| Author |
Message |
Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member
Username: Joechristmas
Post Number: 679
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 6:42 pm: | |
I have tried to sell cars I have had in the past on Ebay and the high bidders never purchased the cars. I say this lightly. They seemed to have no intention of purchasing the car. I was selling a Lotus. Are you planning on putting a reserve? Then the 2nd time the high bidder wanted to trade. He never even sent me an email with his idea. I would include no trades and include every detail. |
Tony Fuisz (Fuiszt)
New member
Username: Fuiszt
Post Number: 31
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 3:40 pm: | |
I recently sold a mint 98 supra turbo on ebay for more than I could've gotten locally. BUT-the "winner" of the auction was a one feedback shill bidder for another buyer. He did the PPI, had the car shipped uncovered cross-country, and then demanded $4000.00 back for "cosmetic" issues missed on his PPI. Worse, he sold the same car one month later for $4000.00 more than he bought it for-describing it as the best he'd seen. No feedback issues because the guy who "won" was not the buyer. Long auction, say you reserve the right to toss low feedback bidders, get the PPI, make sure you have the cash when you send the title, and thats it. |
David P. Smith (Dave330gtc)
Junior Member
Username: Dave330gtc
Post Number: 81
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 10:05 am: | |
I have purchased two cars on ebay and sold one motorcycle. I had good experiences each time. My feedback is about 400 and have not had a bad transaction yet. Maybe I have been lucky. I agree with Ken that you should drop the salesman talk and accurately describe the vehicle. Be accessible and honest. You can't get away from the tire kickers. That is just part of the game. Put a lot of pictures in the ad. Make sure the car is clean; especially the close up interior shots. Put yourself in the buyers shoes and write the ad trying to answer the questions that a buyer might have. Good luck. |
Sean F (Agracer)
New member
Username: Agracer
Post Number: 20
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 8:52 am: | |
Ken is right on with his comments.
I lurk e-bay as well since I'm looking for a carb. 308 and it kills me when they post 2-pictures, and no information about the cars history, or if it has all the tools etc.
Setting a high reserve may turn some off though. I've seen a few 308's where the "but it now" price was way above a reasonable asking price (like $38K). Who pays $38K for a '81-308 with 52,000 miles and no history? |
Ken (Allyn)
Member
Username: Allyn
Post Number: 731
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 7:53 am: | |
As an EBay exotic car lurker, I can tell you what I look for. First, forget the hype and specs on the car. Anyone who's going to buy it already knows what it is. Concentrate on mechanical condition first. When was the last service? Belts done? Water pump done? Stuff that we all here would ask.
Cosmetic condition is important too. A car where simple little things have not been attended to tell me that there might be other problems as well, so fix anything you can like poor leather, stained carpets, etc. A thorough detailing is probably a good idea.
I hate to say it, but while I like to see Ferraris actually sold, you might be better off with a very high reserve so you don't sell it through EBay but instead make a private deal with bidders as many people here have done. You'll weed out a lot of the posers by making them talk to you about the car and how much you're willing to sell it for.
Just my thoughts; I've never bought or sold a car on EBay but I do buy and sell a lot through them. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 549
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 6:53 am: | |
You can use the 10 day auction if you want but the real length of the transaction will come from the contract you both write (seller & buyer) in escrow.com. This will survive the end of the auction and allow a serious buyer to PPI the car as well as view it while protecting both. |
Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 959
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 8:00 pm: | |
Get the longest auction period-10 days. Specify buyer pays shipping. Use cashiers check or wire transfer within so many days from auction end.3 is usually sufficent. Then hope the high bidder closes the deal.They frequently dont. As far as I know it is still $40.00 to list a car on ebay. |
Sean F (Agracer)
New member
Username: Agracer
Post Number: 17
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 7:34 pm: | |
Mark,
The only thing I might add is to use a 10-day auction. That way, if someone really wants to see the car, or have it inspected (at THEIR cost) they'll have time. |
Al LaPeter (Lapeter)
New member
Username: Lapeter
Post Number: 50
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 7:04 pm: | |
I am in the process of buying a 355 spider. I "met" the seller on Ebay. After the "reserve not met" auction, we worked out the purchase. Ebay has to be the greatest way to get national exposure at relatively no cost. I'm sure there are flakes out there, but real buyers use Ebay. I am one of them and I have seen other cars sold there. Go for it! |
J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jay
Post Number: 1118
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 6:06 pm: | |
Mark, I sold my car on ebay for about $10 000 US. Start the bidding low. I used escrow.com which made people more comfortable about handing over money sight unseen. The fee can either be paid by buyer or seller or split by both. It was a painless and smooth transaction. The guy came all the way from LA and met me in Detroit (I'm in Toronto). |
Mark (Markg)
Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 397
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 24, 2003 - 5:53 pm: | |
I'm going to list my car on Ebay, have a few questions:
1. In general, what are the overall fees involved - looks like about $100 would cover it from what I read on the Seller's page, but I may have read it wrong.
2. What is best recomended payment method based on your expierences..PayPal, bank transfer....etc.
3. any secreats to weeding out the 'tire kickers' ?
Any other advice or tips appreciated!! |