One of the major concerns I had when setting up business as a personalised number plates dealer, was whether people would take me seriously as a one-man operation. Actually that statement would offend my wife, as she regularly answers the telephones and helps out with the accounts and v.a.t. returns. However, originally it was just me, on my own, operating from the spare-bedroom of our home.
In an industry where there are some big players employing teams of salespeople, dedicated administration departments and marketing executives, I feared many clients would simply look us over and opt to deal with our larger competitors. While I am sure some people do feel more comfortable dealing with larger outfits, it seems the opposite is also true.
A couple of recent clients told me the main reason they chose do business with Simply Registrations was because of our size; they specifically like dealing with small, owner-run businesses with a single point of contact. One gentleman said he chose Simply Registrations because I was prepared to accompany him to the DVLA Local Office to sort out his number plate transfer on the same day.
He set off from the North-East of England in the morning, collected his Porsche from Lincolnshire just after lunch-time and then travelled towards Leeds so we could complete the transfer of his new number plates. He then continued his journey on to Gateshead with his new personalised number plates proudly displayed on his 911 Carrera 4S (with turbo wheels) and with a huge smile on his face.
I suppose one of the main advantages of being a small business is our ability to be flexible. We have completed several same-day number plate transfers over recent months. I’m not sure whether any of the bigger cherished number plate dealers offer the same service?
It seems to be a popular choice for anyone who either lives local or fancies a trip to Yorkshire. It is particularly good for the nervous buyer who wants to hand over their hard-earned money and drive away with new personalised number plates on their car a couple of hours later. It would appear that the idea of paying several thousand pounds for a personalised number plate and then waiting patiently for the documents to arrive in the post does not suit everyone.
So if you are a nervous number plate buyer, or just someone who likes to deal with the owner of the business, call James on 0113 288 7553. I would love to meet you personally and also help you to add the finishing touch to your car. Then you too can drive off into the sunset with a big smile on your face and a new set of private number plates proudly displayed on your car.
New Office Address & Telephone Number for Simply Registrations
May I take this opportunity to apologise to you if you have unsuccessfully tried to contact Simply Registrations over the past couple of weeks. There are times in our lives when a combination of events results in things not quite going to plan. The previous fourteen days definitely threw up a few challenges. We have moved house and as I work from home that means a new office address and telephone number for Simply Registrations.
Our new home is less than a mile away from where we used to live, but significantly we are now covered by the Leeds telephone exchange, rather than the Wakefield exchange. This means a new telephone number for Simply Registrations – 0113 288 7553.
The plan was that anyone dialling the old number would hear a recorded message advising them of our new telephone number. Unfortunately our telecoms provider (BT) messed things up in a big way and the old telephone number was unexpectedly disconnected before the new line was active. I won’t go into the problems caused by not having a telephone line or internet connection, but as I am sure you can imagine it really has been a challenging couple of weeks.
The good news is things are now back to normal and we are open for business. We are working through the SimplyRegistrations.co.uk website to remove any references to the old address and telephone number. If you did ring over the past couple of weeks and were greeted by an unobtainable tone, I am genuinely sorry. We have always promised a professional and efficient number plate buying experience which extends to being able to contact us by telephone. I trusted BT with our house moving order and have learned from my mistake.
We still have a fantastic selection of quality car registrations for sale at very competitive prices. As I have learned recently not everything comes down to price; sometimes the level of service is much more important. I am certain you will not find a better service anywhere else when it comes to acquiring a personalised number plate. You can speak to me direct on 0113 288 7553 to discuss any of the private number plates we are offering for sale.
James Saperia, Director – Simply Registrations Ltd.
Cherished Number Plate Transfers
Transferring a cherished number plate is a fairly straightforward task; although it hasn’t always been that way. When the business of buying and selling car registrations was in its infancy back in the 1970’s, things were very different.
The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was still unsure what part it wanted to play in the selling and transferring of vehicle registrations and systems were still to be properly established. At one stage during 1976 the DVLA suspended transfers of all registrations following industrial action by members of two civil service unions.
Protests by the founding members of the Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA) helped to bring the strikes to an end and a new set of rules was introduced by the DVLA to govern the transfer of car registrations. The price of a cherished transfer was hiked from £5.40 to a staggering £50, which was a lot of money back in 1976. Retention certificates were abolished and vehicles had to be registered to a keeper for nine months before an application could be submitted for a number plate transfer.
So next time you begrudge paying the DVLA £80 to transfer your car registration from one vehicle to another, consider what the owners of cherished number plates before you had to endure. The system is far from perfect, but at least you don’t have to chain yourself up to the railings outside DVLA headquarters in Swansea to get your personalised registration transferred.
Private Number Plates – Because I Can
I had an interesting chat with a client last week. He has a philosophy that you get from life what you expect of it. His business is doing really well at the moment because as he says, he expects it to be doing well.
There is a lot of doom and gloom out there at the moment. Tales of woe are dominating conversations in pubs, at family gatherings and anywhere you care to look for them. My client said he decided to buy a private number plate, not so much because he wanted it, but just to let everyone know that he could afford to buy one!
He went on to explain that more fortunes are made in bad economic times, than in good times. He insists all his employees are upbeat and positive which contributes to his dealership selling lots more cars than any other car showroom in the area.
I am really glad he made the decision to treat his car to a new look as it contributed to Simply Registrations having a fantastic month. During May the registrations TOY 350 and 9 CAG left our own stock portfolio. Deposits have also been taken against 97 GC, 92 GG and 6 ASK.
The precedent has been set; if your business is flourishing in these perceived tough times, buy yourself a private or personalised number plate. Even if you don’t really want one, it is the best way of letting your friends, neighbours and relatives know that money just isn’t an issue for you.
Choosing a Personalised Number Plates Dealer – Does Size Matter?
One of the major concerns I had when setting up business as a personalised number plates dealer, was whether people would take me seriously as a one-man operation. Actually that statement would offend my wife, as she regularly answers the telephones and helps out with the accounts and v.a.t. returns. However, originally it was just me, on my own, operating from the spare-bedroom of our home.
In an industry where there are some big players employing teams of salespeople, dedicated administration departments and marketing executives, I feared many clients would simply look us over and opt to deal with our larger competitors. While I am sure some people do feel more comfortable dealing with larger outfits, it seems the opposite is also true.
A couple of recent clients told me the main reason they chose do business with Simply Registrations was because of our size; they specifically like dealing with small, owner-run businesses with a single point of contact. One gentleman said he chose Simply Registrations because I was prepared to accompany him to the DVLA Local Office to sort out his number plate transfer on the same day.
He set off from the North-East of England in the morning, collected his Porsche from Lincolnshire just after lunch-time and then travelled towards Leeds so we could complete the transfer of his new number plates. He then continued his journey on to Gateshead with his new personalised number plates proudly displayed on his 911 Carrera 4S (with turbo wheels) and with a huge smile on his face.
I suppose one of the main advantages of being a small business is our ability to be flexible. We have completed several same-day number plate transfers over recent months. I’m not sure whether any of the bigger cherished number plate dealers offer the same service?
It seems to be a popular choice for anyone who either lives local or fancies a trip to Yorkshire. It is particularly good for the nervous buyer who wants to hand over their hard-earned money and drive away with new personalised number plates on their car a couple of hours later. It would appear that the idea of paying several thousand pounds for a personalised number plate and then waiting patiently for the documents to arrive in the post does not suit everyone.
So if you are a nervous number plate buyer, or just someone who likes to deal with the owner of the business, call James on 0113 288 7553. I would love to meet you personally and also help you to add the finishing touch to your car. Then you too can drive off into the sunset with a big smile on your face and a new set of private number plates proudly displayed on your car.
DVLA Personalised Number Plate Fees Explained
There are fees payable to DVLA to perform certain tasks relating to personalised number plate ownership. Here is a brief summary of the various types of fees and what they cover.
Put a registration mark on retention; £80
(used to cost £105 – reduced 9th March 2015)
This is simply when you wish to separate your private number plate from a vehicle and keep it on a retention document (V778), rather than transfer it to another vehicle. You can apply online to take a registration number off a vehicle, or if you prefer the paper route, complete form V317 – Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number. Read more about how to retain a private number plate.
Transfer a personalised registration; £80
This is when you want to move a personalised registration between vehicles, typically from your old car to your new car. The DVLA form to complete is the V317 – Application to transfer or retain a vehicle registration number. It may be quicker & easier to complete your plate transfer as a two-step process online; first retaining and then assigning your private number plate to your new vehicle.
Extend a retention document (V778) or certificate of entitlement (V750); free
(used to cost £25, fee abolished on 9th March 2015)
If you already have a Retention Document or Certificate of Entitlement it may be valid for one, two or three years. All V778 documents/V750 certificates issued from 9th March 2015 are valid for 10 years. During the 28 days before your document/certificate is due to expire you can apply to extend it – no fee payable. After 10 years you can apply to extend again for another 10 years, free of charge. This article explains the difference between a V750 and a V778.
Add or change a Nominee; free
(used to cost £25)
When you are ready to assign or transfer a registration number to a car, the name on the V750/V778 DVLA Document (either Purchaser/Grantee or Nominee) must match the name of the registered keeper of the vehicle. This only applies if you are buying a brand new (unregisterred) vehicle, or submitting an application to assign a registration by post. If the names do not match you need to add a nominee; either via your DVLA online account, or by completing the relevant section of your DVLA Certificate. If you use the DVLA online service to put a cherished plate on a vehicle, the nominee is completely irrelevant; the names do not need to match. For example; A private plate held on a retention document with the grantee ‘Andrea Brown’ can be put on a vehicle showing the registered keeper ‘Simon Smith’. At the moment this relaxed rule only applies if you complete the assignment online. Grantee and Nominee explained.
If you have any further questions please visit the number plates & vehicle registration section of the GOV.UK website, or alternatively call the DVLA vehicle registration enquiries helpline on 0300 790 6802.