What Car?

[multilingual]

Interesting to know how people in business view other people in business based on their image. Is it good to have an expensive professional image, does it make you appear more succesful?

Would you trust a man who drives a Range Rover more than a man who drives an old Mondeo?

Or would it put you off?

Maybe you think that this guy is earning too much money and so he's not so hungry?

You don't like flash gits maybe?

What do you think (Honestly)



JB

 

[Jayne]

Hi JB,

Women around here think, if you have to have a big flash car to prove how good you are, then you are lacking something else (if you know what I mean) :wink: Just Kidding.

We had an old mondeo and I loved it, I can trust me :lol:

I knew a man, a bookmaker, he was loaded, I worked in the shop next door. He had on old rusty clapped out beetle (the old type) and his friends mum couldn't get into an old people's home, so he bought one cash and moved her in. He had holes in his shoes and braces to hold his trousers up, because he'd lost wait and he wouldn't buy new ones.

So cars mean nothing to me, most of the people who have posh cars are up to their eye balls in debt. It's the person that matters. Nothing else.

Jayne

 

[JK_du_Toit]

One of my dad's friends was the financial director of a massive international company for 20-odd years. His yearly package was 6 figures. He drives an old, clapped out L-Reg Vauxhall Corsa, it used to be red but with time has faded to pink. His other car is a top-spec BMW, but he never uses it.

A car means nothing. Just about all of us can afford really nice cars, but we like our money. I prefer property...

 

[Rob Holmes]

If a consultant is about to bill me £3997 + vat for a days work - I would expect them to turn up in a nice Jag or something.

Rob

 

[Alpha]

rob

Let me know when you want me to bill you and I will arrange the Jag

But to the original question, there are many different perceptions to consider and it really does matter what field you are in as to what image the car projects.

With a high powered consultant who you are looking to deliver a high cost/high value service they would be expected to turn up in a rather expensive vehicle because it then gives the appearance of success and therefore you believe that they will have the capability of delivering what you are paying for.

For the accountant down the road dealing with £10k companies you would expect them to turn up in a mid range saloon, probably a few years old....any sign of new flash car will immediately illicit the reaction that the customer is paying for that and could get the work done cheaper down the road.

When I worked for Williams Holdings all senior management had BMW 320 and directors had 520 (except for md who had 530), we were told that on one of the visits by our group directors to B & Q that they had commented on the proliferation of BMW's and wanted to know why they were paying for that expense. The group policy was then changed so that operating unit managers and directors had to have Vauxhall.

Whether B & Q really said that or whether it was just a ruse to reduce overheads I do not know.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

I would expect them to turn up in a reasonably conditioned CLEAN car, wouldn't matter if it was a mini or a jag as long as it wasn't full of holes and covered in mud.

I take more note in the condition of peoples shoes than their cars, if they can't take care of their shoes then they won't get my business

 

[Rob Holmes]

I take more note in the condition of peoples shoes than their cars, if they can't take care of their shoes then they won't get my business

Years ago both my parents were in the police - aparently they were trained to look at peoples shoes as they were a giveaway about alot of different things.

Anyway.. managed to take that nicely off topic..

VS you've got an Audi TT haven't you?

Rob

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Anyway.. managed to take that nicely off topic..

VS you've got an Audi TT haven't you?

Rob

Yup, of the convertable variety. I love cars, the g/f has a Porsche 911 (a real one from 1984, not the modern computerised "do everything for you" type) and there is a 1967 E type in the garage now entering it's 2nd year of restoration. (if only I had more time....)

We also both have several pairs of clean, well looked after shoes

 

[Jayne]

I would expect them to turn up in a reasonably conditioned CLEAN car, wouldn't matter if it was a mini or a jag as long as it wasn't full of holes and covered in mud.

I take more note in the condition of peoples shoes than their cars, if they can't take care of their shoes then they won't get my business

Better polish all my shoes now, you've shamed me into taking this action :lol: Most of mine are covered in flour.

Jayne

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Most of mine are covered in flour.

I hope that means they are clean enough to eat off

 

[Jayne]

My dog likes to lick them, if that counts I could hire him out for shoe cleaning!

Jayne

 

[Steve Roberts]

I used to think it makes a difference - nowadays I don't. I'm a bit of a petrolhead, and I've got lots of cars ranging from a family MPV to high performance sports cars - and I've used all of them for business at some time or other. And, other than maybe a talking point with clients, over the years it's made sod all difference to the outcome of any meetings. As such, the car that someone turns up in to see me makes no difference to the relationship.

 

[JK_du_Toit]

What do you think of a guy who turns up in a train with an expensive siut and knowledge of what he is talking about?

This topic is about transport isnt it?

My shoes are clean... can I have your business? My working partner drives a jag and our clients hardly ever get to see it. That is why I saved money and bought a cheapie. (Hence the train question...)

 

[Agri-Hire]

Might make no difference if you are driving a nice car, but if someone is telling me that they are a good business person and I should trust them to help me with mine, and they turn up in a Vauxhall Nova, then it is going to ring alarm bells.

"If you want to be succesful you have to portray the image of success."

 

[Astaroth]

I have to say it is a starting point but is by no means the be all and end all.

As Alpha says - it has to be an "appropriate" vehicle for the client. If you ever have a "sales" person be it a rep or a consultant first impressions do count - if we had someone coming in to show how they think we will save £300,000,000 a year I would be slightly concerned if he turned up in a battered ford fiesta.

To go onto the train question - I have no issues with it. I live and work in London and know very well that trains can be a much more sensible form of transport and for long distance trains allow you to work as you travel (esp with the increases in wireless connectivity on trains).

Of cause first impressions are just that and I will not give a contract to someone simply because they have a Merc McLaren and if the ford fiesta guy did have better ideas then it wouldnt stop me hiring them. He has just created more work for himself.

 

[Jayne]

Hi,

The couple who are buying my shop, came in a really old clapped out corsa. They own 4 properties (2 in London), so those with real money try to hide it. 'Avoids the sharks', a business friend once told me

If a business man turned up on a push bike, it wouldn't bother me. I like people who are different

If you have an old car, just hide it from view of the customer.

Jayne

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

It is also very easy to rent / lease a flashy car quite cheaply now, and "look successful" without actually being so.

 

[multilingual]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to place a vote on my first ever Poll.

Interesting results so far.

I won't say too much for those who have not yet cast a vote, but it is a bit of a surprise to me to see the way it is going.



JB

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

The next poll should be "would you use a flashy car to try to impress potential clients"

 

[fastfences]

If a consultant is about to bill me £3997 + vat for a days work - I would expect them to turn up in a nice Jag or something.

Rob

Fair enough, but mightn't you think that he's making TOO much out of you and may even be 'overpriced?'

Cheers, Nigel