Dealers' margins are tight as well
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I FE ELTHAT the fleet costs article (CM 16 March) would have been more accurate if a realistic figure for the cost of a new tractor had been used.
I've been selling new trucks for too long and don't recall ever selling a new truck for a 10% discount.All the operator has to do is get a competitive quote from another manufacturer.
In a perfect world, operators would allow truck dealers to make a bigger margin -but other truck salesmen seem to disagree and will go hell for leather for the deal.
Taking £1250 out of a new truck deal isn't uncommon. But the customer will never believe you, because all he sees is the size of the cheque, not the dealer margin.
wonder how much difference a realistic figure would have made to your calculations. For one thing, the depreciation would have been slightly easier to swallow.
Disillusioned truck salesman Midlands • Thanksfor your comments, We used a notional figure of 10%, but realise every deal is different-Ed