AGENTS' HINTS TO MAKERS. By Mancunian.
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EVER AND ANON, in my wanderings among motor agents in Lancashire, grumblings of discontent with the alleged indifference of many manufacturers to the financial interests of their rig-ents come to me both loud and deep. :Not only in the county Palatine, but in Cheshire and Yorkshire the trouble is very greatly discussed.
I came across a firm the other day that has paid over£10,000 in deposits to various makers whose agencies it holds. At the present value of money, such a position is not satisfactory—to the agents, however financially favourable it may be to the manufacturers.
Influenced by knowledge of the condition of affairs in the commercial vehicle world, many garage proprietors who had intended to develop the business of the lorry are holding back. They. recognize that the maintenance of an expert staff, the upholding of large stocks of spares, c18 attention to clients, and the necessary work of educating business men to the use of the motor vehicle is an expensive proceeding. Moreover, when they can get no assurance as to the delivery of vehicles, it is a disappointing perf;rinance.
Criticism must not be wholly negative, and, from those who have given the subject some thought, suggestions have come which may be helpful in the controversy. They are not necessarily new, nor even true, but they suggest some of the views in the minds of the " victims " of the present system There is a feeling that makers who hold deposits should pay interest, say, at 2i per cent, on the amounts. In some cases agents have had to obtain bank overdrafts to meet the deposits paid to makers who want larger amounts than the agents can obtain from prospective customers. If the makers would pay a small rate of
interest, it would allay some of the discontent. Then, when taking deposits, makers should give some approximate idea of the date of &livery, and not take anything which cannot be guaranteed within a year. Some firma have already booked twelve months ahead, and still accept deposits. This is a matter that the agents should unite upon and settle.
Next is the question of advertising. Local agents are expected to advertise, and to meet the cost of such work out of future profits which, under present con
ditions, seem afar off. Surely, it is reasonable that makers should meet a portion of that expense, when they know full well that early deliveries are not likely. These are some of the ideas that have been presented by agents in Lancashire and some contiguous areas with a view of meeting a situation that is becoming too intense to be pleasant.