Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all (Vol. 2).

[911pleb]

Thank you for that very thorough run down.

I get it, but I still can't bring myself to accept having to pay 25% more than I could have done for the same car 3 days ago.

Maybe I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face. But if I bought
it now, Id just feel like I'd overpaid massively the whole time I'd own it which would ruin it for me.

Also, as I said, its already 2.5k more than the next most expensive one so regardless of knowing what I know now, they're still asking too much imo.

[anonymous-user]

1. Why are used car prices still high?
2. What is more reliable: CAP or BCA?
3. When are used car prices likely to come down?

[cuprabob]

Super_G said:

1. Why are used car prices still high?
2. What is more reliable: CAP or BCA?
3. When are used car prices likely to come down?

3. Just after you buy one

[Eyersey1234]

A question for anyone that was selling new cars in the late 1980s. I found a Ford training video on YouTube dating from the late 80s and in it they said their target was to sell 30 Sierras. Did any of the manufacturers specifically say your target is to sell 30 of this model, 20 of that model etc or did they just say your target is to sell 100 cars this month?

[The Rotrex Kid]

Eyersey1234 said:

A question for anyone that was selling new cars in the late 1980s. I found a Ford training video on YouTube dating from the late 80s and in it they said their target was to sell 30 Sierras. Did any of the manufacturers specifically say your target is to sell 30 of this model, 20 of that model etc or did they just say your target is to sell 100 cars this month?

We have a mix target sometimes, so we’re expected to sell X% of Y models but mostly it’s a number to hit.

[Fast Bug]

I have a model mix target, if I hit it I earn an additional bonus

[resolve10]

Currently going through the application process with a main dealer group (German manufacturer). I was surprised to learn that a unit sold is a unit sold, no incentive based on value or 'clearing the decks' of a certain model.

[The Rotrex Kid]

resolve10 said:

Currently going through the application process with a main dealer group (German manufacturer). I was surprised to learn that a unit sold is a unit sold, no incentive based on value or 'clearing the decks' of a certain model.

Good luck!

It’s normally the way, hence why some dealers don’t get hyped up or bothered about selling Halo models which can attract, er, interesting folk!

[Eyersey1234]

The Rotrex Kid said:

We have a mix target sometimes, so we’re expected to sell X% of Y models but mostly it’s a number to hit.

Thanks, I just wondered how accurate the video was, I know some of it will have been played up for effect.

[gl20]

911pleb said:

Thank you for that very thorough run down.

I get it, but I still can't bring myself to accept having to pay 25% more than I could have done for the same car 3 days ago.

Maybe I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face. But if I bought
it now, Id just feel like I'd overpaid massively the whole time I'd own it which would ruin it for me.

Also, as I said, its already 2.5k more than the next most expensive one so regardless of knowing what I know now, they're still asking too much imo.

I’ve probably missed the boat on this particular question but have bought and sold two Boxsters to an OPC so thought I’d comment. Firstly, the margin you describe isn’t unusual for Porsche. I was a little shocked the first time I sold a Boxster back to the OPC for £22k to see it for sale for £28k but that’s how it is with them. So £6k not £8k, but it was on a lower value car than what you’re looking at.

Papa3 provides a lot of good detail but one bit to add/refine is on prep. The level of prep follows strict guidelines at Porsche and depends on age, but they are really thorough. To give you a couple of examples:
- first boxster - only just in when I went to look at it. Dealer pointed out they’d be replacing dashboard panels due to one tiny scratch I’d not noticed.
- second boxster - we thought there was a bit of swirling on the front lid. Without asking the dealer did a front end respray to rectify.

Of course you may feel this is OTT and therefore frustrated that this sort of prep jacks up the cost unnecessarily from your perspective. But that’s how they roll. On the last one I bought for an advertised £48k we got about £2-3k discount. Not on the price (they hate doing that) but in An overinflated PEx - £24k for my BMW that was then advertised by a franchised dealer for £25.5k.

[Drawweight]

This has probably been asked a lot before but it’s about commission.

I’ve just bought a Fiesta from Arnold Clark for £15k

We were looked after by a very nice lady and my wife and I were idly wondering how much she would have made on that car?

Difficult to judge different companies of course but can you make an informed guess?

Is the commission usually per unit sold, a percentage of the sale price or a percentage of the sale/less trade in ie profit to the company?

[Anonymous-poster]

Drawweight said:

This has probably been asked a lot before but it’s about commission.

I’ve just bought a Fiesta from Arnold Clark for £15k

We were looked after by a very nice lady and my wife and I were idly wondering how much she would have made on that car?

Difficult to judge different companies of course but can you make an informed guess?

Is the commission usually per unit sold, a percentage of the sale price or a percentage of the sale/less trade in ie profit to the company?

It would depend on various things especially did you take finance, GAP, paint protection etc.

[The Rotrex Kid]

It varies massively from company to company. Some places get a fixed fee, others a % of profit, some both!

Anywhere from £20-£200 probably depending on their scheme/how they’re performing etc.

AC are supposedly one of the worst payers on commission so not a huge amount of money likely

[nickfrog]

robsco said:

Then you pay a warranty company to cover it.

That's normally only £12.56 though

[Toyoda]

How's this week been then?!

[anonymous-user]

Anonymous-poster said:

It would depend on various things especially did you take finance, GAP, paint protection etc.

I am guessing a powerfully built company director would refuse GAP, Paint Protection, Tyre Insurance etc. and just pay cash.

I am assuming in this situation they would make virtually nothing and if it is an in demand car not even really want to sell it to you?

[bzh1p9]

How's this week been then?!


With a lot of manufacturers closing LCV order banks ............ it is interesting

[Newton472]

Joey Deacon said:

Anonymous-poster said:

It would depend on various things especially did you take finance, GAP, paint protection etc.

I am guessing a powerfully built company director would refuse GAP, Paint Protection, Tyre Insurance etc. and just pay cash.

I am assuming in this situation they would make virtually nothing and if it is an in demand car not even really want to sell it to you?

All the crazy GAP/alloy wheel cover totally unnecessary add ons always remind me of the "Extended warranty how could I lose!" bit in the Simpsons.

https://youtu.be/Y-GxcejOlFA?t=148

[Jonny Wishbone]

Nothing wrong with GAP or alloy insurance; they're not for everybody but the products suit some people. The bone of contention is the price.

Paint "protection" from a dealer? Not so much.

[valiant]

Newton472 said:

All the crazy GAP/alloy wheel cover totally unnecessary add ons always remind me of the "Extended warranty how could I lose!" bit in the Simpsons.

https://youtu.be/Y-GxcejOlFA?t=148

Gap cover is a Godsend if you need to use it. It’s cheap if you buy away from the dealer and is designed to put you in a decent position to replace your car rather than worry about any shortfalls.

Other products are questionable admittedly in their value. I’ve had the alloy wheel insurance as I had spandangly diamond cut unobtainium wheels and one cracked. Limit of payout per wheel? £150. That went far They paid out very quick though...