Rosemotors

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Posts posted by Rosemotors

  4. Posted

    A lifetime ago, when I was working for a North London Toyota dealership, a Mr. Penas (yes, spelt that way) came in. 

    This was possibly my most unprofessional episode in the business. I sat him down and started taking his details and going through the process, all the while trying (and failing miserably) to stifle the laughter.

    He gave me my get out of jail free card by asking about payments. Straight to the BM's office where I lost it completely. I pre-warned him and he lost it too, then came out to second face him (I couldn't speak!!). He also tried & failed to have a professional conversation but we caught each other's eye and completely lost it.

    That poor guy probably still hasn't managed to change his car.

    • Like 1

  8. Posted

    I've had a similar issue with a customer going straight to Trading Standards before even talking to me. Again, I suspect a hidden agenda somewhere but with a little research I found I was within my rights to fix the car and showed her the relevant page on the Money Advice Service website.

    3 weeks later she's accepting a repair (a simple electrical fault that the warranty will cover).

    Stand your ground.

  9. Posted

    I do find it quite strange that some customers spend £30/35k on a new car then take it to Kwik fit [ Nothing against Kwik fit ] But why would you ? 

    ​Because, as always, they know best and we're just after their wallets, Umesh.

    Don't get me started on warranty companies. I've just changed companies because the firm I was using was refusing claims on named components, citing wear & tear. The new company probably won't be much better but I don't have a lot of options until I build up a warranty pot & self insure.

     

  11. Posted

    Aaargh!!!!

     

    I've only been trading for 4 months, so yet to get as cynical as some I could mention.

     

    But, from day one, my cars have gone out right. Whatever is due to be done gets done. No shortcuts.

    Part of that is so I can build a really good reputation and also to give warranty companies zero wriggle room in terms of vehicle prep.

    I put 12 months warranty on everything under 10 years/100k miles and provide the highest level of cover for my customers that the system allows.

     

    So, when a customer of mine turns up with a rattle coming from the engine, I don't panic, trusting that the claims department will be fair with my customer (he'd had the car less than a week. It had just been serviced and the cam belt done. Over £600 pre-sales).

    My record so far is just one claim in 4 months.

    The fault came back as the a/c pump pulley and they rejected it, citing wear and tear.

     

    I think I'll just put the cheap option on from now on.

  12. Posted

    Good morning

     

    Can anyone help with recommendations for a "mini-DMS"?

     

    So far I've been getting away with keeping everything on spreadsheets and letting Autotrader generate my invoices.

    But it's a bit cumbersome and a huge pain.

     

    Sage One doesn't cut it at all and Sage 50 needs plugins from specialists, which seems a bit much for my needs.

  13. Posted

    I put in my ads that out of hours calls are usually welcomed.

     

    So far it's worked for me. No drunks!!

    One 11pm call that resulted in a sale (and to be fair he emailed first).

     

    2 other enquiries, one of which I'm hoping will deal today.

     

    I'm a fledgling business. I can't afford to "switch off" when I close up. And it's the price I pay for the freedom being self employed gives me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

  14. Posted

    Why do we pay them?

     

    I just got off the phone from mine with what should be a very simple, standard query that she should know the answer to.

     

    But no. She has to phone the VAT helpline for clarification. I could have done that myself and not been billed for the pleasure.

    • Like 1

  15. Posted

    Really, it takes a few minutes to reply.

    So far, (opened on Dec 1st), no email enquiries have led to a sale but it costs nothing. And ignoring it doesn't exactly promote a good image.

     

    A simple Dear Bell End,

    Dream on

     

    put politely does no harm.

  21. Posted

    Guys, thanks for the replies.

    I was thinking maybe an appraisal form or any other useful stuff.

    I'd love to cut down the amount of stuff I have to do paper-based.

    Similarly, if anyone has a readymade spreadsheet for invoicing that'd be great too.

  22. Posted

    Hi.

    I'm new round here, so firstly, I'll introduce myself.

    I'm Philip. I'm opening a used site in Lyme Regis on December 1st (Rose Motors. Go give me a "like" on Facebook.Thanks.).

     

    I've been away from the business for a while so I'm not really up to speed on a few things.

     

    Have any of you found any little gems on the App Store, like maybe a vehicle appraisal app, contact manager etc etc.

     

    Thanks for reading.