Bill Griffin, what an odd set up.

Stallingrad

Car was BMW the other day so crossed the road and wandered into Bill Griffin to have a look around.

What a strange set up. Never seen cars at a trader so poorly presented, dirty, kerbed alloys, covered in dust, most locked. Not just one or two, but almost every car. Some valeted cars downstairs but not many. They make it so easy for a serious buyer to walk straight out the door. It is appealing to see so many cars on the one place, but not if every one of them is so tired looking. Really odd, lots of potential, good location, a lot of cars, and it wouldn't take much to bring them up to retail standard either.

It really looked they had no clue about what is important to a potential buyer in terms of presentation. Not often that I would rant about this stuff, but if I had traveled any distance to look at a particular car I'd be well disappointed.

MetzgerMeister

If he was to employ someone to wash the cars every few days it would add to the price. All the cars being locked is a good thing is it not? Kerbed alloys, while unappealing to the eye isn't something he's going to worry about since it costs a few hundred to have them refurbished and the average joe soap wouldn't care.

I get where you're coming from as a car enthusiast, don't get me wrong!

chicorytip

Stallingrad wrote:

It really looked they had no clue about what is important to a potential buyer in terms of presentation. Not often that I would rant about this stuff, but if I had traveled any distance to look at a particular car I'd be well disappointed.

He's the most successful used car dealer in the country - in terms of numbers sold per annum. The cars look very well presented - on the website at any rate. I suppose his customers are looking for value for money but his prices don't appear to be that competitive.

steinbock123

How do you know he's the most successful used car dealer in the country? Are these figures published somewhere ?

chicorytip

steinbock123 wrote:

How do you know he's the most successful used car dealer in the country? Are these figures published somewhere ?

Yes. SIMI publish them annually.

Stallingrad

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

If he was to employ someone to wash the cars every few days it would add to the price. All the cars being locked is a good thing is it not? Kerbed alloys, while unappealing to the eye isn't something he's going to worry about since it costs a few hundred to have them refurbished and the average joe soap wouldn't care.

With so many Audi's, BMW's and Merc's I'd say these buyers care about kerbed alloys and decent presentation. Surely a cheap chap keeping valeted cars clean would easily pay for itself with one extra sale a month?

Anyway, if they are shifting so much metal they must be doing something right, I just couldn't see what it was!

ELM327

Stallingrad wrote: »

With so many Audi's, BMW's and Merc's I'd say these buyers care about kerbed alloys and decent presentation. Surely a cheap chap keeping valeted cars clean would easily pay for itself with one extra sale a month?

Anyway, if they are shifting so much metal they must be doing something right, I just couldn't see what it was!

Low margin and high volume.


I went to look at a w202 mercedes there as a classic (I know I know, it's not a "classic" until 30+ years old) but the state of it was shocking. Scratched, kerbed alloys, flat tires, etc. They had a couple of nice cars at the front but they don't do any preparation etc.



All they seem to retail (bar the odd trade in) is high mile stuff from UK auctions. And it seems to work for them.

Shefwedfan

They are buying in cheap high mileage cars from UK. Putting low margin on them and firing out the door as quick as possible. They have no negotiations on the car. The price is the price.

They clean if you buy the car. That is it.

If you keep an eye they will have some good bargain. I was buying an A6. They got one in, I rang, full Audi UK service, had everything....I was at work so waited till the next day. It was sold. Car was perfect. I spent circa 2-3k more buying similar from Audi Ireland.......

JustLen

Rang about a car he had last year. Salesman told me it was spotless etc.

Rocked up to find a heap of a thing.

Puddle of oil under the car. Not a drop of oil on the dipstick.

Pointed it out to your man, he didn't care. Just kept repeating "it's a used car"

He said I could take it for a spin to prove it was perfect.

Asked if he was happy to sell the car to the next guy after it had been driven around with no oil to which he replied "it's a used car"

Mate that was with me called him a few unsavouries and we left.

Bought a spoteless car from a private seller 2 hours later for less money.

There is no benefit to buying here over a private sale in my eyes. At least a private seller will be cheaper and will have cleaned the car.

Cant believe the guy thought I would buy a car with no oil in it!

Toyotafanboi

It's unusual that the car dropped it's oil when it parked in Bill Griffins?

2Mad2BeMad

went in to buy a golf a 4 years ago, sales guy was happy to sell until i asked for a test drive and to sort out finance after.
Must of been to much work for him,
lost a customer for life.

Henry Ford III

chicorytip wrote: »

Yes. SIMI publish them annually.

Really? Do they include details of the profits and the owners salary also?

Shefwedfan

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

It's unusual that the car dropped it's oil when it parked in Bill Griffins?

Some of the stories on here really sound made up.....

They are just replicating the Cargiant model in UK. It's not that difficult to understand....buy in bulk, low margin, no negotation on price, quick turnaround

Stallingrad

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Some of the stories on here really sound made up.....

They are just replicating the Cargiant model in UK. It's not that difficult to understand....buy in bulk, low margin, no negotation on price, quick turnaround

Never been to Cargiant but have read a lot about them. Never heard anyone mention the poor state of their cars in terms of presentation. Knowing how professional most UK car dealers are I highly doubt they compare to what I saw at BG.

Toyotafanboi

Indeed the professionality line is drawn down the middle of the Irish sea and CarGiant leave all their cars unlocked.

ba_barabus

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Indeed the professionality line is drawn down the middle of the Irish sea and CarGiant leave all their cars unlocked.

That would upset some people as the North of Ireland should be treated like the UK.

chicorytip

Henry Ford III wrote:

Really? Do they include details of the profits and the owners salary also?

No but I imagine ol'Bill is not short of a bob or two.

Toyotafanboi

ba_barabus wrote: »

That would upset some people as the North of Ireland should be treated like the UK.

Sure look, the UK dealers are far more professional, the fact that they are cheaper is pure coincidence. Cars unlocked on all forecourts and the dust never lights on them.

No offence to BG's but I dot think his business model includes the words "premium experience" anywhere and to expect that of his place would be naive. They are fairly evidently working on high volume, low margin type of idea which suits plenty of buyers.

ba_barabus

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Sure look, the UK dealers are far more professional, the fact that they are cheaper is pure coincidence. Cars unlocked on all forecourts and the dust never lights on them.

No offence to BG's but I dot think his business model includes the words "premium experience" anywhere and to expect that of his place would be naive. They are fairly evidently working on high volume, low margin type of idea which suits plenty of buyers.

Hes a volume guy, nothing wrong wlth that. If people want a premium experience expect to look on a premium forecourt.

Incidentally, people in the trade in the UK will tell that car giant and pretty much all of the large car supermarkets are well known for polishing a turd and turning them out.

Just like in Ireland, you'll pay for a properly good car. Paying the lowest price buys you sh!t everywhere.