XFS

I understand your frustration, I really do but I would like to make 3 points. 1. There is absolutely no basis for legal action against autotrader. None whatsoever. an expansive excersize in futility at best. If you found a lawyer opportunistic enough to take it up...and it would be oppertunistic, because they would KNOW there was no chance of success...in court when the judge stopped laughing he/she would find in favour of autotrader and award costs against the plaintiffs without a doubt. 2. Autotrader do not care about you, me or most on these forums. They don't need to, most of our accounts are four figures monthly. Can you imagine the monthly spend for big franchises and supermarkets? These are the clients Autotrader are interested in and will take notice off. The price markers will suit them as it gives the impression that the cars they sell are low priced and good value. 3. We are all big boys and girls here, so are responsible for our own destinies. We are under no obligation to use Autotrader or any other platform. If we do its on their terms and conditions (within the law obviously) the same as when a customer buys a car from me, its on my terms (within the law obviously) and I can ask any price I choose.

I’m not sure what the Bulgarian hooch is but it can’t be worse than some of the Scotch Whisky from the Islands. I don’t mind the Highland (where I’m from) and the Speyside malts and I actually like some like Balvenie Doublewood, but generally I prefer Irish Whiskey (terrible admission for a Scotsman)

Jeez, that’s hellish stuff. Like drinking burnt peat soaked in methylated spirit.

I used to confuse reality and sensible caution with doom and gloom myself in my younger day. It cost me a lot of money and some painful lessons.

I have turned my best profits this way. The secret of buying blind is to make sure the potential profit on the car will cover any eventuality, so if its a lemon, the worst that can happen is you don't make any money. So don't bid unless the potential margin is big. Doesn't happen often! It generally only works with older higher value grade 3 and 4 cars. Grade 1 and 2, everyone and their dog wants it and cheaper model grade 3/4 there is not enough margin for the risk to be worthwhile. In my experience almost every car over 9 years old is graded 3/4. Often, they turn out to be grade 2 at the worst. I find the opposite to be true with newer cars. Often a 4 year old grade 2 will need as much spending on it as a 10 year old grade 4

I don't think sound advice is doom and gloom TV, but I'm not sure who it is directed towards. Obviously not me You can't be that much my senior. I have had a 40 year working life, mostly in some form of business, often with a number of employees, usually VAT registered. I have used the same firm of (Chartered) Accountants since 1997. The main difference between you and I is that although I have been buying and selling car for 40 odd years, previously the most cars I have had in stock is half a dozen and my accounts were so simple, even I could do them...and I hate numbers and bookwork with a passion. I have endured VAT inspections before it was virtual. At one point the VAT man was camped at my place for 3 days. We ended on first name terms and I used to phone him up for advice. I know no better than most not to give HRMC any excuse, hence why I want to make sure that I give myself the best chance possible of avoiding errors.

Thanks. Looking forward to it. Should give me new lease of life I reckon. I’m so glad to get out of my previous full time business even though I have it to thank for giving me the money to invest in this. To be fair I,ve also done pretty well out of part time trading over the years and learned a lot of important lessons along the way.

I’ve decided to go with having my accountant do everything for a few months and see how it goes. Thanks for the replies.

My partner has a spare windows machine I can have. I had a look and looked at the tutorial. It seems very good, but possibly to complex for me. I will speak to them on Monday, but my current thought is just let the accountant do it all.

I am aware yes. Even watched HMRC Youtube videos on the subject. Ten mins of my rapidly deminishing life I won't get back. I will probably end up with my accountant doing it.

That may be a possibility. My accountant charges are very reasonable and I hate doing paperwork.

Looked great...then I read that it needs windows as an OS I use Mac, but I will drop them a line in case there is a way round it. Thanks for the info. My posts are usually pretty boring, but I've excelled with this one

A bit of a boring topic. Sorry in advance. Ok, so I am making a fresh start with a new Unit based business. We start trading early March with a stock of 12 to 15 I am looking for an easy way of make accounting and VAT easy. My accounts recommend A programme. Cant remember which one, but it didn’t look particularly appealing to me. Any recommendations ? Thanks in advance

I don’t think CAP is an accurate guide on a lot of cars. There are many newer cars I would not pay anywhere near CAP clean for but others, particularly older, low mileage, scarce cars, double cap clean might not be particularly outrageous. Selling price and work backwards, it’s the only truly accurate guide and costs nothing.

Ooops Didn't read properly. I never used the forum. I don't miss autotrader mail what I meant

I do. Never did much for me to be honest.

If you wish to pay in cash there will be an additional charge of 2% of screen price to cover bank charges.

BCA quoted £287 plus Vat for one which was fine but couldn't do it until after Christmas. I managed to pick up another car and paid around the same per car. The cars are from two locations about 30 miles apart. Its around 362 miles. I had a guy offer to plate them for 230 per car but I would rather pay extra to get them on a wagon.

Phoned them and sorted it. Appreciate the heads up. Thanks again

Thanks for that

Yep, pretty much where I am!

I did. They can't help. I have two to come now, so there is money in it for someone.

I wonder if anyone knows a reliable plater/transporter. Or if any of you guys have a spare day? Looking to get a car taken from BCA Livingston to Swindon Bet 17th and 20th Dec. BCA can't do it before new Year and I would rather not go up there. Would prefer a transporter, its an Audi TTRS so will need careful handling.

I think its possibly something which needs to be raised with the Office of Fair Trading. I suspect nobody has actually reported them (AT) to the OFT I do think that in all probability some of their practices are dubious to say the least. They can speculate whether a car is priced high/med/low in relation to the market but as it is a used item who's value is subject to condition, this could be construed as misleading unless made very clear that the price indicator assumes a particular standard.

Indeed it was. BCA got back to me...which I am impressed by and have updated the system to show the correct milage which is 50% more than the mileage originally listed as correct. I guess thats my good deed for the day.