Van Sales UK

Van Sales UK shakes up the new vehicle market with hassle-free online order system

Van Sales UK could be the answer to your CV supply issues

In these uncertain times, with global supply chain problems and the continuing impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, what many van buyers want most of all is speed and simplicity.

Independent supplier Van Sales UK offers just those qualities – with access to new vehicles of all brands and a slick, quick online system that allows the customer to complete an entire transaction and even arrange delivery from any location with internet access or a mobile phone signal.

Van Sales UK, a division of parent company Vanaways, is an internet-based business. There’s no big shiny showroom or yard full of vans waiting to be sold, so overheads are kept to a minimum. Instead, its sales experts work over phone and email networks, taking inquiries and orders and matching customers up with their perfect vehicle selections without ever needing to have contact with either.

The intention is to make the buying process as easy as possible – and to provide access to the widest range of vans – to ensure customer get the vehicles they need to keep their businesses rolling. All vans are backed by full manufacturer warranty and after sales packages and a range of finance options are available. Van Sales UK can even take away older vehicles in part-exchange.

Director Chris Jakeways said: “Our aim was to disrupt the marketplace and offer van customers something new – and that’s what we’ve achieved. Our business model is entirely driven by having the best technology to make the process of buying new vans as quick and

It’s a perfect 10 from the Wring Group

Demolition expert Wring Group turned to independent supplier Van Sales UK for a new fleet, with a rapid lead time that knocked down all competitors.

The Bristol-based operator needed 10 small vans urgently, to replace ageing vehicles that were becoming uneconomical to keep on the road, and Van Sales UK pulled out all the stops to source and supply the fleet to a very tight timeframe.

Director Dean Wring explained: “We run 45 vans of various sizes but these smaller vehicles are our day-to-day workhorses, and vital to keep our operation running smoothly. They’re used by plant machinery operators and supervisors to get to and from sites, and for a host of other requirements.

“Some of the vans we had been using were reaching an age where they were giving us problems, so we needed replacements and could not afford to wait a long time to get them in. I spoke to several suppliers, including manufacturers’ franchised dealers, but none could provide what I needed anywhere near as quickly as Van Sales UK.”

Now all in service, the vans are Citroen Berlingo BlueHDi models with 1.5-litre engines, which each generate 100ps. Their specification includes air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, cruise control and touch screen displays. Each has a third passenger seat and a protective bulkhead with load hatch for carrying long items.

“We’ve had Berlingo vans before and they suit our needs well – but there are other, equally good vehicles on the market,” said Mr Wring. “That’s why the choice of brand was less important than finding a supplier who could provide the vehicles we wanted quickly, and with minimum fuss.

“We’ve dealt with Van Sales UK before, so were not surprised when they gave by far the keenest response to our request. As ever, their Sales Executive Stuart Meale came back very fast with a highly competitive quote, and the order was processed extremely smoothly – all done over the phone, without me needing to leave my desk.

“The vehicles were delivered to our premises in perfect condition, exactly as ordered – including full interior plywood lining – within less than three weeks from my initial inquiry. That’s exemplary service,” he added.

Family-owned Wring Group was established in 1926 by Sydney Joseph Wring, the grandfather of current Directors Dean and John Wring. The company carries out a wide range of demolition, decontamination and waste management services, including asbestos removal, across the UK. In addition to its vans the Wring Group fleet includes 20 trucks and 50 pieces of plant machinery.

‘I spoke to several suppliers, including manufacturers’ franchised dealers, but none could provide what I needed anywhere near as quickly as Van Sales UK’

Dean Wring, Wring Group

easy as possible, with the minimum time and admin requirement from the customer.”

Vanaways has been trading since 2017, but in its early days mainly dealt in used vans. The shift to focusing on new vehicles under the Van Sales UK brand, and the creation of its streamlined, paper-free buying system, was initially a response to upheavals in the marketplace over the last couple of years.

“Things really started to change with the Covid 19 pandemic, and subsequent lockdowns,” recalled Chris. “Obviously customers couldn’t visit our forecourt, but with auction houses closed it also became very difficult for us to source more used vehicles. As our stock dried up we started to look increasingly at new vans, and set up channels to source vehicles direct from the manufacturers.

“More recently, there has been pressure on the new van market too, caused by the global chip shortage and supply chain issues. But, because we’re not tied to any one brand we’re less affected by this than most franchised dealers. Combined with our super-slick online acquisition process, it means that for many customers the quickest and easiest way to get hold of a new van is through Van Sales UK.”

Growth has been rapid. The company is now supplying 250 new vehicles per month on average, and volumes continue to climb steadily. Used vans are still offered, but only those that have been taken in part-exchange for new models. In most cases they are collected from the customer’s premises when the new van is delivered, so interruption to the operator’s business is kept to an absolute minimum.

“We can source any vehicle a customer wants, but for many people these days the brand of their new van is not a primary concern – especially as, under the skin, in many cases two or even three models from different manufacturers can be nearly identical,” said Chris.

“What’s more important is to make the process of getting that new van on the road as painless as possible. That’s where we score, by cutting the number of steps a vehicle takes between rolling off the production line and arriving at the customer’s premises, and by slashing time-consuming paperwork. Our system is so simple that we even sold a new van to a roofer, who completed the whole transaction from a roof, using his mobile phone, during his lunch-break. With Van Sales UK, it’s that easy.”

See Vansalesuk.co.uk or Vanaways.co.uk

Used van prices soar as shortage hits CV sector

The pandemic and well-documented parts shortages have forced used van prices to record highs, with used Ivecos costing 39 per cent more today than in 2021.

Other popular used van models to see their values soar include the Mercedes Sprinter, which now costs 31 per cent more than in 2021.

New van registrations are down 23.6% year-to-date (March), with used van values up 20% (£23,632 from £19,692) compared to the same month last year.

Increased workloads in 2021 contributed to the new van market growing 21.4% year on year. However, semiconductor shortages and resulting shipping delays meant demand far outstripped supply. This resulted in inflated prices across the used van market as businesses looked to fill gaps in fleets.

Dan Powell, chief editor at Desperate Seller, says: “There has never been a better time to cash in on your old van. Partexchange values are at record highs, with Euro 6 and Euro 5 vans both commanding strong money.” He promised, though, that “new vans will arrive.”