RedMan 1 Posted July 22, 2015 Times are getting tougher for us smaller dealers and it feels like its hard to keep your head above water. For us our main enquiry's come from Autotrader and a few from other sources like ebay, we have massively seen a decrease in response from Autotrader in the last year and its hard to pay such large bills when it doesn't return great value yet we still need them. I read their intention to float this morning which was posted in Feb.I couldn't believe what I read, as dealers we receive a terrible service, over priced products that even if we wanted we couldn't afford. We are all making far less money than we ever have done and its a struggle to compete with the larger groups and continous price increases from suppliers. They are making huge profits at the determent of our business' and are selfish and greedy and now expect to raise our prices AGAIN in these tough times. This is taken from thier own intention In FY16, the Directors expect continuing revenue growth, driven primarily by retailer revenueFor us we can barley afford their bills as it is, if they increase them I don't think we can carry on advertising with them which in return will probably put us out of business. Am I the only one who feels this way? Been in the car trade for years but things have never felt this bad.http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/12262135.html Current Trading and ProspectsSince 28 December 2014, Auto Trader has continued to benefit from favourable market conditions in the UK and broader confidence across the UK automotive industry. For the full year to 29 March 2015, the Directors expect retailer revenue to continue the trend established in YTDQ315.In FY16, the Directors expect continuing revenue growth, driven primarily by retailer revenue. In addition, the high drop-through of approximately 80% of incremental revenue to incremental EBITDA is expected to lead to a further improvement in Adjusted Underlying EBITDA margin of approximately 1 percentage point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anglo9 26 Posted July 22, 2015 Couldn't agree more , just loaded up my first twenty cars onto the RAC website , fingers crossed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Max Branning 149 Posted July 22, 2015 Can we please have a list of genuine alternatives to Autotrader. The only other site that i have found to get any traffic from buyers is ebay motors so they must be a close contender. Any others? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted July 22, 2015 Max try AA cars been on for a month getting genuine enquiries and sales. Just binned Motors.co.uk so have quite a few dealers near me, ramped thier prices up after all this TV advertising and its backfired! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve92 80 Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) Are there any statistics to back up the likes of eBay ? We only advertise our stock on autotrader and it does sell but I would like to eBay but it's not really my place to say where cars are advertised. Does anyone use pistonheads ? Edited July 22, 2015 by Steve92 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RH Trading 80 Posted July 23, 2015 I'm constantly looking for any alternatives, I use autotrader, and I use ebay for anything sub £1000 - you get lots of timewasters and cheeky sods offering peanuts but is worth it if you persevere, dropped motors in April but stock now free of charge on RAC cars, been on 4 weeks now - no leads as yet but fingers crossed and best of all its FREE! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Max Branning 149 Posted July 23, 2015 TML do you only use AA for your advertising? And what sort of prices do they charge? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted July 23, 2015 I'm paying £145 per month same as ebay which I also use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamslug 91 Posted July 24, 2015 TML... Sounds like AA cars are worth a shot, is it an annual contract? I can't seem to find anywhere for car dealers on the site, do you have a phone number for a rep or something? James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daylight 28 Posted July 24, 2015 TML... Sounds like AA cars are worth a shot, is it an annual contract? I can't seem to find anywhere for car dealers on the site, do you have a phone number for a rep or something? James I'll jump in here if TML doesn't mind. I emailed them yesterday as I couldn't find any other contact details. They called straight back, I was offered a package at £160 p/m on a 6 month contract. I guess it will vary on the number of cars you wish to advertise but they'll be best placed to answer that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamslug 91 Posted July 24, 2015 I'll jump in here if TML doesn't mind. I emailed them yesterday as I couldn't find any other contact details. They called straight back, I was offered a package at £160 p/m on a 6 month contract. I guess it will vary on the number of cars you wish to advertise but they'll be best placed to answer thatOh that's quite cool. I will do that and see what happens Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamslug 91 Posted July 24, 2015 Just had a chat with them, is £220 per month for 21-30 cars on a 6 month contract about right ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
williamblackshaw 43 Posted July 24, 2015 Interesting comments from all, i was just looking at our AT bill and could actually do a SKY AD Smart campaign for similar money Reference other sites, autotrader has such a strong name for buyers, it will always be used unless one other is used by dealers for many many years, think we are all dabbling here and there, to me a solution would be a "www.website.co.uk" basically offers a strong 5 year deal, no dropping out by dealers at sensible rates but with a gaurantee that they have 5 years tv advertising, i had high hopes for motors as thought they looked good value, but i just never see them on tv etc, thats the power of autotrader they have the name out there already, no idea what it would cost for a tv campaign but to me thats the only way it can ever work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted July 24, 2015 Just had a chat with them, is £220 per month for 21-30 cars on a 6 month contract about right ? Yes I don't have that many cars. They also provide a free professional website which they are doing for me at the moment. Having the AA brand in your business does help. Ebay is still King but AA is doing very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted July 25, 2015 (edited) Just out of interest, what kind of figures are we talking about and what does that give you?I think most of us on here stock under 40 cars and I've always been intrigued what the big boys with three figure numbers are paying?ying tEdit. That question was for william whom for some reason I was unable to quote. Edited July 25, 2015 by sparky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RH Trading 80 Posted July 27, 2015 Was targeted over the weekend from two of my ebay cars which also go on gumtree - https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Access-and-security/SELLING-CARS-ON-GUMTREE-SCAM-TO-WATCH-FOR/td-p/631754/page/3?profile.language=en-gb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
