Jimbo 11 Posted August 27, 2017 Hi guys being in my first proper year of trading i am really enjoying it so far...! i have a decent sales background in and out of car sales and work extremely hard on customer service side of things. Main issue is getting a decent supply of stock. I dont want to use auctions so looking at other avenues this may be an age old secret and no one will want to share but what are the best routes to try to gain stock? i have an agreement with 1-2 local traders to buy their trade ins which is great but i usually sell out before they have more stock. Got a meeting lined up with a main dealer to buy some trade ins which would be great. But where else? Do you make trade offers to private sellers on ebay and AT? What about dealerbid? Thanks in advance for any advice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted August 27, 2017 When you find the holy graille please let me know too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 703 Posted August 27, 2017 Hi Jimbo When you get more established and your business expands,you won't be able to rely on main dealers.You will need to learn to use auctions. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted August 27, 2017 ... and me, still looking after 30yrs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted August 27, 2017 One of the easiest parts of the business is the avenues to source stock. Auction. Main dealer connect. Private. Offer car buying service or hunt down the classifieds. Trade ins. Buying and making money, not so easy. Not much more to it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted August 27, 2017 I buy all my stock via Manheim online or via physical auction. I occasionally buy local private sales but only when I can add significant value. I sell all of my own PX,s. If you want to sell in excess of 150+ cars a year or specialise you'll need to buy from Auction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justina3 518 Posted August 27, 2017 This is in my view one of the hardest part of the industry, but getting very close are idiot customers with a law degree from google Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) i always say the hard part is buying good stock even a fool can sell good stock every weeks different I always tell myself to go in with eyes wide open and not to think that ones mine that is because there's always someone who thinks the same as you, so you have to purchase using psychology sometimes and outmanoeuvre the other buyer by banging your bids in quick and determinedly, rather than waiting for the going going gone rubbish. Oh and watch out for the local traders selling you their p/x chop ins because once they realise you will buy anything they will smell blood even though long time gain is better for short term gain for them,(if yours are better than this then remember a nice bottle of malt is always welcome at xmas) Edited August 27, 2017 by s and b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 703 Posted August 27, 2017 38 minutes ago, s and b said: i always say the hard part is buying good stock even a fool can sell good stock every weeks different I always tell myself to go in with eyes wide open and not to think that ones mine that is because there's always someone who thinks the same as you, so you have to purchase using psychology sometimes and outmanoeuvre the other buyer by banging your bids in quick and determinedly, rather than waiting for the going going gone rubbish. Oh and watch out for the local traders selling you their p/x chop ins because once they realise you will buy anything they will smell blood even though long time gain is better for short term gain for them,(if yours are better than this then remember a nice bottle of malt is always welcome at xmas) Banging in quick bids etc...not always a good idea in my experience ! Auctioneers will tell you they can read bidders body language so they will trot you up every time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justina3 518 Posted August 27, 2017 Yep plus one for banging in the bids also, our local non franchised auction house tends not to run the local traders up,also helps if your known for buying a certain kind of car I would place a large bet when i see a certain car coming through as who is going to buy it (leaving out the private punters who always go up and beyond)and 9 out of ten times i am right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted August 27, 2017 My auctioneers know I very rarely go above CAP average, they know I'm there to buy but will turn my back and move on. When an auctioneer know you can be bid up you are then become their bitch. Just turn your back, walk out, move into the next one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted August 27, 2017 1 hour ago, trade vet said: Banging in quick bids etc...not always a good idea in my experience ! Auctioneers will tell you they can read bidders body language so they will trot you up every time. Not if you set yourself a limit, stick to it religiously and drop out as soon as it goes above. They soon stop running you up once they've ended up red faced buying a few in well above book with the vendor in the room asking wtf they're doing. As an ex-auctioneer, the very best customers are the ones you know will go an extra bid at the end of the bidding if talked into it. Those were always the weak ones that you could afford to consistently run up (not that I ever partook in that of course) because they never set a price limit that they stuck to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted August 27, 2017 22 minutes ago, grant8064 said: Not if you set yourself a limit, stick to it religiously and drop out as soon as it goes above. They soon stop running you up once they've ended up red faced buying a few in well above book with the vendor in the room asking wtf they're doing. As an ex-auctioneer, the very best customers are the ones you know will go an extra bid at the end of the bidding if talked into it. Those were always the weak ones that you could afford to consistently run up (not that I ever partook in that of course) because they never set a price limit that they stuck to. Exactly my point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted August 27, 2017 2 hours ago, Arfur Dealy said: My auctioneers know I very rarely go above CAP average, they know I'm there to buy but will turn my back and move on. When an auctioneer know you can be bid up you are then become their bitch. Just turn your back, walk out, move into the next one. Exactly this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BCC 9 Posted August 28, 2017 (edited) Send us an email and we will add you to our traders email list. We specialise more in performance stock so often trade 'normal' cars on ranging from £500 - £10k info@blakedowncarcompany.co.uk Edited August 28, 2017 by BCC 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 11 Posted August 28, 2017 5 minutes ago, BCC said: Send us an email and we will add you to our traders email list. We specialise more in performance stock so often trade 'normal' cars on ranging from £500 - £10k info@blakedowncarcompany.co.uk Will do thanks you. Can i ask where you're based Thanks for all the replies and yes gather its a bit of an open ended question!! would rather not deal in auctions as i have this vision of everyone just wanting same cars and coming away empty handed every time or paying over odds will keep building relations with local dealers and also look at private side thanks guys Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russp 10 Posted August 28, 2017 9 minutes ago, BCC said: Send us an email and we will add you to our traders email list. We specialise more in performance stock so often trade 'normal' cars on ranging from £500 - £10k info@blakedowncarcompany.co.uk Please add me to your traders email list as you are quite local sales@russperformance.co.uk Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andymc1973 199 Posted August 28, 2017 me too, andrew@mcarsnortheast.co.uk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nexoxen 0 Posted September 3, 2017 Please add me info@CarsBoughtForCash.ie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites