would anyone here use a car finder service? that is pay a fee to someone for finding you the exact car you want? Just wondering if there is a business possibility in that idea. we all love trawling through car sale and auctions websites but what if I know what I want but not where to get it? would that be a worthwhile service? is there already such a service in being? great job for a petrolhead with fast broadband.

I think it very much depends on the type of car and it's price. For example, if you wanted a Ferrari Superfast I think Tom Hartly would find you one.

I wouldn't but I do carry out this service for non mechanical local friends and family, I have done this for many years and it is appreciated, I don't charge but we normally exchange talents as we live in a village and a side of Venison always goes down well .

I would think you could make a go of it for pretty low investment cost.

There are several services already doing this. More appearing in TV ads almost every week.
My barber thought it was a good idea (he is a petrolhead) and spent quite a lot of money setting up a web based search service over a year ago.
I think he has had two takers, neither of whom actually paid any money for the searches to go ahead (one wanted a Mondeo for under £1k and didn't understand the pricing structure of the service).I had tried to put him off setting this up as there were already a number of people offering such a service.
If it is still live, search for "Dream the car"...

I think there are people out there who would use such a service .... one comment I'd have is that the kind of people who would employ someone to find them a car might also be the kind who would hold you responsible for any tiny issue that cropped up for the next ten years ..... a clear and well worded contract would be essential to avoid the 'it's only been 5 years and the windscreen wipers need replacing' scenario

K

Ps ... as per the above comments that came in while I was typing .... it could be that the market is already covered .... but on the plus side, if you have an idea that would make you stand out then it's a low-outlay start-up to test the water.

Tend to agree that it would be a challenge to make it more than a hobby. I think the dealers should be doing that for a living at one level or another.

People these days fall into three main groups.

1. I have enough time and like to do it myself - Internet research has made this easy and fun.
2. I don't have enough knowledge and want to go to a retailer for security and warranty.
3. I don't have the time and am willing to pay someone to get the best one for me.

I have come across some people who did this years back when specialist cars were more sought after and the Interweb had not laid everything out for people. These days I think that everyone knows the price of everything and the value of nothing so you would have a challenge making money out of it. Maybe you could specialise in specific makes (Morgan, Lotus etc) which do have a value in knowledge but what's to stop someone approaching the dealers like RTCC, Oakmere etc.

You need a value add and that has to be current knowledge?

Not saying no but I suspect you would have trouble getting rich off it.

Autotrader, eBay and Google (and MMC) provide this service with 3 searches. I don't think I would ever pay for this service unless I wanted something extremely unusual and then I would go to a specialist (Dutton for Bugatti, Real Car Co for Rolls and a dealer for Morgan).

Our local garage will do this kind of thing - but it's usually a case of him attending auctions and looking out for the kind of thing you've asked for.

Have a friend who left teaching and took up this idea as a business maybe 30 years ago. Concentrates mainly on Merc but will do others. We have used him for a couple of cars and been happy with the results. Essentially it works by using lease cars sold through auctions because nowadays auctions are no longer the preserve of the old banger. Instead they are the satndard way that lease and hire companines dispose of their cars, all of which have been maintained to strict rules.

I build up old MTBs and classic Racing bicycles. Often there is the question: can you look for me about X or Y...

The most time very frustrating. One time a friend has an eye on a MTB at EBAY and ask me about to look at it and collect it.

Another guy wants an italian racer for the L‘eroica. At first a complete and special bike. But than we build up something with a framekit.

In about 4 years two customers. Doesn‘t real work.

René