Taxi Driver Online

Hi all

I have made the move and decided to sell up.

I'm selling my Wheelchair Converted 04 Sharan (done by Automotive group of Newcastle - the only place which has the VW contract to do this) - Purchased in May 04.

I understand the vehicle has 3 years warranty but would check with VW on this. I know it has a minimum of a 2 years warranty.

There is 36000 genuine miles on the clock. This can be checked by anyone who wishes to. I only work around 20 hours per week so there is very little the car has done.

Its in absolutely mint condition.

Only problem I had was with the air-con which is now fixed.

The car is a dream to drive and I was upto 33MPG last month before I had to start using the air-con again - its still doing 31MPG.

The car is fitted with a DVD system.

There is one 7in roof mounted screen for the back seat passengers and I have a motorised Alpine unit which is also around 7in which is DIN mounted.

The car has never been through a car wash and the paint work is spot on.

My mate, who sold his Sharan last week got £19,500 - he bought his around a week after me......his had slightly more miles on the clock too. Therefore I know my Sharan is worth around the £19,500 mark.

The plates in Newcastle are now selling for around £35,000 on a WCA vehicle.

I understand the saloon plates are selling for over £55,000.

Therefore I'm prepared to sell Car and plate at around £55,000

I've had an offer of £50,000 but the car's only been up for sale for 4 days so I think I should get more.

Any one interested - please, no jokers/timewasters - give me a call on 07870 619 892

The reason why I am selling is that I am now putting 100% into buying and selling on Ebay and craft/exhibition fairs.

Cheers
Chris

Be very careful that you are making the right move by selling up and making a living on eBay.

Myself and my wife have spent the last three years trying to make a living on eBay, we have tried various methods and products in which to sell but it is a struggle. I guess the scenario is a bit like a bookies, the only one that really wins is the bookies, in this case eBay. When you consider the listing fees, final valuation fees and PayPal fees as well as the product you are selling and the time involved then there isn't much left.

I know there are many people out there who can and do make a lot of money on eBay but their's is a secret that they ain't gonna give out, if I knew what the secret was I'd be doing it too.

It's up to you what you do, all I'm saying is think about what you're giving up before you drop it all for eBay.

Cheers for the advise Steptoe.


I really can't stand this job any more and if it all goes titties up with ebay I would give something else a go.......but I think I may know the secret.

Take a look at what I'll be selling:

www.art-vandelay.co.uk

Chris

Looks good there Chris, one of the markets worth watching are those in the USA, the British are always too slow to catch on and they always seem to have it first.

How come you've had enough of being a taxi driver then? I'm looking at moving into it for the first time although now you've got me thinking otherwise LOL.

Hi Steptoe

Cheers for your comments.

In a sentence:

"Theres too much sh!t on the streets at night time in Newcastle".

I don't "just pick up anyone", and if I don't like the look of someone they don't get in - nothing worse than cleaning sick off the back seat.

All the students are away at present so theres nothing to make.

Joking apart I did £3 ( yes £3 ) 2 weeks ago on Monday night for 2 1/2 hours on night shift. Got P!ssed off and went home. Then last Monday I done £10 for 3 hours "graft".

Yeah, theres money all year round in this job.....not.

I think if you're going to do it. Graft ye nuts off when its busy....work 12 hour shifts - and bank money for when its quiet. Take time off when theres no work on the streets because you'll get bored once you've re-read THE SUN for the forth time.

Good luck
Chris

Thanks for the inside story on the taxi biz, it's nice to get someone in a profession to tell the truth.

Cheers.

I hope you achieve your asking price Chris. I can empathise with you on the lack of trade in these summer months but if you have found a niche market on Ebay then why not try and exploit it while you can.

I am particular interested in what you said about plate values in Newcastle because if you recall several months ago you confirmed that your plate was worth sixteen grand which compared favourably with the information I had at the time. Since then I reassessed the values to 18k and 35k respectively but since then according to your figures there seems to have been an even larger increase.

The 55k you suggest puts them above Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, which I think, might be misleading. I knew the plates would increase after the council decided to retain its policy of restriction but how do you account for the huge increase in restricted wav plates.

Regards

JD

Cheers for your post JD.


Before we knew what was happening with the restriction of the plates in Newcastle, WCA Plates were being sold for £16,000 +

However, many taxi drivers just didn't want to pay that just incase the plates were opened up again. Quite a few of the taxi lads did think there was a good possibility of the council opening the plates up.

Obviously, if that did happen the plates would have been worth next to nothing.

Now with the restriction, I believe until 2008, the price of plates has gone through the roof.

Doblo's are being sold for around £40,000 + (That’s ones which are ready for the knackers yard).

Again, this would suggest the plates are worth £35,000.

I did speak to a guy lately that said "where can you buy a business and become self employed for £35 - 40,000 ?" - I understand what he is saying. It might sound like a few quid but its not ridiculously expensive when you think you will have your own business. With Hackney rental at around the £240 - £250 per week mark, you can understand someone taking a chance and buying into the game as they will know the plates will not be issued for 3 years and possibly/more than likely longer.

To some it may be a good investment, but to others it may be a rope round their neck.

Anyway, any one who wishes to buy from my site is more than welcome to get a exclusive 5% discount

(Here's the sales patter).........Buy any sculpture (which will go through at full price) - email me and I'll send 5% of the cost back to yourself.
ie Buy a sculpture for £100 - I'll write a cheque off for £5 along with your sculpture. These aren't being sold anywhere in the Uk so I hope you take the chance to get one (or two).
I've already got orders for these so I just hope I'm doing the right thing here but time will tell.

Cheers
Chris

Sorry, just to add that a guy is selling his 04 saloon car with plate (forget which make it is) for £70,000 ! Just found this out yesterday.

Chris

Sorry to jump on the topic here but I was wondering how this plate value works, me being new to the game etc.

I am about to go out and buy a Ford Mondeo M reg that will be used as a private hire taxi.

Now the car will be worth less than £1000, does this mean that when I get it MOT'd with the council and get it plated it's value will go up?

NO. the plate value that is discussed is for HC plate in restricted areas when the local coucil put a limit on how many plates they issue. therefore giving a false value to those lucky enough to have one. As there are no restictions on the number of PH plates that are issued there is no real added value to a car that has one.

However, you may well find another new driver who would be willing to rent a PH car due to their personal circumstances.

students and trekies love this sort of thing. i hope you do well in you new business.

Thank you for that update Chris. The uncertainty factor obviously played a huge part in suppressing plate values but now that uncertainty has been lifted, as can be expected plate values have begun to rise.

I think you might be making a wise move because I wouldn't like to predict what the situation will be like in eighteen months time.

Regards

JD