Silly trade in price at large MINI dealership

trant · 12-11-2007 10:22pm #1

Hi,

I have been looking for a nice Cooper S for quite a while. I spotted a lovely '06 one with Chili Pack, Harmon Kardon, 17" alloys, panoramic sunroof, xenons and leather in a well known MINI dealer in Dublin, priced at €34,000.

I drive a 2006 Golf 1.6 Sportline with 32k kms on the clock. Mint condition with full VW service history. I had a figure in my mind of about €21 - €22k trade in for my car, and figured I'd get the MINI for €30k at the very most - considering it's the end of the year and they'd be trying to get rid of it. That would equate to ~ €9k to change at most, which I was happy with.

When it came down to money the salesperson did his calculations and wanted €16k to change! I nearly burst out laughing at him when he said this, but he was deadly serious. He was offering me €18k for my car, and not budging on the asking price of the MINI. This was considering that my parents spent a lot of money on a 3-Series in the same garage only 4 months ago.

What I'm really looking for is other people's experiences in MINI dealerships trading in non-franchise cars (i.e. VW etc), and the kind of money you got for your cars. Ned78, if you have anything you could add I'd appreciate it - I'm completely and utterly amazed at the money the guy was looking for to change for a MINI the same year as the car I'm trading in, it just doesn't make sense!

Thanks for the advice, and sorry for the long post.

Lawdie · 12-11-2007 10:31pm

trant wrote: »

offering me €18k for my car

Trant not rubbing salt into the wound, but more than likely he was pricing your car at less than 18k when you account for vehicle discounting. I did not check carzone etc for either models but my only advice is shop around.

Also try outside of county. They "sometimes" appreciated D registered cars. Assuming you golf is D reg of course.

Your right not to jump at any temptations. Trading is about negotiation, he may be holding off to see how keen you are...

CrowdedHouse · 12-11-2007 10:48pm

Maybe because it's near the end of the year and not being a VW dealer,they wouldn't expect to sell your car quickly so they're offering a 3 yr old/2005 price.

MugMugs · 12-11-2007 10:56pm

I went to a well known Toyota dealer across the road from a well known Mini dealer in Dublin with a 03 Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.2 with 30K on the clock last year......

I was offered €2k...

Reserve your Skoda jokes but I would have gotten more in salvage value !

Pretty typical of these "Stealerships"

JoeA3 · 12-11-2007 11:02pm

Your car is 2 years old. Its the 1.6, which a dealer will find harder to shift than an equivalent 1.4. The premium you paid for the 1.6 engine is gone. You are trying to trade outside the VW dealer network. As far as I know, Mini's have virtually no discounts available, new or secondhand. 22k would seem a bit on the optimistic to me to be honest.
All the above are among the reasons you're car is worth less than you thought it was.

drdre · 13-11-2007 12:24am

18k is good for your car with high milage.Also its a 1.6 so hard to shift.He might give you abit more if you talk to him nicely.

bazz26 · 13-11-2007 2:14am

You are trading a fairly common family hatchback model in against a niche model which don't last on forecourts that long. The dealer can probably afford to be fussy and hold out for a suitable price on the MINI. The MINI has one of the lowest depreciation figures around as demand is strong for them, so they are fetching silly money used. The laws of supply and demand apply. I know it sucks but that's the way it is unfortunately.

Similar thing seems to be happening with the Nissan Qashcow at the moment. Used models are fetching silly money because they are hard to find and people want them.

All you can do is shop around really and see if you can get a better deal.

Gatster · 13-11-2007 9:11am

Probably not much use to you as a trade-in can't be arranged, but a friend of mine has an '07 Cooper S (new model) which I know he is selling for under €30k, still under warranty, only done about 4k miles. Not sure of the spec, PM me if interested. Selling because he's emigrating, so open to negotiation I think.

trant · 13-11-2007 9:54am

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I was being a little overly optimistic about my trade-in value, but it was the guy's attitude that annoyed me more than anything.

Dre, my car has done 32k kms, not miles (this equates to 20k mls). I don't think that's high mileage for a car that's nearly 2 years old.

I might try and sell my car privately, and buy a MINI with cash.

Thanks for the input lads.

Owen · 13-11-2007 10:00am

Hi Trant,

Was out of the house last night, so I missed this thread. 18k would be the trade value of your car. So if you go against a MINI, that's pretty much what you'll get. I'm sure if you went against a different brand, they'd use the margin in their car to prop up the trade in. For example, if you went for an Almera, you'd probably get 21/22k for yours, or if you went for a 7 Series, you might get 28k for yours. It's just down to how much money is in the car you're looking at ... but every garage would have the car costing the same.

Think of it this way, a good way to shop for a car is to negotiate a straight sale price, then introduce the part exchange. That way, you can see the discount in each car, and see what kind of a deal you're really getting.

I know it's disappointing against a MINI, I face the same issue every day. But it is the norm unfortunately.

CarLover · 13-11-2007 10:00am

trant wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I was being a little overly optimistic about my trade-in value, but it was the guy's attitude that annoyed me more than anything.

Dre, my car has done 32k kms, not miles (this equates to 20k mls). I don't think that's high mileage for a car that's nearly 2 years old.

I might try and sell my car privately, and buy a MINI with cash.

Thanks for the input lads.

Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is. Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

Selling privately is the way to go...but be prepared to wait. You won't sell it this side of Christmas unless it's for nothing. Everyone is waiting for January/February.

oilsheik · 13-11-2007 10:27am

JoeA3 wrote: »

Your car is 2 years old. Its the 1.6, which a dealer will find harder to shift than an equivalent 1.4. The premium you paid for the 1.6 engine is gone. You are trying to trade outside the VW dealer network. As far as I know, Mini's have virtually no discounts available, new or secondhand. 22k would seem a bit on the optimistic to me to be honest.
All the above are among the reasons you're car is worth less than you thought it was.

Joe A3 is spot on..... but don't expect a VW dealer to give you much of a premium eiither. OP I'm in a similar position to you I have a 1.6 Sportline and last month odered a new A5 the best trade-in I got for the Golf was 18.6k the worst 16.9k so 18k isn't that bad.

Owen · 13-11-2007 10:37am

CarLover wrote: »

Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is.

You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.

CarLover wrote: »

Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.

trant · 13-11-2007 10:54am

CarLover wrote: »

Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low. They'll bite your arm off when times are hard. Over the past 5-10 years they've never had it so good...so they've gotten very cocky and forgotten who the real boss is. Most of them know squat about your car. I've had to explain specs to some dealers...

Selling privately is the way to go...but be prepared to wait. You won't sell it this side of Christmas unless it's for nothing. Everyone is waiting for January/February.

While my thread was a bit of a rant, it was not a stab at the motor industry in general. I know quite a few garage owners and they are very nice people.

I don't think that car salesmen are the lowest of the low. Admittedly, they do have things quite good at the moment (ease of credit, people with more disposable income). However, ned78 is right - customers can be extremely deceitful towards garages also.

CarLover · 13-11-2007 11:02am

ned78 wrote: »

You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.

Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.

As a matter of fact...yes I do expect that. Funny that eh?
I've worked in software development for many years and now work in the Sales and Marketing side of the business...representing technology. My work consists of travelling all over the world talking to customers...selling our products and knowing the business. If I can't talk about all the various messaging buses, protocols, hardware, software development methodologies...basically the whole shebang, then I'll look stupid.

Oh....and before you answer. What I really expect is for car dealers to know about the cars they're selling...if you don't know your own product then you're an idiot. That's my take on it. That also includes all the trade ins on their forecourt. I remember looking at a Lexus IS200 in a well known Toyota dealership a couple of years back and the dealer knowing sweet fa about the car. "Lexus make great cars" is about all he could tell me...
Sorry for turning this into a car salesman rant. I'm aware that they're not all bad. I've met a few good honest ones.
I'm sure you're a good one...

As for there's enough Delboys out there - I'd personally say there's more delboys than honest traders. If you want I can ping you and personally name all the stealers I've met and spoken to who are so bent they met me wearing sheepskin jackets and gold jewellery

Owen · 13-11-2007 11:07am

CarLover wrote: »

As a matter of fact...yes I do expect that. Funny that eh?
I've worked in software development for many years and now work in the Sales and Marketing side of the business...representing technology. My work consists of travelling all over the world talking to customers...selling our products and knowing the business. If I can't talk about all the various messaging buses, protocols, hardware, software development methodologies...basically the whole shebang, then I'll look stupid.

It's a whole different market! There are over 10000 possible combinations of MINI equipment alone. And that's just one manufacturer.

CarLover wrote: »

Sorry for turning this into a car salesman rant. I'm aware that they're not all bad. I've met a few good honest ones. I'm sure you're a good one...

Cheers

CarLover wrote: »

As for there's enough Delboys out there - I'd personally say there's more delboys than honest traders. If you want I can ping you and personally name all the stealers I've met and spoken to who are so bent they met me wearing sheepskin jackets and gold jewellery

Ah now you're being harsh. My watch is stainless steel

MercMad · 13-11-2007 11:23am

ned78 wrote: »

You should try it from our perspective too sometimes. Customer who lie about bodywork, mileage, tyres, mechanical condition, spec on their car. Lie about the deals they're being 'offered' and when they can get cars delivered. It's a funny old market, and blame lies squarely down the middle. Unfortunately, it's when a person gets the wrong dealer once or twice they'll tell 200 people. And there are enough Delboys out there who give the trade a bad name.

Having said that CarLover, it's you're money. If you don't like dealing with one place, then go to another.

Do you honestly expect every Dealer in the country to know the name of every metallic paint from every manufacturer? To know what an SE, SXE, Sport, Chenelle, Executive, Avantgarde, Chili Pack, Works model is? To know what bhp every car is? A Car Dealer will know about the brand he sells, and if you're very lucky, about one or two others as well. You can't go into a Sony shop, and ask the guy about the Beko TV around the corner.

............I agree completely with you ned78, having been involved with selling cars also ! I see it from Carlovers point of view too !

The way it is now is that there is such a demand for new cars, particularly "specialist cars", most dealerships have a certain amount of "order takers" posing as salesmen. They have it their own way where, as in this case, demand exceeds supply. They wont discount the new cars and hold out for the sweet deals.

I think €22k for the Golf is a bit high, you claim the car has average mileage for a 2 year old car, yet you seem to be looking for the price for a 1 year old.

The other thing I would say, and I have proved this sevreal times over the last 3 or 4 years, shop around, particularly outside Dublin.

My SIL traded her 04 Megane for a new Passat in 2006 and she saved €4000 over the prices she recieved from several Dublin dealers. Yes you read correctly €4000 !!

Most Dublin dealers are stuck for space and simply offer you the trade price for your car so they can move it on instantly ! You need a dealer who will value what you have and see the value in retailing the car !

Bets of luck...............but why change your 2006 Golf anyway ? It seems a bit premature, and you will pay through the nose for the priviledge !

CarLover · 13-11-2007 11:24am

ned78 wrote: »

It's a whole different market! There are over 10000 possible combinations of MINI equipment alone. And that's just one manufacturer.

I'm not talking about every nut and bolt here...the basics would be nice.

You should try working in IT. The array of technologies and legacy systems is mindboggling!!!

ned78 wrote: »

Cheers

Ah now you're being harsh. My watch is stainless steel

It was your stainless steel watch that made me think you were one of the honest ones...

MercMad · 13-11-2007 12:12pm

How do you get the gold paint to stick to the stainless steel, I've been trying for ages !!

Owen · 13-11-2007 12:16pm

CarLover wrote: »

You should try working in IT. The array of technologies and legacy systems is mindboggling!!!

I did, for years!

CarLover · 13-11-2007 12:19pm

ned78 wrote: »

I did, for years!

Fair enough...you're a good man in my book so. I'll give you a shout next time I'm buying a motor

skyhighflyer · 13-11-2007 12:42pm

Get your Golf a professional valet inside and out, take some good pics of it and put it on Carzone / Autotrader and put a for sale sign in the window.

Get the best price you can for it and go over to to the UK to buy a higher specced, cheaper MINI with the added advantage of serious bargaining power that having a wad of cash in your back pocket brings.

It's not for everyone, but I'd be deep in the cold ground before some car sales cowboy would take me for a ride like that.

colm_mcm · 13-11-2007 2:28pm

I'm sure a lot of buyers would prefer a 07 1.4 Golf with aircon. 22k seems excessive.

gratusa · 13-11-2007 4:14pm

Hey there!

I got a new 2007 Mini Cooper last Saturday. I had a 2006 high spec Renault Megane which I paid 23k for. When I attempted to trade it in against a mini dealer in Cork I was offered 8950 and this was 500 more than another mini garage I had previously priced!!! The car was perfect! Recently had a full service and immaculate condition! There was 30K on the clock!

So my Renault and I looked and carzone and made a few appointments down the country! I went to Wexford last weekend and I got 7k more for my car!!! Yes I got 16k in Wexford for my car! It just proved the price differences that are out there!!!

I love the mini - it's worth every penny!

milltown · 13-11-2007 10:05pm

Your cost to change will depend on the dealer for a number of reasons. If it's Frank Keane's who insulted you then definitely try other dealers. Their hands are very much tied when it comes to taking trade ins. Their agreement with BMW/MINI does not allow them to sell any other marques off the forecourt so they are forced to sell them into the trade at trade prices. No mark up from selling your car on. Duffy's can sell your Golf through their Mazda centre and further out the likes of McKeon's in Kells and Barry's in Galway have multi franchise dealerships, giving them the chance to retail your trade in.

Also, the second hand market differs a bit from new cars, even more so with MINIs and BMWs. Any dealer can get you the new car you're after and it'll cost them all pretty much the same, so the deal is cut on who offers you the best deal for your own car. In second hand, the chances of finding the same year, mileage and spec in the car you want anywhere else are very slim. This, unless you aren't fussy, strengthens the dealer's hand I'm afraid.

In an ideal world you'd sell your car privately for close to what you think it's worth and buy your MINI with cash for a bit of discount and a service or two thrown in. Unfortunately, second hand cars don't move too quick (generally) and the car you're after will either be gone by the time you have the money, or you'll end up with two cars for god knows how long.

L-M · 13-11-2007 11:48pm

There mother was looking at tradin up from a 05 to 07 golf there near end of september, i know it was a fleet golf she was lookin at but for a 2005 1.4 Comfortline she was offered 16,500.... The dealer then told her to come back next year and change, she'd get more (ie. value for money) for her own car. If ur tradin a 1.6 Golf and since it's only near 2 years old ur going to take a big hit...

DonJose · 14-11-2007 12:19am

CarLover wrote: »

Car salesmen...I've said it before...the lowest of the low.

Totally agree, complete scum.

L-M · 14-11-2007 12:21am

DonJose wrote: »

Totally agree, complete scum.

Now lads, lets not be sayin things we can't be taking back:rolleyes:

DonJose · 14-11-2007 12:27am

Limerick-man wrote: »

Now lads, lets not be sayin things we can't be taking back:rolleyes:

I'll take it back IF I actually meet an honest dealer

Back on topic, that dealer who offered €18k fits my stereotype, a search of Carzone for your cars spec brings up the following price range €23,750 - €20,750

http://tinyurl.com/2o9t4l

colm_mcm · 14-11-2007 12:33am

do you think a 06 petrol Golf is worth €23,750

Guy:Incognito · 14-11-2007 12:36am

DonJose wrote: »

I'll take it back IF I actually meet an honest dealer

Back on topic, that dealer who offered €18k fits my stereotype, a search of Carzone for your cars spec brings up the following price range €23,750 - €20,750

http://tinyurl.com/2o9t4l

Would you pay that for one?

Say your happy paying the lower end of that scale, what price shoudl the dealer have taken the car for, allowing a profit (otherwise why would he be in business)

DonJose · 14-11-2007 12:44am

colm_mcm wrote: »

do you think a 06 petrol Golf is worth €23,750

Its worth a lot more than €18k, more like €20-21k.

DonJose · 14-11-2007 12:49am

Stekelly wrote: »

Would you pay that for one?

Say your happy paying the lower end of that scale, what price shoudl the dealer have taken the car for, allowing a profit (otherwise why would he be in business)

A similar model/mileage at a VW dealership is selling for €21,750, he should get at least €20k.

http://www.volkswagen.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=775575

Owen · 14-11-2007 12:53am

DonJose wrote: »

A similar model/mileage at a VW dealership is selling for €21,750, he should get at least €20k.

Against a VW? For sure. Against a MINI, no. And it's not debatable, that's how it is. There is a tiny, tiny margin in MINIs, and if you honestly knew how much profit we washed out in a deal, you'd laugh. And before you rant away DonJose, I have no motivation to lie to you. What I'm saying is the truth.

Guy:Incognito · 14-11-2007 12:55am

DonJose wrote: »

A similar model/mileage at a VW dealership is selling for €21,750, he should get at least €20k.

http://www.volkswagen.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=775575

Thats not what I asked though. Would you be happy parting with 20k of your money for that car? Plus, what should he have given for a trade in? 21k and lose 1k?

DonJose · 14-11-2007 1:03am

Stekelly wrote: »

Thats not what I asked though. Would you be happy parting with 20k of your money for that car? Plus, what should he have given for a trade in? 21k and lose 1k?

I actually own that model and I paid over €30k for it new, but I got it with a ton of extras. I've no intention of selling mine as I've experienced no problems and have done over 40,000km in under 18 months. If my car was a write off I'd gladly pay €20-21k for a similar model.

Guy:Incognito · 14-11-2007 1:10am

DonJose wrote: »

I actually own that model and I paid over €30k for it new, but I got it with a ton of extras. I've no intention of selling mine as I've experienced no problems and have done over 40,000km in under 18 months. If my car was a write off I'd gladly pay €20-21k for a similar model.

But by your reasoning the dealer should make no profit/lose money taking the car in and spending time/money cleaning,serviceing, giving warranty and paying a salesman to sell it to you?

DonJose · 14-11-2007 1:42am

Stekelly wrote: »

But by your reasoning the dealer should make no profit/lose money taking the car in and spending time/money cleaning,serviceing, giving warranty and paying a salesman to sell it to you?

Of course the dealer will make a profit, even buying the car at €20k and selling at €21.5k he'll make a least €1.5k profit. Taking the car at €18k he'll make over €3k profit.

Guy:Incognito · 14-11-2007 1:58am

DonJose wrote: »

Of course the dealer will make a profit, even buying the car at €20k and selling at €21.5k he'll make a least €1.5k profit. Taking the car at €18k he'll make over €3k profit.

Working off your price (20k-21k) that you'd be willing to pay, we'll use a sale price of 20.5k. Minus the mechanics time to sercive it, service parts (cheap but it all adds up) , paying someone to clean it, paying the salesman's commision, etc. Assuming an 18.5k trade in, all that comes off 2k. Then theres the things like rent etc. Money has to be made. All businesses work the same way more or less, so by your reckoning, all business owners are scum (how dare they make profits etc etc etc)

CarLover · 14-11-2007 10:01am

Stekelly wrote: »

so by your reckoning, all business owners are scum

Bit of a leap there no...??!!

Owen · 14-11-2007 10:06am

DonJose wrote: »

Of course the dealer will make a profit, even buying the car at €20k and selling at €21.5k he'll make a least €1.5k profit. Taking the car at €18k he'll make over €3k profit.

That's not really how the Motor Trade works DonJose

If I take in a car at 18k, and I want to sell it at 21.5k, I'll probably make about 1.5k profit, which is what's necessary to keep the lights on and wages paid. Where did the other 2k go?

On buying warranties (Not cheap), putting the car through it's various checks, any bodywork (In my business, a stone chip on the bonnet means a bonnet respray), on tyres, and then each car gets hit with mandatory charges, advertising, stocking, administrative, fuel, valeting (Our cars are cleaned once a week if not sold, doesn't take long to add up), and all of that is before the car needs brake pads/discs, or any other reconstruction.

unkel · 14-11-2007 11:58am

milltown wrote: »

Their agreement with BMW/MINI does not allow them to sell any other marques off the forecourt so they are forced to sell them into the trade at trade prices

That would explain a lot! Most people don't realise how low trade prices are and they would be disappointed / insulted when they're offered a deal, as happened to the OP

trant · 14-11-2007 12:07pm

Thanks for all the input and replies lads. I guess I am being a bit optimistic in terms of trade in value for my car, and I didn't realise margins were so tight in MINI dealerships.

I'm going to talk to my local VW dealer about trading in my car for a 07/08 next year, think I am better off sticking with VW than killing myself trying to move up to a MINI, as much as I do like them.

Owen · 14-11-2007 12:23pm

milltown wrote: »

Your cost to change will depend on the dealer for a number of reasons. If it's Frank Keane's who insulted you then definitely try other dealers. Their hands are very much tied when it comes to taking trade ins. Their agreement with BMW/MINI does not allow them to sell any other marques off the forecourt so they are forced to sell them into the trade at trade prices.

That's not quite true. It's space restrictions that force most main Dealerships to trade non-franchise stock. If they had forecourt space, they'd happily retail the non BMW/MINI stock.

cancan · 14-11-2007 3:28pm

Funny - the same car new in america sells for the equilalent 13,000 euro, and they want 36,000 euro off you for a near 2 year old one.

VRT & VAT aside (which would bring it up to 19500 euro), I'm guessing that because the mini has turned into a fashion accessory instead of a car, they can charge any old fool what they like, and they will still buy!

There is 16,500 euro unaccounted for, going from your pocket to someone elses.

There should be a special tax rate for people who will spend 36,000 on a 2 year old mini, say 98%, cos they sure don't like their own money!

Owen · 14-11-2007 3:35pm

cancan wrote: »

Funny - the same car new in america sells for the equilalent 13,000 euro, and they want 36,000 euro off you for a near 2 year old one.

Indeed. We sell the basic model here too you know. It's 22k Euro. The OP is hardly talking about the basic model. It's very easy to double the price of a MINI with optional, and specialist tuning equipment. I've sold the most expensive one in the country at 54k, so 32k for a 2 year old? Sounds about right. If I was to sell my own personal works car in the morning, I'd get about 34k for it, and she's 05. I've been offered, and refused 33k for it - as I've no intention of parting with it.

cancan wrote: »

There should be a special tax rate for people who will spend 36,000 on a 2 year old mini, say 98%, cos they sure don't like their own money!

You see, you see 32k and a MINI. I bought 2 MINIs in the last year, one for me, one for herself. And we see them as investments. You can spend 32k on a Passat, and you'd be very lucky to get any return on investment. MINIs don't really depreciate, so they're actually a clever purchase. On top of that, they're great fun to drive. Yes I'm biased, but I've put my money where my mouth is. Twice.

MercMad · 14-11-2007 4:08pm

Now ned.............your not telling me that you would give a customer those same prices ?

Investment ?

Cars ?

Not unless you bought a mint original DB5 about 4 years ago !!

Owen · 14-11-2007 4:13pm

Okay, relative investment when compared to other faster depreciating cars. And it is possible to buy vehicles manufactured within the last 10 years that have just stopped depreciating. My bike is one, a 97 Ducati 916 in pristine condition with 8k miles, worth about 4k, and will stay that way considering the condition and mileage. My MINI will also reach mid to late teens and stop depreciating.

The point is that 'cancan' thought people who spend 30k on a MINI need their heads examined. And it's easy to make that assumption without correct information.

milltown · 17-11-2007 1:02pm

ned78 wrote: »

That's not quite true. It's space restrictions that force most main Dealerships to trade non-franchise stock. If they had forecourt space, they'd happily retail the non BMW/MINI stock.

Not what I heard from an ex- Keane's salesman. He left for a more mainstream dealership because of the reasons I gave previously. Sales were very hard to win with non BMW trade ins and there was no follow on commision to be made when the trade in was sold. Where he is now he gets his commision on the sale, more when the trade in is sold, more if there's a trade in on that to be sold, and so on.

Before the trade bashers get too frantic, his comission is paid on the net profit from each sale, after workshop bills, warranty and house charges etc.

Owen · 17-11-2007 1:10pm

milltown wrote: »

Not what I heard from an ex- Keane's salesman.

There's a very good chance I know what I'm talking about.

milltown wrote: »

Sales were very hard to win with non BMW trade ins and there was no follow on commision to be made when the trade in was sold.

They're not connected schools of thought. Sales are hard to win with non-BMW trade ins, because the likes of Audi/Lexus/Mercedes are large discount brands. And the type of person coming in the door is likely to expect similar discount in a BMW franchise. It has little to do with the commission to the garage/salesperson.

milltown wrote: »

Where he is now he gets his commision on the sale, more when the trade in is sold, more if there's a trade in on that to be sold, and so on.

That's what most garages call a 'long wash out'.

L-M · 17-11-2007 4:12pm

Book value of your car is €19,512

Silly trade in price at large MINI dealership

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