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Quality street Quality and choice are the keys for one new dealer. Emma Penny finds out what Cherwell
Page 72
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Truck Sales has to offer.
For a business that set up only last November, Cherwell Truck Sales has already made an impact. More than 50 trucks have been driven off the yard since the beginning of this year, but proprietor Steve Horne has bigger plans, and hopes to sell double that number in the next six months.
For a business that set up only last November, Cherwell Truck Sales has already made an impact. More than 50 trucks have been driven off the yard since the beginning of this year, but proprietor Steve Horne has bigger plans, and hopes to sell double that number in the next six months.
For a business that set up only last November, Cherwell Truck Sales has already made an impact. More than 50 trucks have been driven off the yard since the beginning of this year, but proprietor Steve Horne has bigger plans, and hopes to sell double that number in the next six months.
Horne admits, though, that the first eight months haven't always been easy. November was the worst possible time to start the business. "It's not a good time of year to sell trucks, and everyone is usually very busy in the run-up to Christmas." With six trucks still stood on the yard at Christmas, Horne says he was undecided about carrying on, but then went to buy another 10 trucks so there was then no turning back. "Since the New Year though, it's been busy— but I think we could still do more business. I'm just getting frustrated that more people don't know that we are here and that we're selling top quality stuff"
Getting punters to travel to see trucks is often difficult, he says. "People don't want to travel, especially if they have had a bad experience before when they've driven miles to see a truck that's been talked up but has got its bumper hanging off."
Getting punters to travel to see trucks is often difficult, he says. "People don't want to travel, especially if they have had a bad experience before when they've driven miles to see a truck that's been talked up but has got its bumper hanging off." However, once they've made it to Cherwell Truck Sales, which is based near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, they invariably buy. "We try to have two to three trucks of the type someone might be
looking for, and once they come here they are usually pleased with what they find.
"We are trying to do something a bit different," he explains.The firm has decided to stick with trucks from 7.5 to 14 or 15 tonnes, avoiding 18-tonners and artics because there are too many of them for sale already. "We are trying to hold a variety of different vehicles in that niche to appeal to buyers," he explains. That means offering everything from day and sleeper cabs to bigger engines, boxes, curtainsiders, and in one case, a MercedesBenz 313CDi dropside with a tilt cover which is so unusual that it's not even in CAP Red Book. MAN and Merc preferred Horne will buy only quality trucks up to six years old, and prefers MAN and Mercedes
Benz, although the yard holds a small selection of other marques, some of which have come as trade-ins.
His preference for MAN and MercedesBenz comes from running his own transport business. Before setting up as a dealer, Horne ran Cherwell Logistics, but he has retained his interest in truck racing, and his race-prepared truck sits in a far corner of the yard — well out of the way of potential buyers!
Back to the trading floor, though, and Horne explains that while he buys trucks from a variety of sources, including auctions, he's always looking for quality vehicles. 100-point check
Once trucks arrive in the yard — whether they are from finance companies, manufacturers or auctions —they go straight to the workshop where they are given a 100-point check.
Any faults which need rectifying are tackled and noted on a check sheet that customers can see and are given when they buy the vehicle.
"I don't want to put anything out for sale unless I am happy with it. I want people to come here and buy, and then return to buy again.We don't give a warranty as such, although people can opt for them, but we are happy that there are no mechanical faults with any truck we sell.
"We don't sell any cheap trucks, as we are selling quality vehicles and so we are paying more for them to start with.They must be in good mechanical condition, and well looked after."
This desire to stock only good quality vehicles, which are mechanically sound, comes from being an operator and understanding the frustration when a truck breaks down.
This desire to stock only good quality vehicles, which are mechanically sound, comes from being an operator and understanding the frustration when a truck breaks down.
This has also been the driver behind supplying all buyers with a pack containing all the information they need about their newly-purchased vehicle, from MoT certificates, VS logbooks, tachograph calibration certificates and service history where it's available.
This has also been the driver behind supplying all buyers with a pack containing all the information they need about their newly-purchased vehicle, from MoT certificates, VS logbooks, tachograph calibration certificates and service history where it's available. Workshop options
Besides getting a good vehicle, buyers might also get new curtains if they are buying a curtainsider, and can have an assortment of other work done through Cherwell's own workshop, including resprays. One truck on the yard is showing the full benefit of a respray in silver — the new owner's choice. The MAN LE160C curtainsider is off to a west London parcel firm, and
has also been fitted with new curtains. With a 160hp engine, a 17ft body and 165,000km on the clock,Y464 KDB sold for £12,950, including curtains.
Sleeper cabs are also popular with Home's buyers, and the pristine 7.5-tonne Mercedes Benz Atego 815 with 20ft box will soon find a home, he says.
X686 CMA has been well looked after, and has 260,000Iun on the clock. It's on sale for £.11,750. • Contact: Steve Home at Cherwell Truck Sales on 01608 677112 or 07831 373425