Comments on: Interview with “Dragon Eater” Ling Valentine

By: Disgruntled Workforce

Disgruntled Workforce — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:14:25 +0000

Wow, had never heard of this before. Very interesting … Ling obviously knows what she is doing. This serves as great motivation to keep working hard.

By: Ling Valentine

Ling Valentine — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:06:32 +0000

I missed off the link in the top paragraph showing the “quote requests”. Page is here: http://www.lingscars.com/quote_view.php

By: Ling Valentine

Ling Valentine — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:21:56 +0000

Can I post this long comment? To help other people understand and see potential, I have made a quick page (I cannot code the date field that well to make it perfect) which shows the quote requests that come into me here:

I need to find ways of monetising (ugh word) the people I do not convert into cars (roughly 30/35 per day)

Also, for your info (some may find it interesting/useful), I detail below the last 100 cars I “sold”, and the last 95 “personal” customers’ (as opposed to businesses who had cars) job info:

Make and Model
Mercedes C-Class Sports Coupe 2.0 CDI 16v (120bhp) C200 SE Coupe 2148cc Manual
Mazda BT-50 2.5 (140bhp) TS DoubleCab Pickup 2499cc (140bhp) Manual Diesel
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.7 CDTi (100bhp) SRi Sport Hatch Hatchback 3dr 1686cc Manual Diesel
Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (92bhp) SX Hatchback 5dr 1560cc Manual Diesel
Lexus IS 2.2 (220d) (177bhp) Saloon 4dr 2231cc Manual Diesel
Vauxhall Corsa (New Shape) 1.2 i 16v (80bhp) Life A/C Hatchback 5dr 1229cc Manual
Smart fortwo coupe (New Shape) 1.0 i 12v (61bhp) Pure Hatchback (2-seat) 3dr 999cc Auto Petrol
Volkswagen Transporter 1.9 TDi (85bhp) T26 SWB Van 1896cc TDi (85bhp) T26 SWB Van 1896cc Manual Diesel
Mercedes E-Class Saloon 2.2 CDi (167bhp) E220 Special Edition Executive Saloon 4dr 2148cc Auto Diesel
Toyota Corolla Verso 2.2 D4D T2 5dr Manual Metallic
Mitsubishi L200 (New Shape) 2.5 DI-D (138bhp) Warrior Double Cab 4WD Pickup 4dr 2477cc Manual Diesel
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 1.9 JTDM (150bhp) Lusso Estate 5dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol
Peugeot 207 Gti 1.6 16v (175bhp) GTi THP Hatchback 3dr 1598cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Mercedes A Class A150 Classic SE 5dr Hatch Metallic
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 1.9 JTDM (150bhp) Lusso Estate 5dr 1910cc Manual Diesel
Lexus IS 2.2 (220d) (177bhp) Saloon 4dr 2231cc Manual Diesel
Kia Magentis 2.7 V6 (186bhp) LS Saloon 4dr 2656cc Auto Petrol
Audi A3 1.6 (102bhp) Special Edition Hatchback 5dr 1595cc Manual Petrol Solid Paint
Mini Cooper (New Shape) 1.6 (120bhp) Hatchback 3dr 1598cc Manual Petrol
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 16v (113bhp) Visia 2WD Hatchback 5dr 1598cc Manual Petrol
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol
Suzuki Swift 1.3 16v (91bhp) GL Hatchback 5dr 1328cc Manual Petrol
Kia Magentis 2.7 V6 (186bhp) LS Saloon 4dr 2656cc Auto Petrol
Toyota Corolla Verso 2.2 D-4D (136bhp) T2 MPV (7-seat) 5dr 2231cc Manual Diesel
Honda CR-V (New Shape) 2.2 i-CTDi (138bhp) SE 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 2204cc Manual Diesel
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol
Audi A3 1.6 (102bhp) Special Edition Hatchback 5dr 1595cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 SDI S Hatch 5dr Metallic
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.6 VVT-i (109bhp) T2 MPV (7-seat) 5dr 1598cc Manual Petrol
Audi A6 Saloon 2.7 TDI V6 (177bhp) Le Mans Saloon 4dr 2698cc Auto Diesel Metallic
Nissan X-Trail (New Shape) 2.0 dCi (147bhp) Trek 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 1995cc Manual Metallic
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.6 VVTi Petrol T2 MPV (7-seat) 5dr 2231cc Manual
Land Rover Freelander 2 (New Shape) 2.2 TD4 (158bhp) GS 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 2179cc Manual Diesel Metallic (full size spare wheel)
TOYOTA VERSO ESTATE 1.6 VVT-i T2 5dr Petrol Metallic
Citroen C4 1.6 Hdi SX Hatch 5dr Manual Metallic
TOYOTA VERSO DIESEL ESTATE 2.2 D-4D T2 5dr Metallic
TOYOTA VERSO DIESEL ESTATE 2.2 D-4D T2 5dr Metallic
Honda CR-V (New Shape) 2.2 i-CTDi (138bhp) SE 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 2204cc Manual Diesel
Mini Cooper (New Shape) 1.6 (120bhp) Hatchback 3dr 1598cc Manual Petrol Metallic
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Mini One (New Shape) 1.4 16v (93bhp) One Hatchback 3dr 1397cc Manual Petrol Metallic
TOYOTA VERSO DIESEL ESTATE 2.2 D-4D SR 5dr Metallic
Audi A3 5Dr Sportback 1.9 TDI Sport 08 Solid Paint
Nissan X-Trail (New Shape) 2.0 dCi (147bhp) Aventura 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 1995cc Metallic Manual Parking Sensors
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 CDTi (148bhp) LT 4WD Station Wagon (7-seat) 5dr 1991cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Mini Cooper Convertible (New Shape) 1.6 (116bhp) Convertible 2dr 1598cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.9 CDTi (150bhp) SRi Hatchback 3dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 i (133bhp) LS 2WD Station Wagon (5-seat) 5dr 2405cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Lexus IS 2.2 (220d) (177bhp) Saloon 4dr 2231cc Manual Diesel Metallic
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.9 CDTi (150bhp) SRi Hatchback 3dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 i (110bhp) Desire MPV 5dr 1587cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi (171bhp) Trek Doublecab 4WD Pickup 4dr 2488cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Mini One Convertible 1.6 (93bhp) One Convertible 2dr 1598cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Ford Mondeo (New Shape) 2.0 TDCi (138bhp) Edge Hatchback 5dr 1997cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (65bhp) Active Hatchback 3dr 1242cc Manual Petrol Metallic (Air Con)
SAAB 9-3 Convertible 2.0 16v (210bhp) 2.0t Aero Convertible 2dr 1998cc Manual Petrol Metallic Heated seats
Nissan Micra 1.2 (64bhp) Acenta Hatchback 3dr 1240cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 i (65bhp) SE+ Hatchback 5dr 995cc Manual Petrol Solid Paint
Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi (171bhp) Adventura Doublecab 4WD Pickup 4dr 2488cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (65bhp) Active Hatchback 3dr 1242cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Honda CR-V (New Shape) 2.2 i-CTDi (138bhp) SE 4WD Station Wagon 5dr 2204cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Volvo V50 Sportswagon 1.6 D (109bhp) S Estate 5dr 1560cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Ford Galaxy 1.8 TDCi (100bhp) LX MPV (7-seat) 5dr 1753cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi (171bhp) Outlaw Doublecab 4WD Auto Pickup 4dr 2488cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Citroen C2 1.6 16v (125bhp) Code (full leather) Hatchback 3dr 1587cc Manual Petrol Non-Metallic
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 CDTi (148bhp) LT 4WD Station Wagon (7-seat) 5dr 1991cc Auto Diesel Metallic
Citroen C1 1.0i (68bhp) Vibe Hatchback 3dr 998cc Non-Metallic paint
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.7 CDTi (100bhp) SRi Sport Hatch Hatchback 3dr 1686cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.9 CDTi (150bhp) SRi Hatchback 3dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi (150bhp) SRi MPV (7-seat) 5dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Nissan Qashqai 2.0 16v (139bhp) Visia 2WD Hatchback 5dr 1997cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Citroen C2 Code 1.6 16v Full Leather Hatch 3dr
Audi A3 1.9 TDI (103bhp) Special Edition Hatchback 3dr 1896cc Manual Diesel Non-Metallic
Audi A3 1.9 TDI (103bhp) Special Edition Hatchback 5dr 1896cc Manual Diesel Non-metallic
Ford Mondeo (New Shape) 2.0 TDCi (138bhp) Edge Hatchback 5dr 1997cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Kia Picanto 1.1 (64bhp) LS (A/C) Hatchback 5dr 1086cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDi (75bhp) Enterprise Van 1560cc HDi (75bhp) Enterprise Van 1560cc Manual Diesel Non-Metallic
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (65bhp) Active Hatchback 3dr 1242cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Ford Galaxy 1.8 TDCi (125bhp) Zetec (5-speed) MPV (7-seat) 5dr 1753cc Manual Diesel Metallic
“Mini Cooper S (new model) Hatchback 1.6 3dr petrol manual metallic ((17″” Flame spoke light alloy wheels&run flat tyres) (smokers pack) (Bluetooth)”
Mercedes C-Class Saloon (New Shape) 2.2 CDi (134bhp) C200 SE Saloon 4dr 2148cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 16v (113bhp) Acenta 2WD Hatchback 5dr 1598cc Manual Petrol Metallic
SAAB 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.9 TiD (120bhp) Linear SE (08) Saloon 4dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 1.9 CDTi (150bhp) SRi Hatchback 3dr 1910cc Manual Diesel Metallic Maintenance
Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 CDTi (148bhp) LT 4WD Station Wagon (7-seat) 5dr 1991cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 i (65bhp) SE+ Hatchback 5dr 995cc Manual Petrol Non metallic
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (65bhp) Active Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual metallic
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 16v Life A/C 5dr Metallic
Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 Tdi TDV SE Multi Metallic with Milano Leather, DVD Sat Nav, GSM Phone Prep, CD Changer, Bose
Renault Clio 1.2 16v (75bhp) Expression Hatchback 3dr 1149cc Manual Petrol Metallic air con
Mini One (New Shape) 1.4 16v (93bhp) One Hatchback 3dr 1397cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Volkswagen Touareg TDI Altitude 225PS 6spd Automatic Diesel Metallic
Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 (65bhp) Active Hatchback 3dr 1242cc Manual Petrol Metallic
Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDi (92bhp) Desire MPV 5dr 1560cc Manual Diesel Metallic
Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDi (75bhp) 600 D LX Van 1560cc HDi (75bhp) 600 D LX Van 1560cc Manual Diesel Non Metallic
Honda Civic Type-R 2.0 i-VTEC (198bhp) Hatchback 3dr 1998cc Manual Petrol Non metallic

My last batch of “personal” customers (who are employed) as opposed to “business” rentals have been:

emp_nature emp_title
Sales Business Manager
Analyst Business Analyst
IT Manger Deputy Systems Editor
Construction Package Manger
Sales Manger Telesales Manger
Service Manger Community Safety Manager
Advisory Teacher Childrens Centre Teacher
Admin Administrator
IT Project Manager Project Manager
Building Surveyor Contract Management
Habour Master Habour Master
IT Consultant Managing Director
Caravan Manufacture Joiner
Electrical Jointer
Sales Sales Manager
Healthcare Training Officer
IT Senior Systems Analyst
Quantity Surveyor Project Surveyor
Police Officer Police Officer
IT Operations Shift Manager
Accountant Partner
Train Engineer Technician T3
Networks Network Architect
Management Training Director
Agency Accountant
Property Valuation Surveyor
Pub Group Proprietor
Teacher Head of Maths
Account Manager European Manager
Teaching Senior Lecturer
PC Repairs & Tuition Computer Engineer
Medical Distribution Senior Patient Service Rep
Mortgage Broker Area Sales Manger
Construction Site Manager
Internet Development Development
Coffee Wholesale Sales Manager
Tour Guide Driver Guide
Ops Manager Funding Manager
Heathcare Director of Business Development
Sales Sales Manager
Pig Farm Assistant Manager
Director Business Development
Builders Contracts Manager
Sole Trader Propoerty Maintenance
Internet Café Proprietor
HR HR Manager
Recruitment Recruitment Manager
Technician C3 Grade
Marketing Marketing Assistant
Electricain Foreman
Audiologist Paediatric Audiologist
Computer Analyst Operations Manager
Account Manager Business Development Manager
Advertising Proprietor
Boat Building Manager
Technical Author Intergrated Support Engineer
Management Assistant Management Assistant
Marketing Manager Marketing Manager
Air Conditioning Sales Director
Air Traffic Sevices Air Traffic Controller
Software Sales Manger
Senior Manager Management Consultant
Accountant Owner
Director Sales Director
Managing Director Managing Director
IT Project manager Project Manager
IT Engineer System Admin
Education Teaching Assistant
Construction Owner
IT Manager IT Manager
Support Rep Support Rep
IT Business Process Consultant
HR & Payroll Personell Admin
Programmer programmer
Sales Manager Sales Manager
Production Production Controller
Computer Engineer Owner
Precision Copponents Engineering Manager
Dental Lab Manager
IT Consultant Director
Audio Visual Sales Southern Sales Manager
Franchise Auditor Qaulity Auditor
Day Nursery Nursery Teacher
Direct Sales Sales Advisor
Quality Manager Quality Manager
Law Senior Practice Manager
Office Admin Office Admin
School Teacher of Science
Construction Quantity Surveyor
Director Director
Joiner Joiner
Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Surgeon
Property Property Buyer
Accountant Accountant

By: Nino

Nino — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:03:46 +0000

In my country is a show like that but the difference is the name: “lions cage”…good luck ling

By: Garry

Garry — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:45:24 +0000

it was good to hear someone putting the dragons in their place. i stopped watching it a while ago, as i thought it was getting more about the dragons and less about the people trying to get their projects off the ground. Anyway, first reaction of Ling’s site, whoa! Although after the initial shock, it does draw you in, with so much going on there is a lot to look at. Ling - can you see me on your site at the moment?? I wonder what this interview has done to your traffic.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:25:57 +0000

Thanks Justin, corrected now. The error was probably mine when I was doing the editing. Cheers.

By: Justin Cook

Justin Cook — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:04:36 +0000

Very nice read, I’d never heard of this site before.

By the way, you have a spelling mistake here:
“Yes, it’s intentional. I this World, y”

I think you meant “In this world”

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:22:33 +0000

I would disagree and say that although the website looks insanely messy it actually does it’s job very well and would be pretty sticky to an end user, I would suspect that Ling converts her traffic as good if not much better than the more traditional ‘clean’ business leasing sites do.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:19:18 +0000

Wow, that’s one heck of an interview and she has a great blog. I agree with what others said about the site though, it needs a total revamp. Congratulations Ling, job well done!

By: Ling Valentine

Ling Valentine — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:05:48 +0000

Gadgets, click anywhere
—
Wow! Thanks for all the comments, everyone (especially as they are intelligent contributions, from fellow have-a-go people, not the usual rubbish). And thanks to SMM, what a fantastic website this is! You should understand that I operate in a saturated market and the quality of other “lease” car sites in the Uk ranges from boring to awful. Very few others are online businesses, they are simply businesses with a website. So they are often out of date, static, and do not provide much real info to customers. For instance, very few offer a full level-playing-field price list like this and no one else provides full environmental info or NCAP safety info (I even scrape the NCAP crash films, which is more than ANY uk site does, even the official NCAP partners; the AA or Which? I need to compete with proper franchised dealers, how on earth am I supposed to manage that without being totally different? Remamber I am “just” a Chinese bird in a massive established business with “brand” attitudes. Some manufacturers (eg Mazda UK) and dealers hate me with a vengence because I impact their businesses. Mazda blacklist me from product supply, which IMHO verges on the illegal.

I need to stand out, but also entertain customers; this is about a car, cars are enjoyable (if massive) purchases. So, I am trying to polarise visitors, either they will love me or hate me. I don’t want to be just “OK”. It is not really about cars, I think it about emotion. I would love more feedback, I am always ready to take suggestions on board.

One thing I am proud of is the effort I put into customer testimonials. Currently, I publish over 800 customer letters here with full addresses (with consent) and a nice reply to each. Very few businesses take the trouble to do that. It really helps new customers.

Suggestions????? I would REALLY love to hear them, please.

Thanks again… - Ling!