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Sorry but it doesn't add up

6th April 2006, Page 67
6th April 2006
Page 67
Page 67, 6th April 2006 — Sorry but it doesn't add up
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

CM's inside contact bemoans the number of operators who expect vehicles with glaring faults to attract top dollar at part exchange.

The answer to the question is no. What's the question? I'll let you work that one out as YOU read this.

An operator with, say, four trucks on container work runs his trucks to the limit They come in for their inspections; repair work, if it needs doing, is done— eventually. Rumours circulate that he's looking to upgrade his ageing fleet with three-yearold trucks. His rates are pared to the bone —just like everyone else — so he needs decent part-ex cash to fund the newer motors.

He's done the rounds. He's been here before looking at fleet-spec motors we've taken in through part exchange and is interested. His trucks aren't pretty. They get driven hard,and the cab interiors would be ideal material for a Life of Grime special. They're six years old. down at heel and impossible to shift.

They'll have to go for export: all I can offer him is rock bottom and he's still trying to haggle me up a few quid. I can't do it.

How do you explain that the vehicles he has either need to be scrapped or exported for parts? You can hear the desperation in his voice. He's stretching his finances to the outer reaches and still the ends do not meet.

In the end he accepts my position and storms off somewhere else. But if he'd concentrated on looking after his trucks, keeping them clean, repairing cosmetic damage and getting work done sooner rather than later, my answer would have been yes. •

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