How do Car dealers work? How long do they expect to hold stock for..

[kth286]

The thing with the modern classic sellers is that they are not like mainstream dealers that rely on quick stock turnover to keep a fresh look.

The classic sellers ARE prepared for the long haul on some cars and they are also prepared to adjust the prices over time - which can well go upwards.

 

[sidmon]

sounds just like my place!

lol :d

 

[EDZ649]

It maybe depends on his accounts and his bank.

If he sells the car and drops the price he possibly takes a loss. But he's got the cash.

If he keeps the car and it's down on his balance sheet at some value. He's not actually taken the loss yet.

When times get really difficult and you have to satisfy other parties (eg. bank) as to your financial condition then your decision making may be entirely logical and yet apparently irrational at the same time.

When has a stealer ever taken a loss? Most have at least 2-3 grand in a car to play with, probably more!

 

[EDZ649]

What I meant was dont be agressive about it.. many try to patronise the dealer which is the best way of getting him annoyed!

id say electronics are probably lesser value to cars.. cant write them off as easily!

Works both ways, many dealers are very patronising too! Buyers get p****d off with being taken for mugs!

 

[Ierton]

The SL has been on PJ's site since before i got my licence.. over 9 years IIRC.. i remember looking at it thinking it was hideous even then.

I see PJ still has it .

 

[Palfrem]

He also has "Other Car's"

 

[Vlad]

The SL has been on PJ's site since before i got my licence.. over 9 years IIRC.. i remember looking at it thinking it was hideous even then.

Likewise I've been watching with facination just how long this hideous SL has been up for sale with Peter Jarvis.............it still gets advertised every month in the main Classic Car mags. You would have thought that the penny would have dropped by now and taking the bodykit off would sell the car. Either that or he's got too many cars in his stock to care.

 

[Ierton]

Did MCP Motorsport ever sell that Brunei R129?

 

[mika]

ive known of a classic car seller to be reluctant to part with a car after an in principle agreement to sell on the basis that a particular car looks good on his stock list - surely my offer wasnt so derisory

 

[grober]

Car dealers are just as human as the rest of us car buyers . Capable of rational thought but not always choosing to exercise it.

 

[Ierton]

Car dealers are just as human as the rest of us car buyers

Not sure about that. Most car dealers have more in common with Traffic Wardens than humans.

 

[geoff19]

everyone has a bad day.this salesman was not the right person to ask.ring back talk to the branch manager,explain your not a messer,but want to make a genuine offer on old stock.
normally they out cars after 90 days.offer him a deal that appeals,i.e no trade-in etc.
never give up if it is the car for you,he can only keep saying no for so long.

 

[billywhiz]

But why is it when you show interest but no final commitment on a car, that's been on there books for ages, they tell you that someone else is coming today with cash to view it and more than likely buy it....

No better than estate agents IMHO when it comes to sales twaddle

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm not exactly sure whose business it is to tell a car trader that he's wanting too much for a car he's got advertised?

Last time I looked, the second hand car market is based on supply and demand; if you like the look of a car but can't work a price out with the seller, you're are obviously wrong in your own valuation; if you don't like it, look elsewhere! You aren't forced to buy from one particular trader.

 

[Silver Arrow86]

You have to be fairly honest with them from the get go.

I love watching the tv-show wheeler dealers. The present tells it like it is, when it comes to buying. Watch his techniques..

I personally know a few dealers where im from, and when i go in, i normally chat for a while, etc view the car, start by listing all the good points, then the bad & your (informed - not out of the clouds) figures to fix any problems & then make an educated realistic offer. If he refuses, ask why? & then try to come to an agreement.

If your viewing a car worth x amount, your damn near the asking price anyway, and he knows it.

From my own experiences, Dealers have told me, especially with Mercedes Owners - While we are interested/follow certain makes/models - there will always be someone willing to buyit..therefore they can afford to keep cars at a set price.

With regards the old "someone else is coming in with cash...line" ask him roughly when that potential buyer is calling, go in a week later and if the cars still there, ask him why? if the buyer was coming with cash, maybe he spotted something you havent, or he believes its not worth that much either & the salesman will want rid of it..
It works both ways.

 

[mct_cars]

There's always the chance that its a customers / friends car that's been sold on commission. Doesn't matter how long it sticks about and looks good on the stock list (even if imho for the wrong reasons!).

Lets be honest, since this was put up for sale White has come back into fashion!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Car dealers sell cars for a living, the number who can afford not to sell them is pretty small. One classic car dealer has recently ceased trading as they didn't have the cash flow to carry on.

An idiot once asked if he could buy my 210 when I was shopping, I said I might but only for the right price. A bigger idiot gave him my number and he rang a week or so later. I mentioned the price I'd want to sell it for, he said he could buy a similar one off ebay for a third of that, so I suggested he buy the one on Ebay, then he said he could get one from a dealer for two thirds the price, so I suggested he go to the dealer to buy it. He was getting really annoyed while I was enjoying the wind up, in the end he called me f***ing mental, no offence, and rang off.

A wise bird recently suggested to me that you work out what it's worth to you, offer close to it, and if the dealer says no, just move on. You'll know pretty rapidly with them if a deal is possible.

 

[billywhiz]

.....
A wise bird recently suggested to me that you work out what its worth to you, offer close to it, and if the dealer says no, just move on. You'll know pretty rapidly with them if a deal is possible.

Yes that's what I did with mine, ok I paid over the odds a bit but I had to bear in mind that it only had one previous owner - which for what was then an 11 year old car was a rarity - It's condition & history to me after seeing the tat that was out there commanded a premium which I was prepared to pay.