Where are you based?
We have had a branch for 2 and a half years between Whitehead and Carrickfergus and 13 years previously in Carrickfergus
How long have you been in business?
15 years established across the 2 sites
How many staff do you have across your business?
I have 7 employees plus myself
What is the key to your success?
Understanding the customer is the most important thing. As life changes everyone’s circumstances change so you have to be able to look at what many different customers need and relate to them so you can best assist them and support them with buying the right car. I feel if you look at each customer in this way you will be successful as people can appreciate you care about what you are doing and are not there just for a “fast buck” but for the customer’s long term needs. I give a 5 year warranty on my cars because I have listened to what customers want and the expense in maintaining modern cars is one of the modern customers biggest concerns
How is the industry right now?
The industry is tough at the moment, there is a lot of competition out there and people’s financial situation is getting harder to work with as they try to attain credit. But it simply makes us work harder and stay competitive to keep making targets which is good for the business and fantastic for our customers
What could the Government do to help the trade?
If the people who make decisions in government could step into our shoes and live in the real world I think it would help a lot. The motor trade employs a huge amount of people and is has been sad to see some dealer in Northern Ireland closing their doors after being established for a long time, in these cases it would be good to see government assistance to keep these people on work instead of adding to the growing unemployment problem. Jobs are our lifeblood, without them the whole chain breaks down and things for us slow down too!
What”s your most expensive Car?
I always have a range of Audi’s in stock the most expensive we have had was a Q7 at £35000 but usually stocking a huge range of Audi’s from £10000 and up
What could you offer someone on a shoestring budget?
I have kept the old premises open and stock 30 cars in a budget range usually from £1000 to £5000, so we aim to cater for every person who crosses our door
What”s the most special Car you have ever sold?
I have had so many cars that I have fallen in love with myself but I always think back to when I started in the motor trade and having cars that I idolised when I was younger like a Ford Escort RS2000 or a Mercury grey Renault 5 GT turbo.
What do you drive yourself and why?
At the minute I have a Porsche Cayman S, it’s not very practical for my 2 kids but it’s worth it!
What”s your best tip for someone looking for a Car at the moment?
Don’t think about today think about tomorrow, make sure the car you are buying will fulfil all your needs….and check the CO2 level!
What do you like to do when you”re not at work?
As anyone in the motor trade will tell you free time is hard to find but I still enjoy fishing, motorcycling and spending time with my family
In no more than 50 words, tell our readers why someone looking for a Car should go and see
I only need 3 words. FIVE YEAR WARRANTY. What I am doing for customers is really up and above what any used car buying experience has been before, we make buying a new car as easy as possible with fast flexible finance and protect our customers for 5 years with our warranty.
