What I've Been Up To

[Nickshu]

You're living the dream Matt!

[Tishabet]

Very cool!! Good luck in your new endeavor!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

....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 ....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!!!

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

....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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Got to have a website.

[Rot 911]

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]

Originally Posted by jyl

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Ok, I apparently need a website.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

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]

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

[Joeaksa]

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

[onewhippedpuppy]

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]

Good stuff - keep that entrepreneurial spirit alive and kicking!

[M.D. Holloway]

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