, I'm thinking of starting a new way of operating. It'll make us seem more professional anyway.

Had one ourselves needed an engine rebuild. Was told the 2.5 is more prone to engine failure. Took us a while to sell it too, but got rid of it eventually with no comebacks.

BHM...what's an Estelle? I'll take whatever chance I can to feel young, and I just took it!

BHM, dropped the price to Evans Halshaw/Arnold Clark trade in price. Just got a message "What's the lowest you'll take". There's still profit in it and I could really use some money at this point, but bloody hell...what the hell do these people want? Why don't you ever get a LOGICAL person who sees that the car is already cheap and grabs a bargain? Instead you get cheap scumbags and chancers. There are 2007-2009 plates for the same money FFS, go buy one of those!!! Arrrgh!!!

Thank you, I appreciate that. I'll have the mechanic take a look at it and hopefully it's not an expensive fix!

EPV, you can hear it inside the cabin, but not in the engine bay. It's the exact same as in this video. Will run the car around though with the AC on and see if something changes. Not sure what or why, but worth a go I guess. Maybe using the AC will "oil things up" a bit.

Oh mate I feel you. I don't do the whole questionnaire, I guess beggars can't be choosers in my case. But I hate it when it's a complete and utter waste of my time. I don't understand how these people can be so inconsiderate of others' time. I hope you have a good Sunday anyway!

Hi everyone. 2011 Yeti 1.6 TDI, took it for a regas and it developed a grinding noise (which increases with revs). It stops when the air con is turned ON. It's the same intermittent grinding you get with worn brakes. Happens at idle too, and you can hear it when driving. As soon as you turn the air con on it stops. It didn't have this prior to the regas though even with the fans and air con button pressed. (though we only had the car for a couple of days to be fair) But in any case I'd driven it immediately before the regas with no noise and immediately after the regas it started grinding. Any ideas? At least it's not the engine though, thank God!

Have you looked through their reviews? Jesus...they're the epitome of "your customer is your best investment".

Wise advice as always. Thank you, will have a look at what's around. Another one on my "never again" list!

Argh!!! Really? Just worried that any lower (since it's already in the price range of the write offs) it'll look like there's something wrong with it. I'll drop it a couple of hundred and see. A bird in the hand and all that.

Blimey...at least you get a tidy sum back for VAT.