Taxi Driver Online

Hi

I don't think I've posted on here for a while, but I have been reading a few posts surrounding the restrictions on plates etc - which has become extremely interesting.

I've been a Newcastle Hackney taxi driver for around 7 years now and I'm considering getting out of the trade. At present I have a "04" VW Sharan which was purchased new in May of last year after my Eurocab was written off. If I knew then what I know now, I would have probably purchased a Doblo and would be paying a hell of a lot less back to the loan company. I hold my hands up, I was wrong in going for a nice expensive taxi.

It's now becoming a bit of a struggle to actually make a decent weekly wage (I think a lot of you had a poor Christmas and New Year too), along with the fact my motivation to go to work - doing night shift - is at an all time low, I feel for the sake of my sanity I've got to look elsewhere for an income. I can’t imagine many taxi drivers are in the trade for any extensive period. I think the time has come to get out.

I see new drivers starting every week (usually renting) and know they are very keen, working 60 - 70 hour weeks making a nice wage, (so they should) but I know one or two years down the line the hours will shrink to 30 or so - only going to graft when its busy.

The days of ranking up during the day for a couple of hours to get a £5 job are long behind me.

That’s a little of my chest........ so back to my question, how much is my Sharan worth in the trade?

It originally cost £25,000 - converted by Automotive group to be Wheelchair accessible.
Its around 9 months old.
Has 25,000 miles on the clock. (has never been changed!) This will show you how little I work
The vehicle has had no major problems except a radiator change.
Its in A1 condition.

My friend has recommended if I sold the vehicle without the plate I would get around £21,500 - then he said to buy a Doblo which would leave a little in the bank. I would then be able to rent out the taxi for around £220 per week.

The other option is to sell the vehicle and plate. I have been told that WAV plates are selling for over £16,000 in Newcastle, so therefore selling the vehicle and plate for around £37,500 may be realistic ? ?

Finally, are Newcastle Council restricting the plates? I cannot see them opening the floodgates to this at all. The Lib Dems want less pollution in the city centre so this would not sit too well with their thoughts on the environment if they end up putting more taxis into the city. Secondly, we all know about rank space being taken up but it has now got to a ridiculous level in Newcastle. The major area of Newcastle where the vast majority of people drink - and taxis’ rank up, The Quayside, is becoming a ..........pedestrian zone, with a huge amount of taxi rank space taken up. Areas which are "no car lanes" are now full of taxis waiting outside kebab houses. You usually find at least one taxi outside a bar, which does not have a taxi rank.

In my opinion, I believe what keeps the price of a plate high are the people who go out on a weekend and see how busy it is, will say to you "wow, you taxi lads must make a fortune, I think I might try my hand at it. It looks easy money". God that [edited by admin] me right off. It’s “newbies” like this that are a little naïve.

I don't think there is anything wrong in paying for a plate for someone to have the opportunity to go self employed. What other business allows you to go self employed for such a small amount of money. And knowing that there will be restrictions on plates will only mean your investment is secure.




Any thoughts on this matter are welcome.

Cheers

Hello Chris,

Some people won't believe you mate, my advice is just ignore the [edited by admin].

I think you will struggle to sell your Sharan without the plate, as its the plate that people want.

I see they've stopped ranking opposite The Gate, as well as the Quayside, it is a joke mate, at least they won't close the whole town centre for a full weekend like their doing for this Spring Labour Party Conferance. Should be a good wekend for you lads with all the people from the boat, Baja and Buffalo Jo's heading over the swing bridge as Pipewellgate, Bridge St, and the Swing Bridge will all be closed to ALL traffic.

Never mind though, we'll get through it.

B. Lucky

Hi

Thanks for your post.

It's interesting what you say about The Gate and also the forthcoming Labour Conference. I may be wrong but I'm sure there is only space for 3 taxis outside the Gate but at times there’s over 25 taxis ranked up. Total joke.



If I got a decent price for the Sharan I may sell. There’s no way I would sell at a silly price. I've got 2 years left on the finance and if I could get through the next 24 months without getting too [edited by admin] off I would then either rent out the Sharan or work Friday and Saturday night only.

I'm also still waiting for my compensation claim from my accident which would (hopefully) pay off most of the finance on the taxi. When this eventually comes through I may also just pay off the finance and work 2 nights.

Again though, if the right offer come through for the plate + vehicle I would be tempted to sell.

Cheers

Sorry, but if you read the other posts then we're not really allowed to say anything unless we agree with you, so I won't say much, but there were a couple of points at the end of your post that stood out, so I might mention them, some people will clearly take offence, but so be it.

It's funny that on this forum that I and other people spent a lot of time setting up that others have no problem in having THEIR say, but the same people object to US having our say, unless of course we spout the message that THEY want us to say.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

So you're criticising the newbies for keeping the price of a plate high but then lauding the fact that your investment is secure?

If it wasn't for the newbies renting or paying for a plate you wouldn't have an 'investment' at all!

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Well I know of a few that allows you to go self-employed for an even SMALLER amount of money.

For example, taxi journeymen the length and breadth of the country in restricted areas, taxi owners and journeymen in unrestricted areas, and PH drivers and owners in both.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

By the way, please accept my apologies for disagreeing with you Chris.

I know I shouldn't even be posting such things according to self-appointed thought police who think they should say what's posted on here, but I just can't help it

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Hi TDO

Cheers for your post.

Like I said, I'm after any thoughts at all on the matter. Good or bad.

I'm really just trying to find out how much I can get for the Sharan. I'm not too bothered if I don't sell the plate as I said I would just buy a Doblo and rent it out for £220 per week or just work 2 nights per week.

If someone offered me a decent price for the Sharan I may be tempted to sell. It would cut a lot off my outgoings. Looking back at the purchase, I don't work that many hours to justify a £25,000 vehicle. I should have bought a Doblo. Having said that, the Sharan IS a superb vehicle. There is no question there.

I realise that buy only (possibly) selling the vehicle and not the plate and vehicle would limit my purchasers but I'm only testing the water.

But, if someone said "here mate, theres' £38,000 for your plate and taxi" I would probably take the money and run.

Chris

Yeah TDO I agree, why some people think that a differing opinion shouldn't be voiced is beyond me.

B. Lucky

So you've completely changed your mind from your position of a few days ago.

Never mind though, in a few weeks time you'll have changed your mind back again!

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Sorry to upset you before I make the following comments;

The vehicle is now a taxi, in being such its value is a lot lower in price than a exact replica sharan not used for taxi work.

With the wheelchair conversion it can only really go back into the trade.

With the price of the plate attached, I would suggest the total price you are looking for will be out of reach for most people wanting to buy in.

best of luck in whatever you decide though

regards

Captain cab

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Your vehicle has several minus points to the ordinary man in the street. One, it has been used as a Taxi and Two, the original design has been altered. Unless the price is right, most people won't touch a vehicle that has been used for Taxi or Private hire work. The book value in the main reflects the condition and amount of mileage the vehicle has done. Your vehicle has above average mileage so expect that to be taken into consideration. You may wish to compare vehicles for sale of the same age, then perhaps fix a reasonable price for your own vehicle.

I was interested in your plate price for Newcastle, I recently did some provisional research into the plate values up there and for the WAV vehicles I got a value of around 15 grand and the other type around 30 grand. I'm pleased to see your 16 grand reflects my own findings. If you don't mind me asking did you get a free plate, or did you buy the plate?

I suppose one option you might consider is to sell both your cab and plate. You could then buy a doblo and toddle off down the road to Gateshead and work the weekends. You might have to get permission off gateshead angel first though, because he doesn't like anyone exercising their right to work in a free market.

Best wishes

JD

Chris
I empathise with you I feel [edited by admin] off at the moment

my wife says get off your ass and work, to my problem so it should be right for you too.

You see I haven't changed my mind, what I said was quite clear. People were complaining about the comments made by Mr Roland, then making comments themselves without any knowledge. Whats good for the goose must be good for the gander.

I will probably change my mind sooner than that Dusty

B. Lucky

The land of real people eh Mr Spencer.