A USED CAR SALESMAN NICKNAMED CROOCKED
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| Free rent..? https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16991 |
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| Author: | Crookedcr [ Fri May 11, 2007 12:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Free rent..? |
Testing the waters with a business idea and if this is not appropriate for the forum I apologize in advance. I am a used car dealer in the US. My first trip to CR was (among other things) to feel out the used car market in CR. From what I can tell there isn’t much more profit to be hard sending cars from the US to CR than just selling them in the US – especially once you consider the increase in hassle and risk of loss. BUT – I have been toying with the idea of doing anyway if only for a good excuse to frequent CR for legitimate reasons. I am thinking about renting a house or condo with a secure 1-2 garage – I’d like to stay under $1,000/month total for rent and all expenses. I would be looking for a place probably near the SJO airport or possibly a little west. My market research says I would sell most of the cars in the Escazu area and Jaco. If all goes well I will be in CR in June for this very purpose. The next phase of the plane would be to find help. I would advertise the car(s) on Craigslist, Tico Times, etc., but I need someone to help sell since like most of you I still have to live in the US most of the time. This is where this board come in. If I could line up a few guys who would be willing to pitch in, I could probably make this work. My ultimate goal would be to have a few different guys makes rotations – stay in the house for 4 weeks at a time rent free and be willing to take calls/show the car. I don’t think there would be much if any profit to actually pay a sales commission but I’m still working on that too. Any input is appreciated. CrookedCR |
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| Author: | Mr.Black [ Fri May 11, 2007 2:31 pm ] |
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A USED CAR SALESMAN NICKNAMED CROOCKED
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| Author: | PacoLoco [ Fri May 11, 2007 3:31 pm ] |
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You're actually looking for legitimate help from THIS crowd to sell/show your cars while living rent free in SJO? Ok, I volunteer!- but do not be surprised to find all my sales are to HDR chicas (at least they have paying jobs) and I've put them on the weekly "Paco E-Z payment plan." 
just kidding, good luck. |
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| Author: | Orange [ Fri May 11, 2007 3:46 pm ] |
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Olneymm wrote: A USED CAR SALESMAN NICKNAMED CROOCKED
O, It would be funnier if you didn't mispell "Crooked" 
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| Author: | Mr.Black [ Fri May 11, 2007 4:30 pm ] |
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DAMN  
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| Author: | GoodToGo [ Fri May 11, 2007 7:51 pm ] |
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Do a google search "supereconomicos.com" or "Autos Usados" or "crautos.com" and take a look at the hundreds (thousands?) of used cars for sale by owners and small dealers. Use their search engine to compare your imported cost to the CR asking prices. Stay away from GM cars. Resale is terrible. Most Popular: Toyota Nissan Hyundai Many of the sellers will bring the car to you to look over and test drive if you can convince them you are serious and not too far away. Sell prices appear to be approx 10% below asking price. |
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| Author: | Carman213 [ Sat May 12, 2007 12:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Great Idea!! |
I'm in the business myself and tried to think of a way to pull it off. I specialize in budget cars, made three trips last year but concluded, I didn't see how one could profit by shipping the vehicles down there. Perhaps you came to a different conclusion?? |
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| Author: | Crookedcr [ Sat May 12, 2007 8:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Glad to see I'm not the only dealer here.... |
My first ideas were with budget cars - korean vehicles, and Geo/Chevy Tracker, etc. The only way I see to make any profit is to import higher end but still cheap cars that the gringos want. One example is the Mercedes SLK - a less expensive model that still wears the MB badge. I think the SLK would be a a hit in CR. For those who don't know, the SLK is a 2-seater that that a hard top that folds down into the trunk with the touch of a button. It is a convertible that you can easily fold up into a secure hard-top, provided great security. There are a few other models I think would work well - based on research I have done and conversations I've had with dealers in CR but they are all higher end. And of course the risk of loss is much higher and the marketing time is expected to be much longer... Thanks for the input CrookedCR |
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| Author: | LVSteve [ Sat May 12, 2007 9:25 am ] |
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You need to know that most buyers here avoid the cars that came from the US. They buy the ones imported direct from Korea or Japan. The reason is the parts are cheaper and easier to get if the car came from the Far East and not the US. LVSteve |
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| Author: | Houtexman [ Sat May 12, 2007 10:08 am ] |
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Also in the business here with 95% of sales financed.Don't have a clue about CR auto finance laws but would assume the way to go would be finance.One big word would be GPS if available , the ones I use here cover mainland U.S. ,Canada and Mexico. Good luck |
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| Author: | Irish Drifter [ Sat May 12, 2007 10:21 am ] |
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Houtexman wrote: Also in the business here with 95% of sales financed.Don't have a clue about CR auto finance laws but would assume the way to go would be finance Do not know anything about the financing laws of CR but you might be interested in the finance rates. This article was in this mornings Inside Costa Rica. Quote: Banco Nacional Lowers Interest Rates
The Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR) yesterday announced that it has lowered its interest rates, up to 4 percentage points in some cases, in an effort to capture more business. According to William Hayden, general manager of the Banco Nacional, the construction, tourism and agricultural sector will all benefit from the lower rates, which are on average 2.5% lower from the previous rates. "This will have a very positive impact in the financial markets and the Costa Rican economy and places the bank in a very competitive position in the market, due to the high volume of credit managed by the institution", said Hayden. Some of the new rates at the Banco Nacional are as follows; For loans in Colones: BN Vivienda (Housing) 10.50 % Banca de desarrollo (con garantÃa hipotecaria) - development with property as guarantee - 11.5 % Agriculture, livestock, industry and energy - 13.0 % Tourism - 13.5 % Financial services, transport and communications, new vehicle purchases - 14.5 % Used vehicle purchases - 15.0 % For loans in dollars: Agriculture, livestock, industry, energy, tourism, financial services, transport and communications - 9.00 % BN Vivienda especial $ (first year) 7.40 % Coffee exports - 9.25 % New vehicle purchases - 8.25 % Used vehicle purchases - 8.75 % Source: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica |
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| Author: | Toadtamer [ Sat May 12, 2007 10:43 am ] |
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I noticed I see mostly stick shifts out in CR? Is it because they are cheaper? |
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| Author: | LVSteve [ Sat May 12, 2007 12:02 pm ] |
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That and because most of them come from Korea, not the US. LVSteve |
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| Author: | Carman213 [ Sun May 13, 2007 12:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Ah the auto |
I noticed the same. Korean cars ect, cheaper importing them directly from korea. They are also not up to US standards. Same with the Japanese import. |
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