Allstars 1 Posted October 9, 2017 Ive got about 15 cars advertised on autotrader and motors.co.uk and have a pitch with 25 cars on. Never ever has it been so quiet, only sold one clio this month so far and that was on the 1st ive mainly got small cars for people who recently passed, and all of the stock is under £3000. I was thinking maybe my target customers (students) are just settling back in uni college ect hense why its so quiet BUT other traders up and down the road are VERY VERY quiet aswell so its not just me is anyone else experiencing the same? cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted October 10, 2017 Yes, very quiet on the sales front, a number of optimistic tyre kickers & big talkers on the phone. TBH I need stock after a half-decent last month so that may be some of my problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted October 10, 2017 20 for the month so far with about 45 stock. We have not done anything different the weekend just went insanely busy. I tried to ensure my cars all had vids, adverts had enough correct info and the pictures were all looking good. Stayed open and back a bit later to ensure a few deals got completed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mojo121 229 Posted October 10, 2017 Best trading month ever last month. Sold one so far this month - a £600 Skoda px. Go figure. Back on the beans on toast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted October 10, 2017 19 minutes ago, tradex said: Beans?!? Luxury, when I wa a kid.... yup, deader than dead thing that's been murdered that goes for brand new, late or old.... counting the years to retirement now, can't wait to get out of this game to be honest. I'm with you there. In fact, I've spent much of this year making some pension 'adjustments' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SC Derby 259 Posted October 10, 2017 I've never a experienced sustained period of quiet months like it in the 7 years I've been doing this. I'm finding 95% of dealers saying the same thing - which is more worrying as it would appear there isn't much you can do to correct it. The bills still need paying every month though , that's the issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted October 10, 2017 i haven't got any answers but can i join the club please all same boxes ticked Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted October 10, 2017 It is scratchy out there managed 5 last week out of 17 but 2 weeks before that it was nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted October 10, 2017 Had our best ever month in August which was a surprise. Hit September and my god was it rough...barely saw or sold anything. This month was much the same until Saturday when we had our busiest ever day. Bit lost as to why at the moment but the forthcoming interest rise might be in peoples minds. Funny how the auctions have been an utter joke lately as far as price is concerned. It'll come good again in time though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 11 Posted October 10, 2017 Did 8 last month but generally very slow on the calls. Best we had for calls was a van. Love selling them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allstars 1 Posted October 10, 2017 Just a quick thought ... advice needed cancel autotrader and motors because my stock is all under £2500 per car, so im thinking my response rate is low due to relying 90% on autotrader, whereas my sort of stock should be on gumtree and fleebay. Autotrader for 14 cars (priority listing) is costing me £1150 p/m motors 15 cars £182 p/m SO IM THINKING TO JUST CANCEL BOTH AND TRY.. gumtree 25 cars and ebay 2 months free trial will only cost be £300 ish hense MASSIVE SAVING on adversing Been with autotrader for 2 years and im just hoping i will survive without them, will i?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LISL 7 Posted October 10, 2017 34 minutes ago, Allstars said: 34 minutes ago, Allstars said: g i will survive without them, will i 58 minutes ago, Jimbo said: Don't know what happened above, but Allstars, only you can answer the questions you're asking. AT, eBay, Gumtree, motors and whoever work differently for all traders. Me personally, I've taken the time to check what actually costs me more leads wise and where the footfall is driven by. This means that, for me, getting shot of AT is just something that I can't afford to do, and I don't much want to either. Have you ever tried selling different gear? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Max Branning 149 Posted October 10, 2017 Ticking along but nothing to shout about here. Does surprise me though how much new blood seems to want to get into the game, i have been saying for a long time that if i was starting out again from scratch i would definitely find a different business. There is still money to be made but its getting harder and harder. Divide how many hours you actually work by your net profit and what are you earning per hour ? How many of us are beating minimum wage honestly ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allstars 1 Posted October 10, 2017 I think im going to try without AUTOTRADER and if i doesnt work i can always come back i guess Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arfur Dealy 823 Posted October 10, 2017 21 minutes ago, tradex said: +1....chatting with the wife about my pension and in theory I could be retire next year. Site rent is going up, everything else that goes with running a site is going the wrong way, we both not getting any younger, and, quite honestly the fun has gone out of the job, and it's just so tough now. I may just retire, ya know and just do a few from home...doh! Retire....BS....buying and selling is in your blood..You know that I'm never going to retire...My Mum used to take me to jumble sales when I was a kid, I used to buy all the blue and white china and ride my BMX ( early 1980's looptail PK Ripper) (someone will know) to the local antiques shops and flog it...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHM 994 Posted October 10, 2017 A chrome MT Racing Silver Fox was my BMX of choice. I think it was something like £125 or £150 at the time - I was like a dog with two dicks. Btw, in response to an earlier post I've also thought there seems to be some new blood. I reckon it's cos the jobs market is fucked (this won't make any sense if you're in the London bubble) so we've got a few people "having a go" cos, as we all know, this game's a piece of piss & we're all making £3000 per week undeclared! As it the norm, most won't be doing it in a year's time - to be honest with the state of the pure shite that's getting traded-in my guess is these newbies will soon get sick within a few months. I've had 3 clutches walloped-in in the last fortnight & I can't see the new blood putting up with those sort of bills & there's only so many people you can rip off via Facebook or Bumtree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lastyboy 23 Posted October 10, 2017 I have had quite a good year this year. August was superb and September wasnt bad. HOWEVER the phones are quite quiet but i just seem to be able to put a deal together with people at the moment even though I am not seeing that many. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted October 11, 2017 16 hours ago, Max Branning said: Ticking along but nothing to shout about here. Does surprise me though how much new blood seems to want to get into the game, i have been saying for a long time that if i was starting out again from scratch i would definitely find a different business. There is still money to be made but its getting harder and harder. Divide how many hours you actually work by your net profit and what are you earning per hour ? How many of us are beating minimum wage honestly ? Yep, if your playing by the rules and now little about the industry I just don't see the attraction. I'm in the process of clearing my back yard (oh matron) which could house an extra 30 odd cars. Of the options I've got, filling it with cars (or at least trying to) is at the bottom of the list. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linctrader 16 Posted October 11, 2017 16 minutes ago, sparky said: Yep, if your playing by the rules and now little about the industry I just don't see the attraction. I'm in the process of clearing my back yard (oh matron) which could house an extra 30 odd cars. Of the options I've got, filling it with cars (or at least trying to) is at the bottom of the list. Caravan storage? Money for nothing at this time of the year... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted October 11, 2017 15 minutes ago, tradex said: Honda C-90's & old 70's Step-Thru mopeds are where the smart money is, I may of missed the boat though, as usual. Car wise, pass the crystal ball. Bogger 90's? Never are they worth anything are they Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted October 11, 2017 More auction madness today. Interesting some insane and well financed internet bidding. I sometimes wonder if those internet bidders are 'real'? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted October 11, 2017 27 minutes ago, met said: More auction madness today. Interesting some insane and well financed internet bidding. I sometimes wonder if those internet bidders are 'real'? write the reg's down, check in a few weeks if its been tested and or taxed? gives you an idea then dont go mad though or your brain implodes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted October 11, 2017 39 minutes ago, s and b said: write the reg's down, check in a few weeks if its been tested and or taxed? gives you an idea then dont go mad though or your brain implodes To be honest, if I lose a car to another trader (that I know) I always follow its progress! I'm wondering if all this price madness at the block at the moment is going to be incorporated into the 'guides'? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rich89 11 Posted October 11, 2017 Hi all, Searched Google to see if there were any car dealer forums and this popped up. The sole reason I was looking was purely to see if others are finding it very slow at the moment. It's good to hear i'm not alone but at the same time, it does absolutely nothing to help haha. None of the traders I know sell similar stock to us so it's always tricky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mojo121 229 Posted October 11, 2017 23 minutes ago, met said: To be honest, if I lose a car to another trader (that I know) I always follow its progress! I'm wondering if all this price madness at the block at the moment is going to be incorporated into the 'guides'? This is a good point and what I've been thinking about. I have noticed prices at the lower end sub £5k actually going up. Cars we would have retailed at £1995 now £2295. Cars that we're £2495 now £2995. I wonder whether it's a case of we have to adopt or be left behind; it just doesn't feel right paying more money for cars I bought cheaper a year ago. The risk is paying more and prices drop, left with a forecourt full of then overpriced cars. I think I'll wait a bit longer before deciding. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
