Why does this car not sell?
Discussion
Right guys, not trying to make publicity for myself here but maybe you can see something i dont. Small car, small engine, low insurance and tax.
Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 4th June 23:03
Uh.. Actually, I can't really fault the ad, good photos of a very nice-looking clean car that appears very well looked after. Your description is decent too..
The only thing I could put it down to, sadly, would be a complete lack of demand for the car itself. I hear they're excellent steers, hilarious fun to drive, but I guess the average Panda buyer does not want the fastest one. I've only seen two of these on the roads. I think that's the main problem.. Be patient with it if you can afford to be and it should go, because it's very nice
The only thing I could put it down to, sadly, would be a complete lack of demand for the car itself. I hear they're excellent steers, hilarious fun to drive, but I guess the average Panda buyer does not want the fastest one. I've only seen two of these on the roads. I think that's the main problem.. Be patient with it if you can afford to be and it should go, because it's very nice
Seconded about the modified/boy racer comment, thats what I thought myself.
Although if I had one Id see the K&N as an advantage but it could put people off. I like the car but they seem to have a very "niche" market usually middle aged drivers looking an easy to run second car rather than younger drivers, probably because of the styling and that the name panda means little to most.
Although if I had one Id see the K&N as an advantage but it could put people off. I like the car but they seem to have a very "niche" market usually middle aged drivers looking an easy to run second car rather than younger drivers, probably because of the styling and that the name panda means little to most.
Oh yeah, the name PANDA, forgot to mention this one, had an asian ( from the accent , no offence) student calling at 10pm one nightasking questions about the panda. He was looking to buy a panda, like the animal. Had a proper laugh with him. I think it was some kind of student joke thing. Funny.
The desription doesn't really tell me anything about the car. Yes, it lists some specs and tells me it has a sport button but doesn't really tell me how it's been looked after.
Buyers like to be reassured. Tell them it doesn't make nasty noises, it doesn't grind into gears, it doesn't have accident damage etc. You may think they can see stuff in the photos and saying "drives great" covers all that, but there is nothing more off-putting than a description that looks like the buyer is trying to be a car sales man and knows nothing about the actual car he is selling.
Go into more detail. List the servicing, list any maintenance you have done, parts replaced etc. List the faults (every car has something!). Describe the condition, not just "Mint" etc.
If I was parting with £4000, I would be looking at adverts where the seller has made an effort to describe the car in every detail. A few lines of general nonsense just wouldn't cut it.
Great car though. If I had 4k, I would be looking at one.
Buyers like to be reassured. Tell them it doesn't make nasty noises, it doesn't grind into gears, it doesn't have accident damage etc. You may think they can see stuff in the photos and saying "drives great" covers all that, but there is nothing more off-putting than a description that looks like the buyer is trying to be a car sales man and knows nothing about the actual car he is selling.
Go into more detail. List the servicing, list any maintenance you have done, parts replaced etc. List the faults (every car has something!). Describe the condition, not just "Mint" etc.
If I was parting with £4000, I would be looking at adverts where the seller has made an effort to describe the car in every detail. A few lines of general nonsense just wouldn't cut it.
Great car though. If I had 4k, I would be looking at one.
I think it's probably location plus it being a bit of a niche car that's hampering you. I'm actually considering such a type of car and the price for the age and mileage seems reasonably fair, but I wouldn't be travelling 500 miles round trip for such a car, and the fact I might travel and it's not as advertised definitely would make it a non-starter.
It took me 2 months recently to sell me 2002 VW Bora TDi 130, Was a lovely car, well spec'd and full history, 125k but due a cambelt, Only wanted £2000 for it, only 2 people came to see it, the first sadly got killed on his motorbike after agreeing to buy it and coming to collected it but the second luckily bought it.
I just think that people aren't spending money at the moment, Everyone is skint or saving up for there holidays.
I just think that people aren't spending money at the moment, Everyone is skint or saving up for there holidays.
I'm no expert but I recently sold my Ignis Sport (even more niche than this arguably) within 2 days on here despite similarly priced examples available with much lower mileage, and I seem to have sold all my cars in the past quickly and painlessly.
I write my ads on the basis that a potential buyer would only have to call me to arrange a viewing, everything else is covered in the ad. Firstly I write a dated history, something like this:
01/06/07: Main dealer service (12,252)
09/12/07: Oil Change at local garage (receipt to prove) (18,978)
12/05/08: Local garage service (+ front brake pads) (23,457)
I then summarize with when the perishable items were last changed, and if possible how long they have left and stick those in either the good or bad points at the end depending on which they fit into best (i.e. New tyres 3 weeks ago = good point, cambelt changed nearly 5 years ago, needs a new one within 3 months = bad point)
It may seem like hard work but it really doesn't take long, it pretty much proves you have an organised history file which also usually means you look after your car. A list of bad points is a must in my opinion, no matter how minor. If somebody is making the effort to come and see my car there is no point in surprising them...it helps to get somebody unfamiliar with he car to have a look at the interior and bodywork, it's amazing what you get so used to that you don't even consider anymore, yet fresh eyes will spot that scratch or stain straight away.
I write my ads on the basis that a potential buyer would only have to call me to arrange a viewing, everything else is covered in the ad. Firstly I write a dated history, something like this:
01/06/07: Main dealer service (12,252)
09/12/07: Oil Change at local garage (receipt to prove) (18,978)
12/05/08: Local garage service (+ front brake pads) (23,457)
I then summarize with when the perishable items were last changed, and if possible how long they have left and stick those in either the good or bad points at the end depending on which they fit into best (i.e. New tyres 3 weeks ago = good point, cambelt changed nearly 5 years ago, needs a new one within 3 months = bad point)
It may seem like hard work but it really doesn't take long, it pretty much proves you have an organised history file which also usually means you look after your car. A list of bad points is a must in my opinion, no matter how minor. If somebody is making the effort to come and see my car there is no point in surprising them...it helps to get somebody unfamiliar with he car to have a look at the interior and bodywork, it's amazing what you get so used to that you don't even consider anymore, yet fresh eyes will spot that scratch or stain straight away.
dockertrigger said:
It took me 2 months recently to sell me 2002 VW Bora TDi 130, Was a lovely car, well spec'd and full history, 125k but due a cambelt, Only wanted £2000 for it, only 2 people came to see it, the first sadly got killed on his motorbike after agreeing to buy it and coming to collected it but the second luckily bought it.
I just think that people aren't spending money at the moment, Everyone is skint or saving up for there holidays.
He died on the way to come and collect the car? jeeze.I just think that people aren't spending money at the moment, Everyone is skint or saving up for there holidays.
c0ldpl4ya said:
He died on the way to come and collect the car? jeeze.
Poor bugger, He came to view it with his wife and kids on Good Friday, left a £1700 deposit and arranged to come back on the Tuesday with the £550 remainder, (He was paying £2250 for it), The next morning he was knocked off and killed whilst riding his motorbike by another car.It was bloody horrible, I read about it in the local newspaper and knew it was him, Spoke to his wife a few days later to arranging giving his deposit back, which wasn't nice, he was only 37 and a really nice guy.
66comanche said:
I think it's probably location plus it being a bit of a niche car that's hampering you. I'm actually considering such a type of car and the price for the age and mileage seems reasonably fair, but I wouldn't be travelling 500 miles round trip for such a car, and the fact I might travel and it's not as advertised definitely would make it a non-starter.
I would argue about location, I just sold this - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2855478.htm today, the buyer came up from Essex, if I hadn't just bought a mint Puma I might have been interested in the Panda myself.MrCippo said:
Right guys, not trying to make publicity for myself here but maybe you can see something i dont. Small car, small engine, low insurance and tax.
Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
helloo Sir, I am currently working on ship off the coast of Kraplakistan. I am most interested in the item, What's the lowest price you are wanting. I have 50000 Ugandan dollars for you. all you need to do is send me 3000 of your fines British pounds and the monies are all yours.Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 4th June 23:03
Thanks a lot for your answers guys, i'll add more info on the car's history and maintenance and see what happens. Cant change the location unfortunately.
Re the offshore workers, yeh, i got them. Got a guy from London that wanted to pay full paypal and have the car collected. Yeah, right.
Re the offshore workers, yeh, i got them. Got a guy from London that wanted to pay full paypal and have the car collected. Yeah, right.
Gwagon111 said:
MrCippo said:
Right guys, not trying to make publicity for myself here but maybe you can see something i dont. Small car, small engine, low insurance and tax.
Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
helloo Sir, I am currently working on ship off the coast of Kraplakistan. I am most interested in the item, What's the lowest price you are wanting. I have 50000 Ugandan dollars for you. all you need to do is send me 3000 of your fines British pounds and the monies are all yours.Had the car on PH for over 2 months, gumtree added almost every day, in the local paper a couple of times and it's been on fleebay 3 times. Had it on fleebay as auction and it died at 3100 where my reserve was 3600. Compared to the prices around i think anything under 4k is a bargain.
Webuyanycar valuation was 3400. I saw loads of other similar cars going on ebay for over 4.5k..
From PH i had 2 emails, both ended buying similar cars but closer from home.
Never had this problem before, might just have to take webuyanycar, tho i really hate the idea. What to do?
ETA
No links to ads for whatever reason.
Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 4th June 23:03
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