I am a great fan of your channel as it tells the truth about EVs in the UK but I am really enjoying the stories about your early days in the motor trade. I worked at franchised dealerships for over 18 years between 1982 and 2002. What great times those were, working with some amazing characters especially amongst the local traders who came in to buy the cars that we didn't want to retail. Like you I worked at a dealership that I wished I had never left. In my case a VW garage where I spent over 10 years. Keep the stories coming as they remind me of some of the happiest days of my life, and , it has to be said, some of the worst!
In my 50 years of motoring I have only had to deal with a car salesman six times , and in every case it was never for a new car . I found the whole process very challenging , because of the reputation that the industry had acquired. I know they have to make a living and reach targets , but unless you know a lot about cars you’re definitely in shark infested waters . But ironically here I am listening to Barry and with a big smile on my face . Im probably unlikely at my age unlikely to be changing our car in the future , but if I thought I could be guided by Barry I might be in with a chance of not being bitten or eaten alive . Bless him 😂
Also did the fake letter scam. My company decided to issue car park permits. You had to park in your designated car park. Got a blank letterhead, it said that anyone not parking in correct car park would have cars clamped. Put it up at other side of factory. People parked close to their place of work, came in, saw the letter on notice board and went back and moved their cars, later complaining about threat to clamp them. The letter was signed by the fictitious Mr. Peter Istake. If only they looked below the signature to see, printed in bold letters - P. Istake. They still don't know who did it, over 30 years later !! 🤣🤣
Go into my local Mercedes showroom and you would be lucky to find a salesman. Some staff walk through but hurry and keep their heads down to avoid any risk of accidentally bumping into a customer.
I'm really enjoying listening to your memoirs Barrie, bringing back happy memories for me. I found training courses invaluable and essential for success in the motor trade. Every day is a school day!
@BarrieCrampton I'd love to hear some of your Mystery Shopper stories, I'm sure you have many. Everyone dreaded the VHS tape arriving and the DP calling us all in for a viewing... Except me! I found it hilarious 🤣
Loving your tales from the motor trade Barrie.Friends of mine bought regularly from Ian Anthony(Bentwoods),guessing that’s where you were? Your boss used to live in my manor,Hale.Keep them coming,thanks.
FUPERB BARRIE we are fresh from Geoff Buys Cars in Dubai where he tries a new hire car every day and comes out with some suppress. I did 23 years with the Uni of Plymouth and eventually got booted out by 2 incompetent bosses. Big boss left soon after with medical problems and his idiot self left when the TOP JOB went to someone else. I loved my time there. David & Lily.
@@steamsearcher i watch Geoff too, did a video with him a few months ago, and will be doing others when he gets back, thanks for stopping by to leave a comment, and please subscribe
@@BarrieCrampton Not that I'm a top Hollywood film director or anything but, part of the problem (for me) is that settings on each of your cameras appear to be different resulting in a softer as well as a warmer exposure on one camera than the other. The difference becomes very apparent, especially as you are frequently cutting from one camera to the other. I've no idea if this is possible (as I've never tried to do a TH-cam video) but, if you can have two cameras constantly running and face toward one for a bit (probably at least ten seconds) and then face toward the other (for a similar amount) and then edit based upon where you are looking, I'd say it looks better and would still keep the interest. Cutting from one camera for literally a second or so causes too jumpy a dialogue and I find myself wondering more when the camera will jump and less about the story content. All of that said, the content of your video is very entertaining and enlightening. I spent much of my working life in commercially focused engineering with a lot of customer facing. In my last five years I ran my own company and was doing most of the sales. So, not the car industry, but pretty commercial never the less: When we are young we all think we know best and when we are older we realise that we didn't know best, and that those who follow after us, and are invariably in charge of us, are inventing great "new" concepts that we introduced many years before but which didn't work well then and probably wont now either. One thing that did make a difference back along was total quality management (interesting to see it in your story). Many of us couldn't really see the benefit of it when our American masters embraced it back in the 90's. Fast forward a few years and it completely revolutionised the way that my wife and I ran our own business - it made us all stronger, more customer focused and got us a whole lot more profit than our competitors. I always try to learn something from everything that I do so, even if I make a rubbish job of something, I'll work out what went wrong and try to not repeat it. Equally, if something went well, what can I do to make it even better next time around .... all thanks to TQM.
@ honestly I cannot match my cameras, they are all set the same, 2 are the same cameras, but it’s so annoying especially the focus, all I can say is I’m working on it and it’s less noticeable when people watch it on a mobile, sorry again
@@BarrieCrampton No problem - I nearly always watch this stuff on a PC widescreen - so it make it all the worse. I do agree, it's easier to overlook the differences between the two cameras on my mobile phone , just a lot harder to see with old eyes!
Hi Barrie. Would you be concerned about starting a job in the motor trade in 2025? Seems like a silly question but interested to hear what you have to say. I've told my friends for decades that the climate hoax is a complete con. But that's me and my opinion based on a scientific background.
Brilliant stuff Barrie, my wife and I were glued to the TV, Please keep them coming.
thanks for watching, much appreciated
I am a great fan of your channel as it tells the truth about EVs in the UK but I am really enjoying the stories about your early days in the motor trade. I worked at franchised dealerships for over 18 years between 1982 and 2002. What great times those were, working with some amazing characters especially amongst the local traders who came in to buy the cars that we didn't want to retail. Like you I worked at a dealership that I wished I had never left. In my case a VW garage where I spent over 10 years. Keep the stories coming as they remind me of some of the happiest days of my life, and , it has to be said, some of the worst!
@@TwizyMan i will do my best
What a great story! All these characters you meet in life that leave such an impression on you. Great storytelling, enjoyed every minute!
Thank you for watching, much appreciated 👍
In my 50 years of motoring I have only had to deal with a car salesman six times , and in every case it was never for a new car . I found the whole process very challenging , because of the reputation that the industry had acquired. I know they have to make a living and reach targets , but unless you know a lot about cars you’re definitely in shark infested waters . But ironically here I am listening to Barry and with a big smile on my face . Im probably unlikely at my age unlikely to be changing our car in the future , but if I thought I could be guided by Barry I might be in with a chance of not being bitten or eaten alive . Bless him 😂
@ thank you, much appreciated
I, too, really hope that your old boss sees this video… thank you 👍🏻
He was a good boss,
Superb. You’re a natural storyteller.
Thank you! 😊
What a great story. Ringing your colleague's phone when a customer walks in😂😂 . That' so funny. Thanks.
You are obviously a top salesperson.
I’ve had my moments
This is far better than anything else on TH-cam. 😂 Love listening to your stories.
@@piggypiggypig1746 thanks that’s high praise indeed
Absolutely fantastic stories Barrie thank you.
Glad you like them!
Also did the fake letter scam. My company decided to issue car park permits. You had to park in your designated car park. Got a blank letterhead, it said that anyone not parking in correct car park would have cars clamped. Put it up at other side of factory. People parked close to their place of work, came in, saw the letter on notice board and went back and moved their cars, later complaining about threat to clamp them. The letter was signed by the fictitious Mr. Peter Istake. If only they looked below the signature to see, printed in bold letters - P. Istake.
They still don't know who did it, over 30 years later !! 🤣🤣
❤😂😂🎉😊
Bloody hell Barry, you rum 'un 😂😂🎉great story 😊🎉
Glad you enjoyed it
Go into my local Mercedes showroom and you would be lucky to find a salesman. Some staff walk through but hurry and keep their heads down to avoid any risk of accidentally bumping into a customer.
These stories are great, thanks for sharing Barrie 🙂
Glad you like them!
Having fun along the way, love it!
Yes, lots of highs and lows in the motortrade that’s guaranteed
Nice one Barrie ..,we certainly meet interesting folk along the way … 😊
Yes we do
I'm really enjoying listening to your memoirs Barrie, bringing back happy memories for me. I found training courses invaluable and essential for success in the motor trade. Every day is a school day!
Good times 😂
@BarrieCrampton I'd love to hear some of your Mystery Shopper stories, I'm sure you have many. Everyone dreaded the VHS tape arriving and the DP calling us all in for a viewing... Except me! I found it hilarious 🤣
BMW made some fine diesel engines over years.
Better than any battery in my opinion 😅
Yes they did
Loving your tales from the motor trade Barrie.Friends of mine bought regularly from Ian Anthony(Bentwoods),guessing that’s where you were?
Your boss used to live in my manor,Hale.Keep them coming,thanks.
Thanks for that, yep Blenky,
Brilliant life story
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it
Thanks
Thanks Alistair, much appreciated, I can guarantee that there will be more stories on the way soon
Liked & subscribed 👍
Welcome aboard!
FUPERB BARRIE we are fresh from Geoff Buys Cars in Dubai where he tries a new hire car every day and comes out with some suppress. I did 23 years with the Uni of Plymouth and eventually got booted out by 2 incompetent bosses. Big boss left soon after with medical problems and his idiot self left when the TOP JOB went to someone else. I loved my time there. David & Lily.
@@steamsearcher i watch Geoff too, did a video with him a few months ago, and will be doing others when he gets back, thanks for stopping by to leave a comment, and please subscribe
Indicators were not used by any salesmen or customers during the making of this vlog.
Nope, not a one 😂
Daytona Violet & Ian Blenkinsop - Ian Anthony if I'm correct?
Yep Blenky
Back in the day, you could actually deliver a prank - within limits... no-one would take offence, and it would actually build great team cohesion!! 😂👍
Yep we had a great time in the Motor Trade
It’s easy to go over the line. I’ve certainly witnessed a few such examples.
Great stories from a time when you could have fun at work without HR giving you a warning for offending someone's sensiblities
@@stevegoodwin9546 yes I doubt I would last long working for someone else now
Really enjoyed this video Barrie ... but please don't chop and change camera angles as it really doesn't work well.
Been watching a TH-cam guru, he says to do it to keep people’s interest, but I will be the first to admit that I’ve not mastered the art, sorry
@@BarrieCrampton Not that I'm a top Hollywood film director or anything but, part of the problem (for me) is that settings on each of your cameras appear to be different resulting in a softer as well as a warmer exposure on one camera than the other. The difference becomes very apparent, especially as you are frequently cutting from one camera to the other.
I've no idea if this is possible (as I've never tried to do a TH-cam video) but, if you can have two cameras constantly running and face toward one for a bit (probably at least ten seconds) and then face toward the other (for a similar amount) and then edit based upon where you are looking, I'd say it looks better and would still keep the interest. Cutting from one camera for literally a second or so causes too jumpy a dialogue and I find myself wondering more when the camera will jump and less about the story content.
All of that said, the content of your video is very entertaining and enlightening. I spent much of my working life in commercially focused engineering with a lot of customer facing. In my last five years I ran my own company and was doing most of the sales. So, not the car industry, but pretty commercial never the less: When we are young we all think we know best and when we are older we realise that we didn't know best, and that those who follow after us, and are invariably in charge of us, are inventing great "new" concepts that we introduced many years before but which didn't work well then and probably wont now either.
One thing that did make a difference back along was total quality management (interesting to see it in your story). Many of us couldn't really see the benefit of it when our American masters embraced it back in the 90's. Fast forward a few years and it completely revolutionised the way that my wife and I ran our own business - it made us all stronger, more customer focused and got us a whole lot more profit than our competitors. I always try to learn something from everything that I do so, even if I make a rubbish job of something, I'll work out what went wrong and try to not repeat it. Equally, if something went well, what can I do to make it even better next time around .... all thanks to TQM.
@ honestly I cannot match my cameras, they are all set the same, 2 are the same cameras, but it’s so annoying especially the focus, all I can say is I’m working on it and it’s less noticeable when people watch it on a mobile, sorry again
@@BarrieCrampton No problem - I nearly always watch this stuff on a PC widescreen - so it make it all the worse.
I do agree, it's easier to overlook the differences between the two cameras on my mobile phone , just a lot harder to see with old eyes!
Great story
Thanks for watching
Barry you old shark! Who would have thought it?
I’ve had my moments
😊
Thanks for watching
Great video Barrie. It's funny how many people/customers, can't take a joke or a complement, feel for your friend Jonah.
Thanks for watching
@@BarrieCrampton You're a very strong man Barrie, don't stop being who you are.
Thanks I won’t 😂
Do you still ride on the road anymore Barrie?
No, I don’t
Hi Barrie.
Would you be concerned about starting a job in the motor trade in 2025?
Seems like a silly question but interested to hear what you have to say.
I've told my friends for decades that the climate hoax is a complete con. But that's me and my opinion based on a scientific background.
Yes I would be concerned, I’m so concerned for myself and the car business that I’ve retired
🤣🤣🤣
Cheers