Wheeler Dealer
The funny thing is, that the journalist who wrote this article doesn’t even drive, and has never bought a car!
Still, I think it was a good piece, and it made me smile more than once – prizes if you can guess where 
However, and it is the only thing we could find to pick on, apparently there is a missing ‘minus’ in the quotation about earnings! Steve says, for the record, his answer was that his garage could earn from ‘minus 50k to 100K’.
Edited to add: The article came about completely by chance. Apparently LB was in the city doing a similar article on a Met Office worker, and wanted to find a car salesperson to interview for the series, and just contacted Steve from the phone book (or google, whatever he used, I don’t know!). Not quite sure what made Steve say yes, it’s quite unlike him really!
November 8th, 2008 at 9:01
Very good piece. Work/life balance doesn’t seem stated quite as I’d thought it to be . . . Also you must make more on a more expensive car. The margin may be the same but the profit itself will be higher. Not sure how bright the journalist is – digging for used car horror stories.
Well done!
(says I stretching back in my chair)
November 8th, 2008 at 9:04
Actually re-read that. Margin is what Steve said. More tea required.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:53
Great article (and in the best newspaper too), I imagine the phone at the garage will be ringing off the hook today!
November 8th, 2008 at 10:51
Steve’s bits were good but the writing………….
‘He holds firm behind his desk, defending it stoutly, as a thin stream of traffic hisses past outside on the Pinhoe Road.’
I think we have someone who really thinks he’s a novelist.
However I think we now have someone who will forever be known as a jaded snooker star with a particular expertise in the workings of suspension bridges.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:57
‘studious’? Apart from that, it was very recognisable
NIce piece Steve, hope it brings in more custom 
November 8th, 2008 at 11:34
yeah, studious and the description after that, the faintly jaded snooker player! and the part where he wags his finger. Oh, and the ‘none of your business’ bits, as well. Those made me laugh. Not to mention the horn concerto – apparently they had Classic FM playing on purpose! (although they do either have that or R2 usually so it wasn’t really much different just for Leo Benedictus). Think we’re probably on for our first year facing making a loss, too, but there we go.
November 8th, 2008 at 11:43
i liked the piece. oops to part exchanges [ at least i said ours was worth 50p!!]
November 8th, 2008 at 11:46
lol, don’t think yours counts as a stitch up, Helen, you were nothing less than honest!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:55
“Faintly jaded snooker player”. Perfect!
November 8th, 2008 at 12:55
Chuckle, it did sound pretty much exactly him!
November 8th, 2008 at 17:21
Ooh, Jon and I were very excited (and amused) to read this!
November 9th, 2008 at 8:57
Great article Steve – good for SCCL and the motor trade to dispel a few myths. Compared with education the motor trade is squeaky clean believe me!! I’m off with my business card to order a half size snooker table for the sales office – at least it will keep us occupied and we could even challenge any customers who turn up – what a brilliant sales gimmick!!
November 9th, 2008 at 13:06
You know that’s not such a bad idea!
November 9th, 2008 at 19:31
Good article, loved the snooker player bit.
November 9th, 2008 at 23:57
Wow, can I have his autograph?! He sounds like a real dude your Steve!!
November 10th, 2008 at 14:56
Oh, he sure is, Janice!
“Not quite sure what made Steve say yes” – c’mon, the man can recognise free advertising when he sees it!
November 10th, 2008 at 15:51
good point!