twerp 69 Posted April 21, 2021 (edited) As per title, COVID as an excuse doesn't seem plausible given car sales boomed over the period. It was a nice business model rotating cars amongst enthusiast members and never seemed to struggle to move its stock. Just doesn't make sense ?https://www.facebook.com/focusRSuk Edited April 21, 2021 by twerp . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted April 21, 2021 Sad to read this! Not sure what has happened but looked a great business and as you say @twerp seemed to move a lot of stock quickly and had a massive following. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Horgan 564 Posted April 21, 2021 6 hours ago, twerp said: As per title, COVID as an excuse doesn't seem plausible given car sales boomed over the period. It was a nice business model rotating cars amongst enthusiast members and never seemed to struggle to move its stock. Just doesn't make sense ?https://www.facebook.com/focusRSuk Moving / Turning stock , & Earning money/ Profit , Two entirely different things . That's one possible cause i suppose . Another is they got fed up and have gone to pastures greener . Lets hope its not ended badly . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted April 21, 2021 I was thinking ‘ another one bites the dust ‘,how wrong that was. Found their accounts out of interest,what a cracking niche business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huggins 17 Posted April 22, 2021 I was thinking the same , they seemed to be doing very good business and had built up a good following on social media. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank Cannon 812 Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) Can you imagine the typical customer though Probably make MX5 drivers look like stud muffins. Edited April 22, 2021 by Frank Cannon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted April 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Frank Cannon said: Can you imagine the typical customer though Probably make MX5 drivers look like stud muffins. That’s what I thought.However their last set of accounts state they had a SEVEN figure cash balance and no debt and had been producing excellent net profits since they set up.How good is that ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twerp 69 Posted April 22, 2021 35 minutes ago, trade vet said: That’s what I thought.However their last set of accounts state they had a SEVEN figure cash balance and no debt and had been producing excellent net profits since they set up.How good is that ! Exactly, his facebook page had such a following he only had to take a picture of a car and it sold ASAP before listing on AT. Seems they had enough momentum in the performance car market that his magic worked on other manufacturers too. I don't get it.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby who 40 Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) I'm guessing they got tired of it. It was obviously getting more difficult to source good stock at a price that made it worth while. The calibre of their stock meant you couldn't just buy 5-10 units per week. I'm sure they struggled last year. The guys are obviously perfectionists too, as the detail they put into prep was astounding. Its a tough game as we know, so I hope they are moving to selling luxury yachts in Dubai or something. Edited April 22, 2021 by Scooby who 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted April 23, 2021 23 hours ago, Frank Cannon said: Can you imagine the typical customer though It reminds me of what must be 14-15 years ago when I had a Mk1 Focus RS as my daily & came to sell it. Dear me, except for selling a VAG car I don’t think I’ve ever had so many gormless, pathetic & greedy emailers contact me. These performance specialists earn every single penny they make, the buyers (1%) are absolutely fine. It’s the dreamers, the bored & the piss-taking trade that make up the other 99% that are the problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Holmfirth Cars 12 Posted April 23, 2021 I think a posh web site & a huge media following guarantees nothing in life , we had a place up here called The Gti Centre, their social media was amazing, sponsored the football club , etc, etc, bla, bla....people thought they where all trendy and the "in " place to go too, , until it went Bankrupt overnight . Lasted 2 years & went bust for over 1 MILLION !!!! ( they only rented a showroom, no assets ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James01 21 Posted April 23, 2021 I believe the owner retired. If they had earned good money out o fit and had enough money in the bank enjoy it while you can! Good on them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted April 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, James01 said: I believe the owner retired. If they had earned good money out o fit and had enough money in the bank enjoy it while you can! Good on them. Correct the owner retired and went to travel the world I believe. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernTrader 20 Posted April 23, 2021 Nice to hear of a good news story in our industry! Fair play to the chap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Horgan 564 Posted April 23, 2021 5 hours ago, Tom said: Correct the owner retired and went to travel the world I believe. Hope hes not stuck in Portugal like a friend we know , hes had to apply for a visa hes been there that long , No Flights , Cant leave the country , Cant get vaccinated , hes proper messed up with no help , Only went for 5 days been there over 6 months . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casper 272 Posted April 27, 2021 Hope he has a nice retirement Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twerp 69 Posted May 1, 2021 On 4/23/2021 at 1:15 PM, James01 said: I believe the owner retired. If they had earned good money out o fit and had enough money in the bank enjoy it while you can! Good on them. He's trading AIM shares full time according to his Twitter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted May 1, 2021 26 minutes ago, twerp said: He's trading AIM shares full time according to his Twitter. Ha Ha,good luck to him with that.That market is fraught with danger, it is unregulated Wolf of Wall Street stuff. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattR 177 Posted May 4, 2021 On 5/1/2021 at 10:46 AM, trade vet said: Ha Ha,good luck to him with that.That market is fraught with danger, it is unregulated Wolf of Wall Street stuff. Youre a miserable git. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted May 4, 2021 39 minutes ago, MattR said: Youre a miserable git. Do you trade AIM stuff ? I did until Black Friday wiped them all out as they were unsaleable.Still got the share certificates.Penny shares are a penny for a reason.Now let’s here your views please on the advantages of trading AIM shares and your share tips thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattR 177 Posted May 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, trade vet said: Do you trade AIM stuff ? I did until Black Friday wiped them all out as they were unsaleable.Still got the share certificates.Penny shares are a penny for a reason.Now let’s here your views please on the advantages of trading AIM shares and your share tips thank you. Its nothing to do with whether I trade AIM shares or not. Its that your attitude is that he wont make money at it. And that you dont want him to. You're just plain miserable and dont seem to want to see success. Have you wondered why the forum is so quiet these days? What was once a really useful advice centre for so many people, be they new or old in the trade has been deserted because people get fed up with the negativity. So if theres nothing positive to say, say nothing. I've no idea how hard or easy it may be to make money on shares. But I genuinely wish the guy all the luck in the world because I dont want to see people struggling. Frank, get your popcorn out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted May 4, 2021 16 minutes ago, MattR said: Its nothing to do with whether I trade AIM shares or not. Its that your attitude is that he wont make money at it. And that you dont want him to. You're just plain miserable and dont seem to want to see success. Have you wondered why the forum is so quiet these days? What was once a really useful advice centre for so many people, be they new or old in the trade has been deserted because people get fed up with the negativity. So if theres nothing positive to say, say nothing. I've no idea how hard or easy it may be to make money on shares. But I genuinely wish the guy all the luck in the world because I dont want to see people struggling. Frank, get your popcorn out. Did I not wish him luck.If he can make millions retailing RS stuff,he must be a clever guy and I suspect clever than you.I see you appear to rate the new Citroen ‘Howard ‘,that about sums you up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattR 177 Posted May 4, 2021 50 minutes ago, trade vet said: Did I not wish him luck.If he can make millions retailing RS stuff,he must be a clever guy and I suspect clever than you.I see you appear to rate the new Citroen ‘Howard ‘,that about sums you up. He may be more clever than me, you may be. My grammar is probably better than yours ( it should be cleverer than ).Citroen will sell the new Ami, they may be french, but they arent stupid either. Look for the positive. That Ami is going to be cheap, clean, city transport. Thats good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 694 Posted May 4, 2021 18 minutes ago, MattR said: He may be more clever than me, you may be. My grammar is probably better than yours ( it should be cleverer than ).Citroen will sell the new Ami, they may be french, but they arent stupid either. Look for the positive. That Ami is going to be cheap, clean, city transport. Thats good. It’s the franchise’s who will have to sell them and take them back in.I expect there will be SFA profit in them.I was making a light hearted observation comparing it to The Howard.Ever heard of the Bond Bug and of course the wonderful Sinclair C5 which was going to change the world..I have to say,if you haven’t got a sense of humour you will never be a successful car dealer.Apologies for the grammar,left school at 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites