Rory RSC

I like that idea. I will have to pinch that Cashback.

Does anyone deal with these companies? How do you find them? Do you bother if the customer won't give you a small deposit? We have been doing quite a few recently and its another way to get the cars out of the door. A lot of customers say other dealers just won't deal with them. My only personal gripe with these type of companies is that I find updates and being kept in the loop are fairly alien and I have to chase to get anything done.

Thing is margins are not that low I pick stock that sells. An example in this month alone I have had 2 Mondeo estates fairly run of the mill both retailed for between 6-7k. I don't want to go to much into specifics on how much I do in each car but whilst we price keenly we do not give cars away. Both cars sold within 48 hours of hitting the market. Sourcing cars is absolutely my biggest headache and I am at the sales 2 or three times a week myself, online buying when I cant get away. I tend to do the buying for the business and then we drive the cars back and make a couple of trips back and forth to get them back. Next day they are advertised and on sale. My speed from purchase to advertising is very quick. My business partner, mechanic and valeter/driver + friends who help bring cars back are all a really great team and share our vision.

A lot of traders can be very off putting and not helpful for newbies. I received lots of 'the trades not what it used to be' when starting out a few years ago. New dealers like myself don't care its not what it used to be. We were not there to see it so don't know any different. Embrace technology, price competitively, prep well and pick desirable cars that turn quickly. The dealer from the north east at the car auction last night driving a Ferrari 458 seems to be doing well. The M4 and countless X5's and new range rovers would suggest similar. In 3 years I have gone from literally having 3 starter cars (Corsa, Clio, Fiesta) to holding over 30 cars in stock and can be retailing over 40 cars a month. This is with myself and a business partner, a valeter/driver and now a full time mechanic. It can be done. I work 7 days a week and am putting in 90-100 hours a week to make it happen. Regards your banking I would suggest simply a local branch as its useful being able to nip in and drop cash off when customers pay with cash and then whoever offers the longest free period. Best of luck and I hope it goes well for you.

That was the worst programme I have ever seen.

Do you buy from Manheim mansfield?

Some customers are a nightmare. Then you hear the countless horror stories of a customer that buys a car, something fails on it and the dealer tells them to jog on not sorting it. You try to do right by these people but never win.

Warrantywise and I put 3 months cover on each car. I try to upsell extended warranties as much as possible. The warranty providers do pay out on a lot of things but won't cover much within 30 days or 1000 miles unless it really is a sudden unexpected fault . You have to be very on point when wording things with them. Some times they won't cover sensors etc but why should you sometimes things fail on used cars. Finance company we use Close Brothers. Easy to deal with, fairly quick and any declines get sent through their broker and can usually get placed if someone is willing to lend.

Going to meet far less resistance to it in a property like the one you have described than trying to do in in a new build cul de sac or such like. Take a look at Barclay Motor company or BMC car sales in Birmingham area and have a browse at the google images of the site.

I do my best to qualify. I try to establish whether the customer is looking to buy today. Have they viewed other cars, can they make the decision today etc etc. Sometimes when it is just a general browser who wants to test drive I suggest they come back and make an appointment. Very rarely will they ever return. Like Umesh say's you have to play the game and sometimes they vanish never to be seen again but I tend to get them buying as my cars drive as they should. This is helped in no small part because all of my cars are ready to drive away straight away as we MOT + service as soon as cars come into stock. Does annoy me when the customer says they will buy today, no others to look, completely ready to leave deposit if the car drives right, then returns from the test drive and says the car drives brilliantly but I just want to go away and think about it. We win more than we lose though.

23 cars sold so far this month. On the whole, I actually expected to be a bit busier and I would say I expected the auction's to be packed with stock. I was at an SMA auction last night and the same auction on the same day last year you could not move for cars. Yesterday was a heck of a lot quieter. Still getting leads coming through and people coming out so nothing out of the ordinary.

Cheers guys. Going to have a further look into dragon, I think its probably the right time for us now. Jim, with dragon my understanding is you need multiple licenses for each user is that the case?

This was taken from pistonheads and was something I saved a while back after starting out trading. I think this chap covers most things. An understanding girlfriendRent of a yardAutotrader bill Ebay motors billHPI Account - You can offer driveaway insurance through this aswell as value any PX's with cap or glasses - This is an essentialTrade insurancetrade platesBuisness insurancestaff - You will need people to help move cars about for you2 x mot stations to use2 x paint shops to use2 x auto electricians to use2x repair garages to useA diesel specialista good scrap yard your friendly withMerchant services Your own transporter CCTV EquipmentOverflow space - Cars take up a lot of space FCA license trade acounts with bca, manheim, sma, aston barclay Its easier to sell well prices cars just now than it is to buy them.A good accountant.a good selection of toolsA snap on booster pack, nothing else cuts it for me.Your own diagnostic and battery recharging equipementA complaints procedurea warranty company who will actually pay out.Friends to help youA decent internet provider as autotrader dealer edit needs it.A firm but fair attitude, the public with try take the piss out of you at any opportunity

2 mot stations 2 paint shops good mechanic good source of vehicles 1 good auto electrician diagnostic kit even a basic code reader thick skin

Do any fellow traders use any dealer software? currently everything is spread out over excel sheets and as the business is growing a lot was thinking now might be the time to have a look at some software. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rory.

Not sure if you ever decided to go for this. I got set up for finance just a bit earlier this year. Like you I was getting enquiries about can you do finance and having to say 'no' to people wanting to buy my cars. I got hold of the local rep from Close Motor Finance and got him to help me do the FCA stuff as it seemed complex. In reality it was not to bad but there was some aspects of it I was not to sure on. His assistance paid off. In the first 4 months we had written £147,000 worth of business for Close. I can say that we would not have turned that over if I could not offer finance. I think we have averaged just over £1100 commission a month and I usually knock stuff out at 5 or 6 % flat. Based on projections over the next 12 Months the finance company will easily pay us commission of over 15k. I would certainly be in the yes camp and think it really adds to the credibility of the dealer offering this service most customers probably expect.

Interesting thread. I am on RAC cars and have so far had 1 phone call since sending my advertising there via my feed. I feed out to all advertising platforms from my Click Dealer website. Motors brings in a few leads for me but probably accounts for around 3-5 sales per month ( total sales average for past 3 Months 40+ cars per month) A touch off topic but AutoTrader really wind me up with continuously telling me how many people are now viewing on tablets, smart phones etc yet when you look at your response tracker you simply cannot break it down to show where your views are coming from. My A/T rep is absolutely useless and is one of the most unprofessional individuals I have had the misfortune of coming across. Arrange visit and does not show up. No calls, emails or anything. 2 Years ago I took out the most basic package of 8 cars. I am now holding up to 30 cars. Within 12 Months I will be at 50 cars. Same story no sense of being a valued customer just treated with the usual contempt.

This must only be for assured cars it will not be every car. I feel recently certainly over the last 12 months a lot of the auctions are really trying to boost the online buying experience. Manheim assured cars now come with a 3 day guarantee for the parts their check covers. This includes you having taken the car away auction. The only thing I find off putting with some auctions assured schemes is the quality of the person conducting the check. They are not mechanics and the individual checking can be as qualified as 'Keiran' my valeter. Over the next 12 Months I think SMA and BCA will improve their grading system and things are all going to be geared up towards enhancing the online buying experience as a whole.

You can insure the car where ever you like. The car must have adequate cover and should be insured fully comprehensively if you have a finance agreement on the vehicle. The manufacturer cannot dictate where you must insure the car. Politely decline and explain you already have insurance now arranged.

Hi Jim, I would appreciate a few pointers and things you feel work. I have sold a few cars through Facebook and done a few sponsored adverts and that sort of thing. Any feedback and help will be gladly taken on board. Thanks, Rory

I get the odd car like that. Nothing wrong with it, priced right, good photo's and sometimes just not a email, phonecall or even a daft 'whats your last price / best price bruv innit' call. Could buy another one like it and it will fly out. Bizarre old world selling cars sometimes.

Yes Sparky I head up most Wednesdays. I tend to bring 2 or 3 lads with me and bring the cars back. I would say even factoring in transport, getting there etc etc I still have the cars on site cheaper than buying from say Leeds, Mansfield, Bham. My business partner is convinced I only make the trip to Kinross for the free canteen food voucher.

One of the most important lessons I learned when selling cars was taking a loss and moving on from it. It happens from time to time. It happens less frequently now. Every so often you just get a pup. But you make sure you buy right next time. The profit is in the buying IMO you have to buy right.

Everytime I send anything to auction that is the case. I go up to Scotland and buy out of SMA Kinross most weeks. Stick a John Clark Group sticker in the window and they go for daft money.

I have taken an immaculate 318CI 2004 M Sport on Saturday , an MX5 last week and a Pug 308 HDI on Saturday. All px. They will all go. Best get stocking up on 4x4's now....