The Do's and Dont's of Becoming a Motor Trader

Deciding to become a motor trader and open your own business takes a lot of time and consideration, there are certain things you need to ensure are done before you open the doors and there are plenty mistakes you can make a long the way.

What You Must Do

One of the first things you will want to do once you have found and signed for a suitable property is to get your insurance in place. Opening the doors to any business without adequate insurance is a disaster waiting to happen.

Firstly ensure that it covers your building and tools along with your ability to drive customer vehicles. In the event of an accident in a customers vehicle you want the repairs or replacement to be carried out as quickly as possible.

The next thing after insurance is to ensure you have a good website. These days the website is an essential asset, people don't search the telephone directory any more, they go online, learn as much as they can about the business before even considering to book their vehicle in.

Lastly you must offer exceptional customer service, you want repeat and referral business, this is the business that keeps your company's doors open, you cannot rely on marketing alone.

What You Must Never Do

While there are so many things you can do right, there are mistakes you can make along the way, mistakes that can cost you dearly in the long run.

The first mistake is when hiring staff you forget or don't bother getting employer's liability insurance. Now what you may not realise is this is a legal requirement in the UK which protects you when a staff member injures themselves at work. It can amount to thousands in claims and can leave you in serious financial trouble.

Another thing you must never do is allow potential buyers to drive a vehicle you have for sale without having the right cover in place. Demonstration cover enables you to allow customers to try before they buy. This also increases your chances of making a sale.

Lastly what you must never do under any circumstances is to lie to your customers. Your customers are what keeps the business going and you want to enjoy the benefit of repeat and referral business. While marketing online can increase brand awareness, as a motor trader you need your customers to make profits and rise to success.