Does anyone remember life before the Internet | FerrariChat

Does anyone remember life before the Internet

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by proof69, Nov 12, 2014.

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  1. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003
    i am trying to sell 2 inexpensive cars on the Internet. I get a lot of what's your best price and can you accept PayPal. The cars have been advertised for 3 weeks and not one person has come see them. I remember back in the day and I am definitely dating myself by saying I used to sell cars in the l.a. Times back in the 80's and 90's. Cars would sell within a week and people would come out and look at them. I am getting a totally different vibe today. Can someone explain to me what is going on. I am very confused.
     
  2. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,344
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Yes! It was so much easier to buy and sell cars, and actually make some good money..
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,352
    Indian Wells, California
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Put them on eBay. I sold a very nice Porsche in a week for full asking price - best advertising ever.

    Honestly I don't miss people coming over to my house and looking at cars. At all.
     
  4. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    3,798
    Sarasota, Fl.
    Full Name:
    Stan
    I didn't sell much back then. My greatest impression is how easy it is to find cars with the net.

    When I did sell a car, it was not a special car. ... A local buyer would be found and the deal done without fanfare and little lost time.


    But seeing all the unusual cars is far better today.
     
  5. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    I agree with you. My question is why?
     
  6. Pass

    Pass F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 29, 2008
    12,440
    Salida Colorado
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    Mark Passarelli
    Before the internet you had to go into those seedy places to buy magazines and movies too.
     
  7. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    Maybe I'm old fashioned but I prefer the days of old.
     
  8. BlueBiturbo

    BlueBiturbo F1 Rookie

    May 19, 2004
    3,967
    Jakarta
    Full Name:
    TS
    +1
     
  9. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    I have to admit, I found my last two Ferraris and Porsches on the internet.
     
  10. JJ

    JJ F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 6, 2010
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    Information is everywhere so fewer people misprice when they buy or sell. The market is very transparent and therefore much more efficient.
     
  11. platinumsc

    platinumsc Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2004
    256
    I remember saying out loud 20 years ago that I would never sit at a computer like an antisocial nerd.
    Here I am typing replies on a forum. Jeez!
     
  12. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 8, 2005
    72,498
    Las Vegas Nevada
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    I also prefer life before the internet.
     
  13. carguyjohn350

    carguyjohn350 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 7, 2007
    3,826
    Houston, TX
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    John P
    The irony of so many bemoaning the existence of the internet on FChat is hysterical. ;)
     
  14. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,344
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    Tom
    I feel like I was more attentive and creative before this retched internet entered my home..
     
  15. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,865
    DFW, Texas
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    Tom C
    No way. Internet rules! I'm on this forum learning about wonderful cars, the country of Bhutan, talking NFL with fellow fans, sharing what (very) little I know abt cars, learned to make pizza dough, yada, yada yada. Certainly, dangerous if abused, like any new technology, but used correctly & supplemented with real life interaction & fresh air, the Internet is arguably science's greatest gift to mankind in the later half of the 20th century...T
     
  16. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    Internet will be looked at as one of those things that changed human civilization, I am convinced of that. The sheer amount of information available if you choose to use it is incredible. Entire national revolutions have been facilitated by online activity.

    As for selling vehicles, it is sometimes easy to see the dealers or sellers who are not internet savvy. The days of a BS artist salesloser that attempts to size up a buyer and inflate the price are simply over. Dealerships that do not use online with prices listed are walking dead. Sellers that think they have the only one like it in the country and thus worth 50% over market are wasting thier time and the car or bike will just sit.

    The internet really is the great equalizer.
     
  17. cfe142

    cfe142 Rookie
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    Jul 29, 2011
    46
    NorCal
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    Greg B
    You waited for the next month's issue of Hemmings Motor News.
     
  18. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    I think those over 50 appreciate a time before the Internet. Anyone younger really doesn't relate to how things used to be.
     
  19. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    What is wrong with waiting? It was something to look forward to. Young people can not relate.
     
  20. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    Yes, it obviously changed civilization. The jury is still out whether better or worse.
     
  21. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    Aug 21, 2006
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    The Other Oz
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    M Wilborn
    Winner winner, chicken dinner.
     
  22. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,352
    Indian Wells, California
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    Jon
    What he said. For buying/selling cars, which was what the OP was writing about, I have no nostalgia for the way things were.

    Plus, add up everything you've learned on FChat and tell me you were better off in 1990.

    Waiting for the non-material rewards in life? Nothing wrong with that.

    Waiting for Hemmings, or for the car you want to appear on the local used car lot? No thanks. Life is too short to waste waiting for the trivial stuff.
     
  23. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Nov 18, 2005
    16,335
    Wellington, FL
    Full Name:
    Duane
    There's only a couple of reasons they are not selling. Your price is too high or your ads are terrible. I've sold probably 10 cars via Cars.com and Craigslist and they're always gone in a week. I used to stick to Cars.com but tried Craigslist on the last car I sold (I think it was a 2005 Acura TL) and had the same result as the Cars.com ads but for $75 less per ad.

    When I am getting ready to sell a car I do some market research on the sites I mentioned and also KBB and eBay. Once I know what similar cars (age, condition, mileage) are selling for I take a bunch of pictures and list it at a market competitive price. I invite potential buyers to come check it out and I even allow inspections at a mechanic. I have only been lowballed once. I refused the offer and sold the car (I think it was a 2007 Sienna) the next day at full price.

    It's all about the ad. I try to model my ads to mirror car ads I've seen and liked.
     
  24. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Rich
    I like post-Internet life, but definitely remember pre-Internet. Interestingly enough, I'm having an issue selling a car, and it's been for sale for far too long.

    Tons of tire kickers - especially over eBay. I'll sell the car I believe, but what a PAIN IN THE ***!
     
  25. VGM911

    VGM911 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2007
    1,379
    New Jersey
    As sellers, we're sometimes the last to know what the market value is of what we're selling.

    A properly priced car for sale will almost always sell faster than one that's overpriced. This is also true for houses and most collectibles.
     

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