8th July 25. Chesterfield

First job today is to take the MG collected yesterday in Swansea to the prep centre in Leighton Buzzard, only a 20-30 minutes drive from home. I left just after 7am to arrive at my usual time getting there for collecting cars. Today however Mr Jobsworth on the gate informs me that deliveries are only accepted from 8.00am.

A short discussion later and he let's me in and I do my appraisal, photos and someone signed for it without anything issues at 7.40. how easy was that? Especially given the cars many issues. I had a signature. That's all that matters.

Second job of the day was collecting a Ford Kuga from Chesterfield to go to my customer in Aylesbury. So the train from Leighton Buzzard to Chesterfield, entailed a few stops at Milton Keynes, Northampton and Birmingham New Street.

But first a nice walk to the station. From the prep centre to the station you walk about a mile and a half along a few roads, footpaths and canals. It's a very pleasant walk especially in the continuing sunshine

Canal walk Leighton Buzzard

Booking my train last night I thought I had plenty of time to get to the station, always better to book the day before as prices change upwards on the day.

It was getting warm already for 8am but the walk was an amazing start to my day.

Luckily I got to the station in time. I say luckily as the train was delayed.

It was a longer journey to Chesterfield than usual but I had plenty of time to get the car back from my arrival time there.

It's actually a pleasant walk from the station to the dealership in Chesterfield. About 25 minutes and gives you various viewing angles of the crooked spire.

Not so crooked from here

The staff at this branch are always very helpful and attentive. This is part of the job I don't like. The way you get treated as a 'mere driver ' by some people in dealerships is actually quite an eye opener.

The main response is no response. You walk in with a backpack on and the salesmen. Yes it's always men that do this, rarely women.

You walk up to a desk and they will not even make eye contact. In fact, and if you know body language and micro expressions. You can actually see them faking interest and being double busy. Looking with intent at their monitor for something, please, something, to save them actually helping me.

It's quite funny to watch actually.

But at Perry's Ford, Chesterfield. The receptionist is always very helpful, smiling and happy get up and go and find someone to help me. All the staff there are the same. No suprise this is one of the more successful sites in this group. It's not rocket science.

Some receptionists are actually quite opposite of their job titles. Quite unreceptive and rude. I meet all kinds. And having been a sales manager it's a very interesting job to compare how I'm recieved in these businesses.

2023 Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga was located, keys and paperwork handed over and I did my appraisal. Had it signed and headed out to the M1 southbound. Via the cheap fuel station before the motorway.

The drive back was busy. At one point, I imagine, because of an incident the M1 ground to a stop. The 121 mile journey took a lot longer than expected.

Chesterfield to Aylesbury

But I arrived safely at around 16.00 . Dropping off the Kuga , which drove very comfortably. A nice biggish car that to be honest. I don't see the attraction. It's a big car. But seats only 5 people. It might just carry a little more luggage or golf clubs. But how often do you need that?

It's not quick, doesn't go round corner's well. Looks quite nice. But not for me thanks.

Job done and another walk home.

That's about 4 miles today. Plenty of steps in.

Job done