tradegirl

Paddy, I do have a separate number for business, and genuinely don't mind someone calling me in the evening to enquire about a car. It's more the no shows or the window shoppers that really wind me up. Especially when it's a Sunday and you've changed all your plans for a viewing, only for someone to rock up and say "Well we still have ours to sell", or "My budget is £500-1000 lower than the bloody asking price." Going to start implementing everyone's pre-viewing filters I think. But you're right. It's all part of the business. My brother is currently car shopping and he's seen 6 already, and he doesn't know yet if he wants a 1 series or a Golf because he's scared of the emissions fix. I think I'd hate him if he were one of my customers!

That's the dream, Arfur. Got a few changes to make until we're there yet!

His first contact was by phone (10 missed calls), but yeah. Something not right. For today I left it at "Get your sister to ring me" and no reply. BHM, I actually wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't have a sister. So...there ends today's Scooby adventure. That and a guy coming to see a C3 who was "9 minutes away", and then 50 minutes later "couldn't make it now", I'd call this a bang up day! Hope you're all off to the pub or the garden now!

Met, we're home based, so viewings are by appointment. Starting to think the guy is not at all right in the head. I replied telling him to get his sister to call me...no reply.

BHM, perhaps you're right about the text. Desperate times though. He's just text that he wants to come at 5pm though I might tell him come but not a penny off the asking price and only if you're coming with cash or else don't bother. It hurts my pride to grant him a viewing, but...effing slow sales.

Told him by 10.30 was his last chance to view then I'm not carrying on with him. That I've got other viewings anyway for the car. This is the guy who said he fixes cars (black hands) and was worried about the coolant level stick as he didn't know what it was... Took new photos of the car, fingers crossed someone serious turns up!

Sounds like a good idea. He asked me if I wanted paying by cash or a cheque Fully expecting him to call back for a viewing. Glad you all agree though, thought maybe my customer service skills were off. Sometimes the money isn't worth it!

I'm thinking the same. This car has a tidy profit and not that many viewings though. Would have loved to have sold it today, but this guy seems like bad news.

Guy came on Thursday night for a viewing. Scheduled at 6,30pm (home trader), local guy for his sister. After 6.30, "sorry, will be there before 7". 7 came and went, no reply. Then "sorry I had a job to do, on my way", I said I'll be leaving at 8.30, he rolls up at 8.40pm. "Sorry was at work" He loved the car, said his sister would be collecting it at 9.10am the following morning. Never showed, no phone call or anything. 7.30pm same night, says they want to come now with his sister and see the car. I told him to tell me exactly the time, as he's stitched me up twice. "Sorry, I'd overslept this morning, but I'll tell you an exact time" Messages me later at 8.30pm that they want to come at 9pm. Ok fine. Messages me at 9pm to say "Sorry, we'll be there tomorrow 9.30am DEFO THIS TIME" Any bets as to who isn't here yet at 10.15? Called him twice, no answer. I'm about to lose a sale and never give this guy another chance. I've already sent him a message saying be here by 10.30 if you're interested, but it's the last time I'll do you a viewing. This guy must surely be having me on? Or he's not quite there in the head? I'm thinking, do I really want to sell him a car? (I mean risk/complaints-wise) Am I wrong in striking him off?

Thanks guys. Back to the mechanic it goes!

Say it isn't so...

Am I the only one seeing the sunroof extending right up to the windscreen?

Jesus...how do people get their cars so filthy?! I'll never understand how people abuse their cars so much.

I'd say A6 Avant, but it seems taller than one of those. The aerial and roof rails are the same though. Actually scrap that. Just clocked the panoramic roof.

Thank you both! Fingers crossed we find it, as try convincing the customer that it's nothing serious :/

Thanks EPV! Sold the Skoda and the 2007 118d. Did nothing really, just sheer luck. I am working on everything else you guys mentioned though

Hi guys any ideas with this one? No EML or antipollution (eml hasn't been covered up) the car has 54k miles, drives spot on, lots of power, but sometimes shudders on idle. Sometimes a little, sometimes noticeably so. Changed spark plugs, coil pack alright, mechanic is at a loss. Any experience with this? Reading online it seems like a common problem. Thanks!

RhinoHorn, what are are car search deals?

2 sold, 1 engine blown on our stock, and 1 sale in limbo. Guy said he'd come at 6.30pm last night, eventually turned up at 8.30. Car's for his sister. He said he fixes cars for a living, but wasn't sure what the coolant level stick was, nor the jacking points (1 series). "Car drives mint, we'll have it". Said his sister would be over at 9.10am...it's 10am and still a no show.

What the...?!

Thanks gents. There I was thinking that most traders offer a 3 month warranty (on vehicles of the 3-5k category) and we were shoddy/coming up short for not doing so.

BHM, so when a customer says "Is there any warranty?" you say no? I mean, no one month warranty or anything?

Mine are getting mixed up too. Thanks Arfur, I hadn't thought of that. I'll figure it out.

Mostly everything. Have changed window mechanisms a couple of times, etc, but everything else is mechanics.

Arfur, the policy up until the 21st, and the auto renewal cancelled on 25th were under our Ltd company which is currently being struck off. Any new policy will be under our partnership. Thanks AutoJacob. Just the one so far!