Anchor Vans Used Vans blog
4 March 2010, 10:56 amA hole-in-one will win one of our Ford Ranger Thunder 4x4s!
If you're participating in the Sainsbury's Sport Relief golf day at the Royal Winchester Golf Club on March 9th, then you need to get practising; we're donating a silver grey Ford Ranger Thunder 4x4 to the first person to get a hole-in-one! It's a fantastic vehicle, with alloys, power-assisted steering, air conditioning, a CD player and a 59 plate to boot.We're delighted to have the chance to support such a great charity with this donation, and we're certain that the promise of winning this stonking Ford Ranger will add an edge to the competition. It's such a versatile vehicle, being able to carry up to a tonne, but still nice enough to use with the family at the weekend too. 4x4 drivers were amongst the few who weren't bothered by the recent snowy weather too, so we're certain that the competition will be fierce on the 9th of March. Good luck to all the players!
posted by Emma
1 March 2010, 12:06 pm
Used van prices at all time high!
In all the years that Anchor Vans has sold used vans, we've never seen anything quite like the used van prices at the moment. We watched the prices climb over 2009, and it seems that 2010 is going to be more of the same for used van buyers.These prices have been caused, in the main, by the recession. Companies that run large fleets of commercial vehicles haven't replaced their vehicles for at least a year, and there have been fewer new van sales in the private individual sector too. So now we're in a situation where there are simply fewer used vans around, in particular those that are around one year old.
That effect is going to persist for the next couple of years. The lack of used vans that are one year old will turn into a shortage of two year old vans next year, and so on. It will be interesting to see if the reported end to the recession will improve new van sales over the coming months, so that this shortage of used vans doesn't continue for many more years. We'll keep you posted.
posted by Emma
11 February 2010, 8:52 am
Bringing live music and vehicle servicing together - no really!
You know that nothing stays still here at Anchor Vans, with used van websites and vehicle servicing offerings being launched regularly. However, our latest innovation is something that no-one has expected: live piano music in our vehicle servicing workshop.We have recruited a professional pianist to come into the workshop every Wednesday afternoon to play music for our vehicle servicing technicians as they work. Sound bizarre? A little, yes. Sound crazy? Well... it actually makes a lot of sense to us.
The workplace environment has a huge impact on staff morale, productivity and even rates of absence. Whilst Anchor Vans is a hard working but cheery place, we felt there was definitely a need for something special to carry our great service technicians through these dark winter months. Our Sales Director, Simon Joyce, temporarily brought a piano to the site to make some room at home, then he had this idea and the piano has been here ever since.
The technicians are enjoying it so much that we're even thinking about having an open day one Wednesday afternoon so our vehicle servicing customers and the generally curious can come along and listen too. We'll keep you posted!
posted by Emma
31 January 2010, 5:50 pm
New website for vehicle servicing customers is on its way!
As you know, we've become big fans of dedicated micro sites, tightly focused on specific brands of used vans. Over the last year, we've launched www.anchorford.co.uk for used Ford vans, www.anchorbus.co.uk for used minibuses and www.surfwheels.co.uk for used VW Transporter vans, amongst others. We've had such a great response to these, and the ease of use they provide, that we've decided to launch a new micro site for our vehicle servicing provision called www.anchor-service.co.uk.This site will be very different from our used van micro sites. For starters, you'll be able to book servicing slots easily through the site with the use of a quick and easy form, and your booking will always be confirmed by phone. But that's not all…
We're planning to set up some webcams in the vehicle servicing bays to provide live video streams to the site, meaning that you'll be able to go and see how your car or used van service is progressing, in real time. It should demystify the work our ford-approved service technicians do too. We'll let you know as soon as it has been launched.
posted by Emma
25 January 2010, 12:58 pm
Last chance to benefit from tax break on commercial vehicles
We've been rushed off our feet over the last few weeks, it's like the mad Christmas and then New Year sales rush has even reached the used van market! It's no surprise though; the government is raising VAT back to its previous level of 17.5% and the 100% tax relief on commercial vehicles is due to end at the end of January. These factors, plus the knowledge that van prices will rise in March when the manufacturers release the new van models is making the savvy used van buyer come to us now.Times are still tough for lots of our customers, so it makes sense to come and buy the used van they've had their eye on now, whilst there is a tasty tax exemption. Will we be seeing you too?
posted by Emma
18 January 2010, 4:11 pm
Surf's up for our new Volkswagen Transporter van site!
If it was summer, we'd be breaking out the loud shirts to celebrate the launch of our new micro site www.surfwheels.co.uk, dedicated to the surfing community's favourite van; the Volkswagen Transporter.Sales of our used VW Transporter vans have been high over the last couple of months as everyone is waiting for the new model to be released by the manufacturer next year. This high demand, and the fact that surfers know exactly what they want, led us to launch the new site to make it even easier to find our used Transporter vans.
It's no surprise that the surfing community loves the Volkswagen Transporter vans as much as we do; they're roomy, reliable and just the right size for those surfboards on the roof and all the beach gear inside. So if you're getting everything sorted for surfing, www.surfwheels.co.uk is the place to go (dude!).
posted by Emma
10 November 2009, 9:33 am
Selling your used van? We've got a new site just for you!
With used van prices being the healthiest they've been in years, many of you have been asking for quotes on the sales value of your own used van. It's a great time to upgrade a commercial vehicle as demand for used vans is high, thus giving private vendors a better return on investment.We've launched a new website that is simply the easiest and fastest way to obtain a quote for your used van: www.webuyanyvans.co.uk. All you have to do is pop the vehicle registration number, the mileage and your mobile phone number straight into the site home page and we'll text you the quoted value of your vehicle. No need to type in your name, your address, date of birth, years owning the vehicle, how many cats or dogs you own, no. Just those three things and we'll get you're the information you need within minutes.
If you like the quote and want to proceed, all of our contact details are at the end of the text. That's it; nice and simple, with no harassment from a hungry used van salesman who has sniffed out a potential vehicle to buy. We respect your privacy and your ability to get in touch if you decide you want to sell. So, if you want to find out how much that used van outside your door is worth, go to www.webuyanyvans.co.uk and get your quote with the absolute minimum of fuss. Life's too short for long web forms!
posted by Emma
4 November 2009, 11:54 am
New MOT and vehicle servicing centre for Tadley shoppers
The old Anchor Vans site in Tadley has just opened for business as a dedicated MOT testing and vehicle servicing centre. It's got four servicing ramps and an MOT bay, with the facilities to service any make of car or used van.The location is perfect for busy Tadley residents; if you're in need of an MOT you can leave the vehicle at the centre and pop next door to Sainsbury's whilst the work is being carried out. By the time you've finished your weekly shop, the MOT will have been completed and your car ready to pick up.
Aside from the 'MOTs while-you-shop' benefit, we're pleased to see that our old premises are serving the local community again since we moved to our new complex on the A4. In line with our policy to support the community, the new MOT centre in Tadley is providing jobs for locals and boosting the local economy, as well as offering convenience.
posted by Emma