I was on the job as a journalist at the time, and had a cracking friend whose family had been in the automobile line of work for years. It was his suggestion to come in to the company and spend a day or two working at the sharp end. There can be no better way of researching something than putting yourself in the actual environment.

I had never been to the garage where my friend worked before, but I knew that I was near by when I saw the entrance to Raffety’s used cars for sale. The showroom was deceptively roomy, and appeared to go back far towards the centre of the railway line arch. There were many different makes and models on show.

When I arrived, a little later than promIsed, I saw a young bloke on the forecourt applying some sensitive care to a old BMW. “Are you looking to Buy an Audi“, he asked with a hopeful look on his face. I instantly though that he must be on some kind of commision agreement, as he wasted no time in speaking to me.

“No thanks” I replIed, “I am hear to see how the business organisation works, and to compose an article for the local newsprint.”

Having said my introductions, I was sat near the phone and told to be the voice of the company. This I enjoyed, as I think that I have a pretty good rapport with the general public. Perhaps the most common question that I was asked was ‘do you know where I can Buy a Renault.’