Restarting in the motor trade

[Blaq Automotive 0]

Morning all, I have been putting away a bit of money to set myself up in the motor trade. At first I will be trading in the 2-5k market with intentions of eventually getting into higher end performance and prestige motor cars. My passion has always been cars, and as such I'm a bit of a brand snob with no interest in a 1.6 Ford Focus LX, more Audi S3, BMW M Sport touring, Porsche Boxster etc...... I like buying cars that I enjoy rather than what is going to make me the quickest buck.

My question is - I have just brought a Golf GT TDi 140 off a private seller and hopefully can make a nice little profit on it (I have no problems waiting for a sale as I am still working my other job as security)  but am wondering about quick turnarounds selling to other traders? I have been recently talking to a friend who works at the local (mainly used Audi) second hand dealers and he says good stock is hard to come by, would selling cars to local traders for stock be viable?

Just to clarify, I have no forecourt, just a nice little piece of land for viewings and to store a few carefully selected vehicles. I am just thinking that if I can speed up the process of selling and in return supplying good stock to dealers then its win/win

Thanks for your replies, advice will be taken on board and appreciated

Steve 

 

[metcars 395]

IMO selling trade to trade is a tough way to earn your money!

 If you can source quality stock at 'stinking cheap' prices then just retail them, why give the profit to someone else

[Phil H 124]

Is that you're trading name Cox Automotive? I'd just check if you can trade under that name as Cox automotive own manheim and you wouldn't want any IP rights issues.

[Blaq Automotive 0]

It was going to be yes. Ok, thanks for the heads up, best change it. 

Thanks for the reply Metcars, my thinking was that I could take out the hassle of getting the cars ready for retailing by just moving them quickly to forecourt dealers.

[James Baggott 227]

Welcome to the forum :)

[sparky 274]

It was going to be yes. Ok, thanks for the heads up, best change it. 

Thanks for the reply Metcars, my thinking was that I could take out the hassle of getting the cars ready for retailing by just moving them quickly to forecourt dealers.

​Where are you going to get the cars from?

[Blaq Automotive 0]

I've mainly brought them private with a few here and there from the auctions, I must admit though, I'm finding it hard to source good cars from the private ads,  cheap enough to make a profit on. When I see a motor and think "that's cheap" I literally need it to be another good chunk cheaper to stand a chance of making any money!

[umesh 336]

Its going to be very tough trying to make a ' good chunk' trade to trade or retailing , if you get bargains you're a lucky man , most people want within reason ' market' values for cars so making a 'reasonable ' profit trading or better profits retailing. 

You'll need the volume and quality if you're going to survive the trading game. Personally I'd retail and specialise in something or get known for quality cars , make a name for yourself with that comes 'better' margins ..!

Good luck - seep us posted