Salesmen in flash cars
Discussion
What is the general concensious on here with regards to company owners driving flash cars? (Porsches etc). Some people i have spoke to don't like dealing with them, because they think that it shows that they rip people off and make too much money! I on the other hand would rather deal with someone in a flash car, to me it shows that they are a success and good at what they do.
What are your thoughts?
What are your thoughts?
plotloss said:
I always used to avoid it, if they were car fans then it would perhaps be mentioned in passing but no point painting it red so to speak.
I have a bright red Porsche with my Company's initials as the number plate - its to remind me what paid for it and that I'd better look after my business...
To be honest - all our major clients know I have it and so I turn up at their offices in it and it isn't a problem.
I *am* wary of taking it to new clients places though. I find if asked "What do you drive?" that it is best to make as little of the answer as possible. I also find saying something like "well..I'm a track-day enthusiast so I have something suitable for that..." goes down OK too.
Having said that. I don't run an "ordinary" car so if I have to go places in it then I do and there's no choice...
Never had a problem turning up at a customer site in the barge. Just explain that I was pig sick of paying a huge amount of tax (true) to drive around in some faceless repmobile (true) and my car allowance now funds the bank loan to pay for the car (also true).
Only turned up at work in Emmas car once. Got so much shit off people I never drove it to that place again. That was after I'd finished giving them all runs in it
Only turned up at work in Emmas car once. Got so much shit off people I never drove it to that place again. That was after I'd finished giving them all runs in it
I would be more worried if someone turned up in a 15 yr old Xr3i than in something nice.
A nice car shows that the business is successful, has other clients who pay the rates, and that they can afford to not scrimp when the time comes...(mostly, as granted it could be in hock up to the sunroof)
Why is it we seem to think making a profit is BAD in this day and age ? Business is about 2 things to me, keeping the customers v.happy and keeping my bank account v.happy. Is this wrong ?
A nice car shows that the business is successful, has other clients who pay the rates, and that they can afford to not scrimp when the time comes...(mostly, as granted it could be in hock up to the sunroof)
Why is it we seem to think making a profit is BAD in this day and age ? Business is about 2 things to me, keeping the customers v.happy and keeping my bank account v.happy. Is this wrong ?
I think it depends on the industry and then on the relationship with the client. What might be ok in IT would probably raise eyebrows in steel fabrication, in my case as I work in the later and own the company I've faced the dilema several times when its new car time (infact I'm ordering a new work car now) You have to consider the percieved value as opposed to the actual value. I considered a Boxster with a few extras for about £40K but dismised this as the negative attitude it creates outwayed the fun. In the end the short list is (all estates) A6 Quattro 2.5TDI, a 330D, and a Saab 95 3.0V6 Tid. In my industry all these cars say non ostentatious success without being flash, being diesals they show my "economical" side 
, and being estates they say practical. Its sad I know but when the company is your baby you do everything you can to help it and if that means you have to consider "image" as well as practical performance then so bo it. Oh yes and I always take the Griff on a Saturday and all my staff know I have it.
I personally know a 966 driver who lost a very large pub refurb contract because he bumped into a buyer form the brewery at a wedding, he saw the car and concluded he was making too much profit out of them, it happens. On the plus side it Ted drove a brand new T440R or even a 360 spyder I'm sure no one would bat an eyelid because it would be appropriate for his occupation and business move over News Int' one day PH will rule the world.
, and being estates they say practical. Its sad I know but when the company is your baby you do everything you can to help it and if that means you have to consider "image" as well as practical performance then so bo it. Oh yes and I always take the Griff on a Saturday and all my staff know I have it. I personally know a 966 driver who lost a very large pub refurb contract because he bumped into a buyer form the brewery at a wedding, he saw the car and concluded he was making too much profit out of them, it happens. On the plus side it Ted drove a brand new T440R or even a 360 spyder I'm sure no one would bat an eyelid because it would be appropriate for his occupation and business
move over News Int' one day PH will rule the world. 
I personally know a 966 driver who lost a very large pub refurb contract because he bumped into a buyer form the brewery at a wedding, he saw the car and concluded he was making too much profit out of them, it happens.
That is typical of this county, no one likes someone who does well for themslves. The above is just an example, the same thing for when people vandalise similar cars just out of spight.
That is typical of this county, no one likes someone who does well for themslves. The above is just an example, the same thing for when people vandalise similar cars just out of spight.
mel said:
I personally know a 966 driver who lost a very large pub refurb contract because he bumped into a buyer form the brewery at a wedding, he saw the car and concluded he was making too much profit out of them, it happens.
elms said:
That is typical of this county, no one likes someone who does well for themslves. The above is just an example, the same thing for when people vandalise similar cars just out of spight.
that really does get my goat..
If someone has worked hard for success...
then I applaud them...
if someone hasnt worked hard for success
but has it all the same.. then I hope they will appreciate what they have
, but feel no overwhelming bitterness to them...
I work hard,
and I know I will get my just deserves in the future...
I suppose those who get so bitter are those who dont know this.. maybe they resent that they didnt do as much with their lives as they could possibly have done
... and are asking themselves why not.. and not liking the answer....
If someone has something better than you, then 9/10 they have worked harder than you, or longer than you to get it... use it as an inspiration...
proof that hard work really does pay off... dont vilify
them and resent them. Lifes too short 
When I used to turn up at client sites in the Chimp I found the senior management did not have a problem with it. Indeed many were interested in the car and possibly even saw it as a sign of success. It always seemed to be a few of the rank and file and even middle management who took an exception to it with the usual "bloody consultants roll up here in their flash cars and tell us how to do our jobs" type mumblings. Since it was the senior management that do the hiring and firing I was quite happy with this situation. Although it's never comfortable knowing that someone you may be working with has made a negative judgement about your character based on the car you drive. Amazingly I still get a bit of this with the 968, which I don’t regard as a particularly flash car at all. In fact it probably cost less than half the price of most of the 0-3 year old A4’s, 3 Series Bimmers and C class Mercs in the office car park.
However, for some reason I would prescribe limits myself. I think any TVR, Porker (maybe not a GT2 X50) and, Lotus or a DB7 would be fine but I think any Ferrari, Lambo or a Vanquish would be too OTT to turn up at a client site in.
However, for some reason I would prescribe limits myself. I think any TVR, Porker (maybe not a GT2 X50) and, Lotus or a DB7 would be fine but I think any Ferrari, Lambo or a Vanquish would be too OTT to turn up at a client site in.
What's ridiculous is the person who turns up in a £200 car, might live in a £1m house and fly to Barbados every two months for his holiday!
Whereas the person who turns up in a £50k sportscar might lives in a small house, spending all hours working with no time for holidays.
And yet the latter would be the subject of jealousy .. sad isn't it.
Whereas the person who turns up in a £50k sportscar might lives in a small house, spending all hours working with no time for holidays.
And yet the latter would be the subject of jealousy .. sad isn't it.
Very much depends on what sector you are selling to.
We do a lot with charities and public sector clients and pulling up in something overly flash just isn't considered the done thing - more out of respect than anything else.
That said, if you loose an account over the car you drive then one has to ask would it really be a worthwhile account anyway.
We do a lot with charities and public sector clients and pulling up in something overly flash just isn't considered the done thing - more out of respect than anything else.
That said, if you loose an account over the car you drive then one has to ask would it really be a worthwhile account anyway.
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