GreenGiant

Absolutely dead for the last couple of weeks. Then 8 enquiries before 10am yesterday. What's that all about? Nothing's changed this end. 30 years in the biz and I know nothing.

Possibly... But the vehicle has to be correctly licensed and Trade Plate usage is subject to strict rules, so I wouldn't want to be the one that tests the law. Maybe there are more legally-informed individuals on here that could advise?

Whilst I agree with your need for a good work/life balance, MGM, and your perception of the way the police or DVLA would view it seems perfectly reasonable, how would your insurance company view things in the event of an accident, I wonder?

Just seen the schedule for the presentations this year. The 'not-to-be-missed' insight from the AutoTrader Guru about egg-sucking for grannies is on at 3.15pm. The same time as the Social Media 200 awards and about an hour after everyone else has gone home. Hope the room isn't too big. Echo Echo Echo Echo Echo Echo

Of course you do.

Early draft script for a new Carry On film, perhaps?

Coincidentally, I have just had a conversation with a chap at the DVLA about this very thing. As it stands, the first licence fee is a one time fee only paid upon registration. So when you buy a nearly-new car as a second keeper, the tax due upon purchase will be the standard rate for that vehicle whenever that is (even the day after registration), in your case CJ, £280 as it went up on 1 April. The seller will get a refund for unexpired tax based upon the standard rate, not on the first licence fee. So they will get an amount equal to £270 divided by however many full months are left. (Not £500 divided by...) However, under the new system introduced on 1 April, there is a bit of a fly in the ointment that the man in Swansea was unable to clarify: The new First Licence rates for some cars (those with CO2 of 100g/km or less) is less than the new Standard Rate (£140), so any refund due in year one, if calculated the same way, could mean a refund of more than the First Licence rate paid, which obviously isn't going to happen. But he didn't know what would happen. So that's still open for discussion in Swansea.

My cunning disguise worked then

If Plod wants to catch a few, they could just sit outside BCA Blackbushe any day. Ventured off there today for the first time in ages and while I was waiting for a lift outside, I counted 38 cars leaving with trade plates: 35 of which had them inside the car, 2 cars had one pair between them, top and tail stylie (also inside the cars) and only 1 correctly displayed as per the new rules. This is obviously a case of poor information, poorly explained.

But the fundamental difference between insurance policies, hotel rooms, washing machines etc and Used Cars is that they are all the same and Used Cars are uniquely different. But this is never part of any discussion about price comparison in our industry and, in my view, it should be the single most important point. Especially as it is the one factor that makes all the comparisons on Used Cars redundant and worthless.

Whilst this is true, in reality everyone wants everything for as little as possible and will spend a lot of time and money chasing what they perceive as the best deal (which I know isn't always the best deal overall, but some will never learn). How long will it take until the majority of people finally realise this? And will there be any quality, small, independent dealers left by then? Those of us that try to do the job right are being attacked on all sides and are struggling to stay afloat: PLCs and supermarkets are cornering the market for stock and are willing to sacrifice margin for market share. Great Price anyone? They do not declare all of the add-ons in their advertised prices (even if the cars actually exist...), making the transaction price a lot different Our advertising partners are ramping up their prices to the smaller dealers, concentrating on providing the best service for the above Anyone can buy a car from an auction, wash it and stick £250 across it to take us out of the market. No VAT, no overheads, no warranties, no comebacks, no chance of being caught or stopped. The auctions couldn't care less because they've been paid. FCA and Trading Standards rules are getting tighter. And we will be penalised because we are an easy target. Customers have too much information that they don't know how to process. The assumption is that we are the bandits and are fair game so we shouldn't be upset when we get a dodgy px dropped on our toes. And it appears that NOBODY is able to do anything to set the record straight and give us a fighting chance of survival. The old saying of 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone' will apply. Just like corner shops and pubs etc etc Troubled times ahead...

There is a recent Lawgistics article online here (hopefully) referring to a similar case that went to court. The finance company lost and a precedent appears to have been set.

To be fair, I was only asking the question whether the finance co concerned were just applying the terms of the agreement that the dealer signed. If they are, then there isn't really anyone to blame is there? If, however, they are riding roughshod over dealers in contravention of those agreements and CRA15, then those dealers need to seek legal advice. I'm ALWAYS in favour of name and shame when someone oversteps the mark and tries to bully their way to gain an unfair advantage. It's also good to know that some finance companies understand the relationship with their dealers and their obligations to their partners, as well as their obligations in law. IIRC, there was a warning posted on this very forum a while back about these indemnity clauses in dealer agreements and how certain finance companies were seeking to absolve themselves of all responsibility for faulty vehicles down the line. The advice, as I recall, was DON'T SIGN. You pays your money, you takes your choice.

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Is it not the case that the finance companies you refer to are just applying the terms of the contract you signed? It's easy to see the £signs attached to the 'we'll bring you more business' offer, but the devil is always in the detail. These companies are living off your sweat and blood and they're having it away and dumping on you when it gets a bit warm. Because they can. If you let a fox in the chicken shack to keep warm in winter, you shouldn't really be surprised when it starts eating the chickens. Just saying...

Not working on Chrome on my Android tablet, or Firefox on PC.

As Metcars says, the selling is the easy bit. It's the buying where you make your money. You are competing with huge numbers of 'traders' all trying to find the same bits for stock. Legitimately or otherwise. The pitfalls are many: Sellers lie Cars can go wrong; anytime, anywhere. Never convenient. Cashflow controls everything Buyers lie Overheads General expenses HMRC FCA 'Experts' Conmen, thieves, tax-dodgers, halfwits and lunatics. And not just the ones you employ. Other than those, if you could get rid of the paperwork and the customers, it'd be a cracking job!

I think that was then and this is now. The guidelines have obviously changed so: Not inside the car and not covering the original number plates. However, Who's actually going to be expected to enforce it? There will undoubtedly be some areas of the country where Plod is more vigilant than in others so there will be a lack of consistency. Oh, and my OCD can't let this go........ Aaaaaaggghhhhh

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Wouldn't that be: 'with a grudgie'? I'll get my coat.

It appears the correct answer was: 2. IT Glitch

Still available to view, but no posts published for a couple of days. What d'ya reckon ? Site Maintenance IT Glitch Preparing to charge for access Hissy fit 'cos of all the nasty people saying horrid things about us' Something else

Maybe that question should be asked of the Traders that spend their own money on business premises and stock and run a properly-funded, VAT registered, FCA &Trading Standards approved business in full compliance of all current tax and business legislation.

Did somebody ask how cars are making near-retail money at auction? Great plan. Nick everybody else's experience, knowledge, skill, photos and advert. Mislead potential customers by pretending to own the stock. Take deposits under same misleading pretence. Try and buy car for less than 'sold' for. No prep, no FCA, no overheads. No mention of what happens if it can't be bought. Suspect deposits are difficult to get back. And the rest of the motortrade is left to pick up the pieces. Welcome to 2017. *Theme tune to Only Fools and Horses*

I write most of it..........