LostMyMind

I remember one time looking at a car in a smallish dealer,it was priced on the high side,I pointed out some issues like balljoints etc but he wouldn't budge an inch off the price,well I was expecting to get some money off due to the price so I walked away pretty quick,so I guess I answered my own question there ha! theres a dealer near me and they have a massive for sale sign left outside for about 6 months lol

What do you think about dealers who put their 'best' price on a car and say no haggling! If you want the car that's the price you pay? I sometimes wonder is it better to price a car high and give a good discount so the customer feels better about getting a good deal or price it low and only give a smaller discount but customer doesn't 'feel' as happy because you didn't come down a lot on the price, I think there's some psychology behind it I personally think if you have a well presented car and business you can price it on the higher side because customers are used to the idea of haggling prices on cars but what do I know :/

I think this might work for cars that are almost new but not for cars that are more 'used'. Images on older cars often don't show the whole picture,you have to see it in the flesh, nearly new cars are more likely to be accurately described. It might also work for someone that wants to buy from a longer distance if they can't find one closer to home and already are familiar with that make or model. I know quite a few people who buy from Japanese auctions but you ain't gonna return it to Japan if your not happy

Thanks for the replies,some things to think about. Im almost sure I want to go down the specialising route,maybe even just selling one brand of car and getting to know it well.Im thinking if you have 10-15 cars of one brand and somebody is looking for that brand/make model then theres a good chance they will come to you but at the same time there may be less sales if that car is not in demand enough,so I guess its important to choose the right brand if going down this route. Thanks I didn't know that,will look into it more Sounds good,did you start out selling these kind of cars? I have thought about specialising as a mechanic but it would take a long time to know a particular brand inside out and have all the equipment to call yourself a specialist,thats how I see it though but I might try to start selling a particular brand and learn/specialise as time goes on but definitely agree with specialising with whatever is in demand.

Good stuff Paul,I hope to start late next year. Well I guess thats true.... private sale price < retail but it seems like a very narrow margin sometimes and I feel you can only ask the high end retail price if you have a very good car,good premises and set up Also I think I might have to be very specific with the warranty,as you say things like clutches & gearboxes have a much harder life,people doing trackdays etc Also a lot of private sale ads the car could be quite far away and when you turn up the car may have mechanical faults or bodywork thats not described or seen in the pics,so it could be a lot of hours/travelling/fuel for little return! Hard to know.... Would like advice from people who specialise or into this area too

Hi There New to the site,just been reading lots so far.Im a mechanic but would like to start my own one man sales in sports and performance or specialise in a particular area,Im not sure yet. I would work part time as a mechanic to begin with 'testing the market' . I would eventually move into it full time with a small workshop to do some repairs too. I am passionate about sports and performance cars but realise they may not be better for business.I just don't know where the cars would come from,private sales ,well there's no meat left on the bone,not any performance car auctions near me.There are imports from Japan but by the time shipping and import taxes are payed it wouldn't be worth the effort or am I wrong? I would rather try selling more expensive cars but I guess the risk is higher....... no risk no reward?