At 1800 Salvage, our professional team uses their extensive automotive knowledge to provide you with the best car-selling experience in Australia. Combined with exceptional customer service and industry-leading technology, our buyers will always prioritise your satisfaction and convenience.
We sat down with our National Asset Buyer & Valuer, Stewart Bates, to hear more about his role with 1800 Salvage and how he’s shaped the company into what it is today.
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How long have you worked with 1800 Salvage?
I’ve been with 1800 Salvage for 1 year and 9 months.
What does your role involve?
I am in a senior buying role, which involves purchasing assets nationwide. This can include anything from cars and motorcycles to caravans and boats. We’ve seen many different kinds of automobiles come through our system, and it’s always a fun challenge to put together a great price for the customer. I am also the lead valuer for insurance tenders, but I will always find time to assist other buyers with their leads and questions as well.
Can you speak about your experience in the automotive industry?
I started in the automotive industry in my early 20s. I was selling cars at a dealership, which was a great learning and eye-opening experience. It wasn’t until 2018 that I re-entered the automotive industry and instantly fell back in love with it and started thriving. I’ve had a love of all things automotive from an early age, and it’s where I am best suited, having worked in new vehicle sales, wholesale, auctions and now the salvage space
How do you focus on creating a great customer experience?
It’s always important to address leads in a timely manner to keep our customers engaged. A professional tone and full transparency with customers also go a long way. Above all, I believe the key to a great customer experience is being polite, courteous, and understanding throughout the entire process.
How do you go about evaluating a vehicle?
When evaluating a vehicle all factors come into play, the obvious being year/make/model/KMs. Next is working out and understanding exactly what is wrong with the vehicle and trying to discern whether it is a mechanical issue or accident-damaged. The location also plays an important role in evaluating vehicles/assets. Simply put, it all comes down to experience and repetition, following the auctions every week and studying the sold results. It also helps to have an AVAA auction & valuation accreditation.
How do you think 1800 Salvage stands out from competitors?
I believe our business is distinguished from others by its commitment to professional and enjoyable service. Largely, we combine modern technology with experienced buyers to help our customers sell their assets. Our creative approach is also a unique element–our team is full of excellent problem solvers who use our business's flexible principles to secure the best result.
What challenges have you faced while working with 1800 Salvage, and how have you overcome them?
Initially, the workload demanded that I find ways to speed up my processes across the board while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. This eased as our company grew, along with our team of buyers. Aside from that, nothing out of the ordinary. Every day, there will be something that needs to be discussed across the buying team, which is always easily overcome. Our work environment promotes collaboration and transparency, and I could not enjoy it more.
What are some milestones you have reached with 1800 Salvage?
It seems like the team is always reaching new heights in the office, and it’s a great environment. Personally, I hold the record for the most vehicles purchased in a single month (which I believe is 176). I am also the first person at 1800 Salvage to purchase a 1983 Ferrari Mondial, which I reckon is pretty cool. While it’s great to have our own personal achievements, I enjoy watching the business flourish and provide an effective solution for all Australians.
