It's time to take action

[EPV 631]

I've had two car sin at 88 days the pair and whilst I've been unlucky on one, I've not opened the door on the other.

Car 1;

https://www.elitepreownedvehicles.co.uk/used/cars/citroen

I had two people show up within a week of each other, one failed the finance the other changed their mind overnight.

Car 2:

https://www.elitepreownedvehicles.co.uk/used/cars/renault

I haven't so much as opened the door on this creature.

I've tried various things, changing photos, different descriptions, reducing the price, increasing the price, putting a 3 day flash sale on, having them both "featured" on AT (which did increase views significantly but nothing changed in terms of people wanting to come and see either) you name it I've done it.

So before I carve the nuts off both these cars and go £8,995 and £4,995 respectively, has anyone else got an idea that I have overlooke? Especially on the Renault Clio, no fucker wants her...

By the way, margin is neither here nor there now, I won't lose on either of them if I reduce the prices but that's not the point, I just want to move them on now (I don't want to trade them as I WILL take a hit) 

[Mark101 536]

I look at your site quite regularly James as we have a similar sized business and I also like how you present your stock.

I don’t even need to click the links to see which cars you’re talking about because I see them every time I click your site.

This doesn’t help much because I think you’ve done everything you can to present them as best possible - I think they’re just the wrong cars, types of cars that people can buy very cheaply and that are ten a penny.

I have similar issue (as you probably know) on a BMW convertible (I know it’s the colour issue).  Car is spot on but it just will not shift - I’ve increased the price by almost a grand and it can wait for that one person.  Has a cover on it and is in my garage next to the TT convertible (trying to preserve the perfect roofs).

I get to the stage where I hate a car when they’ve stood so long but actually, I still love the BM.

Probably sell better down your way James

 

[L-P 15]

Hi,

Not sure about the Renault but from my time served as a Citroen Sales Manager the C4 Picasso was always a slow sell. Now if that were a Grand C4 it would be a different story in my eyes. But it is a nice spec in a popular colour.

Presentation is very good though and I cant see anything obvious personally.

Good luck getting them shifted 

 

[Linctrader 16]

See both of those cars appeal to me aesthetically, but then I'm an oddball who likes oddballs... 

But both are the less popular models in the respective ranges. 

Though there are buyers for these types of cars, as even munters such as the golf+ sell, perhaps they are lost to your typical customer James? Looking at your other stock it all looks premium. 

What about some social media direct marketing towards the 50+ age group? I'm being genuine when I say that perhaps some sponsored adverts offering these two specific cars and up selling their features (practical 5 seat mpv with the height and boot space of the vehicle seater but not the wasted space of 2 extra sears for those that don't need it and the mini-estate practicality over a standard clio hatch) might be the next move before dropping the prices. 

[MattR 177]

I just clicked on your links, and one thing i spotted is that you cover your number plates. I know opinions differ on this, but then at a glace I didnt see how old the cars were without clicking another tab? May make no differnece, may make some, I dont know. But in terms of what you can do, pics look good etc. It could just be the car. Chat with your AT rep(if you use AT). Most will go through your stock with you and point out desirabilty etc if you ask.

[NOACROSS 414]

Plus one.

 

[trade vet 697]

Hi EPV

I think when you set up and describe your business with a grand name like Elite Preowned Vehicles,you might want to try and stick to them.You have got it wrong,it happens,that’s normal,no big deal so you have to take a hit.If you blow a couple of grand,you should make it up over your financial year.Alternatively,if you are having a hard time in general,change your trading name and sell something else.In your area,I would be doing small older low mileage autos and charge top money for them.Not very sexy but you might have a better chance to make money.

[Rory RSC 596]

8 minutes ago, trade vet said:

Hi EPV

I think when you set up and describe your business with a grand name like Elite Preowned Vehicles,you might want to try and stick to them.You have got it wrong,it happens,that’s normal,no big deal so you have to take a hit.If you blow a couple of grand,you should make it up over your financial year.Alternatively,if you are having a hard time in general,change your trading name and sell something else.In your area,I would be doing small older low mileage autos and charge top money for them.Not very sexy but you might have a better chance to make money.

A local company who have been copying every last thing I do gave themselves a very grand name and then starting stocking really basic cars, I thought the same 
 

[EPV 631]

50 minutes ago, Matt Reid said:

I just clicked on your links, and one thing i spotted is that you cover your number plates. I know opinions differ on this, but then at a glace I didnt see how old the cars were without clicking another tab? May make no differnece, may make some, I dont know. But in terms of what you can do, pics look good etc. It could just be the car. Chat with your AT rep(if you use AT). Most will go through your stock with you and point out desirabilty etc if you ask.

Cheers Matt. Most of (well, all in truth) of my leads come via AT, so people will be searching on the year via that way. The AT reps just scratch their heads, according to the data they have the cars should have sold by now. Yeah well, they haven't!

59 minutes ago, Linctrader said:

See both of those cars appeal to me aesthetically, but then I'm an oddball who likes oddballs... 

But both are the less popular models in the respective ranges. 

Though there are buyers for these types of cars, as even munters such as the golf+ sell, perhaps they are lost to your typical customer James? Looking at your other stock it all looks premium. 

What about some social media direct marketing towards the 50+ age group? I'm being genuine when I say that perhaps some sponsored adverts offering these two specific cars and up selling their features (practical 5 seat mpv with the height and boot space of the vehicle seater but not the wasted space of 2 extra sears for those that don't need it and the mini-estate practicality over a standard clio hatch) might be the next move before dropping the prices. 

This is a good idea and something I will look into, thanks.

50 minutes ago, tradex said:

I was going to run a check on the spec' but no reg'.

Add me to the list, of let the original plate run free, never have been a fan of them, but we are all different.

As you say we are all different, I'm a fan of the plate being covered and the spec is plastered all over the AT ad and my website one so I can't see how that would put people off.

46 minutes ago, trade vet said:

Hi EPV

I think when you set up and describe your business with a grand name like Elite Preowned Vehicles,you might want to try and stick to them.You have got it wrong,it happens,that’s normal,no big deal so you have to take a hit.If you blow a couple of grand,you should make it up over your financial year.Alternatively,if you are having a hard time in general,change your trading name and sell something else.In your area,I would be doing small older low mileage autos and charge top money for them.Not very sexy but you might have a better chance to make money.

On that front, its only the last 2 months I decided to specialise in performance or luxury SUV/Estates, so the Clio and C4 are hangovers from my first trading strategy of "buy anything"

I seem to be doing OK with that line and I enjoy stocking them and have enthusiasm for them. Of course in a few months if it's not working I can always as you say change name and I recall you have experience of my locale so low mileage autos would definitely be a niche I would look to specialise in.

The name was just a name initially, to get me started. It was always in my head I wanted to deal with prestige marques but when I started I just wanted top get some experience and sales under my belt. Well, I had two silver Focus's that took 60 days to turn and these two have been sat around nearly 90 days, so clearly that popular family car niche doesn't work for me. I'm happy with my name and my niche/stock profile but it's just these two that are hanging around from my initial foray into this world.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far chaps, keep em coming if there are any more!

[BHM 994]

1 hour ago, trade vet said:

Hi EPV

I think when you set up and describe your business with a grand name like Elite Preowned Vehicles,you might want to try and stick to them.You have got it wrong,it happens,that’s normal,no big deal so you have to take a hit.If you blow a couple of grand,you should make it up over your financial year.Alternatively,if you are having a hard time in general,change your trading name and sell something else.In your area,I would be doing small older low mileage autos and charge top money for them.Not very sexy but you might have a better chance to make money.

I thought the same - perhaps French Run Of The Mill Cars might be more appropriate  

Anyhow on a serious note I’m no expert as both of those cars wouldn’t appear on my radar, but aren’t they pitch cars? My other comment is one I’m definitely on firmer ground & that’s about the Clio - Who the f*** wants a Clio Estate?

Estates are bought by people who want a little extra space, I cannot fathom who or why anyone would buy one.

My guess is cut the balls off the Clio’s price & hope a man with a little spaniel wants it.

[Tom 164]

I always used to struggle with that shape clio dont know why stopped buying them a while back. The picasso would sell is it was a grand version. 

[It's me 612]

maybe me but i dont like poncy words in adverts

people know what they want so a bit more about the car rather than stuff like

For Clio lovers who need more space! With only 2 Previous Owners a NEW MOT with NO Advisories & Full Service History, Elite Preowned Vehicles are proud to present this Renault Clio to market at a FANTASTIC PRICE!.

i fell asleep

now what was the car again?

oh yes a specced clio with the great built in satnav,love them......and i make it a major selling point for mummy with the isofix needs

 

[sparky 274]

14 minutes ago, chief nut job said:

maybe me but i dont like poncy words in adverts

people know what they want so a bit more about the car rather than stuff like

For Clio lovers who need more space! With only 2 Previous Owners a NEW MOT with NO Advisories & Full Service History, Elite Preowned Vehicles are proud to present this Renault Clio to market at a FANTASTIC PRICE!.

i fell asleep

now what was the car again?

oh yes a specced clio with the great built in satnav,love them......and i make it a major selling point for mummy with the isofix needs

 

You and me both, and when did car dealers start advertising like estate agents. Every other dealer seems to be 'delighted' to offer you x,y, z. If I was a punter, I'd have visions of Swiss Tony and that can't be good. 

I love a Euro 6 Picasso, but it has to have 7 chairs so god knows what you do with that. I also like a Clio Estate (again, let's not call them a Tourer ffs) but it has to be diesel.

I also agree about the name, thousands do it and it just creates the wrong impression IMO. Personally, I always like a dealer who put's their own name to the company and if I was starting again (god forbid) that's the route I would go down. 

[EPV 631]

27 minutes ago, chief nut job said:

maybe me but i dont like poncy words in adverts

people know what they want so a bit more about the car rather than stuff like

For Clio lovers who need more space! With only 2 Previous Owners a NEW MOT with NO Advisories & Full Service History, Elite Preowned Vehicles are proud to present this Renault Clio to market at a FANTASTIC PRICE!.

i fell asleep

now what was the car again?

oh yes a specced clio with the great built in satnav,love them......and i make it a major selling point for mummy with the isofix needs

 

Fair enough, i’ll emphasise a bit more about the spec. Cheers 

[DHill 16]

Hi EPV I've sold a few Clio estates, they are slightly slow in terms of enquiries but never taken more than 60 days to sell.

I've sold a 2012 Dynamique estate 1.2 for £4495 recently with 35k, so I would see yours at £4795-4995 to generate any interest.

 

[EPV 631]

9 minutes ago, tradex said:

Ahh, sorry guys I thought the OP had a site with all the grandiose presentation, just lacking a red carpet and some guy in a tuxedo announcing the punter. 

Back to my original post, are you sure you have the description correct? Cambelt? 

 

Cambelt hasn’t been done as my understanding was 60,000 miles or 5-7 years, the car has 48k on it and is just about 6 years old so in my opinion it’s barely due and not something i’m going to do. I do appreciate what you’re saying about the ad description and i’ll change that to save TS having a field day on me 

25 minutes ago, sparky said:

You and me both, and when did car dealers start advertising like estate agents. Every other dealer seems to be 'delighted' to offer you x,y, z. If I was a punter, I'd have visions of Swiss Tony and that can't be good. 

I love a Euro 6 Picasso, but it has to have 7 chairs so god knows what you do with that. I also like a Clio Estate (again, let's not call them a Tourer ffs) but it has to be diesel.

I also agree about the name, thousands do it and it just creates the wrong impression IMO. Personally, I always like a dealer who put's their own name to the company and if I was starting again (god forbid) that's the route I would go down. 

The name really isn’t stopping me selling these cars. It really isn’t. I can guarantee you now if I changed the name of my business to “James’ Lovely Clio’s” it wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference, people want to buy a car  

As for the wording, I trade from home so I have to create some sort of excitement in the advert. Just putting a spec list up won’t help me. 

1 hour ago, BHM said:

I thought the same - perhaps French Run Of The Mill Cars might be more appropriate  

Anyhow on a serious note I’m no expert as both of those cars wouldn’t appear on my radar, but aren’t they pitch cars? My other comment is one I’m definitely on firmer ground & that’s about the Clio - Who the f*** wants a Clio Estate?

Estates are bought by people who want a little extra space, I cannot fathom who or why anyone would buy one.

My guess is cut the balls off the Clio’s price & hope a man with a little spaniel wants it.

I own the car, i’m stuck with it and obviously it was a poor choice. The question isn’t should I buy another it’s what else I could do what I haven’t already tried. I agree that carving it’s nuts off is the obvious route. 

[Stephen 21]

You have had it 2/3 month could have turned another 3 cars with the money in that time, I would drop it and lesson learned don't buy another

sorry 2/3 cars not 2/3 month lol

[EPV 631]

Just now, Stephen said:

You have had it 2/3 month could have turned another 3 cars with the money in that time, I would drop it and lesson learned don't buy another

sorry 2/3 cars not 2/3 month lol

That’s what i’m thinking. Lesson learned. 

[Stephen 21]

Ive done it with lots of cars so far lol But getting a better idea of what I can sell from home helps, just an expensive lesson learned 

[Stalker 180]

2 hours ago, BHM said:

Anyhow on a serious note I’m no expert as both of those cars wouldn’t appear on my radar, but aren’t they pitch cars? My other comment is one I’m definitely on firmer ground & that’s about the Clio - Who the f*** wants a Clio Estate?

My thoughts exactly.... we had one of them and it was exceptionally good at gathering dust on the pitch.....

The Shitroen is a very brave purchase.... However it will sell eventually, Ive just checked the price on the Autotrader and it seems ok.

[EPV 631]

6 minutes ago, Stalker said:

My thoughts exactly.... we had one of them and it was exceptionally good at gathering dust on the pitch.....

The Shitroen is a very brave purchase.... However it will sell eventually, Ive just checked the price on the Autotrader and it seems ok.

Not brave mate, naïve. 

[Arfur Dealy 823]

5 hours ago, EPV said:

I've had two car sin at 88 days the pair and whilst I've been unlucky on one, I've not opened the door on the other.

Car 1;

https://www.elitepreownedvehicles.co.uk/used/cars/citroen

I had two people show up within a week of each other, one failed the finance the other changed their mind overnight.

Car 2:

https://www.elitepreownedvehicles.co.uk/used/cars/renault

I haven't so much as opened the door on this creature.

I've tried various things, changing photos, different descriptions, reducing the price, increasing the price, putting a 3 day flash sale on, having them both "featured" on AT (which did increase views significantly but nothing changed in terms of people wanting to come and see either) you name it I've done it.

So before I carve the nuts off both these cars and go £8,995 and £4,995 respectively, has anyone else got an idea that I have overlooke? Especially on the Renault Clio, no fucker wants her...

By the way, margin is neither here nor there now, I won't lose on either of them if I reduce the prices but that's not the point, I just want to move them on now (I don't want to trade them as I WILL take a hit) 

Like the live chat blonde xx

[EPV 631]

Just now, Arfur Dealy said:

Like the live chat blonde xx

It’s anazing what a wig can do for me 

[twerp 69]

47 minutes ago, Stalker said:

My thoughts exactly.... we had one of them and it was exceptionally good at gathering dust on the pitch.....

The Shitroen is a very brave purchase.... However it will sell eventually, Ive just checked the price on the Autotrader and it seems ok.

Good price - yes, but these MPVs just don't sell anymore. Market has moved onto small SUV

Remember how many Mk1 Zafira's and Picasso's you used to see ?

Latest Zafira has been out 3+ years now and I have barely seen 5 on the roads.

[Linctrader 16]

Don't give up on them yet, both look like proper cars, well speced and presented (diamond cut wheels refurbed on clio as an example ffs). 

Change a bit of the flannel as others have said but I would spend £25 on each on a targeted Facebook advert and see how you go. 

Perfect for a little dog (or big dog if it's the bigasso) 

Handy if you like to buy furniture to do up

Extra space for grandkids bikes etc. 

Has to be worth 50 notes before you try anything more drastic.