In 'the trade'

[pompei]

My only experience was working in the stores (sorry Tontops!) at Pattersons, the main Ford agent in Newcastle during school and uni holidays. Loved it, got to do deliveries up to Northumberland in the Transit - happy days!

[Barry Cade]

Been "In the trade" since I left school, 18 years ago. Firs as a body and paint man, then on to mechanics. First in a Vauxhall dealer working on Mk2 Cavs and Astras, then on to Nissan-Bluebirds and the like. Spent all day fitting aftermarket sunroofs to make "special editions :oops:" Also worked with Kia,Rocsta,FSO, and Ford, then on to multi franchise places. Also had my own place for a bit. Want out the trade NOW!

[Mr Lobster]

FSO

That reminds me. First job I ever did in 'the trade' was working as Rental Agent at a small Renault dealer. They bought a franchise for Practical Car Rental and rented what were basically some of the p/x stuff they couldn't shift. Anyway, they decided to expand and rented a showroom in Darwen and stuck an FSO franchise in it. It lasted about three months before the huge outlay combined with selling absolutely no FSOs whatsoever sent them bust

Want out the trade NOW!

I know that feeling !

[v6pop]

Left school in 1974 and straight into an apprenticeship at a British Leyland garage,left after 4 years and did various jobs until 1981 when I started work at a Harley custom bike/paint shop (Id been building chops and painting them since 1975 for myself).After just 3 months I became manager(old manager left!) and stayed for 16 years,closed down in 1996 but got headhunted by a Harley dealership.Got pissed off with the yuppies and dickhead customers so left after 2 years and set up my own shop dealing in jap and british bikes (sales and workshop).Closed that down after 8 years due to various problems,not for the want of trying....shit happens.Now back in the motor vehicle world as a Vehicle Inspector on Heavy goods vehicles,PSV's,etc.....nice to not be self employed any more

[Negative Creep]

Worked on the parts department for a Citroen delear before uni. Going throuygh endless screen working out which one of the 50 hydraulic pipes on a Xanita the customer was actually after. Also worked at Halfords until yesterday, which now I'm free of them I can say what a rubbish, rip off company they are

[Rusty Pelican]

. Also worked at Halfords until yesterday, which now I'm free of them I can say what a rubbish, rip off company they are

Ah yes , Halfrauds , bloody expensive , cater for the masses although they are open on Sundays and lateish in the evenings , suppose thats what your paying for

[carlo]

My dad sold cars from home from 1970 to 1988, and I was in the trade from 1985 until 2001, when I had to give up for health reasons.Bought cars for a leasing company in Bushey until 1988. Sold new Peugeots from 1988 until 2001, in Watford, Slough and finally Uxbridge. Was a fleet sales manager when I finally packed it in. Simultaneously loved and hated the motor trade at the same time but always thought the people in it were proper.

[zephyr ally]

Worked for a tiny parts and service independent on weekends when at school, selling almost nothing and doing poor quality bodywork like "repairing" Fiesta front valances with bits of broken number plate and filler etc. It went bust for obvious reasons. Then went to college and got a BTEC in motor vehicle engineering while working for 3 years for a bloke building hot rods and customs, chassis, suspension, whatever - best job ever! Met some great people too. But now I work in an office which is ok, the pay is much better and all I have to do is sit on my arse and type instead of actually working, so not all bad. When I started office work I couldn't believe how easy and well paid it was compared to car stuff. But nothing like the sense of satisfaction of fixing something.

[Negative Creep]

. Also worked at Halfords until yesterday, which now I'm free of them I can say what a rubbish, rip off company they are

Ah yes , Halfrauds , bloody expensive , cater for the masses although they are open on Sundays and lateish in the evenings , suppose thats what your paying for

Yep the prices are a rip off (unless you have a trade card). The half price stuff is never, ever worth the full asking price either. Then again on the other hand you would have to deal with an amazing number of idiots incapable of looking in a flipchart to see what wiper blade they need. Or getting in a strop as you can't fit their stereo at this exact moment, failing to understand the concept of booking something in. Or looking at 30 sat navs and asking what is the difference between all of them. Or bringing a product back used with no box or receipt and wonder why you don't get a refund............

[Cavcraft]

Years of arsing about with cars/bikes and had 8 long years as a sales/service rep for a garage/industrial equipment company. Had my own round and covered bits of Cheshire, Shropshire, Flintshire, Gywnedd, Powys etc.Getting round main dealers, smaller outfits and one man bands etc was actually really enjoyable, the people in the motor trade are mostly a bloody good laugh, down to earth and interesting to talk to. Having a boss who you could never do enough (to keep happy) for and driving fucking Ivecos all bastard day took the shine off it eventually though.Learnt quite a bit from various garages, found loads of ace scrappies, spotted enough abandoned interesting cars/bikes/vans to fill my own forum forever and learnt how to 'not drive in accordance with road traffic laws' on numerous occasions and was happy to learn new tricks/dodges every day. Like how to overtake 8 lorries in one go on the A5/A483, accidentally put tachos in the wrong way round from time to time and how to accidentally fuck 'voluntary' speed limiters up.Oh, I also learnt that doing well over 80mph* down the hill between Llanfair Caerionion and Welshpool in a 7.5 tonner full of chemicals and suddenly finding a tractor in front of me was a trouser changing experience I won't forget in a hurry.*As clocked by a bloke behind me who stopped at the same garage as me and was delighted to pint out how quick I was going Prior to that worked as a tyre vulcaniser/specialist and then commercial tyre fitter which, unfortunately, taught me an incredibly large amount of wagon drivers are impatient jumped up jobsworthy tosspots. Luckily I know that they are not all that way at all.