Reply to: Wheeler Dealers

[Bagpuss]

In typical TV fashion they don't factor in the labour cost, cost of tools/facilities (and there is still an opportunity cost if you do it yourself) when calculating the profit. Sometimes that Ed bloke works on the cars for a couple of days. At back street garage rates you'd be looking at least £500 for that amount of work. In many cases no profit is made, but it's entertaining and educational. It's a bit of lighthearted fun, not meant to be analysed as a business model.

That Ed China bloke is highly skilled,has a workshop with a ramp and all the best tools. He makes the worst jobs look simple,when infact they are real pains and even he sometimes calls in help. He builds a lot of the special challenge cars for Top Gear.

[RockyBalboa]

I think some of you are missing the point..?

You are meant be 'Ed China' (i.e. the mechanic) yourself, therefore, you are not paying anyone to do anything. If you do it on the side as a hobby, you can make a few quid.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by Troll
Ohhh...I'm in the market for a trailer - what's he got?

Have you tried ebay, I've bought 2 off there recently and got really good deals.

[Sockpuppet]

Ohhh...I'm in the market for a trailer - what's he got?

He was doing a boat trailer last night, not sure he has much of a plan just what he can get his hands on cheap.

[BoredBloke]

I'd love to know where they advertise the finished cars! The person who buys one gets a good deal!

[Troll]

I got chatting to a waitress I know in the US during Easter holiday - seems her husband buys old muscle cars and does them up for profit & she was complaining there wasn't a lot of money in it

Any-road-up she then started on about the amount of time he spent in front of the telly watching those two English blokes doing up cars... seems they get WD in USA so syndicate payments must bump up the profitability ( I also had wondered about the amounts they spent versus sold for)

[TestMangler]

It can get you in a lot of trouble, thinking, Tone, I shouldn't do so much of it.

Now, go and put the kettle on.......

[Troll]

I think the point is that you can. Some people like this sort of thing.

My old man takes old trailers, replaces the knackered parts and sells them on. He makes maybe a £100 a time. THen again he's retired and it keeps him busy so we all just go along with it.

Ohhh...I'm in the market for a trailer - what's he got?

[Sands of Time]

It can get you in a lot of trouble, thinking, Tone, I shouldn't do so much of it.

Well don't do it then.


Tone

[AtW]

I think it's entertainment. Tone

It can get you in a lot of trouble, thinking, Tone, I shouldn't do so much of it.

[AtW]

Get the missus on a mechanics course at college, and she could be making £500 a day tightening nuts and lubricating rods.

[Sands of Time]

I think it's entertainment.



Tone

[Sysman]

I fail to see the point when they take a car, have a mechanic work full time on it and manage to turn a 'profit' of £500 or so.

Those are the jobs he's willing to tell Joe Public about? Just as you probably don't want to tell everyone your rate?

Also, he's not going to tell world and dog every last trick of the trade.

[bless 'em all]

Their 'best' profit was £6400 on a Morgan +4.

[Sockpuppet]

I think the point is that you can. Some people like this sort of thing.

My old man takes old trailers, replaces the knackered parts and sells them on. He makes maybe a £100 a time. THen again he's retired and it keeps him busy so we all just go along with it.