Colin-mkiv Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 You dont always have to import the best quality cars. You can import cars that are in need of tidying etc. Jurgen sources mainly the best quality cars so that there is as little prep work to do to get them to an even better condition. I think that there is plenty of margin to be buying and selling middle market vehicles to thos that want a car to thrash about rather than say, an immaculate show car for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
add heywood Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonc Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 Yep, If you have got the money go for it. Especially if you find a niche market AND get a good rep. Jurgen has done it on reputation and hard work. Once you get a good name in the area you are supplying it becomes free advertising. I wish I had the balls but I don't. The hard work for myself does not scare me but the money required does:shock:. You dont hear of these guys much on this forum but Mike does a steady job down here in the SW, Works bloody hard to do what he does, is very good to deal with and I know there are a few of his cars on this forumhttp://www.torque-gt.co.uk/japanese_performance_cars/?act=viewShow So for the right person with a good attitude there must be an opening. As Jurgen said there will be dark days but is'nt there always in any Job? I'm not sure about the business model but there must be a fair wack of money spent on the Japanese sports car scene (I know how much i have spent in 10 years of Jap import owning:taped:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 I did it for a while a couple of years back, I enjoyed it and it was easy money tbh. If work ever slowed up I would do it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Kind of got an idea for the setup now, will be aiming for a showroom that can hold around 10 cars (ish), 2 ramp workshop plus an mot bay, a couple of extra bits I don't want to reveal yet and room to expand. Trying to get my head round some initial costings for my proposal, tbh I could use some advice from someone who's setup a garage from scratch as I don't have the foggiest of which companies to use for equipment etc. On the plus side I've got a Definate yes from one of the team I want, will try and confirm with the others during the week, and then it's a trip to the bank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supramkivcork Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Best of luck with the business venture , always seemed like a very helpful member on here . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Best of luck with the business venture , always seemed like a very helpful member on here . Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supramkivcork Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Your welcome , tough business to make it in , worked in car sales for bit myself with Toyota here . If you build a good reputation and have good stock and are reasonable with people there's no reason you can't make a success of it. Unfortunately a lot of car dealers have this smarmy image attached to them , distancing yourself from the stereotype can only help you in the long term . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 And now the fun begins. I always found that the planning and developing of a project was the most exciting and rewarding time of the whole adventure. Good luck and if I can be of any assistance (I have started several small businesses in the past) then let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks CJ While I was chatting to Tony earlier, he brought up the subject of government grants which I hadn't even considered. There's lots of little things like that I need to be aware of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks CJ While I was chatting to Tony earlier, he brought up the subject of government grants which I hadn't even considered. There's lots of little things like that I need to be aware of I am not sure what the latest bodies are called but do a search for Enterprise Initiatives within your area and also speak to the bank about local grants available as their business advisor (if he / she is any good) should be in the know. I will have a think on (with this current pain issue I am experiencing I have lots of "awake" time) and see what else I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Go for it. Always room for more traders. The only people who would say otherwise are the people that don't want you in the market. You just have to make sure your business model is sustainable. I suspect cashflow will be an issue in the sports car business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Go for it. Always room for more traders. The only people who would say otherwise are the people that don't want you in the market. You just have to make sure your business model is sustainable. I suspect cashflow will be an issue in the sports car business. Cash flow with new starter business is always problematic, but even more so given the economic climate. There's a few additions to my prospective showroom that should help out greatly though, and I'll only go ahead with it IF I can secure enough money to create a safety net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamuraiFlash Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Good luck with it Jason. It sounds like a good idea, and it's a different segment in the market than Jurgen. You can do a wheeler dealer type service where you buy cars which need some attention, fix them up properly with genuine dealer parts and sell them on for a profit. being open and honest about everything with great service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Team member number 2 is on board. He'll be sorting the financial side of it so it's quite a relief. Next is the mechanic. Considering this only really came together in my head a few days ago, there's some momentum now. It's so exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Have you put together a business plan, cashflow forecast and annual budget? I would certainly recommend these as an important method of keeping track of where you are and where you are aiming for. A decent bank will also want to see these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Good for you chap, I really hope it works out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Have you put together a business plan, cashflow forecast and annual budget? I would certainly recommend these as an important method of keeping track of where you are and where you are aiming for. A decent bank will also want to see these. This is the next step, just need to make sure my mechanic is in, then he can specify all the equipment etc then it's time to make an enormous number of phone calls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I hope this is something you can get your teeth into and a make a success. Very best of luck too (not that it's about luck ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdistc Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I've always had the opinion that a business will be successful if you're servicing a need using excellent products, niche knowledge & skills, top level customer service, and professionalism with a sense of humour. In my opinion, also, there is room for more reliable car dealers - especially ones dealing in mechanically solid, appropriately priced, mid-level sports cars (such as those you've mentioned from the late 80s and 90s). Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 My Mechanic's on board too Next step is working out all the upfront costs and long term expenses, making sure the model works and then working out forecasts. Thanks for the support guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Wow, you dont hang about, will you quit your current job and go in full time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Wow, you dont hang about, will you quit your current job and go in full time Until recently I've been at uni, but had to leave due to increasing living expenses due to being a home owner. So no current career to leave as such. Been fitting car audio and technology while at uni which gives me yet more services to offer. While it seems to be progressing quickly now, it's going to be around a year until i can get fully set up. Hopefully the first part of the business will start in a few weeks time though. It'll give me plenty of time to get my Trader application in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Until recently I've been at uni, but had to leave due to increasing living expenses due to being a home owner. So no current career to leave as such. Been fitting car audio and technology while at uni which gives me yet more services to offer. While it seems to be progressing quickly now, it's going to be around a year until i can get fully set up. Hopefully the first part of the business will start in a few weeks time though. It'll give me plenty of time to get my Trader application in I was fully behind you up until the point that I realised this branch would be up North...... Now if you relocate to the south you have my full support once again due to how fickle I am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraDan24 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I was fully behind you up until the point that I realised this branch would be up North...... Now if you relocate to the south you have my full support once again due to how fickle I am Bugger off you, the south has almost all the decent traders as it is He should relocate to the East as we have literally no-one closer than London Good luck with it though fella, i wish you the best of luck and all my support, more people fixing Supra's is a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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