j4ck100 12 Posted December 29, 2014 Hi all Small dealer got a few motors up for sale since week before Xmas, been so slow had 1 call, are others finding this as well? If so when is it believed it will pick up again? Got a mate in a main dealer says it's dead atm too, new and used. Not overpriced my stock to my knowledge. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken 10 Posted December 30, 2014 Slow here too! We've just completed our first year of trading. January was a good month for us last year. Others I've spoke to locally say its "dead" So don't worry too much! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreenGiant 287 Posted December 30, 2014 It will stay dead as long as we allow AutoTrader to continue telling our customers the trade prices of our cars. Their free 'valuation' service is killing us. Do not underestimate the damage this is causing. Check your own stock against the 'valuations' they provide. Then think like a potential customer using the info they have given. What would you do? And. more importantly, what would you want to pay? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Webuycars 4 Posted December 30, 2014 If we had the answer you could chose to open around the busy times instead of sitting there 7 days a week hoping for some footfall, Historically in my experience this week in between Xmas and the New year can be quite busy but i think the weather holds the key at the moment, usually around the second week in January things start picking up causing trade prices to escalate also, all you can do is make sure everything is ready for the elusive customer when they arrive, all documentation available and the car presented as well as you can, now get off your backsides and clear all the snow of that stock Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted December 30, 2014 We did one yesterday but it wont pick up until we're rolling in to January, February was a brilliant month this year for us so have stocked up ready! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andymc1973 199 Posted December 30, 2014 Well my cars are under what auto trader tells me I should be selling for so wonder if it goes both ways? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philip Nothard 26 Posted January 2, 2015 There does seem to be some mixed messages out there at the minute; however this is due to extreme 'micro-climates' of some of the dealers. I'm also aware that some major supermarkets are not entering into the January Sale game this year, as they felt it didn't increase the sales volumes but did lower the PPU. On the AT question, it would be interesting to understand the ratio of consumer valuation requests on the cars they are intending to part-exchange against those they are looking to purchase - entering the VRM from the advert?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimreidvehicle 255 Posted January 2, 2015 Once the first week of January is over and we are all back to normal working hours then boom it all takes off , so be ready or you will miss the train!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted January 2, 2015 Been really quiet in november and december but its always been like that,you should bag some sales in january but certainly customers are more picky these days than ever before,my secret is to get your cars mint, mint and keep them mint, mint,this way the folded arms syndrome of the wife of a potential buyer cant find a fault so the car gets bought rather than a new settee, or the husband cant fault it to his wife also, oh and ignore derogatory remarks no matter how hard they are remember you want the sale even though you wouldnt want the customer as a friend,the good days have gone where there was another bum for every seat goodas luckas, sb 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamslug 91 Posted January 2, 2015 For me it is dead until christmas is over. It booms in the week between Christmas and New year . Then we are plane sailing all the way until it dives again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philip Nothard 26 Posted January 5, 2015 Has the first weekend of 2015 shown light at the end of the tunnel for business picking up? Is the stock beginning to find its way through, giving you some choice and quality retail opportunities? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted January 5, 2015 We ALL Know it goes quiet near Christmas time , sadly for the motortrade that will not change , as 'Newbie' says have the stock 'mint' and when the customers do flock in they cannot find a reason not to buy! AT Pricing - difficult I know but I look at it at times and take it with a pinch of salt !! Some of these prices are a joke , not always 'under valuing ' but some the other way saying it should be more ! Every car is unique unless if you're selling same' bread & butter' stock ! Have confidence in your own stock , own ability and how you 'market' your own business / dealership - I've always from day one said "I am not the cheapest , never will be BUT I will sell you the best cars and offer you best car buying experience with great back up service " ! I'm no expert but that's my thoughts ! Happy selling guys and all the very best for 2015! Keep smiling and selling! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheelerdealer1 91 Posted January 5, 2015 I really don't see much major action until toward the end of Jan, but maybe that is just me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreenGiant 287 Posted January 5, 2015 Picked up a bit over the weekend. Could do without a prolonged cold period though. Have been having an interesting chat with a senior bod from a well-known valuation supplier. Seems they are very wary of values for the next few months because of the impending massive glut of PCP returns from end Feb onwards. The advice is if you have these sort of cars in stock - get 'em gone as quick as poss as there's many many more coming and values can only go one way. You may have some very expensive local landmarks on your forecourt in the summer otherwise. eg Last year Kia had around 4000 PCP returns. This year, they are expecting 12000! Not sure if the market has the capacity. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philip Nothard 26 Posted January 6, 2015 Interesting point regarding PCP returns - this was highlighted in a recent article released It would be very insightful to know how this compares with other brands? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
