EP Mooney gone wallop....

[Ivan]

another one gone, last week it was belgard.
Suppose it's to be expected with total car sales down from 186,000 in
2007 to 54,000 thats some drop.
Ep mooney lost 8 million last year.
Whos next to go bang?
Anyone here sticking down a deposit for a new car?

[Stig]

Koping Volvo are gone too I heard.

Bill Cullens Portloaise Renault can't last, they have very little second hand stock round the place and it used to be chokka! Place is open but looks deserted in a way.
Lismard already went to the wall last year in Portlaoise, they had Alfa/Fiat/Pug/Citroen/Hyundai.

The problem lies with these car dealers getting greedy in the boom and turning themselves into property developers and using their car sales biz as security - and well, now we're seeing the end result.
Wait till Nama gets going, it'll create havoc I'd say.





*these are the views of me and not of mx5irl.

[Richie L]

Over 300 cars went up on Donedeal alone yesterday.90% are private sellers like you and me who previously went to dealers to move on our stuff.The dealers cant get their hands on the used cars anymore in any meaningful manner and we benefit in an ironic sort of way.Sad to see more jobs go though.

[paulie1981]

I work for Hyundai and know some of the 95 people set to be unemployed this Christmas - many with mortgages and young kids. Very sad.

[Ivan]

The problem lies with these car dealers getting greedy in the boom and turning themselves into property developers and using their car sales biz as security - and well, now we're seeing the end result.

I think a 70% drop in sales also has something to do with it.

As for the second hand stuff i know a dealer who has plenty
all sale or return from the banks the repo stuff

[paulie1981]

The used car situation varies greatly from dealer to dealer. This time last year dealers were crippled with stock, all over valued on thei books by up to 40%. However the sensible dealers (those that could afford to) took the hit early and made the losses early. As a result, most dealers now have a manageable used car stock bought in at the new post-Green Party abomination price. These are the guys that will trade in January.

One problem that was created here, and nobody but the dealers themselves can be blamed for this, is the unrealistic cost to change. In 2007 a customer could get out of a 2005 Santa Fe and into the new model (which was a 5k jump on the price new alone) for less than 10k. In some cases as low as 7k. Madnesss.

In 2009 the same people came back looking for their 2 year change only to be asked for up to 18k!!! That combined with the fact that they possibly still owed half the value new of the car made it impossible to deal.

Dealers across all franchises had opportunity to trade sensibly and make money but many blew it.

[Stig]

The problem lies with these car dealers getting greedy in the boom and turning themselves into property developers and using their car sales biz as security - and well, now we're seeing the end result.

I think a 70% drop in sales also has something to do with it.

A combination of both I'd say. I can name dealers turned property developers/speculators who have gone under this and last year.

[CashelMX5]

All of the above and the ego boosting high cost of the ultra-modern glass fronted showrooms that many of the dealer's went with.

[leamyj]

Dead right Tom, there's a few car dealership between Naas & Newbridge, and the marble and glass used would put the Vatican to shame..one of them is known amongst the locals as the "Cathedral".
And as for car dealers speculating on property development, I'm aware of a particular block of land purchased between Kilcullen and Carlow by the aforementioned EP Mooney company, probably in negative equity at this stage.
Maybe if they had stuck at their core business, things may have turned out differently.
Who ever said that greed is good??

[Steve]

Was it Mr Mooney or the company that bough it? Why is that greed tho' John and not just misguided speculation?

[voomvoom]

It don't surprise me. Bought a Qashqai in 2008. It was our first new car & boy was it an unplesant experience. It was as if they didn't want the business. Were fobbed off with delivery dates for 4 months etc. At which point we couldn't change dealers coz our part exchange would be decimated. Also they knew we were buying throu the disabled passenger scheme & would be an easy touch. As we explained when collecting ...we would be changing every 2 years & they would do well to trade the glass house and posh literature for staff with a bit of interest in the business. No discount and not even a free service on a 31k car. But hey presto we will be changing next May & now the letters and offers and texts are coming thick n fast....they be lucky! The rest aren't any better. Called into local BMW dealer to get info on new X1. Picture a wet slow Monday. I had to tell sales guy the price it was comin in at. Told him the date we would be changing and the scheme position....guess what he couldn't care less...didn''t even get my number.. Went on to volvo dealer lookin at xc60..after 10 mins in the rain looking at it being watched by two clowns in the glass tower i said stuff this and legged it. For my money The yuppie sales gits these dealers hired have never had to earn their keep and make hard sales & now they are exposed. They deserve the road and god bless em they arent exactly cut out for much. IF anyone looking for a low miles 2008 sve qashqai diesel (€156 road tax) in black next may send a pm.

[Stig]

It don't surprise me. Bought a Qashqai in 2008. It was our first new car & boy was it an unplesant experience. It was as if they didn't want the business. Were fobbed off with delivery dates for 4 months etc. At which point we couldn't change dealers coz our part exchange would be decimated. Also they knew we were buying throu the disabled passenger scheme & would be an easy touch. As we explained when collecting ...we would be changing every 2 years & they would do well to trade the glass house and posh literature for staff with a bit of interest in the business. No discount and not even a free service on a 31k car. But hey presto we will be changing next May & now the letters and offers and texts are coming thick n fast....they be lucky! The rest aren't any better. Called into local BMW dealer to get info on new X1. Picture a wet slow Monday. I had to tell sales guy the price it was comin in at. Told him the date we would be changing and the scheme position....guess what he couldn't care less...didn''t even get my number.. Went on to volvo dealer lookin at xc60..after 10 mins in the rain looking at it being watched by two clowns in the glass tower i said stuff this and legged it. For my money The yuppie sales gits these dealers hired have never had to earn their keep and make hard sales & now they are exposed. They deserve the road and god bless em they arent exactly cut out for much. IF anyone looking for a low miles 2008 sve qashqai diesel (€156 road tax) in black next may send a pm.

totally agree..these sales gimps were order takers, never good sales people, never had to sell - like ask any of them a good question re; spec, engine etc and they are flumixed. I worked in sales for near a decade and still sell on a daily basis and its a skill thats got to be inate to you, in your DNA, some of these ejits I meet in dealers makes me blood boil.
Re; the Quasqui - they sell fast on DoneDeal, and yours priced agressively with that low CO2 tax will sell for you when the time comes.

[barney]

went to derry 2 weeks ago with my uncle looking for 2008 passat tdi. went into vw dealer with a good selection and were approached by salesman who told us to look away and to call him if we wanted help. he left us and we looked at a few cars and went to him to arrange test drives, no problem. drove 3 cars and then sat down to nice cup of coffee and biccies where he produced hpi reports on all 3 cars and then told us that as their cars were so keenly priced that their was only a little movement on price. he then gave us access to a computor to check uk car supermarket prices and he was telling no lies. made a deal on a 08 passat highline, all the bells and whistles, and even though not much movement on price he threw in new luxury mats and half a tank of diesel. vrt paid he saved 3k on prices quoted in south for a straight cash deal. no wonder people are going north and across the irish sea.

[leamyj]

I like that, no hard sell but there in the wings to assist if necessary and straight up with the vital statistics

John

[Stig]

went to derry 2 weeks ago with my uncle looking for 2008 passat tdi. went into vw dealer with a good selection and were approached by salesman who told us to look away and to call him if we wanted help. he left us and we looked at a few cars and went to him to arrange test drives, no problem. drove 3 cars and then sat down to nice cup of coffee and biccies where he produced hpi reports on all 3 cars and then told us that as their cars were so keenly priced that their was only a little movement on price. he then gave us access to a computor to check uk car supermarket prices and he was telling no lies. made a deal on a 08 passat highline, all the bells and whistles, and even though not much movement on price he threw in new luxury mats and half a tank of diesel. vrt paid he saved 3k on prices quoted in south for a straight cash deal. no wonder people are going north and across the irish sea.

Yep, Its the way to go. I've done it 3 times so far. I'm looking for a diesel hack myself for work again and i'll be going over to the UK too, the savings as well as Spec upgrade is so so worth it.