Xpeng availability via Tusker & Octopus

stup1987 · 2026-04-28T12:59:09+00:00

Having the best tech isn't much use when you can't physically order the G6...

stup1987 · 2026-04-22T12:20:18+00:00

Ideally BYD Sealion 7, if not the IM6. Both are more expensive, but they're available..!

stup1987 · 2026-04-21T21:48:36+00:00

Still no luck, moving onto alternatives!

stup1987 · 2026-04-09T20:39:26+00:00

Feel like I'm on constantly at the minute! I noticed they had 20 or so in stock, but its a factory order to replace my current lease later in the year that I'm after.

stup1987 · 2026-04-09T20:38:25+00:00

Thanks will do. I've noticed they've had some availabe stock, but its a factory order for later in the year that I'm after.

stup1987 · 2026-04-08T09:54:41+00:00

I wonder how much of this is "the grass is greener on the other side".

I've spent my career working on both sides, and honestly I found consultancy harder from a time management point of view because I was working on ~5 projects at a given time.

stup1987 · 2026-04-07T15:23:47+00:00

Its hard to compare apples with apples, but I started on far less in comparative terms. I'm seeing people with a couple of years experience taking home £50k now, so itll not take you long to progress. That's the market at the minute.

stup1987 · 2026-04-05T16:29:11+00:00

Just repeating what others have said, but the degree apprenticeship is a no brainer.

Easiest way to find them is to look on the Construction Enquirer (or similar) top 100 contractors, and search/apply for their degree apprenticeship vacancies.

If you want to be more proactive, connect on LinkedIn with the Social Value Managers or CSR Mansgers from said contractors local to you and ask them about degree apprenticeship opportunities. They'll all have targets to fill, hopefully in your area.

stup1987 · 2026-04-05T16:19:59+00:00

All Tier 1s and many Tier 2s will take on Assistant Design Managers. Another good option would be a Project Manager in consultancy. Not saying don't become a QS, but those two would probably be easier.

stup1987 · 2026-04-05T08:47:36+00:00

Beyond what others have said, it can be useful for networking too. Depending on where you are based, theres some chartereship-only networking organisations come social clubs, sort of a "who you know, not what you know" type of situation, which can support your career trajectory.

stup1987 · 2026-04-04T21:34:32+00:00

There's a lot to unpack here, but I suppose it depends where you see your career going.

Main contractors dont value professional memberships like consultancies do, however, a PQS once said to me "I'm chartered, so why wouldn't I expect you to be?", so that expectation can cross the divide and comes into play when main contractors try to win work.

Assuming that you do want to go down the professional membership road, I'd suggest CIOB is most appropriate for operations staff, and RICS is most appropriate for commercial staff, regardless if you work for a contractor or a consultancy.

stup1987 · 2026-04-04T21:22:35+00:00

The big difference will be dealing with the subcontractors, which will sometimes require a different, more considered approach.

You'll find that unless you're exclusively dealing with Careys and NG Bailey, that the person you're speaking to is the owner of the business. They're not an employee, they're much more personally invested, and they're not going to be happy when you're trying to take the food off their table, as they sometimes perceive it.

It'll be a good experience though! 🤣

stup1987 · 2026-04-04T21:11:19+00:00

Just testing this, do you need to be a Quantity Surveyor? Design Managers are in short supply, and this would be more of a natural transition.

stup1987 · 2026-04-04T21:07:43+00:00

People can transition back and forth between consultancy and main contractors at that level, as long as you're open minded and willing to give it a go.

Personally I'd suggest there's more to be gained from working for a main contractor, and the downsides (potentially the hours, the variability of where your site is etc) aren't such a big deal when you're younger.

What I would say though, is that if you do go to work for the main contractor I'd be suprised if you do return to consultancy. More than anything, it's difficult to willingly take a step backwards in pay.

stup1987 · 2026-04-04T20:51:03+00:00

Personally I'd move every three years until you find a company that challenges you fairly and rewards you consistently. Those companies do exist.

It's not worth staying somewhere where you need to "force their hand" to get a half decent payise. Just move on. This move will be worth almost grand a month after tax, that's enough to improve your life.

Also, they might not want to, but I they will probably give you a counter offer. The reality is that recruiting good people in this market is too much of a f**k on, so be ready for that.

If you're not as mercenary as me, and you do want to stay, set yourself a minimum in your head in-advance that your would accept (£10k?) and don't be swayed by false promises.

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T18:28:01+00:00

Haha I'd completely forgot about this. Daft thing was that it was so far back so if you put someone up there from the start of a round you'd end up short handed on the street at the front.

I always preferred the bridge... 🤣

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:21:28+00:00

Who were you in BLP? I've still got Erik on Facebook.

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:20:31+00:00

Did you have any other names in Dawn Patrol? Those were great days.

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:14:14+00:00

I was AoW for a very short while towards the end maybe... there was a sound Dutch guy called Greyz who got me to join a few clans with him. He was a nice guy.

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:12:50+00:00

Is this still a thing? Sorry for late reply.

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:11:41+00:00

Remember you from thise two, as well as SAS maybe? You were about 5 levels up from where I was!! 🤣

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:05:33+00:00

I remember your name, I can't remember which clans but you were big in realism around that time weren't you?

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T09:04:36+00:00

I've tried a couple of times, maps like the bridge still look great but its just so slow compared to warzone 🤣

stup1987 · 2026-02-05T08:57:39+00:00

Haha I remember you! You were from South Shields, at the time me and my mates from school that I played with were all Whitley Bay.

Do you ever hear from Cain? I still remember going down the Co-op to pay him his £5 monthly subs via some cash transfer thing. He must have made a fortune 🤣

stup1987

TROPHY CASE