Rory RSC

They were the first to show their hand and went at 50% before anyone else did anything and before full lockdown. I think it was a fair gesture at the time but yeah perhaps they will just change things now everyone else has gone fully free.

If in theory you had a locked unit and could allow a customer to turn up and be a completely safe distance and have the car paid in full and they gained their own access it would be safe. If I went into work today, loaded the recovery truck with a sanitised car, delivered it and posted the key and never so much as set eyes on a customer I haven't put me, them or anyone else into danger. JD Sports are still going, online clothing shops are still going it might be a car but its not far off the same scenario. Personally I won't be doing anything until such times as someone actually wants to buy and not having the money will fold me then I will do what I need to do to protect my business. For the time being any deals paid in full can wait or deposits can hold cars til this is blown over. Ive never wanted the nation to toe the line more than now and just have this situation over and done with. If a key worker needed a car I would be quite happy to make the relevant safe arrangements.

I imagine lots of people are going to become vigilantes to those out and about.

Looks like nearly all dealers are actually closed and playing the game. A few went in to tie up loose ends secure stock. some of the biggest players in the game including a huge auction house tried to continue business as usual.

As much as it will have an impact on business it’s the right thing to do. In the prime ministers speech last night he should have said UK I am dissapointed in you. Stay the fuck inside.

Exactly its all uncertain.

Even more reason to have good pics, videos and sell with delivery options to avoid corona virus right? Take the travel out of it for customers and keep them out your office. Win win.

Whats happens there stays there right?

Some people work harder than others and are always busy, some people do half a job and put in little effort and wonder why they are always quiet, and some people just talk utter bollocks

Do you know how to limit screamers? Sell decent cars, prep everything as best as you possibly can and know your rights and the customers rights and the law around selling cars better than anyone. Treat people fairly, do the job properly and you can't go wrong but its hard graft.

@Lambchop 'failed car washer here'. Bought and sold a few got sick of having a completely weather dependent business and the headache of staff plus the constant influx of easter european / asian washes using the cheapest products in a race to the bottom. Gradually took over the pitch with clean, well presented cars gave the valeters something to do on the wet days. If the car wash was busy the customers cars took priority. Honestly never looked back. 'Failing' was the best thing I ever did. Grew it as much as I could organically re investing all the time not touching a penny of car sales profit, opened a workshop on a neighbouring unit employed a tech for our own cars,. Did the cars right, when the time was right and the foundations secure borrowed some funding to stock up the space I had available. Its gone very well so far. Best thing I ever did and kept me out of a lot of trouble. 9875631-Nil

I think its why leasing is so popular on new stuff. Turns up at your door job done, hand it back at the end repeat process.

The investors just need one of the big ideas to go huge and it all pays off. Its insane to me but what do I know.

How many cars does the whole of Arnold Clark sell in a year? Is it about 300k / 350k cars I have seen quoted? This makes this even more laughable. Ive said already if a few of the big supermarkets set up delivery offering both digital / traditional routes of purchase they will destroy Cazoo.

I see what you did there

Good point. A car stood around for months, popped on a truck then delivered to customer and unloaded must be awful. Need a run round the block to clear of the discs, double check balancing / tracking all ok etc don’t they. 217k in a year absolutely no chance. Will they sell cars, yes will it be a huge number not really.

So if its unsafe and MG won't have a fix they can take it off the road loan a vehicle until it is fixed right? If not they can pay out market value. BMW / EGR Recalls some on back order for months gave customers loan cars due the fact the cars were unsafe. They can't just say there you go use the car with no ABS. Fight the customers corner, intervene and push towards the manufacturer for a result. Also try a different franchise / MG garage see whether they are any more helpful.

I'd be assisting in their camp whilst pointing them firmly in the direction of the main dealer.

Trade 2 Trade Facebook is also great for that sort of thing

Who is responsible for setting a customers expectations on cars like this ? Answer - You. Promise the world they will be back. Being brutal, honest and saying you never want to see them again doing them a favour selling it to them with profit opportunity etc etc can mitigate that. Not everyone is out to screw you. Again be selective.

Also dont be afraid to sell them for fair money A lot of good profits on these part exs. Double up on them a lot. £200 px, £10 romanian wash sold for £500 etc not to be sniffed at.

Brutal advert. Sell it as an unchecked px / trailer away etc etc write in advert suit a trader to buy who can safety check mint up for profit etc. Sell electively. 30 people to choose who to sell to. Sell to an eastern european, mechanic type bloke. Don't sell to a guy in company car turning up for his sons first car or a woman with young kids who just wants a cheap car you know as long as it lasts a year or 2 without spending any money on it will be fine type.

Do you get that with a stocking loan you still have to make money? You have even less margin as you have fees with it. With stocking loans you still have a limit. It isn't indefinite. So all these fuckers with stocking loans with less experience are actually better retailers than you in the current marketplace and finding a way to grow and succeed and you want to whinge and moan about how it used to be. Business isn't built on sympathy. Work on things you can control. Maybe try a little harder to work on your own business than worry about what others are doing. If every single funded dealer fails at the same time because they are all broke and penniless at least you can say you were right.

Oh well, it’s how it is so get on with it.