Estate or Van???

[Jay Sparks]

So last night, I was watching telly in bed and I heard a noise. I opened the curtain slightly to see 3 lads (scrotes) walking past my van. One of them stopped at the other side of my van and called the other two back. They then stated fiddeling with the locks (I think, I could only see there heads but they were very close to the side door). Anyway, I banged on the window and shouted some very nice, non threatening words at them!!!lol. They were off!!!
So I went out to check the van and noticed they had screwed one of the locks! (still works thankfully). I didnt get a wink of sleep, cos everytime I heard a noise I was up at the window. Now I dont keep my tools in there, or any scrap cable, its basicly empty but they will brake/smash the van up to find out.

Now this is not a one off, I have caught someone just about to have ago, 3 times now in the last 2 months. And Ive already had my armourlock plates taken off whilst at Morrisons and my window smashed last year. The van is alarmed and theres is nothing in there but the damage they will cause to find that out is gonna cost me a fortune.

I am moving in a few months and although the area Im going to is better than here, it still has its share of scumy little scrotes! So Im now thinking of buying an estate car and getting rid of the van.
Space wise I dont really need a van this big (vito) but Im just concerned that when I go to do a quote and I turn up in a car, it will look less proffessional than a van? I know the car will still be vulnerable but its because Im a sparky and people think I store cable on the van! At least you can see in a car and if theres nowt there, its not worth braking in to.

So what do you guys think, car or a van??? Will it be bad for business If I drive a car instead of a van???

Cheers


Jay

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I had a VW trans for 2 years but sold it cos only three seats (had 2nd child). Got a mondeo estate now and it doesn't make a wink of difference.

People aren't interested in what you drive. In fact if you turn up in a Merc it might put them off. Better to turn up in a clapped out 10 year old estate, I would immediately think you're not a robber.

 

[Jay Sparks]

I had a VW trans for 2 years but sold it cos only three seats (had 2nd child). Got a mondeo estate now and it doesn't make a wink of difference.

People aren't interested in what you drive. In fact if you turn up in a Merc it might put them off. Better to turn up in a clapped out 10 year old estate, I would immediately think you're not a robber.

10 year old!!!! I wish I could afford a car that new!!!lol
The only reason I bought the vito is coz it had 3 seats and it was my only vehicle. We are a family of three. I deally, I would have loved a car and a little comdi/kango van etc. But they would still try get in the van.lol

Well the mot is due in April, so Ill sell it after that, (if it lasts that long)lol.


Jay

 

[DaveyD]

Maybe. But I had our car broken into. Police said it was likely to check that the stereo head wasn't under the seat. It wasn't. Can't win can you.

 

[Guitarist]

I use an estate car at the moment and hate it. Takes about 3 trips to get all the gear on site with a big job, and the comment from customers is "You need a van."
Does your van have your name on, or is it blank?

 

[Kamikaze]

I have always found it’s the sign writing on the vehicle that attracts the nutters. I have only brought my van home twice and both times it was broken into. The car does not appear to attract them, but I still unload my tools every night regardless.

 

[Robert Turnbull]

Be insured and do as much as practical to protect it.

I chain my doors so even after the ****s have broken the locks (which they already have after a previous break in) they won't open. If they get past this I have a little battery alarm sensor loud enough to get me out of bed.


The rest is self defence officer

 

[Jay Sparks]

I use an estate car at the moment and hate it. Takes about 3 trips to get all the gear on site with a big job, and the comment from customers is "You need a van."
Does your van have your name on, or is it blank?

Its blank. I used to have magnetic signs for the sides but I got fed up of taking them off each night, so I just didn't put em back on.lol. The only signs are Elecsa but I dont think the scrotes know what that means.lol. Its just because its a van, they think there's something unit for them to nick. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on which way you see it, I don't have many big jobs. Mainly domestic and when I do subbying, the gear gets delivered to site.





Jay

 

[Jay Sparks]

Be insured and do as much as practical to protect it.

I chain my doors so even after the ****s have broken the locks (which they already have after a previous break in) they won't open. If they get past this I have a little battery alarm sensor loud enough to get me out of bed.


The rest is self defence officer[/QUOTE



Too right. Loads of times the missus has talk some sense into me when I go grab a half meter of 20mm galv comlnduit. Just not worth doing time for I would love to see them out on the street at night when im coming home from the pub.lol.

Worst thing is, I know who they are and so do the cops but they wont/canyt do owt.



Oh i wish i didn't have a family sometimes......I wouldn't give it a second thought....lol





Jay





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[HandySparks]

You could get a van with rear windows, so they can see it's empty?

I think a good sized van's much easier to work out of than a car; you can get at things without having to move too much other stuff out of the way.

 

[kingeri]

I run an estate simply because I need a family car and a works vehicle. It's the only option that covers off both. I'd love a van, but I just can't afford to run two vehicles. Plus, at the moment I'm only sparking evening and weekends.

 

[Jay Sparks]

You could get a van with rear windows, so they can see it's empty?

I think a good sized van's much easier to work out of than a car; you can get at things without having to move too much other stuff out of the way.

Ha ha, funnily enough, I was told never to get a van with rear/side widows as they where easy to break into. I know what you mean though about the easier access. When I just did subbying, I used an estate, so I new what tools I needed for any given day/week so it didint bother me. As I say, I only do mainly domestic as a sole trader, so the most gear Im gonna need will fit in a box, in the back of a an estate.lol. And when I do stuff for other firms, they either give me a van, or have stuff delivered to site.

The question was more to do with whether it looked less proffessional than having a van and would it maybe lose me jobs???

 

[Jay Sparks]

I run an estate simply because I need a family car and a works vehicle. It's the only option that covers off both. I'd love a van, but I just can't afford to run two vehicles. Plus, at the moment I'm only sparking evening and weekends.

This is my thinking exactley!!! But this is, at the moment, my only income, fulltime. If I had a part time job, or I was emloyed as a sparky with a firm, then this wouldnt be a problem!!

Well I think my mind is made up.....I will be looking to buy an estate within the next few months.
Just got to decide which one I like!!

 

[HandySparks]

The question was more to do with whether it looked less proffessional than having a van and would it maybe lose me jobs???

I would say that, yes, it makes you look slightly less professional, although I guess some contractors would use a car anyway if just out looking at jobs and quoting. However, I think it would be a small factor compared to price, your appearance, the way you talk to the customer, the layout and completeness of your written quotes, website, etc.

 

[markc123]

If you've got a big clientele-base then im sure it wont matter in the slightest.

However, if you're picking up new customers all the time and not really relying on older clients for income then i'd suggest it would matter, and a van would look more professional.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I run an estate simply because I need a family car and a works vehicle. It's the only option that covers off both. I'd love a van, but I just can't afford to run two vehicles. Plus, at the moment I'm only sparking evening and weekends.

Thats why I have estate (family, can't afford a third vehicle)

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I think, on reading this thread, and just for a second trying to lower my self into someform of sub human scum and trying think how a scrotey theiving weasel would think, then a car / van with windows that is clear to see in and empty is the best option.

they won't break in if theres nowt in it. Especially if you've made it obvious

- - - Updated - - -

Although I loved my transporter (no windows, steel bulkhead). That was quite tricky to get into.

 

[Guitarist]

Of course, it will make a difference to some people, but not to others. Some will think you charge too much if you have a flashy van, and some will see you as successful and professional. I have to say that every job I've quoted on, I've got (and I know I'm not the cheapest). I wear logo'd gear, treat people in a professional way, and am always punctual. The most stick I actually get with an estate car is from other trades, who seem to think that I just play at the job due to no van.

 

[kingeri]

If I'm that bothered what they think, I just park round the corner when I'm doing the quote!

 

[Jay Sparks]

Of course, it will make a difference to some people, but not to others. Some will think you charge too much if you have a flashy van, and some will see you as successful and professional. I have to say that every job I've quoted on, I've got (and I know I'm not the cheapest). I wear logo'd gear, treat people in a professional way, and am always punctual. The most stick I actually get with an estate car is from other trades, who seem to think that I just play at the job due to no van.

my van is in no way nice and flash. As its a Vito, there is rust everywere!!lol. Its an 02 plate and definitely looks its age and more. I think if I buy an estate, it will look nicer than the van I have ay the moment. I wear an id badge that jib sent me, it has the elecsa logo on and my pic. It looks really professional.





Jay

 

[overskilled]

I currently drive a Vectra estate....used to have a 1996 3 door corolla....I think I got the better end of the deal, £580 + the corolla for a 54 plate 2005 vectra diesel estate with 165K on the clock....though it needs thus far - 1 tyre, full service (dreading looking at the airfilter...likely black as coal and engine oil likely closer to grease than oil....explains the sub 30mpg.....should be mid to high 40s), new brake discs (seller gave me the pads with the car) and head lamp holders replaced (some twit stuck 100W bulbs in and melted the plastic holders......Ebay to the rescue again...)

Vectra is massive, with the seats down I managed to get a 2 metre long futon couch in the back (with the back of the couch folded flat, arm rests still on though) and a border collie, with room to spare....Also a piece of pee to park....actually easier than the corolla....though compared to the corolla the steering is wooly and the suspension is too soft (though the corolla had stiff suspension and low profile tyres, which improved the handling no end) If it passes the MOT in April without any major frighteners....when funds allow I'm thinking new stiffer shocks and possibly lower profile tyres, along with a strut bar to make it somewhat less....couch like and more confidence inspiring out on back roads