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Trouble is, I spend most my evenings searching the auctions for stock, as sometimes it's the only time I get if I'm busy during the day. Quite frustrating when it seems to be down so much. Even my brother, who isn't in the trade, but likes to look for cars, commented on how it always seems to be down. I don't find the website very user friendly. If you type Renaulsport into the search, it doesn't like it. Where as BCA will bring up all the Renaultsports without having to trawl through loads of Clio 1.2 Dynamique's....

When I was trying to bid online, the live auction was completely out of sync with the bidding on the screen, thus, meaning I couldn't bid on any cars. It would be OK for the first 20ish cars, then would just go to pot, really frustrating! Never had any issues with BCA......

I've given up with Manheim, they're website is crap, when it's not down. I've had issues with their simulcast. I've been watching cars, for them to magically disappear. Just stick to BCA now.....

Ok, thanks. Will make an appointment with one of their mortgage advisors. Appreciate the info.

Really? That's great news! I thought a mainstream lender would have needed at least 2/3 years? Thanks for the info....

I appreciate this isn't directly related, but looking for some advice / tips from fellow dealers who have been in a similar situation..... My wife and I are desperate to get on the property ladder! My business is a limited company and I am the sole director. As I'm sure like most of us, I try to be as tax efficient as possible, so pay myself a 'basic' salary. I haven't taken a dividend as I try to re-invest any 'profits' back into the business. (I'm a fairly small business). We are fully aware we need a sizeable deposit, which we are working really hard to save, but my question is, how did you guys do it? I'm looking for people who have done it recently, before the good 'ol days where you could self certificate. I've been trading for around 5.5 years, but bought my business partner out around 2 years ago, so the books don't look great, at the moment...... Are there any tips for getting a mortgage? Any specialist brokers / lenders who are more sympathetic to car dealers? Any lenders who will work off one years 'good accounts'? Apologies this isn'y directly trade related, but thought this was the best place to ask! Any advice greatly appreciated!!

1 yesterday, to a main dealer!

I avoid it at all costs. Delivered a Smart ForTwo to London, deal was done over the phone, once delivered, received a snotty email saying that the power steering wasn't working and he didn't expect the vehicle to have any such faults..... I advised him that, that model didn't have power steering fitted, and being such a light car didn't really need it! Never did hear back from him again. Just not worth the grief. Recently had a chap in France want to buy a mk1 MX5 from me unseen, I politely declined as it had TROUBLE written all over it......

I took a 1995 M Reg Nissan Micra 1.0 with 30k miles in part exchange the other day, finished in 'Hotpoint' white. No power steering, thought I would actually have to convert it into a fridge, as nobody would want it! Sold it the very next day, in less that 24 hours..... Not sure if this was the sort of feedback you were looking for though... I always have issues with green cars, annoyingly, they are always the ones with low mileage and perfect service history, with a nice National Trust sticker in the window, do love a national trust sticker.....

Done a deal today, but not the busy end of month I was hoping for..... Unless I have a busy day Friday!!

Ok, thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

Just had a customer email asking if I can work with 24/7 car finance. Never dealt with them before, only had dealings with Zuto. What's the process, do you have to have a credit license to deal with them? Any advice / experience really appreciated.... Cheers

Very quiet here too! Did one deal late on Friday, but that was the only one for this week. Just hasn't happened this month....

I had a chap come and view a car yesterday, who then proceeded to tell me he didn't like black leather!!! Ah??!

Very true! Although I'll never forget selling 2 cars on a Saturday when there was a foot of snow on the ground! I'm in quite a remote location and only had about 12 cars for sale, so was quite shocked! It will go crazy towards the end of the month as it always does...

Not that I like to use the weather as an excuse, but do you think this heat wave we're having is keeping punters away? I always think when it's scorching hot, people don't really fancy sitting in a roasting hot car?! That's what I'm clinging onto anyway!

You need to get yourself to BCA Peterborough, topless dancing girls and free hog roast every Monday and Friday!! Absolutely, trouble is, they see us as just car dealers, and not customers!

You're absolutely right! The problem with a place like BCA is they're so big, the people they employ (on the whole), couldn't give a toss, and it's this negative, 'I don't care attitude' that really get's my back up!!

So, quick update. Emailed BCA with all the damage, around 20 photo's. After chasing them for a week, they advised it hadn't changed the grade, so would send out the Inspector. Inspector came, agreed that the damage was "really bad" took various pictures, did a walk around video, and said he would report the damage (the same damage I had already reported!), and someone would be in touch.... Heard nothing, chased them, yet again, to be told that it still didn't change the grade and basically there wasn't anything they could do about it! When I pointed out that despite the grade not changing, there was still significant damage that wasn't noted on the condition report, which was clear to see, from my pictures and the Inspector's pictures. Anyway, they still wouldn't back down, after me literally screaming down the phone to them, the live online team leader comes on the phone, I repeat my self to her, explaining that the damage is not acceptable and that I would take legal action, as the car was misdescribed and misrepresented.... After a bit of backwards and forwards, she spoke to her manager, and they finally agreed to contribute £400 towards the damage. Now, I consider myself to be a reasonable person, all I wanted was for them to put their hand in the air, admit they screwed up, apologise, and resolve the matter professionally. Just a shame you have to argue so much to get there.......

Yeah I hate long quiet periods. It doesn't seem to matter, who/where or what you are, we all get them! I've been doing this over 5 years and I'm yet to understand buying patterns / habbits........

This is usually the biggest problem for me!! Up to 4 now, can't beat a cheeky deal first thing Monday morning! (It's a Polo though, so WILL be back with an engine light on some point!)

Ha cheers! I didn't sell my first one until the 6th, always like to get one in on the 1st, but mustn't grumble....

Very quiet start to September, done 3 this week from around 12 advertised.

They're sending out an 'inspector' to check the car over and decide if they need to take action. If they look at the condition report, then look at the car, it should be a forgone conclusion....

Thanks for the reply M.J, I did suspect this. I'm a Gold card holder which probably means they don't give a toss.... It also seems luck of the draw who is dealing with your case, I seem to have ended up with the office numpty.....