Can owning a nice car be bad for business?
Discussion
I'm sure that most if not all petrol heads purchase the car they desire and do not care what others will think of it.
However I do read sometimes and hear first hand from people who have decided to avoid buying a certain car due to how it may be perceived.
I knew of a local builder who back in the 90's bought a Porsche. It was second hand, probably the equivalent of spending £20,000 on one today. He was convinced that he lost trade because of it.
Has anyone here encountered the same situation or been put off buying a nice car because you fear that customers may feel they are paying for the upkeep of said vehicle? Or they may feel that you are rolling in it and may not really need the business?
I'm sure of course there is an opposite to this in which some businesses need to prove themselves to certain clients by having nice cars on hand.
However I do read sometimes and hear first hand from people who have decided to avoid buying a certain car due to how it may be perceived.
I knew of a local builder who back in the 90's bought a Porsche. It was second hand, probably the equivalent of spending £20,000 on one today. He was convinced that he lost trade because of it.
Has anyone here encountered the same situation or been put off buying a nice car because you fear that customers may feel they are paying for the upkeep of said vehicle? Or they may feel that you are rolling in it and may not really need the business?
I'm sure of course there is an opposite to this in which some businesses need to prove themselves to certain clients by having nice cars on hand.
As a business owner we could run some really flash pool cars, however we don't as we do not want to give the impression we are not looking after our overheads, thus ensuring we can give our customers the best price.
It is sad, but people form opinions, even subconsciously, and you need all the advantages you can have to ensure you win that business/contract.
It's strange, but when working in Germany there seems to be an expectation that you are successful if you have a nice car.
My best advice really mirrors what you see above, choose a colour that is not to in your face, saloon or even better estates are much better than coupes.
Some industries might allow you to buck the trend a little of course, and if your day to day customer is driving a Porsche 911, they are less likely to be bothered by your M3! It might even be a shared interest. However if the business owner has a 911, but the buyer has a Prius, your back to square one.
It is sad, but people form opinions, even subconsciously, and you need all the advantages you can have to ensure you win that business/contract.
It's strange, but when working in Germany there seems to be an expectation that you are successful if you have a nice car.
My best advice really mirrors what you see above, choose a colour that is not to in your face, saloon or even better estates are much better than coupes.
Some industries might allow you to buck the trend a little of course, and if your day to day customer is driving a Porsche 911, they are less likely to be bothered by your M3! It might even be a shared interest. However if the business owner has a 911, but the buyer has a Prius, your back to square one.
Buster73 said:
I don't use my Porsche 911 for anything connected with my business , it always stays locked in the garage when anyone comes round home for quotes or estimates.
It can leave the wrong impression with some folk unfortunately .
Being a retired Chartered Accountant I know many former colleagues still practicing. Not one of them drives the weekend cars (Rolls/Bentley/Porsche etc) anywhere near their clients at any time. Invariably they run Audi's, Old BMW Seven Series or Volvos during the week. They never flaunt any sign of personal wealth in front of clients. Wisely in my view. It is very easy to offend unintentionally.It can leave the wrong impression with some folk unfortunately .
Yes. Recently had a window salesman rock up in a last gen SL. Now I know he probably bought it on ebay for £3000 and he could well post in the bargain barge thread for all I know. It looked well dodgy/flash harry (... went with them and they did a good job FWIW).
Something like a modern Avensis has a trustworthy look. Presentable but unpretentious, shows you're most interested in reliability.
Something like a modern Avensis has a trustworthy look. Presentable but unpretentious, shows you're most interested in reliability.
Stereotypes can be just as bad as perceived value. A client of mine has several private parking spaces in a busy Central London spot, which I've used on many occasions with their consent. I had to cringe once when once of the directors walked in and said he'd just had trouble parking because "some t
t had parked a fking great big black BMW in the other space". "Er, yes, that would be me!" (it was a 'dealer spec' black E65 with tinted rear windows and oversized wheels)
t had parked a fking great big black BMW in the other space". "Er, yes, that would be me!" (it was a 'dealer spec' black E65 with tinted rear windows and oversized wheels)I've always found this car psychology stuff interesting. Like people who park next to another car on an otherwise empty car park.
Regarding the builder with the Porsche, he used it as his everyday car aside from his work van. Probably if he'd garaged it and only used it at weekends he might not have had a problem.
Regarding the builder with the Porsche, he used it as his everyday car aside from his work van. Probably if he'd garaged it and only used it at weekends he might not have had a problem.
I'd see any negative perceptions about the car I'm driving to be a good indication that these are unlikely to be the kind of people I'd want to do business with. What else should I do to pass this mysterious test, claim I live in tent and take holidays in Skegness? By the same token, I couldn't care less what someone quoting me drives. A price is a price regardless.
A plumber I know through a car forum as a Audi TTS, beautiful nick, hardly drives the thing tbh. (Appreciate not Ferrari etc but the point about perceived wealth is the same).
His van broke down once and so he took the TT Convertible with assorted plumbing parts etc on the job instead. He got asked by the client "What kind of plumber drives a car like that?!"
"A good one," he replied. lol
His van broke down once and so he took the TT Convertible with assorted plumbing parts etc on the job instead. He got asked by the client "What kind of plumber drives a car like that?!"
"A good one," he replied. lol
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