POA? Forget it!

[LotusOmega375D]

Why do people (especially dealers) persist in advertising cars without a price tag? I thoroughly enjoy browsing the small ads in classc car magazines looking for that next purchase, but would never respond to a POA listing. Surely the asking price is the most important piece of information you can put in an advert? Buyers know their budget and search the market accordingly. If the price is interesting they might then take the next step. If the asking price has been witheld, why should they bother?

I know that in a rising market for a few niche models, greedy dealers sometimes think they might be able to make a few more quid in the few weeks between submitting the advert and it hitting the newsagents' shelves. But frankly I wouldn't deal with those guys anyway.

[mrmr96]

Maybe they will tailor their price depending on how keen you sound? Of course they will have a minimum, but if they feel you'll pay over the odds then they'll charge you that.

Try calling one and see if he tells you the price first, without trying to talk about the car first.

Oh, and that's another thing - so they can give you a bit more "hard sell" on the phone. Since you've made the effort to call them you've given them a platform to do some more "selling" at you down the phone.

[Hooli]

LotusOmega375D said:

Why do people (especially dealers) persist in advertising cars without a price tag? I thoroughly enjoy browsing the small ads in classc car magazines looking for that next purchase, but would never respond to a POA listing. Surely the asking price is the most important piece of information you can put in an advert? Buyers know their budget and search the market accordingly. If the price is interesting they might then take the next step. If the asking price has been witheld, why should they bother?

I know that in a rising market for a few niche models, greedy dealers sometimes think they might be able to make a few more quid in the few weeks between submitting the advert and it hitting the newsagents' shelves. But frankly I wouldn't deal with those guys anyway.

+1

I'll never enquire about a car (or bike) that's POA. Either put the price up or I'll look elsewhere.

[IroningMan]

I've always assumed it stood for 'if you need to ask then you can;t afford it.'

And acted accordingly.

[The Surveyor]

It's just a product of the market. POA means that they don't have to advertise that they're having to consider a reduced price because it's sat in their shed for ages, just the same as if a know wealth collector called, the price would rise. "yes hello Mr Evans / Mr Jay Kay / Mr Bean the price for that car is X + 10%"

Like most high-end stuff be it cars, houses, etc, it's often being sold on behalf of the owner and is just being touted around the market to see if there is any potential buyer. Doesn't need to sell but if somebody would pay over a certain price let it go... like an auction but without the risk to the seller, and without the presure on the buyer.

Paul

[crazy about cars]

IroningMan said:

I've always assumed it stood for 'if you need to ask then you can;t afford it.'

And acted accordingly.

+1. Mostly prestige cars with the POA tag anyway... be surprised if I see a POA on some 10 year old Proton.

[The Surveyor]

Also, when was the last time anybody actually paid the asking price for a car?

If the advert give a price, we all look at is as the starting point for negotiation before throwing in a daft low offer to see if the dealer bites...it's just a game you have to play if you want the car!

Paul

[Elderly]

The Surveyor said:

Also, when was the last time anybody actually paid the asking price for a car?

If the advert give a price, we all look at is as the starting point for negotiation ........

Paul

But it's the same for a POA, the price given on application is usually just a starting price for negotiation.

I'm happy to phone to ask, and then just say "no thank you" if it's an unrealistic starting price.

[LotusOmega375D]

I just think it's so unnecessary. Call me old-fashioned, but surely it's the Vendor who's supposed to be marketing the car for sale? It really shouldn't be up to the Buyer to have to chase them to find out such a fundamentally important piece of information! If they're not prepared to advertise their asking price, then I (and many others) will not be bothered to pursue it further. There's plenty more fish in the sea.

[Yertis]

The sort of cars I can afford are never POA, it's academic to me, like looking at the prices of private jets or those ghastly Sunseeker type boats.