Business advice welcome

[Martin Burnard]

I'll open this to everyone as you could all be a customer!

Over 14 years of running my own car sales business I have learned that I know nothing!

So do you lot know better?

Is it best to be a small business (12 cars or so) selling one group (eg VAG.) and get to know the little gremlins. This would make a diagnostic tool a viable option. BUT have a specific customer base. Problem is sourcing good stock in a narrow market.

OR

Generalise to appeal to a broader spectrum of customers. This makes the buying stock easier, but gremlin awareness a nightmare?

There the hanky is thrown to the floor:D


Pick it up and run with it.

I won't tell you what I stock at present as it may sway opinion (or not).

[dansansome]

hmm, difficult to give a definitive answer. while i dont wish to advise you what to do, i can let you know my mindset to enable you to survey your prospective market:

my own opinions are that i would happily buy from a dealer that stocked many makes, assuming all the paperwork etc tied up and in good order. but, after any warranty period expired (and the car was worth it) i would probably look to take the car to a specialist in that particular brand (unless i was really happy with any work done under warranty).

however, for trivial issues (new battery/tyres/more generic issues) i would probably be happy to take it to a non-specialist garage.

on a slightly different note, i think i may be persuaded to pay a little more for a car sold by a "specialist" as i would like to think that they have already checked out the vehicle, and sorted/checked any known gremlins that may be unknown to a general dealer.

theres my 2p anyway

[Martin Burnard]

.

on a slightly different note, i think i may be persuaded to pay a little more for a car sold by a "specialist" as i would like to think that they have already checked out the vehicle, and sorted/checked any known gremlins that may be unknown to a general dealer.

theres my 2p anyway

That is a good 2p worth!

My line of thought from there is that to be able to provide a customer with a report showing no logged faults would be good.

Good call.

Thanks

Martin

[Eshrules]

IMHO,

with the likes of 'car supermarket are us' etc..... i'd always prefer to go to a smaller dealer, who specialises in certain cars and KNOWS what the faults are on them, to fix them.

i can't believe for one second that a dealer actually likes to sell cars with faults, but stocking just the one/two/three marques, you specialise and refine your knowledge, which will in turn, allow you to give much better customer service and give people the faith they need when purchasing cars.

on a more personal note, if you stock just one or two marques, sourcing the right diagnostic equipment and basic tools (for usual routing repairs etc, garages aren't always required) would be a hell of a lot easier :beerchug:

[Martin Burnard]

IMHO,

on a more personal note, if you stock just one or two marques, sourcing the right diagnostic equipment and basic tools (for usual routing repairs etc, garages aren't always required) would be a hell of a lot easier :beerchug:

My line of thinking there.

Martin

[chrisvrscrx]

If I had my own small garage I think I would specialize in the VAG rang of cars.
Reasons below:

1. I like the VAG range

2. There is a fantastic forum to ask any questions I may have ;)

3. I could get to know the cars much better (mechanics etc)

4. I think people would buy again from me if i sold good quality cars at reasonable prices.

Just my thoughts of course.

[Eshrules]

The other good thing about VAG's of course is that there is a history with each model, they more or less sell themselves, so as long as you steer clear of 1.4 s golf chav lemons, you'll be fine :approve:

[Martin Burnard]

The range is huge when you consider the 4 main marques.

Diagnostic equipment is readily available as are parts. In the past I have concentrated on A4's and passats without shouting about it.

What I think I found was VAG group buyers are fussier (ie I must have this colour exterior, with this colour interior at this miles on this year) where as most people who buy ford or vauxhall tended to want a Mondeo or a vectra etc.

Is this fair or was it just my perception?

[dansansome]

hmm, well i bought a couple of fords and while i was picky about the model i wanted, exterior/interior colour had to take a back seat, as there werent many around to choose from. my choice was based on a combination of price, mileage and service history (as well as vehicle condition obviously)

however, my upgrade to an A4 cab this year has taken me a very long time to nail down exactly what i want, and tbh i still havent reached a full conclusion.

i have picked the wheels that i want, i have a choice of 2 colours (either must have black leather heated seats), i know i want the s-line, and i know i want certain options, so yeah i will be picky.

maybe when people decide to spend decent money on a VAG car, they fall into the mindset that "if im gonna do it, im gonna do it right" rather than making do. i know i want to...

or maybe the fussier spec requests are purely down to the fact that VAG cars have so many optional bits that people think they need.

[Martin Burnard]

Good point. I understand this on th emore expensive/ newer end of the market, but I find this tends to apply from £4000 up for VAG group, but £7000 up for Ford etc.

Then again it might be just my perception!

Thanks for the reply dansansome

[Eshrules]

i'd say that was a fair observation.

i was recently looking for a passat estate, either the sport or highline version, preferably in dark blue metallic, both Tdi, both at least 130bhp, under 80k, between £6k & £8k... i had quite specific requirements of each, so i understand what you mean.

just for future reference, if you manage to source a good example of either of these, i could be pursuaded into becoming a customer ;)


The range is huge when you consider the 4 main marques.

Diagnostic equipment is readily available as are parts. In the past I have concentrated on A4's and passats without shouting about it.

What I think I found was VAG group buyers are fussier (ie I must have this colour exterior, with this colour interior at this miles on this year) where as most people who buy ford or vauxhall tended to want a Mondeo or a vectra etc.

Is this fair or was it just my perception?

[Martin Burnard]

I shall keep my little eyes open!

[Clinterous]

Bananafrog! Where you thinking about doing Audi's?

I'm Plympton; whilst driving past an independent the other day who were specialising in Audi and BMW, I noticed they're doing Hyundai, or something similar. What I didn't notice is, if they're still doing Audi/BMW! Wonder why the change....

Whilst one could be the purveyor of one marque, I suspect the trouble is having the right model, in the right colour at the right time, and only vending one marque reduces your chances. EG the Audi/BMW trader in Plympton never seemed to have a 1.9tdi A6 Avants whilst I was looking - he said they were hard to get hold off. Whether that was true or other issues with that business...who knows.

Surely selecting popular models from different marques enchances the chances of success...so if you can't source particular VAG models, then at least you might be able to source one from Ford, one from Vhall etc etc.

The single marque idea may work if there's a good source - ie getting supplied by main dealer....but, then again, the risk of using one source exists.

[Martin Burnard]

Hi Clinterous,
You are correct with the the one make approach, it has it's problems.

I was thinking more of Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda as my preference, but with others thrown in for good measure.

[wardie112]

i would stick to what you know best. selling multi brands, as you deal with a wider range of the market. BUT being specialiast does hold some weight, especially in the higher end of the money say 20k plus. In my humble opinion, reputation via word of mouth is the best thing. that you can then provide constant loyal customers who will continue to return and then bring leads in the form of their friends, collegues etc. My point being that after I would buy a diesel from a diesel specialst, a 4x4 from a specialist. with the VAG brand there are lots & lots of models avail, so supplying good cars whilst adding value is invaluable. Plus if someone asked for a 3k Hyundi, I am sure you would have no probs sourcing that. :beerchug:

Ahh to have a forecourt filled with Quattro's.. let the dreaming commence.