Ocsltd

Are you all back to business as normal today, or are you all still sitting with your feet up eating mince pies? Just curious what you guys all do over the festive period.....? I'm sitting here now, in the office, hoping to bang another deal in on the last day of the year / month, but it's painfully quiet.....

I only discovered this forum a few months ago, but thank you to everyone on here who has helped or offered advice. You really are a great bunch on here!! Hope everyone has a great christmas, sell plenty, and have a cracking new year!! So Merry Christmas Umesh and everyone else on this forum!!

Same here! Had a guy walk today, because I wouldn't knock anything off a car priced at £1490. The car is mint and he was smitten with it. Strange.... Can't wait for a bit of normality!!

'Tis the season for tyre kickers and general time wasters, tra la la la la la....... Had a guy ring me on a Lexus on for £7990, asking if I'd take £6k?!! (Yeah sure mate, come down, I'll give you a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine!!!) Loads of, really interested in your car, but can't get down for two weeks! (Nice, I'll try and bank that with Barclays, they love empty promises!) Had a couple down earlier, looking at a low mileage BMW (05 plate with 18k miles), that's a lot of money for an 05 plate!! It's done 18k miles Sir, what's the mileage on that one (pointing to an 07 plate 330d tourer with 70k miles), 70k miles Sir, ohhhhh, that's a bit high. Then his wife decides to test drive a Renault Kangoo van!! Chap from London, wants to come and view a cheap part ex, on Christmas Eve..... Ebay message on a BMW 118 Steptronic, what does semi-automatic mean....... Someone pass me the Sherry.......

I suspect you're not the only dealer to receive a 'recorded letter' from what you've said.... I think Frank needs to learn the error of his ways. The trouble with Frank(s), they have far too much time on their hands!!!

I seem to be having my fair share of numpties at the moment! Had one appointment for today, keen as mustard on the phone, then cancels at the 11th hour. Another appointment for tomorrow, again, keen as mustard on the phone, perfect car, spec etc etc, just cancelled. I wish these people wouldn't bother making contact....

I've had some strange punters, but that is a bizzar one.... Unless he's banking on you being quiet over the festive period, and will try and chip you on the price in a couple of weeks?

I've learnt not to trust Frank... Or any other Tom, Dick or Harry!!

At least your phone is ringing, starting to think mine has been cut off!! Come January, they'll all come out of the woodwork, leave me with no stock, then I'll be scrabbling to find some decent stock..... Can't win.

Does it have tinted windows by any chance?

Well, much to my surprise, he came back today, paid the balance, and drove away in his new shiny car, much to my relief! That 1 deal has sorted my December out, off to order that Turkey.....

I know of a local Taxi company who have 2-3 Peugeot 406 2.0 HDi's in their fleet with circa 400k - 450k miles on them....

I'll buy him the biggest bottle I can find, if he comes back and goes through with the deal!!

Taken a deposit today on a BMW 525d, but he's a bit flakey, so we will see...... Will be a good deal if it comes off.

I think he means, people who have access to stocking loans, are willing to pay much stronger for vehicles, as effectively they feel like they are using someone else's money, and therefore more willing to make less margin. Also generally they are under more pressure, to fill spaces on their forecourt, so again, happier to make smaller margins. So people who use their 'own' money who would expect a better return on their 'investment' are being squeezed, as prices are too high....

Just done a deal on a Honda CR-V.

Yeah I was thinking £2.5k ish. He's asking £1995, he lives near me, washes it every week, and really is immaculate. If I could get him down to £1500 would be worth a punt, but doubt he'll move that much. Might give it another week, then go and wave pound notes under his nose....

This is an interesting read, I always steer clear of higher mileage cars, particularly small cars. I'll never forget a woman once telling me that she thought the 8 year Ford Ka I had for sale was high mileage at 50k miles!! I tend to find people want to small cars to be low mileage, perhaps not.....? Slightly off topic, there is someone local to me selling their Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi on an 08 plate. 5 Door in red, but it's done 92k miles which puts me off. Looks really clean and tidy, think it might be a Zetec or Ghia trim, what would you guys expect to retail it at? I also find red a funny colour, lot's of people don't like it for some reason.... Your thoughts?

Just done a deal with a good chunk in it, which has literally just turned my month around. Still surprised at how quiet it's been!

How do you generally find the response, when you ring them? Are they surprised to hear from you? Do they even answer? perhaps I'm just too sceptical / bitter.....

Thanks for the reply. I have emailed back, out of courtesy, but don't expect to hear back, is a bit odd.....

As above, how do you guys respond to an Autotrader part ex enquiry? There's no additional text other than the details and the price of the car, so, do you ring them up? Email? I'm always surprised that they don't follow up with a phone call, saying they are interested in 'x' car.... Are they just doing it for a laugh to see what their car is worth, or is it just Autotrader sending bogus emails? Your thoughts?

Sold a cheapie yesterday, but still finding it very slow.....

This is exactly why I generally try to avoid taking part ex's. It does hinder some sales, but does prevent a lot of grief / problems......