Pelican Parts Forums

Pelican Parts Forums (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/)
-   Off Topic Discussions (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/)
-   -   What I've Been Up To (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/825110-what-ive-been-up.html)

Nickshu 08-12-2014 08:23 PM

You're living the dream Matt!

Tishabet 08-12-2014 09:57 PM

Very cool!! Good luck in your new endeavor!

KFC911 08-12-2014 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen (Post 8211265)
....Best of luck. I'll bet the Corollas and Accords could keep the cash flow steady, even if they aren't any fun.

MANY years ago, this fellow that lived in a the same condos as I used to "move cars" for a living....he'd visit the auctions, deal mainly in cars like the above, pay another guy $100 (back then) to detail/clean 'em up and then flip for $...sometimes not a lot, but he was more of a "volume type". He had a different business model than you, but it seemed to work. I just remember one thing he used to say: He buy "any" color of car so long as it was red, white, or black :D....dunno if he was serious, but I think he was. Ran into an old hs friend in Lowe's a few years ago...he's been in the "car lot" biz for several decades now....as we we reminiscing and talking, it became quite apparent that he's done quite well for himself....he also dealt mostly with the left side of the "bell curve" based upon where he told me his lots were....LOTS of ways to "skin a dawg"...you'll find your niche and make it "work"...that's what guys like you do!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy (Post 8211271)
....At the moment I'm 100% marketing via the internet. Right now it's purely Craigslist, Ebay, and possibly Autotrader. I've considered a website but don't know how I would get the traffic that the aforementioned sites would get. As for having someone else do it, I suspect I'd pay a fortune to get the level of fidelity that I expect. If you check out my Jeep ad link above, I'm big on detail.
......

Oh yeah...Internet is right up your alley. The guy I referred to is "older" and has had his "lot" for decades....he just likes to source "nice" vehicles, have 'em serviced & cleaned then turn a reasonable profit while he sits behind a desk and makes $. Oh yeah....he kind 'of "lucked" into a grandfather "zoning" bonanza too. He'll probably make more on selling his "lot & building" (a couple of million I'd suspect) than he's made selling cars when the time comes. Lots of ways to "skin a dawg", and you've got a VERY sharp knife ;). Best of luck...you're gonna do great!!!

Porsche-O-Phile 08-12-2014 11:58 PM

Hey Matt, I was wondering how you were doing... Glad to hear you're doing something and I hope it's able to keep you afloat for a while. Kudos on not getting beaten down and demoralized and channeling your energies into something that might go someplace. BTDT! All the best!

petrolhead611 08-13-2014 03:57 AM

Good luck with your venture, maybe becoming known as a good used Porsche specialist will help you along.They seem to do well in the UK. Keep your overheads low and you will survive in the hard times as they come

fastfredracing 08-13-2014 05:48 AM

Although somewhat cheesy , here is another motto to live by when you are self employed.
A local guy that I grew up with was a salesman for a local Chevy dealer, he was one of those heavy hitter guys, sold a LOT of cars, and got all sorts of awards from chevy, ended up running the place.
When I first opened up, I grossly undercharged him for a bunch of hot rod work on his old chevelle, and he told me to always remember that " profit is not a dirty word" He said that I can tell that you love what you do, but you have to remember why you come to work every day. It will eventually loose its appeal if you are not making money at it.

VaSteve 08-13-2014 06:00 AM

My opinion is that you should have a website. If nothing else to prove you're not some fly by night guy selling from a parking lot. It doesn't have to be fancy. That's my opinion only. Of course anyone can set up a website.

This is a medium sized dealer that sells a lot of BMWs. I think they have dialed back recently, they were the largest volume dealer outside BMW dealers themselves. Anyway, I like the turntable they use for 360° photos.

Advantage-Harman Auto Group

jyl 08-13-2014 06:42 AM

Got to have a website.

Rot 911 08-13-2014 06:46 AM

Good luck with the car business Matt! I've been tempted in the past to buy one of your cars (and boat) even when I didn't need one, just because I knew they had been well maintained.

Seahawk 08-13-2014 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl (Post 8211755)
Got to have a website.

Yup.

Matt, my daughter in Phoenix does a lot of web content stuff for a very large entertainment company (they are doing next years Super Bowl), if you like I can have her get in touch.

She is in CT this week on a big job.

JavaBrewer 08-13-2014 07:24 AM

Agree with a website. Does not have to be anything fancy.

I have always entertained the idea of doing this as a side gig with my wife. Never really looked into all the details and steps needed to kick it off.

Best of luck to you Matt!

911SauCy 08-13-2014 08:05 AM

I've always heard that true professionals end up in a better spot after a disruption like being fired/laid-off...this is living proof.

Also, a website does not need to be fancy...but it MUST be interactive, intuitive, and easy to navigate.

Less is more :)

M.D. Holloway 08-13-2014 09:16 AM

Matt,
Awesome to hear that your doing 'YOUR" thing. As for a website, Stomachmonkey turned me to www.1&1.com and they are very good. Check them out.

Let me know if you ever source a 996TT, lapis or red TIP coupe with saddleback leather...

sand_man 08-13-2014 09:16 AM

Good for you!!!! This is something my father has always wanted me to do. After I dabbled in Porsche sales (after my life changing lay-off in 2009), I really learned a lot about "the deal" and some of the in's and out's of professional car sales. One problem with me, is I get attached to stuff!!!! But one day, I think I'll follow a formula similar to yours and give it a go.

onewhippedpuppy 08-14-2014 03:24 AM

Ok, I apparently need a website.:cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk (Post 8211805)
Yup.

Matt, my daughter in Phoenix does a lot of web content stuff for a very large entertainment company (they are doing next years Super Bowl), if you like I can have her get in touch.

She is in CT this week on a big job.

Paul, I'd love some pointers from someone that does it for a living. At her convenience please, and I don't want to take much of her time.

KFC911 08-14-2014 04:02 AM

Matt...sent you a PM...not sure if it went through or not....lemme know if you didn't get it.

Joeaksa 06-09-2015 09:19 PM

Great to see Matt! Hows things going these days??

onewhippedpuppy 06-10-2015 03:28 AM

Hey Joe, things are going well. I have a day job in aerospace at a local electromechanical component company doing a mix of sales and engineering, and I retained the dealership and sell a few cars per month. It's more of a hobby now, fun to tinker and make a few extra bucks. It also allows me to keep my leased 1200 sq ft climate controlled shop, which really has me spoiled. I can't complain about much, thanks for asking!

asphaltgambler 06-10-2015 06:16 AM

Good stuff - keep that entrepreneurial spirit alive and kicking!

M.D. Holloway 06-10-2015 06:20 AM

Matt
Lapis blue 996TT with saddle back interior - tiptronic please


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:04 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website


DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.