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Anyone got this? who could it be ? any thoughts? We are conducting a confidential and anonymous survey of people who use classified online car advertising sites. We're asking for a 'no holds barred' response to a questionnaire which will take just a minute to complete. Just click here: https://www.research.net/s.aspx?sm=OW2otRNoz5UKXvSM8HfwmA_3d_3d If we hear what you think - confidentially - we think we can improve services to you - cost, response, service levels. Just click here https://www.research.net/s.aspx?sm=OW2otRNoz5UKXvSM8HfwmA_3d_3d This survey is blind. You don't know what company is asking for the information because we want your honest and frank opinion. Once you complete the survey, we won't know who completed it. That means you can say what you really feel about online car advertising sites. So please, click here and do the survey online. https://www.research.net/s.aspx?sm=OW2otRNoz5UKXvSM8HfwmA_3d_3d Thank you! Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list. https://www.research.net/optout.aspx?sm=OW2otRNoz5UKXvSM8HfwmA_3d_3d

I'm sure many have read this rich list - Sunday times? Arnold_Clark_250 Motor traders enjoyed a strong showing in the 2013 Sunday Times Rich List, the annual review of personal fortunes in the UK. This year’s survey identified 28 multi millionaires from the car sales and wholesaling among the top 1,000 richest people in Britain. Once again Sir Arnold Clark (pictured) was the highest rated dealer group boss at number 172 (2012: 191), based on a family fortune of £508m (2012: £467m). Profits at Arnold Clark Automobiles, rated number three in the Motor Trader Top 200, saw profits rise from £50.5m to £51.7m. Next in the listing at number 209 (2012: 219) was Lord Edmiston, founder and owner of IM Group, the UK distributor of Subaru, Isuzu and Great Wall. The company also operates a property business. Edmiston’s fortune was estimated at £440m (2012: £400m). The Sunday Times also acknowledged him as one of the country’s top 16 charity donors with recent donations estimated at £25.6m. Jack Tordoff, chairman of Bradford-based JCT600, and his family were rated at number 261 (2012: 279) on a fortune of £330m (2012: £290m). The group is rated 13 in the Motor Trader Top 200. Sir Peter Vardy and his family were rated at number 504 (2012: 482) based on a fortune of £155m (2012: £155m). After selling the Reg Vardy Group to Pendragon in 2006 Sir Peter helped launch the Scotland-based Peter Vardy Group, rated 43 in the Motor Trader Top 200. The report estimated the Vardy family donated £2.5m to charity last year. Elsewhere Tony Bramall, whose dealer group businesses have included CD Bramall and Bramall and Jones was rated at 417 (2012: 527) based on a fortune of £192m (2012: £144m). The Sunday Times estimated he holds a £92m stake in Lookers. Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, the founder of Euro Car Parts, was rated at 277 (2012: 339) on a personal fortune of £300m (£225m). Ahluwalia sold the business in 2011 to the Chicago based LKQ Corporation for £225m but remains as chairman and managing director. While F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who started his career as a used car retailer, saw his fortune remain at £2.5bn making him the 26th richest person in the UK. - I'd like to know why none of my twitter friends are not on here ! Come on guys - or do we need to stop tweeting and get selling ! Buy for now

I've read this article, and wondered how many 'dealers' check every cars history with the servicing dealer stamped in the book? A car dealer has been fined £5,000 for selling a car with a false service history. Presley Ogbondah, director of MPH Cars Ltd in Billet Lane, Hornchurch, failed to check the history of a car he sold, which turned out to be falsified. After the vehicle had been purchased, its new owner noticed loud knocking noises coming from the engine. Following some attempts to have the vehicle repaired, it was discovered that a replacement engine was needed at considerable cost. The owner contacted the main dealership and discovered the service history supplied with the vehicle was false and the car had not been serviced by them at all. Although Ogbondah had not falsified the history himself, he pleaded guilty to engaging in a commercial practice which was a misleading action contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. Appearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on April 7, he was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs, as well as £3,000 compensation to the consumer. (Source: Romford Recorder) Any thoughts on this ?

This has just been posted on #TCDUK : http://twittercardealers.ning.com/ But I though just in case some of you are not on there its worth re-posting on here. Original post by Joe o'kane. Thanks Joe this has been doing the rounds for awhile but always a reminder of how vulnerable we can all get , especially with new /untrained/ gullible sales staff wanting 'that deal' ! "Below is a notification I received this morning from usedcarsni.com - this has happened in Northern Ireland, but I suppose it could happen anywhere ...... Dear all, Please be aware of a credit card fraud operation that is going on at the moment, targeting local car dealers. it's a very serious scam because the whole thing sounds plausible enough and they have already been successful in stealing some cars in Northern Ireland. The cases we have been told about were 'customers' phoning from Birmingham and surrounding area, looking to purchase vehicles via credit cards. The payments cleared via card terminal but were flagged up as fraudulent later by the real card holders. Apparently it often takes 2 or 3 weeks for this to happen and the money is still charged back, resulting in a huge loss to the car dealer. The fraudsters provided a copy of a fraudulent driving licence and insisted on a quick vehicle transfer to the mainland. Below are some mobiles, names and email addresses already used within this scam. Note : they will very likely be changing the names and numbers often, so this is not at all an exhaustive list. Adam Joe - 07466596667, 07440470664, email details – nonstop121@live.com Hashi Musse - 07835203811, 07562695129, 07704375782, email details – du07@hotmail.com If you have had this happen to you or have had this attempted and have any names, addresses, phone numbers, drivers licences or any details, please contact the investigating officer below. The PSNI are trying to find as much information as possible to help the police in GB to find the vehicles that have been stolen. Investigating officer to contact in PSNI is Constable Roger Williams &n dash; 07584282317 or emailroger.williams@psni.pnn.police "

Just wondering what accounts packages other smaller dealers are using? Have been using Pegasus but its needs to be changed and not so helpful people since local supplier closed. is there a 'cloud based' one out there? thanks umesh

I mention I'd heard this was happening in the US and AT were thinking of bringing it here, It appears its already started and is in trail with various dealers ? Are you one of the trial dealers? what are your thoughts with AT doing this ? will it benefit YOU or hinder? Article link: http://www.am-online.com/news/2013/12/20/dealer-ratings-and-car-reviews-under-trial-by-auto-trader/34130/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Thought I’d just mention this on here with all this adverse publicity about Citizens Advice and the number of complaints being received the customers can easily check a dealer’s reputation instantly! There are many on this forum who have grasped the importance of positive feedback , I have sold cars to new customers who have read positive comments about me and given them the confidence that they’re dealing with someone who actually cares about the business. For those not aware of www.carbuyingadvisor.co.uk why not check it out and see how it can benefit your business ? FREE trails available http://www.carbuyingadvisor.co.uk/register.aspx#.UnzW38RFAfE The site also shows some frightening ‘negative’ testimonials which will obviously have a negative impact on those not looking after their reputation!

Just spotted this article by Sophie about the number of complaints about used cars. http://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/used-car-sale-problems-labelled-as-top-complaint-made-by-motorists/77436?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter "MORE than half of faulty used cars reveal their problems within a month of purchase" Would be interesting to see the list of faults, are they actual faults ? also what age/ price band are all these complaints? I saw a 'review' on a website a few weeks ago about a customer complaining about what was wrong with a car he'd bought for £895 - [Eight Hundred and ninety five pounds ] yes the car has to be road worth and a heap of junk , but what can you really expect for that price? So is it down to customer expectations ? We've all had cars perfect when we sell them and no reason the 'engine light' comes on - so that classed as fault ? Wrong use of fuel ? different type of driving?

Just a thought but only dealers on twitter know about this forum and how 'social media' works. Still a lot of dealers out there just about getting a website never mind anything else, seeing that 'The car Dealer Magazine' is sent out to a lot of dealers , some who are not on social media /networks doing a survey with all the subscribers to find out what their thoughts are? Just an idea ? I Think it would be interesting to see why/what they think about social media/ good- bad? over to you CD Team!