Turning up at client sites in a flash car?
Discussion
Just been having a discussion at work about this and wondered what is thought acceptable.
My view is that the flashier the car, the more successful you look and so the more reputable your business appears to the client.
Sure, some people may think they pay too much, but often these are those in a lower position and therefore have less decision-making authority on supplier choice.
My view is that the flashier the car, the more successful you look and so the more reputable your business appears to the client.
Sure, some people may think they pay too much, but often these are those in a lower position and therefore have less decision-making authority on supplier choice.
I would say positive in the "sales" kind fo jobs.
Less productive in others.
Depends on individual peopl.
A lot of people I have worked with are very much into their cars. So the car park would have GTR, E-Type replica, Lotus elise, Westfield, Stagea, Bristol and a Spitfire on most days.
I think most people don't care, unless they aren't doing well themselves and jealousy comes into it.
Less productive in others.
Depends on individual peopl.
A lot of people I have worked with are very much into their cars. So the car park would have GTR, E-Type replica, Lotus elise, Westfield, Stagea, Bristol and a Spitfire on most days.
I think most people don't care, unless they aren't doing well themselves and jealousy comes into it.
I think that most people do not believe that a flashy car symbolises how successful a company is, they are more likely to see it as an insult in respect of how much they are paying for your fees.
I can honestly say that the number one complaint I receive about company directors where the business is failed is about the car they drove and how flashy it was. Most people consider it tasteless and arrogant to turn up at client sites in a flashy car.
What's the first thing you want them to think of when they have to pay your fees? How good the service is or how much of that is paying for your car?
I can honestly say that the number one complaint I receive about company directors where the business is failed is about the car they drove and how flashy it was. Most people consider it tasteless and arrogant to turn up at client sites in a flashy car.
What's the first thing you want them to think of when they have to pay your fees? How good the service is or how much of that is paying for your car?
wolf1 said:
Depends on what you consider as flash. I'd plumb for respectable and stylish without looking like I charge too much.
That's the bottom line. Anything which is "flash" means you charge to much. I had a fellow turn up to give me a quote once, he was in an SL55 AMG. For some reason his quote was triple that of the fellow who came round in a Renault....
I would say it depends on the line of work, and what your representing. To me it can rub me up the wrong way I remember doing some late nights systems work years ago. 4am on the Sunday morning and we ran across a problem that required the specialist on site to request the owner of the supplying company to drive into there office to send him some code.
When he put the phone down he said "I wonder if he'll use the Lambo or the Farrari"
Needless to say this was not the best comment to make at that moment, specially as we ended up rolling it back and trying again a few weeks later.
When he put the phone down he said "I wonder if he'll use the Lambo or the Farrari"
Needless to say this was not the best comment to make at that moment, specially as we ended up rolling it back and trying again a few weeks later.
Edited by eddie1980 on Friday 19th June 15:13
Fittster said:
Most people won't know what car you turned up in. I can't see the visitors car park and I don't follow suppliers out of the office to check what car they drive.
If I'm passing the car park & notice a nice or unusual car, I will admit to sneaking a look in the visitors book to see who's it is.
Jasandjules said:
wolf1 said:
Depends on what you consider as flash. I'd plumb for respectable and stylish without looking like I charge too much.
That's the bottom line. Anything which is "flash" means you charge to much. I had a fellow turn up to give me a quote once, he was in an SL55 AMG. For some reason his quote was triple that of the fellow who came round in a Renault....
ks. The chap in the renault probably has a fleet of Veyrons.Jasandjules said:
wolf1 said:
Depends on what you consider as flash. I'd plumb for respectable and stylish without looking like I charge too much.
That's the bottom line. Anything which is "flash" means you charge to much. I had a fellow turn up to give me a quote once, he was in an SL55 AMG. For some reason his quote was triple that of the fellow who came round in a Renault....
In reality, I tend to agree however. There is no need to come across excessive.
Jasandjules said:
wolf1 said:
Depends on what you consider as flash. I'd plumb for respectable and stylish without looking like I charge too much.
That's the bottom line. Anything which is "flash" means you charge to much. I had a fellow turn up to give me a quote once, he was in an SL55 AMG. For some reason his quote was triple that of the fellow who came round in a Renault....
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/874321.htm
or
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1099598.htm
you would assume hes expensive and flash.
look at this:
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/list.asp?g=1&o=...
all for the price of a new BMW 3 Series that would not be as flash.
I call that being sensible with money.
I think it depends massively on the type of job you do and the firm you work for, and if the client has any idea about cars other that what they see on top gear.
For example I work for a very small firm and used to regualary turn up to client in my Alfa GTV ( while this was cheap, 2nd hand and well used) but because I kept it shiny and bright for the "assistnant" to have that parked on the office drive it wound some people up, granted the ones who know nothing about cars, but it got there back up comments where made to me about billing and all sorts. This was when times were good and they were making money now they wouldn't like it one bit.
Not one of them batted an eyelid when boss got brand new ML, or turned up in his SL or wifes SLK but they got the hump when I turned up in my 1-2K ( on a very very very good day) GTV not because it was expensive but because it wasn't the most common car in the world and looked a "bit flash"
If I had been at a bigger firm I doubt it would have even been an issue.
For example I work for a very small firm and used to regualary turn up to client in my Alfa GTV ( while this was cheap, 2nd hand and well used) but because I kept it shiny and bright for the "assistnant" to have that parked on the office drive it wound some people up, granted the ones who know nothing about cars, but it got there back up comments where made to me about billing and all sorts. This was when times were good and they were making money now they wouldn't like it one bit.
Not one of them batted an eyelid when boss got brand new ML, or turned up in his SL or wifes SLK but they got the hump when I turned up in my 1-2K ( on a very very very good day) GTV not because it was expensive but because it wasn't the most common car in the world and looked a "bit flash"
If I had been at a bigger firm I doubt it would have even been an issue.
oyster said:
Just been having a discussion at work about this and wondered what is thought acceptable.
My view is that the flashier the car, the more successful you look and so the more reputable your business appears to the client.
Sure, some people may think they pay too much, but often these are those in a lower position and therefore have less decision-making authority on supplier choice.
In my experience, the flasher the car the more resntful a client is more likely to be. In the end it just comes down to jealousy, people don't like others to have better, or be equal than themselves.My view is that the flashier the car, the more successful you look and so the more reputable your business appears to the client.
Sure, some people may think they pay too much, but often these are those in a lower position and therefore have less decision-making authority on supplier choice.
On the occasions we've had complaints, when a client is trying to tell us who they dealt with they usually come out with things like "The one driving that flash f
king motor", etc, etcI drive a Z4 worth about £10k and an 8 series worth less than that. People always comment on it, especially the 8. "Flash Car" "How do you afford that" etc.
Cheaper than your Vectra says I.
One of the Directors at our place when I first joined commented that it was lovely and "what was it... about £30k?" - as if. That was about the Z4!
When I see clients, I always try and park out of the way simply due to this, what some people see as a £10k car, others see as an "at least £30k car" which for a 23 year old 'trainee' isn't the best.
Cheaper than your Vectra says I.
One of the Directors at our place when I first joined commented that it was lovely and "what was it... about £30k?" - as if. That was about the Z4!
When I see clients, I always try and park out of the way simply due to this, what some people see as a £10k car, others see as an "at least £30k car" which for a 23 year old 'trainee' isn't the best.
Edited by AB on Friday 19th June 16:50
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff