USED CAR PROBLEM.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 244, 5 July 1928, Page 7

USED CAR PROBLEM.

MARKETING METHODS. Room for Enterprise. (By Motus). No. 11. Last week we indicated to motor salesmen how they might find a field for used car sales among the young fellows who ordinarily splash their money on a motor cycle and side chair. Now we propose to invade the office of the sales manager and ginger him us a bit. Some think that there is not much further scope for an increase in the sale of cars, but this is an unwarrantably pessimistic view, for New Zealand has by no means yet reached its saturation point in motor ownership. There are any number of people who cannot afford to buy a new car and stand the heavy depreciation, and who are afraid to buy a used car because they do not know in what condition it may be : they are fearful of “falling in.” Here in New Zealand there are few garages that give a guarantee with used cars, but in England the practice is quite common, and good results follow. The extension of the system from England to New Zealand has in one case at least resulted in steady sales. The motor merchants should have their own experts test and examine each used car taken in, put it in fair order, and give a three-months’ guarantee to replace all original parts that show failure within that period. They might also give a light overhaul, such as adjusting valves, brakes, etc., at the end of • the three months ; in short, give the same minimum guarantee as is given with a new car. Such methods would give confidence "to many folk who would buy used cars but will not now risk spending their few pounds upon anything but a certainty. The dealers would not lose anything, unless their own experts made a mistake, and they would be moving the used cars, making way for sales of new ones, and increasing the total number of car owners — with all that this implies. It is up to the sales managers to make a forward move.