struggling to sell privately.
struggling to sell privately.
Author
Discussion

Chicken Chaser

Original Poster:

9,070 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Currently trying to shift my wife's Fiesta as its too small for our growing family needs, buying a civic to replace it with.

Its been on eBay PH and AT for nearly 3 weeks now and we haven't received a single phone call about it. I've reduced it in price by nearly 20% since I first listed so its now one of the cheapest for given mileage and age but its still not shifting. I'm down towards Cat D Prices so its certainly not expensive! I can't afford to let it go for any less really but at the same time can't have another vehicle sitting there not getting used.

Is it bad luck, or is the market slow at the moment? I've not posted the ad to avoid it looking like I'm trying to promote it!

Patch888

701 posts

157 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Not encouraging you to promote the sale etc but do you have a link?

Unusual to not have received one phone call in three weeks, although I heard nothing in the first week when selling my mx5.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

275 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Chicken Chaser said:
I can't afford to let it go for any less really
TBH that approach doesn't hold water. A car is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. How much you need for it is kinda irrelevant to potential buyers.

The Moose

23,677 posts

238 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Could be bad images, poor text, wrong colour combo etc.

Really need the link...or at least a clue?!

750turbo

6,164 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
OP - Given that yo have been a member for years, I am sure the mods will not worry about a link?

Oh, and dare I mention WBAC? <Shudders>

Good luck though.

rehab71

3,362 posts

219 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
It's too expensive, most people selling cars privately are greedy, mean but true I'm afraid, drop the price.

philmots

4,666 posts

289 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Best way I find is a no reserve auction on eBay, with the intention of selling early for a decent offer.

I always put in the ad that I'm open to decent offers, you get some that are a joke (like 400 for my sisters old Corsa, finally got 1200 for it) but once you get a serious buyer you're laughing.

The no reserve auction means it's as one of the cheapest cars right through as it goes off current bid and it ramps up interest.

Try it.

daemon

40,169 posts

226 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Chicken Chaser said:
Currently trying to shift my wife's Fiesta as its too small for our growing family needs, buying a civic to replace it with.

Its been on eBay PH and AT for nearly 3 weeks now and we haven't received a single phone call about it. I've reduced it in price by nearly 20% since I first listed so its now one of the cheapest for given mileage and age but its still not shifting. I'm down towards Cat D Prices so its certainly not expensive! I can't afford to let it go for any less really but at the same time can't have another vehicle sitting there not getting used.

Is it bad luck, or is the market slow at the moment? I've not posted the ad to avoid it looking like I'm trying to promote it!
We would need to see the advert.

Has it long mot, good condition, no faults?

B'stard Child

31,102 posts

275 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
daemon said:
Chicken Chaser said:
Currently trying to shift my wife's Fiesta as its too small for our growing family needs, buying a civic to replace it with.

Its been on eBay PH and AT for nearly 3 weeks now and we haven't received a single phone call about it. I've reduced it in price by nearly 20% since I first listed so its now one of the cheapest for given mileage and age but its still not shifting. I'm down towards Cat D Prices so its certainly not expensive! I can't afford to let it go for any less really but at the same time can't have another vehicle sitting there not getting used.

Is it bad luck, or is the market slow at the moment? I've not posted the ad to avoid it looking like I'm trying to promote it!
We would need to see the advert.

Has it long mot, good condition, no faults?
But if the OP posts a link he's in breach of the rules

HenryJM

6,315 posts

158 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Try WBAC, it does no harm and I've sold a couple of cars to them, for me it worked well.

BrewsterBear

1,548 posts

221 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
I just sold my Cayenne Turbo privately. I had it listed a good 35% cheaper than any independent dealer cars (which have vastly more miles) and it was the cheapest Turbo in the UK. It only had 72k miles, FSH, all the common items done and it still took a while to shift. The advert was well written, descriptive, etc. Wrong time of year maybe?

Accept the fact that someone will always pay a premium to buy from a business. Price your car accordingly and it will sell.

randlemarcus

13,646 posts

260 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
But if the OP posts a link he's in breach of the rules
He merely needs to mention colour and year, and someone will find it biggrin

B'stard Child

31,102 posts

275 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
B'stard Child said:
But if the OP posts a link he's in breach of the rules
He merely needs to mention colour and year, and someone will find it biggrin
Indeed there by introducing a relevant link to the thread wink

Chicken Chaser

Original Poster:

9,070 posts

253 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Its a blue 09 zetec with 45k on the clock. WBAC have offered 4.5k before looking at it but they always mark down. They will always offer bottom prices.

Its got a decent MOT and tax and considering that tax won't be offered in a months time they're getting another £100 worth of motoring into the deal.

Mr Daytona

221 posts

145 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Genuine question OP, but if WBAC offered £4500, how much do you think it's worth ?

B'stard Child

31,102 posts

275 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Mr Daytona said:
Genuine question OP, but if WBAC offered £4500, how much do you think it's worth ?
£5300?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

Mr Daytona

221 posts

145 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for that Mr Child.

Nice enough car, but having just done a very quick search on Autotrader, there are dozens of 09 plate new shape Fiestas at around the £4000 to £4500 range. Even though it's (relatively) low mileage, can't see that anyone would pick it over a similarly priced car from a Dealer.

As has been pointed out before, it's only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it and regardless as to how much you have in the car, it just looks too expensive.

s3fella

10,524 posts

216 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
It's 500 quid too expensive IMO, for a private sale, plus your location limits buyers unless it is cheap and worth a flight up etc.

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

271 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I'm selling a 10 plate Zetec tdci with similar mileage and haven't had a sniff either.

There are bloody loads about.

bicycleshorts

1,939 posts

190 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
If it's the one in Glasgow (above).

Personally, put up some better pictures (if you can be arsed give it a proper clean and drive out to the countryside somewhere):
- front 3/4 (passenger side)
- rear 3/4 (driver side)
- both side shots
- interior - front and rear seats
- boot
- engine

Also change the text to be easier to read and headlines, e.g.:
- Location: Glasgow (happy to collect prospective buyer from Glasgow airport or train station)
- Price: £xxxx
- 12 months MOT
- 8 months tax
- FSH including recent service
- New tyres all round
- Never modified
- etc.

However - as above, location and price may be the deal breakers. Add into this that you can get a "brand new Fiesta for £2xx per month". It took my Dad ages to sell his (still in very good condition) Astra H - I think finance deals have took over the market for sensible cars.

Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 19th August 00:26