You Don't Expect to See This Outside Your Driveway When You Call Your PLUMBER . . .
#1
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You Don't Expect to See This Outside Your Driveway When You Call Your PLUMBER . . .
By BEN WATSON - North Shore Times | Tuesday, 23 January 2007
source : www.stuff.co.nz
How much do plumbers make in NZ ?
It shouldn't happen to a Bentley - but it has
BEN WATSON/North Shore Times
PLUM JOB: Peter Vandenberg with his brand new plumbing van.
Peter Vandenberg has just spent about $360,000 on a new Bentley - and turned it into a plumber's van.
The Stanley Pt man has been turning heads all around the Shore after he had his new pride and joy kitted out with signwriting, a roof rack and plumbing gear for his company Atlas Plumbing.
Mr Vandenberg has been in the plumbing business for six months, having previously made his living in property development in London and New Zealand.
He says buying a Bentley as a plumbing vehicle is a bit of a practical joke on the industry.
The response from the public has been excellent, he says.
"People have been coming out of bars and taking photographs of it. All the boys want to be taken for a drive."
While some might think it sacrilege to alter such a car, even other Bentley owners have seen the joke, he says.
He says his competition has been a little more subdued.
"There's just smiles and hmmm," he says.
He admits using a luxury car isn't all plain sailing - he has to clean it twice a day and the 12 cylinder, six-litre engine guzzles an average of $120 worth of fuel every two days.
"But if it gets the company noticed then it's a good thing," he says.
He says his wife was less than enthused about the expensive concept.
"I'd already bought it but I told her I was test driving it for a week and a half. She's come around now," he says.
Mr Vandenberg says he may even do the same to a Ferrari in the future.
BEN WATSON/North Shore Times
PLUM JOB: Peter Vandenberg with his brand new plumbing van.
Peter Vandenberg has just spent about $360,000 on a new Bentley - and turned it into a plumber's van.
The Stanley Pt man has been turning heads all around the Shore after he had his new pride and joy kitted out with signwriting, a roof rack and plumbing gear for his company Atlas Plumbing.
Mr Vandenberg has been in the plumbing business for six months, having previously made his living in property development in London and New Zealand.
He says buying a Bentley as a plumbing vehicle is a bit of a practical joke on the industry.
The response from the public has been excellent, he says.
"People have been coming out of bars and taking photographs of it. All the boys want to be taken for a drive."
While some might think it sacrilege to alter such a car, even other Bentley owners have seen the joke, he says.
He says his competition has been a little more subdued.
"There's just smiles and hmmm," he says.
He admits using a luxury car isn't all plain sailing - he has to clean it twice a day and the 12 cylinder, six-litre engine guzzles an average of $120 worth of fuel every two days.
"But if it gets the company noticed then it's a good thing," he says.
He says his wife was less than enthused about the expensive concept.
"I'd already bought it but I told her I was test driving it for a week and a half. She's come around now," he says.
Mr Vandenberg says he may even do the same to a Ferrari in the future.
How much do plumbers make in NZ ?
#2
That's my question. How the heck does a plumber make enough to splurge $300,000+ on a Bentley?
If it were me I'd keep the Bentley in the garage for special occasions and use a truck or something for house calls.
If it were me I'd keep the Bentley in the garage for special occasions and use a truck or something for house calls.
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I'm not sure about NZ, but in Australia, I know that plumbers & construction workers do make a lot of money! I couldn't believe it when I found out. Until now!
but what I'd like to see is a Ferrari F430 or a Lexus IS-F being used as plumber van! Just imagine, quick plumbing service!
but what I'd like to see is a Ferrari F430 or a Lexus IS-F being used as plumber van! Just imagine, quick plumbing service!
#7
The key to the whole thing is in the article when it stated he has been in the plumbing business about 6 months and before that was in property developement in London and NZ. I'm sure that where the big money came from. But then again most plumbers will charge $25 to $50 service fee just to come to your door then the hourly rate starts kicking in. Would I call a plumber that drives around in a Bentley, probably not. Besides, if he's only been in the business for about 6 months, how good is he?!
2005 RX330 Thundercloud, Thundercloud Mist, Gray/Black interior with Black Birdseye Maple Trim, NAV, ML, HID with AFS, Rain Sensing wipers, Headlight Washers, Tow Package with OEM Hitch, 18" Thundercloud rims with Michelin MXV4s.
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2005 RX330 Thundercloud, Thundercloud Mist, Gray/Black interior with Black Birdseye Maple Trim, NAV, ML, HID with AFS, Rain Sensing wipers, Headlight Washers, Tow Package with OEM Hitch, 18" Thundercloud rims with Michelin MXV4s.
1998 GS300 (Previous and First Lexus)
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#8
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If he is doing it as a tax break, that sort of thing is very common down here where the President of a company will take the tax break on his vehicle. In Mexico it is a possibility, regardless of the vehicle, but if you do too many, they get suspicious. One rule that was recently promulgated that is that for x vehciles (can't remember the number but something like 3) you have to put the logo of the company on the side of the vehicle. I used to work at a pharmaceutical company and I remember everyone of our Nissan Tsurus had the company logo on them.
Lots of luck in the U.S. doing this.
Lots of luck in the U.S. doing this.
Last edited by Lexmex; 01-24-07 at 06:30 PM.
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The problem he will have now is people will want haggle with him. I made the mistake of taking my car on jobs a few times, never again. I can't imagine if it were a Bentley.
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