genegenie

My terrano is outside all year round, during the last cold snap we had the locks froze solid but id no problem with the fuel. The place i buy it from told me they add some form of antifreeze to prevent it waxing.

leighbloke

That is precisely what is wrong with 99% of the shops/outlets around today - sales people really think that - chasing the buck and rag all service - scum!!

As you say fair dos for petrol & many food stuffs. But even for simple stuff like clothes & shoes - what is the on-cost to the actual product, and therefore us "the consumer" to cover returns for selling the "wrong" thing, or say in the the electrical goods market the lack of understanding when some pimple faced moron sells an arthritic granny a TV with remote buttons so small she sends the OS into meltdown everytime she changes channels?

I'm pleased you as car salesman pointed this out - it gives some honesty back to a profession that lets be blunt - is full of thieves and liars.

zel

We'll you are probably aware from the help I give on this forum(s) that yeah we do actually know what we're doing when it comes to selling automobiles, in fact there is not much we do not know and that's probably why we've been around for 30 odd years and not had one single complaint, not one!

I would like to point out that the advice I give has always been free and I do not do it to tout for business, to be completely honest we have NEVER sold a vehicle to a user of this forums as far as I'm aware.

But yes, it does have a extremely bad image and rightly so, as most people don't know what they're doing or think it's just 'part of the game' the rip people off, it's pitiful and shameful but that's the fact of the matter unfortunately. Luckily in our market place we don't have to associate ourselves with these types as to be completely frank, if we did I wouldn't be doing it.

Believe it or not last year was my first UK car auction and boy was that an eye opener. I always imagine the Arthur Daley char was just blown out of proportion for TV sake... Not anymore! I was shocked what I witnessed!

For me personally selling the types of cars we do is not the only thing I do, but it's my passion as I respect the design/engineering that goes into the stuff we sell and love it when clients expect to get messed around, but do not and get a genuine product, for a genuine price with the full knowledge of our experience and help even years after selling them the vehicle.

Thankfully we've passed the stage of having to punt for business, most of our client base is selling to the trade or old repeat clients or friends of clients who have recommended us to them. But to be completely honest, if we had to start again it wouldn't be to hard as like you said in this industry it's rare to find someone you can trust, or actually knows about the vehicle in question or better alternatives.

It's nice to know what you're selling, but unfortunately as you've said it's rare these days in all walks of life!

bil

Rugbymatt, you are plainly no fool, my take on this is based on a degree of paranoia and the certainty that when it comes to chasing taxes and screwing you over if you are in the wrong, C&E have no equal.

As to costs of fuel. Diesel has shot up, IMO because they figured that once its cheapness had lured people into using it, they could screw the price up.

Alba-gu-brath

When you start to use veg oil it will clear all of the dirt in the fuel pipes and clog the filter but once you change the original filter (after 1000 miles) you should have no problems you can use up to a 50/50 mix in summer but in winter change to 70/30 or you could buy a veg oil conversion kit that heats the oil and run on only veg oil . In spain you may get away with using more veg oil in the mix due to the heat like 20/80
what is the cost of veg oil in spain?

leighbloke

I might steer clear of the smart - but when the M5 gets too pedestrian for you, give me a bell.

leighbloke

I cannot believe you said that out loud!!!!

bil

Maniac, degenerate, smart alec, possibly but at least not stupid.

john1979

A friend i played golf with today filled up in Gibraltor yesterday for 55p a litre. Useless info but i am drunk after a crap day on the course and rather sunburnt

zel

The Smart is a brilliant idea! and the new ones drive really well (the first MK1 edition didn't like speed humps and had a small fuel tank) and to be honest off the mark it leaves most things behind (in normal city driving conditions) weirdly enough!

You can't beat 90+ MPG in the Smart CDI it makes all these stupid hybrids look a complete waste of time (which they are for the most part imo!)

My M5 is purely there to stomp around Europe in and the Tescos run Not to mention it doesn't inspire confidence if you turn up to a clients house wanting an Enzo in a Smart car

At least that's how I justify it to myself (and the other half)

jdr

Good post Zel, your info is always top class and spot on replies on motoring in Europe and you are a very welcome contributor to the Europe forums. Keep up the good work.

rugbymatt

and that was actually the point I made.





The other point I was making was that you did make an assumption that he was maybe a "snyde" mason or person, I have no problem or issue with what you do, I was simply using it as an example of how people can make a judgement of something we know bugger all about.

rugbymatt

would that be like a pre-heater?

Ragomuffin

That seems fair and square!

zel

Thanks mate, it's nice to feel appreciated!

I'm in your neck of the woods next month for a meeting, I'll let you know nearer the time of the pub I shall be in if you want a pint on me!