Starting to lose hope trying to sell my car...

[Chrisw666]

Deluded said:

Just think that the 2 points picked on are so minor it's not worth mentioning. I just cant see why anyone would get hung up on buying a good car because they have to ask for a phone number.

The point about the address might well be a minor one if your knowledge of the Staffordshire/Cheshire/Greater Manchester area is great, but a lot of people (even in the area) won't have the foggiest idea where the places are and will be put off by the potential for scammers. A friend of mine almost sent money to a seller registered in Bishops Storford for a GSXR750 that was apparently located in Dumfries and the seller would only deliver it, it was only when I suggested it smelt iffy he asked some more questions and ebay pulled the auction.

The phone number equally could point to a possible scam, it's easy to hide that you are sat in an internet cafe in Lagos from behind a keyboard.

These two things may seem minor to you but you asked for advice and as neither is a PITA to rectify you seem to be being pretty precious about it. You're selling a tidy but cheap car, at that end of the market it is dog eat dog and you'll get the dregs of society, folk who are in a hurry to buy the nearest cheap runner to them and people who simply are nervous about online transactions.

If you don't wish to accept the advice don't, but I've sold cheap and more expensive cars via ebay and PH without suffering innits, timewasters and genral fkwittery.

[limpsfield]

I put "Honda CRV" and "1999" in Autotrader. The first two pages are all much cheaper than yours.

I think you are asking too much

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/honda...

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

Sir Bagalot said:

Deluded said:

Any advice on shifting this car?

Yes. Ebay auction starting at 99p, make sure you exclude 0 feedback bidders. It will sell for what people think it's worth.

Recently I bought a car that needed a major service, discs and pads all round and four tyres. After doing that work I put 10,000 miles up in 8 months. Sold it and took a £400 hit.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

I've sold three cheap-ish very high milers on ebay over the last 8 years or so - I was realistic about their true value, and as by then I'd got another car that I was more interested in, I just felt that the market would pay what it thought the cars were worth. But on each occasion, by jove, the cars have sold for more than I was expecting - happy days all round! And maybe I've just been lucky, or maybe it's that I take loads of good photos and describe the cars inside and out in detail - but each time the buyer has turned up, handed over the cash, and driven off, never to be heard from again.

IT IS TERRIFYING, yes but I find listing a car on ebay at 99p start with no reserve has worked well for me. Don't get worried on day 6 - most of the serious bids roll in at T- one hour.

TOP TIP - list your car so the auction finishes about 8 or 9pm on a Sunday night. This is probably your best chance of most people being at home, a bit bored, and surfing the net to buy cars.

My results:

1998 Volvo S40 T4 - I would have been happy with £1500 - sold on ebay for £1850.
1993 Ford Fiesta - I would have been happy with £500 - sold on ebay for £950.
1999 Ford Fiesta - I would have been happy with £500 again - sold on ebay for £775.

[CraigyMc]

Deluded said:

Snowboy said:

The former rather than the latter would worry me more.

But, with both of those combined I would just move onto the next advert.
It’s not like they are hard cars to find.

If someone wants to call me, they can email and ask for my number first. Not putting my number on ebay means I wont get random people phoning to ask what my lowest price is, then hanging up when it's not what they want. Had it before. Not going to do it again. If you can't be bothered to email me then you obviously aren't that bothered about the car.

Also, car is listed in Cheadle, Staffordshire. Ebay account is Listed as Stoke On Trent. Cheadle is approx 4 miles out of what most people would class as "Stoke On Trent". Not really wrong is it?

This is why the car hasn't sold, in concert with the fact it's priced too high.

C

[englisharcher]

The car is worth £900-£1000.

And if you told me to email or text you, instead of talking to me on the phone, I would move onto the next car on my list.

[Amateurish]

Snowboy said:

Amateurish said:

Snowboy said:

Ebay’s not legally binding.

Yes it is (at least the auctions are)

I’m pretty sure the car auctions and classifieds have different rules that other auctions.

Also, I’m fairly certain that no court in the land would enforce any sort of ebay sale.
I’d be interested to see if there is legal precedent though.

But as far as I know ebay is effectively an introduction between a buyer and seller, not a contract.

You are right, car auctions are not considered binding on eBay, my mistake.

However, normal ebay auctions are binding on both parties, and could be enforced at court.

[steve2]

a chap along the road from us had a 96 rav 4 up for sale on the edge of his drive since early Feb, started at £1500 then eventually down to 950 and still it did not sell, ended up chopping it in last week for £500 .

[Rollcage]

I had an x reg one of these, sold it in June last year for 850. Yours is simply too expensive OP.

Edited by Rollcage on Wednesday 18th April 10:02

[Deluded]

Just an update for whoever cares...

Advice listened to. Relisted on ebay. Changed the description, made the location more user friendly and put a phone number on. Lowered the price to £1100 but with best offer so people can atleast offer what they think it's worth.

So. 10 mins after I list it. My phone rings...

"Hi Boss, whaz da lowest you take for da Honda?" "I only got £400 to spend"...

Yeah, thanks but no thanks.

[blindswelledrat]

Oh well.
Good for you, though, and good luck with the sale. Keep us posted.

[matt3001]

Deluded said:

Just an update for whoever cares...

Advice listened to. Relisted on ebay. Changed the description, made the location more user friendly and put a phone number on. Lowered the price to £1100 but with best offer so people can atleast offer what they think it's worth.

So. 10 mins after I list it. My phone rings...

"Hi Boss, whaz da lowest you take for da Honda?" "I only got £400 to spend"...

Yeah, thanks but no thanks.

Did you not even try to get him to £600?

[Lewtyper]

Deluded said:

I don't understand how a car can devalue so much after 6 months of ownership

You must be deluded!

[juliethotel]

I gave 650 for one t n t last autumn, its overpriced. Either wait until Oct/Nov when the price of any 4x4 rises or lower the price to 900 and see what happens. OP have you tried green laning? Its great fun and the CRV is ideal for it. Nothing wrong with being biway-curious

[Rollcage]

There's allways the odd idiot. Don't know what they think they are trying to achieve by doing it. Mostly seems to be the Bluds when it happens to me!

[Major T]

The lesson learnt here is not to buy a car that needs money spending (e.g. on tyres, brakes, servicing) unless
a) you intend to keep it for a while
b) you get it cheap enough to cover the expense

Because you just don't get the money back at resale time. Therefore, it makes sense to spend a bit extra time and money buying something with money already spent.

[Snowboy]

Lewtyper said:

Deluded said:

I don't understand how a car can devalue so much after 6 months of ownership

You must be deluded!

Generally speaking a generic car loses about 1-2% of its value every month.

[Bill Carr]

I think i've found your advert. TBH, there's not much wrong with how you've presented it (although your mats look a little grubby! ) and having bought a number of cars via ebay, the lack of a phone number wouldn't bother me - I'm one of those people who is happy to use email as required.

To echo other posters, I think price was/is the issue. E.g. there are a number of similar CRV's of the same age and lower mileage near me for less money (c.£900). It sounds like you've looked after the car well, but maybe you could consider offering a fresh MOT if you receive offers at your asking price?

Another thing that might stoke up more interest - and I appreciate the pitfalls/issues with it - is accepting paypal. The convenience and attractiveness to ebay users of being able to buy from a private seller using a card should not be underestimated. Just keep your eyes open.

[Deluded]

juliethotel said:

I gave 650 for one t n t last autumn, its overpriced. Either wait until Oct/Nov when the price of any 4x4 rises or lower the price to 900 and see what happens. OP have you tried green laning? Its great fun and the CRV is ideal for it. Nothing wrong with being biway-curious

I did look into green laning a few months back actually. Sadly there is pretty much nothing near me worth a look unless I pay for it...

[NiceCupOfTea]

Stick a fresh MOT on it. When looking for a car under a grand, ticket is one of the key things.

[GC8]

Yes, and you have to accept that by advertising where the 'innits?' look to buy, you will receive £400 offers.