How to sell?

[Steve*B]

rick-derby- said:

anybody think of any negatives,

In the medium term expect to be approached by AM. That's not a negative to you Rick, particularly as it would undoubtedly involve an offer of £££'s, but I did have a similar conversation with Kay during my visit and the more you offer the more you become a threat to AM's income stream. For everyone who uses you, including myself, I hope your asking price is high when it happens

[rick-derby-]

Been giving this loads of thought, and most issues are easily remedied, the payment of the car goes directly to the owner, Then we invoice the original owner for payment for our part, so the risk for non payment then becomes mine, Warranties, the Aston warranty without a doubt is the best one and as we are not in the dealer network we can not provide this, but there is nothing to stop the car before sale having a dealer check over and then an approved Aston Warranty added or extended, I think the biggest issue may be how I would want to handle sales that being any information we have good or bad would be passed to a perspective buyer, as in if the car has had bodywork(which a lot have and in most cases to a very high standard) this would be pointed out, Trade in's again can easily be sorted out I deal with many companies who sell hi spec cars not just Aston's, we could contact a number of these with the car details and then pass on the best offer,

Steve I would love to work closer with Aston or a Dealer more on the service side especially with the warranties , but a small fish in a big pond and with some of the plc's I am sure consider us as a thorn in their side, with their buying power with Aston they could or would or do restrict things on this side I understand that they are protecting their own interests, we have some great contacts with in the parts side, and nearly everything we have parts related are genuine parts so money does go back to Aston

[DSLiverpool]

Steve*B said:

rick-derby- said:

anybody think of any negatives,

In the medium term expect to be approached by AM. That's not a negative to you Rick, particularly as it would undoubtedly involve an offer of £££'s, but I did have a similar conversation with Kay during my visit and the more you offer the more you become a threat to AM's income stream. For everyone who uses you, including myself, I hope your asking price is high when it happens

Is that a serious post or are you teasing Rick ?

[g18]

rick
i think that knowledge and reputation is king in the specialist market. I my self have been in the motor trade for numerous years and with this sort of brand iam happy to travel 100 miles to let you look at my car.
i think/know that if you kept up the same level of reputation and service that you do with the mechanical side of things ,that even just on a sale or return basis you would be a most favourable option that would suit both buyer and seller, and would only do well.
when ever i mention my aston to some one ,I always tell them that if they fancied it ,it will go to you for a PDI and once over first and thats what everyone buying this type of vehicle wants .... expertise. Finance can be brokered and warranties can be farmed out(so you wouldnt have to get fsa registered) and the type of px's you will be getting ,would be prime stock for many prestige dealers to underwrite.
i think its a great move for you.

[Steve*B]

DSLiverpool said:

Is that a serious post or are you teasing Rick ?

Oh it's very serious. If you honestly believe that AM will ignore the levels of service, or more importantly the cost that Rick charges for that level of service, then, imho, you're wrong. You only have to read the levels of satisfaction owners on here experience with Rick and the distances some are prepared to travel to get it. This whole post is an example how ideas to take it even further, into sales, have been received by owners potentially wanting to avoid the margin rates of 'official' dealers.

Rick's service has a lot of USP's and in the 3 or so hours I was at his premises I could relate to a lot of what he was doing. I experienced the service aspect of an otherwise flawless dealership with dismay. My car, other than the first service, has subsequently been done by the Works and I'm happy with them. But having that 'Works' stamp in the book comes at a price that a lot of people wouldn't be happy paying. Rick helped me out at short notice on an aircon issue as well as throwing in some engine bay foam....for free. If I were considering selling my car would I consider Rick as a means of doing it...absolutely.

By your comment it would appear that you don't think Ricks set up, or ideas to incorporate a sales aspect, would have much impact? It's your opinion of course but having sold my business back in 2007 and having experienced/witnessed the enthusiasm behind the name on here I don't think that Rick becoming a target is at all a fantasy if the sales aspect is grown exponentially.

[bogie]

Aston dont own the dealer network though do they?

...so they have no control over independant traders surely?

..could I not stick a few cars outside my house and call myself an "Aston Martin specialist" or suchlike?

I could imagine that a local dealer less than a mile away probably wouldnt be best happy, but thats just business isnt it?

[cardigankid]

Steve, to the outsider what you said sounds a little like a conspiracy theory, but since I am convinced that LBJ had Kennedy assassinated, I am quite prepared to believe you.

Vis a vis official dealers, I have the impression that there is a big premium to pay, and there is a perception that their service and mechanical capabilities are a bit suspect. On the positive side Aston stands behind them.

I believe that I would rather buy a car with a warts and all report than simply put on a pair of rose tinted spectacles and trust in a warranty. I don't really have a lot of faith in warranties full stop.

Edited by cardigankid on Thursday 17th June 09:08

[mikey k]

Steve*B said:

rick-derby- said:

anybody think of any negatives,

In the medium term expect to be approached by AM. That's not a negative to you Rick, particularly as it would undoubtedly involve an offer of £££'s, but I did have a similar conversation with Kay during my visit and the more you offer the more you become a threat to AM's income stream. For everyone who uses you, including myself, I hope your asking price is high when it happens

IMHO THat is only likely to happy if AM feel Rick is eroding the dealers margin & turnover too much, TBH that is more the local dealers issue than AM
Or they think Rick can add more value and turnover in an area not currently covered by their current network.

Of course Rick is building a business and how he gets out of it when he wants to is I'm sure in his plan

[DSLiverpool]

Steve
AM dealer network are various companies not just one, they work as individuals not as a team when it comes to economics.
Say Ricks local dealer was concerned about losing servicing to Rick would they
A, Buy him out and have Ricks workshop as a satellite of their own (never happen)
B, Offer to employ Rick to get him off the landscape (I doubt Rick would ever let that happen)
C, Buy Ricks business and close it (even for an offer Rick couldnt refuse another AM workshop could pop up with Rick as a consultant)
D, Offer lower price servicing on 3 yo and above to try to tempt drivers back to them (already done partially successful)
E, None of the above and something I have missed ?