How did you start in the Trade ?

[tradegirl 112]

Completely by accident. My now business partner used to buy cars, fix them and keep them for 6 months.

We were both between jobs and bought a Seat Ibiza together. Barely made our money back. I then bought an RX8 which was the first car I ever bought completely with no one's advice. Turns out it had a compression problem and wouldn't start warm (had to fuel up with engine running)

Eventually got the hang of it and we're 5 years in. 3 very good years and last two have been terrible. Seems to be getting better now though, fingers crossed.

Loved reading everyone's responses. Me with my 5 year story while some of you lot probably started when I was born!

[AutoJacob 34]

I was pondering doing it full time however 2 weeks before my son was due to be born, I was sacked from my IT job for not fitting in with the culture, I didn't get on with my manager so it all went down hill from there.

At the time it was a massive decision leaving my career just on a punt that I might do well as a car dealer, having minimal experience it was scary at first but it gets better 

Edited June 22, 2018 by AutoJacob

[Rory RSC 596]

Great thread Arfur.

I had a personal injury claim business for a bit and used to make good money from this and just saved and saved. Ended up buying a few cars to use for the non fault car hire process. Used to buy them in and sell them again after hire period privately. Learned a lot doing this. A lot of regulation changed in the accident claim business and the earnings were reduced or capped I should say so I ended up buying a  couple of hand car washes which did quite well for a while. I used to find the odd person who usually had the £10 mini valet asking about a £50 full valet and they were going to be taking the car to we buy any car etc so would just offer them around the same money there and then and save them a trip. Had the space for it but there was no prep being done other than a quick wash etc. 

After that I had some big problems with one car wash site so got rid of that business and chucked all my money into starting selling cars properly from the other site. Keys in a JD sports bag dealing customers and signing them up from the boot of a car advertising on the Pay as you go Autotrader slots. Specialised in first time cars for new drivers. 

Benji boy take note here - I l literally used to spend every waking hour trawling private adverts for the odd mistakenly low priced advert, badly written adverts and would act fast and just get a move on to go and buy them. Was forever driving up to Scotland and buying Corsas with aftermarket alloys taking the mods off sell the mods for money and the standard cars for a higher price.
 

Going full time at the car sales business completely turned my life around. Still love coming to work 7 days a week despite the ups and downs. Can't beat the buzz of a quick deal with good profit and the part exchange chain.

 

[James01 21]

I started of as a trainee salesman at my local Renault garage after phoning around car dealerships and estate agents after just leaving college and not having a clue what to do with myself. 

I worked at the same place for just over 2 years learning the basics before moving and working at a car supermarket for 2 years which was a real experience in itself! After saving up some money I decided I was bored of being called a w**ker by the salesmanger every monday morning and instead of buying a house poured my money into some cars and rented a small yard. 

I moved sites 3 times in the next 7 years progressively getting bigger and more stock learning all the time mostly the hard way! 

I have just turned 30 and now have 10 times the value of stock when I first started and since moving to an appointment only basis can say I actually enjoy the job more than ever, I do not know why I didn't do it sooner.

 

 

Edited June 22, 2018 by James01

[Arfur Dealy 823]

9 hours ago, Rory RSC said:

Great thread Arfur.

I had a personal injury claim business for a bit and used to make good money from this and just saved and saved. Ended up buying a few cars to use for the non fault car hire process. Used to buy them in and sell them again after hire period privately. Learned a lot doing this. A lot of regulation changed in the accident claim business and the earnings were reduced or capped I should say so I ended up buying a  couple of hand car washes which did quite well for a while. I used to find the odd person who usually had the £10 mini valet asking about a £50 full valet and they were going to be taking the car to we buy any car etc so would just offer them around the same money there and then and save them a trip. Had the space for it but there was no prep being done other than a quick wash etc. 

After that I had some big problems with one car wash site so got rid of that business and chucked all my money into starting selling cars properly from the other site. Keys in a JD sports bag dealing customers and signing them up from the boot of a car advertising on the Pay as you go Autotrader slots. Specialised in first time cars for new drivers. 

Benji boy take note here - I l literally used to spend every waking hour trawling private adverts for the odd mistakenly low priced advert, badly written adverts and would act fast and just get a move on to go and buy them. Was forever driving up to Scotland and buying Corsas with aftermarket alloys taking the mods off sell the mods for money and the standard cars for a higher price.
 

Going full time at the car sales business completely turned my life around. Still love coming to work 7 days a week despite the ups and downs. Can't beat the buzz of a quick deal with good profit and the part exchange chain.

 

 what’s great about this job is the buzz, it’s that risk to reward, it’s a gamble, we are all chronic gamblers.... I couldn’t do anything else. I’ve never had the desire to grow a huge business though, l like being a wheeler dealer and having my own freedom...

 

 

[Stephen 21]

I can’t wait till I get reward how long does that normally take to get lol

i thought high street retail was hard, it’s a breeze compared to car game 

[Arfur Dealy 823]

2 minutes ago, Stephen said:

I can’t wait till I get reward how long does that normally take to get lol

i thought high street retail was hard, it’s a breeze compared to car game 

What do you mean reward ? 

[Stephen 21]

Some profit is that not what you meant? Made more money backing mitro to score for Serbia than trading cars lol

[NOACROSS 414]

Many are called. Few are chosen. 

Easy it is not. 

Still 3/4 of a tank in my PX. Small victories!

[Nick M.K. 574]

26 minutes ago, Stephen said:

I can’t wait till I get reward how long does that normally take to get lol

The journey IS the reward. 

[It's me 615]

21 minutes ago, NOACROSS said:

Many are called. Few are chosen. 

Easy it is not. 

Still 3/4 of a tank in my PX. Small victories!

be warned,many years ago i took a vw in chop with loads of rent and half a tank,it ran out of petrol up in the middle of nowhere still showing loads,ive never trusted gauges since and its was one long bally walk to a petrol station

[NOACROSS 414]

German poo. Not like the old days Chief!

I’d happily leave it where it breaks down at £495 in chop. 

Edited June 22, 2018 by NOACROSS

[Arfur Dealy 823]

12 minutes ago, Nick M.K. said:

The journey IS the reward. 

Nik, very philosophical.... 

[It's me 615]

2 minutes ago, Arfur Dealy said:

Nik, very philosophical.... 

ha velly glasshopper i have nice car for you you follow me yes...............................

[Arfur Dealy 823]

1 minute ago, chief nut job said:

ha velly glasshopper i have nice car for you you follow me yes...............................

well im here with a nice breeze drinking my absinthe.......

 

Oh dear

[NOACROSS 414]

Just now, Arfur Dealy said:

well im here with a nice breeze drinking my absinthe.......

 

Oh dear

Man. How old are you?! ;0)

[Arfur Dealy 823]

50

Just now, Arfur Dealy said:

50

BTW, its chief drinking absinth........ No me.... I'm on the Coors 

[NOACROSS 414]

Yeah sorry, I was asking Cheif. Coors? In Newcastle? ;o)

[Arfur Dealy 823]

1 minute ago, NOACROSS said:

Yeah sorry, I was asking Cheif. Coors? In Newcastle? ;o)

Newcastley...... erm no..

[It's me 615]

a lady never tells her age

[Arfur Dealy 823]

1 minute ago, chief nut job said:

a lady never tells her age

Yeah.... I Iied 

[NOACROSS 414]

Predictable but funny. ;0)

[trade vet 703]

1 hour ago, Stephen said:

Some profit is that not what you meant? Made more money backing mitro to score for Serbia than trading cars lol

I wish Fulham would hurry up and buy him ....( I am from Newcastle )

[Stephen 21]

Lol so am I doesn’t look like they are coming for him anytime soon tho, good World Cup can’t do any harm tho