Anchor Vans Used Vans blog

2010-03-04T14:25:00.002Z

Hi Bloggers
I think we can safely say that Spring has arrived! The sun is shining on the yard and it's looking very colourful with a range of red, yellow, blue & green vehicles as well as the usual white, silver & black ones. I'm sure they won't be here for long as they are selling like hot cakes with another record 162 vehicles sold last month.
Keeping you up to date we have taken on another 2 mechanics this week; welcome to the team Stuart and Karl.
Back soon
Louise

A hole-in-one will win one of our Ford Ranger Thunder 4x4s!

2010-03-04T10:56:00.001Z

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!

Used van prices at all time high!

2010-03-01T12:06:00.000Z

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.

2010-02-23T13:57:00.002Z

LS56 VMJ - Renault Trafic LWB Dci Tdi
Cracking Value - Top of the Range - High Spec - Renault Trafic LL29 Dci 115 long Wheel Base Dci Turbo with Air Conditioning, Factory fitted Colour "High Line Sat Nav", Electric Pack and "Parrot" Blue Tooth Phone Kit - Finished in "Lightening Silver" Metallic paint.

Sold at the weekend to a customer looking for something different from the standard white van! He loved the silver colour and the gadgets on this top of the range vehicle.

2010-02-23T13:54:00.000Z

DV56 KVS - Peugoet Expert Hdi Tdi 2x S/Drs TURBO
This is agem and VERY LOW MILES. Be quick this is the top of the range HDI TURBO model with the 110 bhp 2 litre engine.

This vehicle was sold at the weekend. Our customer was looking for a low mileage vehicle and spent time on the internet searching for a vehicle that fitted all his requirements. He saw this one advertised and as it had the lowest mileage around he came in and bought it asap.

2010-02-23T13:43:00.001Z

DY08 FDZ - Renault Master MWB Tdi HiRF
This van is unique. First of all its the big 120 bhp turbo engine, then its MINT condition and only 9000 miles and to cap it all it comes in a beautiful colour and with aircon.

This vehicle was only in stock a few days when our customer arrived and found it to be in prestige condition, the right size and within his budget - exactly what he was looking for.

2010-02-23T13:41:00.000Z

BD07 WPK - Ford Transit Jumbo
What a fantastic example of Fords best selling big van. THIS IS A GEM. Ideal for carpets as the load is over 4 metres.

This vehicle was sold to an existing customer who has bought six vans from us over the years.

2010-02-23T13:39:00.000Z

CX06 WNO - Renault Trafic Crew Van
NO VAT!!! Save £1750 with NO VAT. Why give it to Gordon Brown when you can keep it for yourself. This as airoc, electric pack, 2 x side doors.

Customer purchased this vehicle with no hesitation as he was saving money by paying NO VAT!

2010-02-23T13:34:00.002Z

SR05 DKD - Ford Transit LWB Tdi Med Rf
Cracking value Ford Transit 350 Long Wheel Base Tdi Medium Roof finished in Jenson Blue. This is a credit to its last owner.

Our customer came to view another vehicle but, unfortunately, that had already been sold. This is never a problem as we have 300 vans in stock and after we'd discussed the customers requirements we found exactly the vehicle he was looking for. Its a very clean and tidy van finished in blue.

2010-02-23T13:32:00.000Z

KD56 KFY - Mercedes Vito Tdi Aid E/Pk
What a superb example of Mercedes best selling van. This is a beauty.

An existing customer saw this vehicle on our website and came into view. He bought it on the spot.

2010-02-23T13:26:00.002Z

EF05 SFE - Vauxhall Vivaro
Cracking value - Vauxhall Vivaro Long Wheel Base Dti Turbo in super condition. Bullet proof Vauxhall reliability. Turbo for power and economy.

The customer liked the look of this van so the appearance and styling sold this vehicle.

2010-02-23T13:20:00.002Z

YP54 BXF - Vauxhall Combo Diesel Side/Dr
What a cracker. NO VAT!!! Why give it to Gordon Brown when you can keep it yourself.
Save over £700 with NO VAT.

This vehicle was also in prestige condition with extremely low mileage. Add the fact there was no VAT to pay and the customer was thrilled with his new van.

2010-02-23T10:22:00.002Z

AJ55 YTT - Ford Transit SWB Tdi Side Door
Direct from a major PLC this is a cracker. Very low mileage and a credit to its last owner.

After listening to the customers requirements, which included the need to fit 8' x 4' sheets into the back, this was the perfect size. The van has very low mileage and is in excellant condition throughout and is exactly what the customer was looking for.

Wowsers!

2010-02-17T15:40:00.000Z

Wow! What a record breaking weekend! Twelve vehicles sold on Saturday and five on Sunday. Selling all these vehicles means we need more technicians to prep the vehicles so we are currently looking for a qualified technician (with a minimum of 5 years experience) to join our team. If you are interested in the vacancy please call 01189710230 and ask for Greg. More news – a new sales executive started with us yesterday so if you are looking to buy a vehicle call and ask for Steve. Welcome to Anchor Vans Steve :-)

Bringing live music and vehicle servicing together - no really!

2010-02-11T08:52:00.000Z

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!

New website for vehicle servicing customers is on its way!

2010-01-31T17:50:00.000Z

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.

Me Again

2010-01-25T16:22:00.001Z

We have some very exciting news this week; Nick is now the proud father of a bouncy baby boy (Josh) born in the early hours of this morning. Congratulations to Nick & Laura!! Other news – we bought 22 vehicles last week so our valeting team are very busy getting them ready for you to come and have a look at! If you would like to book a vehicle in for service our 1st available date is 3rd Feb. Stevie completed his Ford training last week with flying colours so we have another fully fledged Ford technician in our ranks.
All for now
Louise

Last chance to benefit from tax break on commercial vehicles

2010-01-25T12:58:00.000Z

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?

Greetings!

2010-01-19T16:15:00.000Z

We have been so busy here at Anchor that there was no time for blogging last week. Did anyone notice? Just a quick update today; we have sold a grand total of 87 vehicles to date this month and there are still 14 days left in the month! Will it be a record January? As you can imagine, the service department is very busy keeping up with all the sales and it is also fully booked on the retail side this week. If you need an MOT or Service this week you can always try the Tadley site on 01189829111 and speak to David.
Must go. Lots to do!
Louise

Surf's up for our new Volkswagen Transporter van site!

2010-01-18T16:11:00.001Z

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!).

A Blogger's Ditty

2009-12-15T11:47:00.001Z

There was a young fella called Dan
Who desperately needed a van
Transporter or Master,
Transit or Partner?
He needed some help from our Stan

They spent lots of time looking round
Till a van of Dan’s liking was found
They test drove the vehicle
Dan came back most cheerful
Left deposit of five hundred pounds

So off to the workshop it went
For service & fix of a dent
The MOT passed
The taxing done last
Full valet and clean for the gent

Then Dan came to pick up his van
Welcomed of course by our Stan
He paid for his purchase
Dead chuffed with service
Who can do it? ANCHOR VANS CAN ! !

Second Blog Post

2009-12-15T11:46:00.001Z

Hi Bloggers

I can’t believe another week has come and gone! We had a good week last week and sold a total of 27 vans. Our new salesman started today and is keen and raring to go so if you need a van ring and ask for Matt. For those of you who own one of the new style Ford Thunders, did you know that you have a secret compartment within your glovebox; our valleter Matt discovered this last week.

All for now

Louise

First Blog Post

2009-11-12T11:00:00.001Z

Hi! I’m Louise and I’m going to keep all you bloggers up to date with the goings on at Anchor Vans. Yesterday we sold a grand total of three vans; a Ford Combo which will be making its way to Essex, a Citroen Partner is going all the way to XXXX and another Combo will shortly be on its way to Cheshire. Our new sales administrator is settling in well; we now have 5 full time ladies on board so watch out you chaps! Our new customer advisor also started on Monday; he has worked with us before and it’s good to have him back. Our team of technicians has more than doubled since we moved to our new A4 site. In fact, we have been so busy that we have reopened our Tadley site. Almost forgot to mention that a new sales executive was recruited yesterday so we are looking forward to them joining the team in a few weeks.

Back soon. Louise

Selling your used van? We've got a new site just for you!

2009-11-10T09:33:00.001Z

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!

New MOT and vehicle servicing centre for Tadley shoppers

2009-11-04T11:54:00.000Z

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.