Auld Lang Tyre

Happy New Year, Prosit Neujahr, Bonne Annee, Feliz Año Nuevo and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

That’s it - another year done and dusted. It only seems like yesterday that Charlie Sheen was winning, the News of the World was crumbling and we were getting the bunting out to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

It’s no wonder that 2011 flew past when I think about what a massive twelve months we’ve had at Blackcircles.com.

Whilst we’ve heard and read a tonne of stories about economies and currencies struggling, I’m pleased to say that that 2011 was an exciting year for us – kicking off with the launch of Tesco Tyres and finishing with our debut advert on Sky TV.

It was also a great year for investments within the company. We have continued to ensure that Blackcircles.com employs the top candidates in each section of the business – not just in terms of their skills and experience, but also their drive, vision and desire to create a service that provides motorists with top value for money.

When you mix that together with the continuing growth of our fitting network – where you will find some of the best mechanics in the country – we can safely say that 2011 was the best year yet and 2012 looks like it is going to be even better!

Although the end of a year is a time to reflect on what has been achieved and what lessons you can learn from your mistakes, it’s also a good time to look forward and prepare.

We don’t want to give away too much information at this early stage, but, some of our main aims will be to invest in creating even more value for our customers when shopping with Blackcircles.com.

Since founding the company, making sure our customers are happy has always been one of our top priorities and we are positive that the developments in the pipeline will further enrich their experience.

As we roll these changes out I will be listening, with interest, to your thoughts and feedback. With our customers’ help, which has always been invaluable in the past, I am certain that 2012 will surpass 2011 – as long as the Mayans were wrong.

All that is left now is to raise a glass and wish you a Happy New Year.

I hope to see you all throughout 2012.

Vive L'EU!

You would be forgiven for thinking that, until recently, the EU and ‘saving money’ were about as estranged as Sepp Blatter and ‘sensible football statement’ or Ricky Gervais and ‘Golden Globes 2012’.

While Blatter continues to do more jinking that Ronaldo’s feet in his quest for something sensible to say, we have seen Ricky handed the hosting of the Golden Globes again. An unlikely event when his poking fun at big Hollywood stars last time seemed to have all but killed off chances of a reprise.

Well if Ricky’s new Golden Globes gig shocked you, I’m about to knock your socks off with the news that new EU legislation coming into force today could save you money on motoring maintenance.

Honest. It’s true. There is a general misconception that having a car serviced away from a main dealer or using non-car –maker parts will invalidate its warranty. Like most urban myths this is not the case as long as any replacement part is either the original component, or a part of matching quality. Gripped with a desire to help motorists save money, the EU people decided to enshrine this in law.

According to my sources the EU people got crazy one lunchtime at Delirium Café in Brussels and returned to the office with joy in their hearts and goodwill to all men. The result is that main dealers are quaking. Thanks to the change in law, motorists can choose where to take their new or used car for a service AND can also specify that cheaper equivalent quality part should be used.

At Blackcircles.com we have long known about the benefits of using independent garages and have been successfully saving our customers lots of money on their car servicing. However, it’s nice to see the EU throwing their support behind this cause and doing what they can to help motorists.

So when you read all those EU stories don’t think too badly of them. Just remember that wonderful day at Delirium Café…and hope they go back soon!

On Monday Blackcircles.com is going to have some very exciting news to share with you. Check out our site at 9am to see what it is - believe me, it’s cool, very cool!

Have a good weekend

Mike

Girl v Jeremy Clarkson

Change is a good thing.

Top Gear has the Stig and Blackcircles.com has the lightning quick Carol Brown. That’s right, we have our very own tame racing driver and she is flying high.

A former champ in the Legends series, Carol’s talent was recognised by The Sun at the weekend (Golden Brown) with a write up about her success since returning to the Legends. Two wins and second place this season means she is at the top of the standings in a quality field that includes former champs Ross Marshall and Colin Atkinson.

Blackcircles.com has been supporting Carol this season so we are delighted to see her in first place. What adds extra significance is that she is beating the guys in a sport where female drivers are about as rare as Jeremy Clarkson turning to his wife and saying, “Nicely driven Frances.”

The significance of this was brought home to me when I read an article in The Telegraph about cars built for women. Not so long ago the belief that women could not drive led to cars fitted with simplified gear change, electric windows to save women breaking fingernails, an umbrella and a vanity case mounted under the dashboard. Amazingly, in 1957 the government actually issued a warning film about women drivers.

If this stereotypical thinking had been applied to male drivers I can only presume we would have ended up with cars fitted with a remote control for everything, an in car toilet with complimentary newspaper and sport on every radio station apart from one…for the hard rock.

In the UK we have thankfully come a long way from these times although the struggle continues in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving. Bonkers but true.

It’s great to see Carol leading from the front and breaking down barriers and we look forward to seeing her go from strength to strength. To break down a few more barriers, and after a very short discussion in the office, we reckon that our tame racing driver would make short work of Jeremy Clarkson. And so we’re calling him out. Do you want to see a Clarkson takedown?


Fight the good fight.


Mike