Feedback please

[Series 3 guy]

On a more serious note than the Van Halen issue... I am beggining a new buisness venture and would like some feedback on what you think the intrest would be from your point of view in the US. I have access to a rather large amount of Series vehicles in fair to great condition and am seriosly thinking of importing them to the US. I'm not looking to get rich by doing this..just looking for some job satisfaction of selling cool trucks to cool people. I remember living in Seattle and begging to come accross a series vehicle in poor condition just so I could afford it to fix it up over time. Anyone who loves Land Rovers love Series vehicles. Based on that what do you think the intrest would be state side where Series trucks are nearly extinct and highly valued???? I would be importing Series II,IIa and III into the states with a very few very early Defenders. Any idea's??? I would appreciate any feedback you guy's and gal's can give. Cheers- Andrew

[Serg]

Hmmmm.... didn't I run this idea by you about 6 months ago... LOL.. heck yeah it's a good idea! You could definitely do well doing it.. Unfortunately, at this point I have some other high priority business projects I am working on.. so not sure if I could still do this.. I would however, buy a good 109 or 110 on the spot from you. So keep me in mind, I would be willing to be the first guinea pig/customer....


Serg

[roverX]

I think you will have a gold mine on your hands!

[Series 3 guy]

Originally Posted by Serg

Hmmmm.... didn't I run this idea by you about 6 months ago... LOL.. heck yeah it's a good idea! You could definitely do well doing it.. Unfortunately, at this point I have some other high priority business projects I am working on.. so not sure if I could still do this.. I would however, buy a good 109 or 110 on the spot from you. So keep me in mind, I would be willing to be the first guinea pig/customer....


Serg

Yep you sure did!!! I am finaly beggining to realise what a great idea it realy is. I am tired of working for a European Fortune 500 that can give a sh*t about the time and effort its Management gives to achieve it's success.If I am going to work 70 hours a week its going to be for me not "the man". I LOVE Land Rovers and eventhough I may not be able to give myself free shares and Healthcare but I would be quite happy to acquire series vehicles for those who dont have the resources and time to do so.Not quite going to change anyones life..but I sure as hell would love to add a bit of Landy love to it!! Seriously though when I get going....I do have an eye on a few 109's that would be great!!! I.E a seriesII 109 carawagon. Rare and beautiful. Anyway...........

[GriffSC]

your idea has midas written all over it. keep us posted. would love to get my hands on a series, any series.

[Monty]

Shit, who here wouldn't want one?

[Muddy Oval]

While I don't sell vehicles, I deal a lot with people who do- as well as people who buy them and then have to maintain them. DAP imported literally hundreds of vehicles after Land Rover pulled out of the US market many years ago and we've seen the ups and downs- mostly downs- of doing it.
First off- forget early Defenders for a couple of years... they have to be 25 years old.
Second- adding another supplier to the market will probably bring prices down, as they are artificially high lately. Of all the Series trucks being sold lately, only the really nice ones that are priced below market value actually find a home. Sure, you could make about $2500US per vehicle- but you'd be hard pressed to move them quickly. They have great appeal to the enthusiasts and even the casual passer-by... but to get someone to pull out ther wallet and give you money is different.
I'm not saying "don't do it" but I' am suggesting that maybe start with pre-orders so you don't end up storing stuff for a year before it sells. I can name a dozen people right now who have decent trucks but havent been able to sell them for what they are worth in the last year.
There is increased scrutiny on vehicles coming in the US now and you will have to be able to respond to seizures by customs. They once confiscated a vehicle because it was a former military vehicle and it had a metal clip on the dashboard for holding a rifle- it was deemed "military restricted" and it cost as much as the truck was worth to get it back. To bring them over, you'd really want to fly over and manage their clearance through the system yourself.
Seriously- I'd start out just working as an exporter... let the customer import it. Offer your services to go out and survey the vehicles and get them on the boat. Trustworthy sellers are hard to come by over there and having a trusted agent working for the buyer would be a Godsend. Lots of people have purchased trucks based on pics and when they arrive here- they are junk.

[FlyWheel]

Andrew,
Just do it!
The only danger is that of becoming fabulously wealthy....
I maybe be a customer....

[Hank]

I don't think it will fly. Anymore, these days, people are looking for gas mileage, and reliability. The true LR heads know where to find these trucks anyway, and they wound be over 80% of your business. You would be better off buying the trucks, stripping them, selling the frames for scrap, and just importing the good body panels, seats, ect.....

You wanna make money? Bio diesel conversations!

[Muddy Oval]

Hank has a point- more money in good body parts. Bulkheads are worth their weight in gold just about if they are in good shape. Most of the old ones in the UK are in terrible shape though... the New Zealand and African Rovers are usually in better shape. You can get a NEW galvanized chassis for $1800 or so- a good body tub would be a great thing to slap on it.

[Series 3 guy]

Originally Posted by Muddy Oval

While I don't sell vehicles, I deal a lot with people who do- as well as people who buy them and then have to maintain them. DAP imported literally hundreds of vehicles after Land Rover pulled out of the US market many years ago and we've seen the ups and downs- mostly downs- of doing it.
First off- forget early Defenders for a couple of years... they have to be 25 years old.
Second- adding another supplier to the market will probably bring prices down, as they are artificially high lately. Of all the Series trucks being sold lately, only the really nice ones that are priced below market value actually find a home. Sure, you could make about $2500US per vehicle- but you'd be hard pressed to move them quickly. They have great appeal to the enthusiasts and even the casual passer-by... but to get someone to pull out ther wallet and give you money is different.
I'm not saying "don't do it" but I' am suggesting that maybe start with pre-orders so you don't end up storing stuff for a year before it sells. I can name a dozen people right now who have decent trucks but havent been able to sell them for what they are worth in the last year.
There is increased scrutiny on vehicles coming in the US now and you will have to be able to respond to seizures by customs. They once confiscated a vehicle because it was a former military vehicle and it had a metal clip on the dashboard for holding a rifle- it was deemed "military restricted" and it cost as much as the truck was worth to get it back. To bring them over, you'd really want to fly over and manage their clearance through the system yourself.
Seriously- I'd start out just working as an exporter... let the customer import it. Offer your services to go out and survey the vehicles and get them on the boat. Trustworthy sellers are hard to come by over there and having a trusted agent working for the buyer would be a Godsend. Lots of people have purchased trucks based on pics and when they arrive here- they are junk.

I couldnt agree more with most of what you said. However when DAP imported the vehicles is when Land Rover pulled out of the US market. There was a serious lack of indy shops and a strong enthusiast base. Most were scared that they would never be able to get parts or good service much like the Peugeot enthusiasts when the company left. There is a much larger and broader enthusiast base for Land Rover than ever before now.Especialy in America.The usual sort of places that Land Rover enthusiasts would go to try to find a Series vehicle know what they have and will take advantage of the uniqueness of the vehicle and try to sell it on for an overinflated price. You are right in that trying to find a good and quality/trustworthy person who is knowledgable of the marque is tough. Thats where someone like me comes in...see? I am not concerned about destroying the over inflated prices on series vehicles in the current market. In fact...thats part of why I am going to do it. I cant stand by and see fellow enthusiasts ripped off by paying for a Series truck with a rotten bulkhead for 3k. I will also be involved in the sale of original parts as well for people who are in need. There is NO reason why someone should be paying $1,700 for a new bulkhead other than it is new and hard to come by. I say Bollocks!!!!!!!!! I can get a Bulkhead for a series III today in fantastic shape for £150. NO RUST. I would of course as a buisness sell it on for a small mark up with airfreight...but not the princely sum of £1,700. Outragous. Anyhow.... I do appreciate your feedback it has given me alot to think about. Thank you. Glad to see that DAP is doing well. I have finaly put two and two together. The door on your disco matches the ad I see in my Land Rover mags. I am slow. Cheers-Andrew

[Muddy Oval]

Well, best of luck to you and I can certainly send some folks your way once you get set up. We could sure use some bulkheads, that's for sure.
Hell, find a REALLY solid 109 station wagon and I'll get it for myself!

[Hank]

Originally Posted by Muddy Oval

Hell, find a REALLY solid 109 station wagon and I'll get it for myself!

At last count, David Gage had one in "driveable" condition......7k, I think

[DallasRover]

I say go for it, as you said "I'm not looking to get rich by doing this..just looking for some job satisfaction of selling cool trucks to cool people." I think at some point most of us would jump at the chance to do it. Keep us posted on how it is coming.

[Muddy Oval]

I called David up one day after comtemplation to buy a 109 he had- a day too late. He had taken it apart to swap in an Isuzu turbo D.

I found a solid 109 wagon that I will probably get- it's an older restoration, but was VERY well done. Just waiting for more details on it.