3rd March 26 West Midlands and back

Delivering the Renault Zoe today takes me to Shrewsbury and to a Citroen dealership there exactly. The car is an ex Motability vehicle and a surprising purchase for a non Renault dealer why? Because, contrary to what Auto traders data tell everyone. I believe a Renault dealer, like all manufacturers. Should and could sell their own brands at a slight premium. The main reasons being that the mechanical preparation will use genuine parts and also have the systems and software to do any checks and updates properly. They also can deal with issues in a more professional and knowledgeable way. Therefore the offer made to a customer when the price questioned as to why it's slightly more expensive than a non franchise dealers price. The sales exec should, but never does, discuss the benefits of this to the customer. I always gave my execs this information to pass on.

Unfortunately in today's market vehicle pricing is called "Dynamic Pricing" using mainly Autotrader data which doesn't, I believe, take this into account. Vehicle prices are now changed automatically daily, or even hourly in some cases. So online prices change to the market immediately.

On the screen on the forecourt now, you have only a QR code which gives the customer the current price. If it's gone up since the customer left home to come and see the car. It's then up to sales exec's experience and ability to hold firm. Or, what usually happens is the exec slithers away from the customer with their tails between their legs and begs the manager to reduce the price to it's previous one.

It then depends on the car itself and it's number of days in stock as to whether the manager grows a pair. Or caves in.

Anyway, good luck Citroen Shrewsbury as I also know how much over 'book' price Motability cars are. Unless of course they have pre-sold the car because it's a purple one. 😁

Car delivered, appraised and signed for. I called an Uber and heading for Shrewsbury railway station. Next stop Stoke on Trent. Via Wolverhampton.

After arrival at Stoke on Trent station a another quick Uber to the Hyundai dealer there to collect a 2023 Seat Ateca which was going to the prep centre in Leighton Buzzard.

That car collection went smoothly as I had called ahead to check the car was on site and available. Checked and appraised I then fuelled the car and started the 124 mile journey to Leighton Buzzard. A journey of around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Dropping the car off at Leighton Buzzard again meant a bus home. I didn't have long to wait for the bus which was still stopping right outside the prep centre.

Home was reached around 25 minutes later. Two jobs today which is the goal. Done.