'November carried on as in previous months with a strong market. Although the buyers in the hall were not out in the same numbers as in recent months, those who did attend were there to buy. In previous years many have slowed down their buying at this time of year, preferring to wait until the New Year but this has not been the case this year. However unless the foot fall onto retail sites gets busier the feeling throughout the trade is that January will just be a steady month rather than the crazy one we normally see. 

'We are receiving mixed reports on the retail front across the country and as previously mentioned it seems those traders in urban areas are doing the best. The biggest concern recently has been duplicate stock but those vendors who prepare their vehicles to the best standards, and are allowing for damage when setting reserves, are the ones who are successfully moving the stock quickly and are attracting a strong following among buyers.

'When vans are offered for sale unprepared, without valeting or selective reconditioning, buyers often form a negative perception around their overall quality and desirability. Return on investment must be measured in terms of positive vendor brand perception and a greater audience of physical and online buyers all competing keenly to own vehicles on their first presentation to the market. The most cost effective application integrates body mopping and upgraded valeting to improve the overall buyer perception of the vendor’s brand and stock quality.'