24th May 25. Saturday working again.

Yesterday I had a call from an independent dealer just outside Aylesbury. Actually it was just outside Tring. Actually it was a long way out of Tring. My usual attention to detail had eluded me and my being blinded by the thought of a new customer and an HP postcode. I accepted the job offered.

It was a small independent used car dealer who needed a car delivered to a retail customer.

All sounds good yes?

I had looked far to quickly at getting to the dealership and thought I would simply get a bus to Tring and find a taxi. First part was ok. Bus to Tring boarded and I got off at the stop closest to the garage. Still a 35 walk at worst and a quick taxi at best.

Obviously no Uber. But any taxi company I called were too busy or wanted £25 for a two mile journey.

So I walked. It took 40 minutes and a pleasant country walk would have been welcomed another time.

But not today. I had also a job on Monday to collect a car from Chesterfield. So yesterday a few calls later and I was able to collect it today as it was close to the car delivery today.

Arriving at the used car place it was like a 70s throwback.

The building has obviously not changed or been decorated since that classic period of brown and orange. With a sticky kind of fake leather (plastic) Chesterfield sofa. Buttons missing and not to be sat on. A few dusty cars in the showroom and a display of cars outside. With no prices in the window of most of the cars.

I had seen the car going to the customer from this place and it wasn't pretty. Full of dents and a large scuff down the side. Absolutely no fuel in it.

Audi Q3

I decided there and then this needed a very thorough appraisal. I took my time and noted every mark on the car. Photographed everything.

Got him to sign and he told me. Don't worry it's going to a family member. Lucky them to have a stand up car dealer for a relative.

I pointed out the zero miles fuel range and was told there was a garage a few miles away. That ended that conversation quickly.

I pointed out that it would potentially be in the same position when his customer. (Relative, remember) When they received the car.

I fuelled up having crawled to the fuel station. And a few minutes after this an engine light came on.

I immediately photographed it and sent it to him.

He ignored it so I carried on. I needed to get to Chesterfield, so whatever happens I'm getting this car there. If that's his attitude. Although I do feel sorry for the buyer.

I left around 9.30am to drive to Long Eaton, Derbyshire. Where the buyer lived, I was supposed to meet them around lunchtime. It's an hour and a half's drive, from the dealership, I know what you're thinking, it's too early, but my plan was to take the car there to Long Eaton, park it up, then get a train from there to Chesterfield. It's a direct service taking about half an hour. Collect the Ford Focus I was collecting to get back to Aylesbury and go back to Long Eaton to hand the Audi over to the customer. I know, genius. Ok not genius but good planning. Something that is so important in this game.

Got to Long Eaton. Parked up at the handover point, summoned an Uber to the station and got the train to Chesterfield with a few minutes to spare.

I usually walk from the station to the dealership here but it's a Saturday and I want to get home as early as possible. So I summoned another Uber and got there in a few minutes as the Uber driver was already at the station.

Thanks to the lovely receptionist at Chesterfield Ford for getting someone to bring the car so quickly. They are always helpful here. A credit to the way the place is run actually.

Appraised the 2022 Focus 1.0 Ecoboost automatic. Ok, I'm not Fords biggest fan. I've never actually owned one, ever. But this car is actually a very good, not amazing in any respect. But a very good all rounder. It's 1.0 engine is an incredible machine .

You will read many horror stories about this engine. And pre- 2020 when Ford had the sense to replace that horrendous wet, cambelt. Which ran in oil and, if not maintained properly, delaminated, blocking oil ways and causing failure of the engine. Unfortunately due to the nature of the British (male) ego surrounding cars. This now means that all 1.0 Ford engines are to be avoided.

It's like when someone posts on social media about a Lancia , the comments are always about rust, comments about Liverpool are always filled about unemployment or disappearing car radios. Yes, we are that narrow minded.

The real reason these belts failed. Is poor maintenance and using the wrong oil. But the social media experts always fail to tell you this.

Anyway, since 2020 all Ford 1.0 Ecoboost engines have a timing chain. Not a belt, wet or otherwise. These amazing engines can produce either 125 BHP or 155 BHP and you can actually have some fun driving these cars. Although the automatic gearbox spoils that for me.

But for everyday driving. They are very good and well equipped, comfortable cars.

2022 Ford Focus

Arriving back at Long Eaton around 13.00 . I called the customer for the Audi and a lovely family appeared and the daughter was asking loads of questions about the car and the parents, who had obviously bought it for her were equally as inquisitive.

This is a part of the job I love and hate.

Handing a car over should be a good experience for me, to see a happy customer. For the customer to receive their new car.

Audi Q3 delivered

These were such lovely people, it was very difficult not to tell them to send it back as soon as possible and get their money back.

But that's not my place to say anything. I just hinted that if, anything happened. Then they are well protected by consumer regulations.

Delivering cars to customers who haven't ever seen the car is always difficult as they can be nervous. Say as little as possible. It's not your place to do so. I just find it difficult to switch off the 30+ years of retail experience.

They took the car understanding what I did say and were happy with it.

I jumped back into the Focus and made my way home to deliver it to the dealership in Aylesbury and walk the 20 minutes home to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

On the way I stopped for a toilet break. Seeing this sight I have to ask.

What do people get from sitting in a motorway service's car park outside on a bench. Having lunch??

I don't get people!!!

WHY?