The Car Salesman's Thread Vol 2

[SpeckledJim]

junglie said:

Went to have a look at the BMW 645ci today that was mentioned a few pages back. A mixed bag really. The paint work was excellent and that V8 is creamy smooth. However, the car did not feel special enough which I think is down to the fact that it was not the highest spec car. No satnav, no auto lights (but they are xenon), no heated seats.

Was nice to jump back into the Mercedes. Has not put me off though as I like the feel of the car but need to find one with more kit.

Thanks for the advice though - may just get another Z4 while a good 6 Series crops up.

Have you tried a new-shape XK?

[kentmotorcompany]

SpeckledJim said:

junglie said:

Went to have a look at the BMW 645ci today that was mentioned a few pages back. A mixed bag really. The paint work was excellent and that V8 is creamy smooth. However, the car did not feel special enough which I think is down to the fact that it was not the highest spec car. No satnav, no auto lights (but they are xenon), no heated seats.

Was nice to jump back into the Mercedes. Has not put me off though as I like the feel of the car but need to find one with more kit.

Thanks for the advice though - may just get another Z4 while a good 6 Series crops up.

Have you tried a new-shape XK?

Non Auto Xenons?

Not 100% but they sound like after market HID's

[Fox-]

kentmotorcompany said:

Non Auto Xenons?

Not 100% but they sound like after market HID's

I don't think there is a link between auto lights and Xenons - infact I'm suprised he said it didn't have them, they are standard on the 645Ci (Infact they are standard on anything above a 6 cylinder E39 circa 2002!)

[AlfaManc]

First of all, this is a cracking thread. I have been following from its inception and much appreciate the insights from the guys in the trade. Keep it going !

Onto my question. Say I wanted to purchase a car that had been traded in at a second hand dealer, and which they were going to punt on to trade because they don't deal with that marque. So, they have not and will not put the car up for sale at their dealership.

The dealer is not interested and would prefer to deal with trade. From what I made out, a sale to me would be a problem because I (as a private individual) would still have rights (SOGA maybe ?) in case a mechanical failure or other problem ensued. They are happy with the sum offered by trade versus any issues that may arise with the car in a direct sale. For my part, I would have been happy to treat it as a private sale as I can inspect and verify the history of the car. I think any deal is dead now, but am still interested in knowing whether a dealer would have options that would allow him to do something along the lines of a private sale. The guys I have spoken to at the dealership have been courteous so there are no complaints in their direction from me.

[oldnbold]

AlfaManc said:

First of all, this is a cracking thread. I have been following from its inception and much appreciate the insights from the guys in the trade. Keep it going !

Onto my question. Say I wanted to purchase a car that had been traded in at a second hand dealer, and which they were going to punt on to trade because they don't deal with that marque. So, they have not and will not put the car up for sale at their dealership.

The dealer is not interested and would prefer to deal with trade. From what I made out, a sale to me would be a problem because I (as a private individual) would still have rights (SOGA maybe ?) in case a mechanical failure or other problem ensued. They are happy with the sum offered by trade versus any issues that may arise with the car in a direct sale. For my part, I would have been happy to treat it as a private sale as I can inspect and verify the history of the car. I think any deal is dead now, but am still interested in knowing whether a dealer would have options that would allow him to do something along the lines of a private sale. The guys I have spoken to at the dealership have been courteous so there are no complaints in their direction from me.

As the dealer has stated if he sells it onto you,he will be bound by SOGA. He doesn't know you from adam, and in a weeks time he doesn't know if your going to be hammering on his desk complaining that X Y or Z has gone wrong and whats he going to do about it.

Being a dealer doesn't allow him to opt in and out of his responsabilities when it suits.

Also he may well have a regular trade buyer who has provided an underight and wants the car, he won't especially want to ps off his regular buyer just to sell to you.

I know it appears an easy sale to you but from the other side of the desk it has potential problem written all over it.

[markmullen]

AlfaManc said:

First of all, this is a cracking thread. I have been following from its inception and much appreciate the insights from the guys in the trade. Keep it going !

Onto my question. Say I wanted to purchase a car that had been traded in at a second hand dealer, and which they were going to punt on to trade because they don't deal with that marque. So, they have not and will not put the car up for sale at their dealership.

The dealer is not interested and would prefer to deal with trade. From what I made out, a sale to me would be a problem because I (as a private individual) would still have rights (SOGA maybe ?) in case a mechanical failure or other problem ensued. They are happy with the sum offered by trade versus any issues that may arise with the car in a direct sale. For my part, I would have been happy to treat it as a private sale as I can inspect and verify the history of the car. I think any deal is dead now, but am still interested in knowing whether a dealer would have options that would allow him to do something along the lines of a private sale. The guys I have spoken to at the dealership have been courteous so there are no complaints in their direction from me.

As a lot of people proudly trot out every time someone has tried to buy a car cheaply on such a basis then complain about it going wrong, a dealer can't sell on trade terms to a private buyer. Within the last couple of months we've had a few on PH who bought a car and were told it was sold as seen with no comeback, then kicked off when it broke.

Putting the legal aspect aside blame the idiots who are happy to agree to buy sold as seen with no comeback, and then expect 5* retail treatment when something goes wrong for the situation where dealers can't retail perfectly good but low end cars for fear of some cretin coming back spouting SOGA (usually incorrectly).

[POORCARDEALER]

markmullen said:

AlfaManc said:

First of all, this is a cracking thread. I have been following from its inception and much appreciate the insights from the guys in the trade. Keep it going !

Onto my question. Say I wanted to purchase a car that had been traded in at a second hand dealer, and which they were going to punt on to trade because they don't deal with that marque. So, they have not and will not put the car up for sale at their dealership.

The dealer is not interested and would prefer to deal with trade. From what I made out, a sale to me would be a problem because I (as a private individual) would still have rights (SOGA maybe ?) in case a mechanical failure or other problem ensued. They are happy with the sum offered by trade versus any issues that may arise with the car in a direct sale. For my part, I would have been happy to treat it as a private sale as I can inspect and verify the history of the car. I think any deal is dead now, but am still interested in knowing whether a dealer would have options that would allow him to do something along the lines of a private sale. The guys I have spoken to at the dealership have been courteous so there are no complaints in their direction from me.

As a lot of people proudly trot out every time someone has tried to buy a car cheaply on such a basis then complain about it going wrong, a dealer can't sell on trade terms to a private buyer. Within the last couple of months we've had a few on PH who bought a car and were told it was sold as seen with no comeback, then kicked off when it broke.

Putting the legal aspect aside blame the idiots who are happy to agree to buy sold as seen with no comeback, and then expect 5* retail treatment when something goes wrong for the situation where dealers can't retail perfectly good but low end cars for fear of some cretin coming back spouting SOGA (usually incorrectly).

Complete no no .

[Butter Face]

I very very rarely supply friends and family with trade vehicles. But I purchase them and they pay me. I have them invoiced to myself. They also understand that they're being bought with no warranty and no comebacks, but more often than not they are very cheap trade cars for running into the ground etc.

I'd never sell a trade car to a retail person. Just more hassle than it's worth....

[After_Shock]

JonnyFive said:

Can you tell me how much a full service is on my car?

fk OFF WITH YOUR fkING STUPID QUESTIONS

I imagine getting asked this question is a lot like cretins asking you guys how much their car is worth, when it's at home on the drive and they can't remember the reg or mileage eh?

Wild, makes me wild

Ive had two good ones day.

1st - I am looking at a 2010 used car (not with us) its up at X price can you tell if im paying the right amount? Then the next question is how much is the next service on it?

2nd - Im looking at buying a used 2007 car (not with us) can you tell me when the engine will expire? Tried explaining (briefly) that an engine can only last as long as it lasts dependning on how its driven, cared for etc etc to the reply 'yes but I need to know how many miles the car will cover before it needs a new engine'!

Head, wall and banging come to mind.

[markmullen]

POORCARDEALER said:

Complete no no .

Indeed, I am merely explaining why.

[Grenoble]

Butter Face said:

I very very rarely supply friends and family with trade vehicles. But I purchase them and they pay me. I have them invoiced to myself. T

I'm surprised. I though the first rule of business was don't do business with friends or family...

[Butter Face]

Grenoble said:

Butter Face said:

I very very rarely supply friends and family with trade vehicles. But I purchase them and they pay me. I have them invoiced to myself. T

I'm surprised. I though the first rule of business was don't do business with friends or family...

I don't mind if it is sub £500 sheds. They know what they are getting themselves into then.

I have a couple of friends who just have a £500 car every year and if I can help them out I will

[Deva Link]

markmullen said:

Within the last couple of months we've had a few on PH who bought a car and were told it was sold as seen with no comeback, then kicked off when it broke.

Yesterday:

wjwren said:

Continued to drive it home and took it to Toyota today and they say it needs a new EGR and filter on the cat. £500. What are my legal rights. The car was a trade deal with no warranty etc

[markmullen]

Deva Link said:

markmullen said:

Within the last couple of months we've had a few on PH who bought a car and were told it was sold as seen with no comeback, then kicked off when it broke.

Yesterday:

wjwren said:

Continued to drive it home and took it to Toyota today and they say it needs a new EGR and filter on the cat. £500. What are my legal rights. The car was a trade deal with no warranty etc

Exactly.

[samvia]

Would any of the LR guys on here fancy underwriting a 62 plate Range Rover Westminster?

Black with cream leather, 15k miles and just been serviced at a dealer. Been offered 45k from the local dealer but we're still a few grand away from a deal.

Edit: forgot to mention, TDV8 powered.

Edited by samvia on Tuesday 5th March 12:26

[JonnyFive]

After_Shock said:

Ive had two good ones day.

1st - I am looking at a 2010 used car (not with us) its up at X price can you tell if im paying the right amount? Then the next question is how much is the next service on it?

2nd - Im looking at buying a used 2007 car (not with us) can you tell me when the engine will expire? Tried explaining (briefly) that an engine can only last as long as it lasts dependning on how its driven, cared for etc etc to the reply 'yes but I need to know how many miles the car will cover before it needs a new engine'!

Head, wall and banging come to mind.

Are you aftersales?

Ridiculous isn't it.

"I'm looking to buy so and so car from Mr Second Hand Car Sales, can you tell me bla bla bla information on it? Is it a good buy?"

I've got no fking idea!

[POORCARDEALER]

markmullen said:

Deva Link said:

markmullen said:

Within the last couple of months we've had a few on PH who bought a car and were told it was sold as seen with no comeback, then kicked off when it broke.

Yesterday:

wjwren said:

Continued to drive it home and took it to Toyota today and they say it needs a new EGR and filter on the cat. £500. What are my legal rights. The car was a trade deal with no warranty etc

Exactly.

Its a shame there isn't a legal way to sell the odd swopper to a sensible customer as seen.

[markmullen]

POORCARDEALER said:

Its a shame there isn't a legal way to sell the odd swopper to a sensible customer as seen.

It makes all sorts of lovely cheap old stuff unretailable.

[unrepentant]

Butter Face said:

I very very rarely supply friends and family with trade vehicles. But I purchase them and they pay me. I have them invoiced to myself. They also understand that they're being bought with no warranty and no comebacks, but more often than not they are very cheap trade cars for running into the ground etc.

I'd never sell a trade car to a retail person. Just more hassle than it's worth....

I was pretty surprised when I came over here to find that dealers can sell cars "as is". Anything over 100k miles or 10 years old is usually sold that way plus some others. I sold a $20k Range Rover as is when I first started. I'm not keen on selling them and fortunately don't have to very often but it's very clear that there is no warranty and we have the customer sign the "as is" statement. The word track I normally use is "If you drive over the kerb and the car breaks into two halves, you own both halves".

[After_Shock]

JonnyFive said:

Are you aftersales?

Ridiculous isn't it.

"I'm looking to buy so and so car from Mr Second Hand Car Sales, can you tell me bla bla bla information on it? Is it a good buy?"

I've got no fking idea!

Think customers think whatever job you do in the dealer you can answer every other departments questions!

On the used prices I just say if your happy paying that then yes its a good deal!