[P®oPole™]

Hi Fellas,

What do you guys think of Smat cars for a dual-advertising tool, and business use on your rounds?

I think it would look quite nice with sings or wrapped and parked in strategic places. Also Im seriously fed up of lugging my van around for quoting, canvassing and personal use in the evening.

I Just dont know if I could see myself in one of those little things but if it pulls some work in, happy days. Wouldnt mind a nice 3 series but wouldnt dream of signing that.

Would the advertising be worth the invesment?

Thanks
ProPole

[Majestic]

It would be different , cant help thinking that when they stop you will hear a loud bang and the doors will drop off , and a clown with big feet will get out

[simon knight]

Pro, I'm seriously thinking of buying one! Not so much for the advertising but the ease of parking! What's selling it to me is I saw one a while back parked with rear wheels to the kerb (facing into the road) and it still took up less space than the 4x4 parked alongside. The only problem might be fitting roof bars to take me ladders and this is something I need to look into before taking the plunge with me hard earned £.

[Jeff Brimble]

You could just squeeze a modular pole inside and a backpack with a small tank of water, I dont think there is anywhere to put a ladder rack. It would be a challenge I would like to do to fit a van mount in it 

[Tosh]

it still took up less space than the 4x4 parked alongside.

Parking is a nightmare isn't it?

I'm thinking of writing to my MP to compell him to instigate a law where people who live in terraced houses; which are only about 14" long; are only allowed ONE car, NOT TWO; unless they have off-road parking somewhere round the back of their gaff.

Otherwise, 'the wife' will have to do without her old battered Fiesta and walk, or get a bus.

But getting back on topic,

If you want a sign-written Smart Car, I doubt the advertising it would bring in would cover your costs; but if it makes life easier for quoting for jobs, or for private use; and you can afford a second vehicle; then why not?

[P®oPole™]

Thanks for the replys fellas,

I see alot of firms using them these days, big and local. I know that with our line of business this would be vast and broad marketing but alot of my compact rounds started from one or two in a road. I dont mind the odd drive between days, especailly well paid ones.

I have some really well thought out and congested spots I would park it. If you think of it like this, even if it only brought in an average of one £25 repeat domestic job per month with maybe the odd commercial or con-roof/facias, over three years for an investment of a couple of grand or more, would it be worth it.

Also I would still get the market value of the car back after three years, say a grand. That would easily be worth the advertising, and dual purpose of the car, wouldnt it?

Pro

[rhys11]

i think you will get 100% back on tax if you get this car
i went to a tax course and the woman had a list of car you can claim 100% back on tax

happy days

[AuRavelling79]

The guy who services our house alarm has two vehicles - one a smaller 4x4 truck thingy for bigger jobs, out of the way farmhouses and ladderwork, the other is a Smart.

He uses the Smart around town for general servicing and it is signwritten and thus economic, easy to park, a business expense and a trendy second vehicle - a good all round job really.

BTW ProPole - you still seeing your "tasty older lady?"

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

I've already got 2 smart cars they are Morris Minors
see http://www.mildred-the-minor.co.uk/

[thewindowcleaner1]

i think you will get 100% back on tax if you get this car
i went to a tax course and the woman had a list of car you can claim 100% back on tax

I may be wong but if its signed up and you use it for collecting/ quoting then it would be a second vehicle for the bussiness, running cost's tax deductable, and the value of the vehicle as a capital expence can be written off over three years. I thouh of getting one ages ago just for fun a nippy little motor that does miles and miles per gallon, plus very cheap road tax,

[AuRavelling79]

i think you will get 100% back on tax if you get this car
i went to a tax course and the woman had a list of car you can claim 100% back on tax

I may be wong but if its signed up and you use it for collecting/ quoting then it would be a second vehicle for the bussiness, running cost's tax deductable, and the value of the vehicle as a capital expence can be written off over three years. I thouh of getting one ages ago just for fun a nippy little motor that does miles and miles per gallon, plus very cheap road tax,

You Chinese? 

[jeff1]

I've already got 2 smart cars they are Morris Minors
see http://www.mildred-the-minor.co.uk/

Nice site Jay
They were the days Lol
If I knew you were in weymouth I would have popped along to meet you

[Trevor Knight]

A friend of mine works for a local estate agents.

His company car is a smart car covered in bright coloured bubbles and really abusive design layout that is anything but pretty on the eye.

However, having had so much stick from all his friends and now that the laughter has stopped so to speak he did go on the mention that since he has driven his car around, along with his other work colleagues in similar cars, the company have been flooded with enquiries and sole representations.

He puts it down to the fact that neighbours are now aware they are in the area as they see the car each time, they also notice the house is sold and all of a sudden they are back again selling someone elses house?

When he is next up my way I will take a picture of the lad in his car, it really is something else!

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

I've already got 2 smart cars they are Morris Minors
see http://www.mildred-the-minor.co.uk/

Nice site Jay
They were the days Lol
If I knew you were in weymouth I would have popped along to meet you

those were the days indeed jeff.
whilst i was in weymouth waiting for the ferry to go to guernsey i saw a couple of w/cs with wfp cleaning the ferry terminal, i tried to strick up a conversation about our biz but they wern't very talkative

[P®oPole™]

Thanks to everyone that replied here, Im keeping my eyes open for one but they all seem to be these crappy double colours!

I estimate that over three years it should pull at least £800-£1000 of work and with the tax benifits, it doing 65mpg and being able to park it anywere.  All the benifits from these cars, I think make them a sound little investment.

Does anyone disagree, any views welcome especially with the advertising side. I know I will have to drive a tea pot around, but hey

Malc(g)old, yea im still on it mate

Pro

[Highrise]

I thought about buying myself a robin reliant and sticking a roof rack on it and going around cleaning windows with it....  Decided againt it in the end due to street cred  ....Nice idea   

[groundhog]

They are very popular with gay men, as reported on Top Gear.

[simon knight]

I thought about buying myself a robin reliant and sticking a roof rack on it and going around cleaning windows with it....  Decided againt it in the end due to street cred  ....Nice idea   

I like the idea of a Reliant...with my 7' pointers on the roof rack it looks as though the car was purpose built.... (or the ladders built to fit the car!)...Anyway the idea appeals to my artistic nature....

[groundhog]

Personally I'd go for the Reliant, Smart cars are better suited to Hairdressers, I think people would laugh at a window cleaner in such a gay car

[Highrise]

Personally I'd go for the Reliant, Smart cars are better suited to Hairdressers, I think people would laugh at a window cleaner in such a gay car

That was the idea.....