Van vs SUV vs estate car

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I understand your view but it couldn't be further from the truth in my case.

A salesman for many years I once attended a course where the tutor gave examples of inappropriate presentation. The one that sticks in my mind is that of a salesman calling on a farm wearing suede loafers and a hand made suit, when a tweed or wax jacket and welly boots would be the order of the day.

'To sell Joe Bloggs what Joe Bloggs buys, see Joe Bloggs through Joe Bloggs eyes'!

I don't need shiny new van to portray success. The product sells itself....

I have to agree with you we have brand new shinny white Pug Boxers vans on long term hire (very nice)
Then I have my own paid for antiques roadshow?

Its makes no difference what we run as the customers requires an above average service
This is what sells us
Dedicated bespoke delivery service
Collection and delivery at required times
If there is a problem at delivery points and nothing else can be done the Customer knows that we will hold their freight in safe secure storage
The Customer can always talk to a human we answer the phone 24 hours a day within 5 rings if poss
We answer Emails within 5 minutes
You can always talk to us

In 30 years nobody as ever asked for a brand new van
One of the most successful people I know drives around in a 23 year S class Mercedes

The only people that believe that cars project a professional image are the sad Sierra and Cavalier base model traveling sales men from the eighties they are on here and you know who you are ????

 

[Mark T Jones]

Also depends on what sort of image you want/need to portray to your clients ie pulling up onsite in a 04 Nissan estate with wind down window handles just to save a few quid may not be the best image. It’s true unfortunately but your judged on first impressions and a nice shiny new or newish sign written van will draw a picture of success in your clients minds and give them confidence that your being used by other companies and you can justify your fees.

Whether you agree or not it’s Just human psychology.

I believed this for many years - mostly to justify spending lots of money on nice shiny cars.

When I lost interest (temporarily) in cars I went through some dull stuff until a friend who was emigrating gave me a 10 year old SAAB (in exchange for a lift to the airport) . That SAAB created more positive engagement than a brand new M3 had.

These days I favour quietly interesting cars, but often turn up to meeting in the wife's Transit Connect, which raises eyebrows.

What I would say is that your transport should look as though you care - as a minimum roadworthy, but ideally clean and smart looking. A cheap personal plate can give the impression that the car means something to you

 

[IanSuth]

I understand your view but it couldn't be further from the truth in my case.

A salesman for many years I once attended a course where the tutor gave examples of inappropriate presentation. The one that sticks in my mind is that of a salesman calling on a farm wearing suede loafers and a hand made suit, when a tweed or wax jacket and welly boots would be the order of the day.

'To sell Joe Bloggs what Joe Bloggs buys, see Joe Bloggs through Joe Bloggs eyes'!

I don't need shiny new van to portray success. The product sells itself....

Also the recruitment consultant turning up in a flashy Audi TT or Porshe Boxster makes you go "how OTT must their fees be?"

 

[bovine]

Probably about 20 years ago we had a customer who wanted to put a load of kit through leasing. So we passed it over to our currently favoured leasing professional who turned up to their site in a brand new porsche 911 cabriolet. We also lost the whole deal because of him, they took an instant dislike to him and were obviously concerned about the rates he was charging because of what he turned up in (i dont recall if they were reasonable for the time or not).

But then I also knew someone who was in photocopier sales to corporates and he always had very flashy high end cars and it was almost expected by his clients. But then so was the brown envelope of cash to sweeten the deal.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

One of the most successful people I know drives around in a 23 year S class Mercedes

I can beat that... 24 year old Ford Focus....

 

[Mark James]

I believed this for many years - mostly to justify spending lots of money on nice shiny cars.

When I lost interest (temporarily) in cars I went through some dull stuff until a friend who was emigrating gave me a 10 year old SAAB (in exchange for a lift to the airport) . That SAAB created more positive engagement than a brand new M3 had.

These days I favour quietly interesting cars, but often turn up to meeting in the wife's Transit Connect, which raises eyebrows.

What I would say is that your transport should look as though you care - as a minimum roadworthy, but ideally clean and smart looking. A cheap personal plate can give the impression that the car means something to you

Tbh personal plates in any form for me are a complete turn off, immediately I think egotistical narcissist who’s up themselves but maybe that’s just a minority viewpoint. Maybe I’m just bitter and twisted. ?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I went through some dull stuff until a friend who was emigrating gave me a 10 year old SAAB (in exchange for a lift to the airport) . That SAAB created more positive engagement than a brand new M3 had.

I have a 27 year old Saab 900 convertible I love this car but only use it in dry weather now due to its age

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Tbh personal plates in any form for me are a complete turn off, immediately I think egotistical narcissist who’s up themselves but maybe that’s just a minority viewpoint. Maybe I’m just bitter and twisted. ?

I saw a car the other week with the number plate LET8Y It was travelling too fast to see if it had been manipulated but all I saw was LETBY.

 

[MOIC]

Tbh personal plates in any form for me are a complete turn off, immediately I think egotistical narcissist who’s up themselves but maybe that’s just a minority viewpoint. Maybe I’m just bitter and twisted. ?

Agree. (with your viewpoint, not the bitter and twisted bit!)

Company names, or trying to convey a message (with a sense of humour), works.

 

[nissanza]

What is more, SUVs have ground clearance, off-road capabilities, and a large interior, so it easily draws much attention from any family person or one who likes adventures. However, an estate version does balance the comfort of passengers with load-carrying capacity, offering near-car-like handling and better fuel economy compared to SUVs or vans.