Is your van worth what you're paying?

[Damo]

You do earn more money working from a newer van.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

This is nothing to do with tattoos Stevie. Just opinions on the values of a new van.

You yourself professed to everything colour coded, powder coated alloys and ladders van washed every day etc so you obviously believe there is value in professional appearance.

So far (other than damos point of nice to work from swish new motor) the only positive I can conceive is that you may be perceived as more stable and capable.

When the heremes courier comes to collect things I flogged on ebay I look at their nissan micra from 1996 and wonder if I should hand over the package. When the big shiny TNT or UPS van pulls up I don't give it a second thought as it has the appearance of established success.

 

[Extremecleansussex]

This is a decision I'm currently trying to decide on. I want a van (smallest possible) that I can leave my 2.5 metre ladder in with all the rest of my bits. Got a few options, Nissan NV200, VW Caddy Maxi, Despatch/Partner or LWB Transit Connect. Reason I started looking at new is some of the deals available. Brand new Nissan, 5 year warranty less than 9k plus vat. I've seen ads on Vantrader asking for more money for used stuff.

If your daily mileage is less than about 65 miles then I'd look at the e-NV200. I bought mine at 12 months old with 4K on the clock for £10,400 + VAT.

It costs about £25/month in electricity, has zero road tax and is exempt from ever having an MOT. Annual servicing is cheap too as there's nothing much needs doing.

I've been using mine for three months now and I'm saving about £200/month in diesel.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eviestevie]

This is nothing to do with tattoos Stevie. Just opinions on the values of a new van.You yourself professed to everything colour coded, powder coated alloys and ladders van washed every day etc so you obviously believe there is value in professional appearance.

So far (other than damos point of nice to work from swish new motor) the only positive I can conceive is that you may be perceived as more stable and capable.

When the heremes courier comes to collect things I flogged on ebay I look at their nissan micra from 1996 and wonder if I should hand over the package. When the big shiny TNT or UPS van pulls up I don't give it a second thought as it has the appearance of established success.

yes I do have flash van and am currently in the process of kitting another van out

Damo quoted a new van earns more,do I think my van earns me more money!!!HELL NO!its the tools and the operators that do that!

With reference to my tattoos green it was putting the point across that it doesn't matter what you look like, what van,car or bloody shopping trolley you use if the customers like you and your a decent lad that will get you more work than anything!!period!

 

[Eviestevie]

You do earn more money working from a newer van.

How

 

[Danfire]

That warrants investigation.

Tis true...I googled Nissan NV200 and there were dealers advertising them for around £8800 plus vat. I test drove one at my local Nissan dealer and he printed me a quote for about £9200. It was him that told me they had just extended their warranty from 3 to 5 years. Think the post about the Electric E-NV200 is interesting, I'm cautious about the technology, mainly concerned about the lifespan of the batteries but if they prove to be reasonable to replace or guaranteed for a very long time I might be tempted.

 

[Eviestevie]

yes I do have flash van and am currently in the process of kitting another van outDamo quoted a new van earns more,do I think my van earns me more money!!!HELL NO!its the tools and the operators that do that!

With reference to my tattoos green it was putting the point across that it doesn't matter what you look like, what van,car or bloody shopping trolley you use if the customers like you and your a decent lad that will get you more work than anything!!period!

And I certainly don't profess to anything that isn't true

 

[Damo]

How

When it's raining and the wind is ripping your face off and you just wanna go home. You look at your van and think. ****. Gotta pay that off. Simples.

 

[Eviestevie]

When it's raining and the wind is ripping your face off and you just wanna go home. You look at your van and think. ****. Gotta pay that off. Simples.

Haha that I can see a point in that

But damo would you agree the actual van doesn't earn more!

I'm not against new vans if the business is doing well then why not

 

[Damo]

Haha that I can see a point in thatBut damo would you agree the actual van doesn't earn more!

I'm not against new vans if the business is doing well then why not

New van slows you up if anything. When I work on new build sites I have to dodge holes and watch where I park. If I was in an old bus. It wouldn't matter.

What worries me is realaibilty. When my last van blew up I worked as part of a two man team. Struggled to hit target every day. It was like pull your hair out time. Every day. When on my own. It was easy to hit half the target. Usually 2 hours to spare. So for me a new van was a bit of security. I know "touch wood"

The obvious problems with older vans won't happen.

I have also won jobs from my van. I picked up a conny roof valet and when I did a test patch the customer looked in van. He just said your the man for the job after seeing what I had Inside.

In an ideal world. I would buy a 4/5 years old van. And run it for 5 years.

 

[Damo]

I don't regret anything about buying a new van and kitting it out with top notch gear. It's a joy to work from. Even more so when over Xmas I make some subtle changes /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Eviestevie]

I don't regret anything about buying a new van and kitting it out with top notch gear. It's a joy to work from. Even more so when over Xmas I make some subtle changes /emoticons/smile.png

I'm always tinkering with my van

Next year I'm changing things up a little bit and going to try build a system but of carbon fibre is going to be used

It's more like hobby and interest than anything

I used to love doing cars up but with kids that luxury had long gone so it's just tarting up the work van now

 

[steve garwood]

I'm always tinkering with my van Next year I'm changing things up a little bit and going to try build a system but of carbon fibre is going to be used

It's more like hobby and interest than anything

I used to love doing cars up but with kids that luxury had long gone so it's just tarting up the work van now

I agree with that. I'm always tinkering and trying new gadgets in my van. Love having a cordless in one hand and a brew in the other. I don't regret buying a new van either, makes be proud of my business and looks the dogs lower regions:thumbsup:

 

[Extremecleansussex]

Tis true...I googled Nissan NV200 and there were dealers advertising them for around £8800 plus vat. I test drove one at my local Nissan dealer and he printed me a quote for about £9200. It was him that told me they had just extended their warranty from 3 to 5 years. Think the post about the Electric E-NV200 is interesting, I'm cautious about the technology, mainly concerned about the lifespan of the batteries but if they prove to be reasonable to replace or guaranteed for a very long time I might be tempted.

The battery life is not an issue. The leaf has been around for five years now and there are taxi firms who've done 150,000 miles on the original battery.

It's like worrying about having to replace the engine when you buy a brand new car. The batteries themselves have a five year warranty, the rest of the van three years.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spruce]

The battery life is not an issue. The leaf has been around for five years now and there are taxi firms who've done 150,000 miles on the original battery.
It's like worrying about having to replace the engine when you buy a brand new car. The batteries themselves have a five year warranty, the rest of the van three years.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What a vehicle is worth at the end of the day is what the next owner is willing to pay for it. Most buyers will be very wary of a battery driven vehicle as they will be scared of the cost of battery replacement.

Just because batteries last in your taxi example doesn't mean that everyone will experience a similar performance.

The short to long term feeling is that battery driven vehicles aren't a consideration as everyday transport in most peoples minds. I would be too scared to buy a second hand one.

I thought all vehicles on the road needed an MOT every year once they became 3 years of age. There was talk of it going to a test every 2 years but there was a massive backlash from the MOT garages as their equipment is expensive and most have a dedicated MOT inspector.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

@Eviestevie you're coming across as a tad touchy there mate.

Of course the van does not 'earn more money' it's a van and just stands there till you move it.

I believe Damo meant that it 'makes you more money' as people are more likely to approach you and enquire as to services.

You argument of customers liking you regardless of what vehicle is only valid once they are a customer. Prior to that they are peeking from behind curtains and if you are a gypo with shopping trolley I don't fancy your chances of signing them as much as I do one of you lads in a van that looks fit for the purpose.

You yourself Stevie told us that you park at the entrance to new builds with doors open almost as a mobile advert to lure them in with you color coded highly polished wagon. (Would love to see some pics btw)

I was not insinuating you were lying about f**k all by the way, just stating that you must see the benefits of a good looking van designed to do the job or you'd be running about in 1996 Pool estate with bucket and scrim hanging off the back. That's all pal.

 

[Eviestevie]

No not touchy just there's a lot of people on here just starting out driving older vans or people who choose to have a work horse so I'm defending them really.

Odvouisly a new van is nice but doesn't make someone more professional at there job!

Green I'm currently working on my new van and pics will be uploaded soon as done

Carbon fibre is a clue

But I don't do it because I think I look more professional but I have interest in doing things up

 

[noddy]

ive had around 60 in the last 15 years (on dhl.tnt,city link ) and for the job they were doing it was great but its down to what you want out of them and whos driving them

questions to ask yourself , how long you keeping it ? how long you stopping in business ? ,how much £ are you loseing when old vans in garge ect ect

its not true that people think your making to much money if your in a new van this is a myth started buy skint people that cant afford new vans

if you buy clever and use your brain , be willing to travel . sit on the net and look for the right one you can save a lot of money , even buying at the end of the month could knock a grand off the price of a new van

theres some great secondhand vans out there you just need to know how and what to buy , never buy at van monster , never buy ex royal mail , never buy anything that had orange lights fitted in oppersite corners ect ect

 

[David K]

Depends that person driving the new van may look like total scruff!I totally disagree that a bloke in nice van gives a better impression

It's the whole package and after 20 year in the game I believe if the customer likes you that's all that matters

Me and the lad are both covered in tattoos sleeves chests and back and I'm just having a full leg that means nothing I clean some of the most

affluent areas in the county

I actually agree ! Thats why i and the guys that work for me are wearing proff. Wear all in the same colours almost . Black / Dark blue . I dont know if its a national issue but for the 16 years i have Been on the job , my ex . Is that people Like when it looks neat , clean and proffesional .

One customer chose me and my brother , ( rich ,and a jumbo house ) especially cause the other guy looked sloppy, and had a Crappy car . And overall didnt Seem to Build trust . I dont say it must be a Van , or new but it have to look Neat and clean ,Like youre in this game for Real . And ive found that its far easier to justify my rates ,

When it actually looks Like a Real Company arriving at the driveway ... But then, Again i must agree ! You Can flash all the bells and whistles , if the custy dont Like you as a person its

Worth nothing . I have a 3 year old Dark peugeot bipper and the 2 other that helps me Now and then have new Peugeot partners . Nothing flashy , just clean and neat .

 

[SPCleaning]

I'd just like to throw this into the mix.

A year ago I re-branded, my almost 15 year old Transit was tidied up and re-sprayed in Cadbury Chocolate purple. It is still an old van but it looks great. I get noticed and have picked up some really nice jobs that I don't think I could have had my van still been white with rust.



pic upload

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

there's a lot of people on here just starting out driving older vans or people who choose to have a work horse so I'm defending them really.

They're not in need of defense @Eviestevie this thread was not to knock what someone drives through either choice or circumstance simply to hear some opinions of the lads that do have new vans either oh HP, Lease of bought outright as to weather they feel the cost justified and worthy.

I knock absolutely no ones method of getting to the job, in case you forgot I have told the tale previously I actually started out WLAKING to every job with ladder on my shoulder, dreaming of upgrading to a Micra or Fiesta as soon as possible!.

So please lads, no slagging of someones chosen form of transport, just offer an opinion as to weather you feel your form of transport is worth it / value for money.