Classifieds - how do traders know before the ad is live?

[Harris_I]

I placed an ad in PH Classifieds yesterday. The ad hasn't appeared yet in the listings (no idea why), but I've already received a phone call and an offer from a trader. He hasn't disguised he's a trader but this seems a little bizarre. Do some companies have preferential access to the Classifieds before they are published?

Incidentally I've been trying to contact PH since yesterday but no response so I thought the PH collective would be more helpful...

[markmullen]

Are you sure it isn't published.

We've found that sometimes cars don't immediately appear in the index pages but are searchable.

[Harris_I]

I've been searching for it using various criteria but it doesn't appear to be listed. (Despite being shown as "live" on my account). Can't fathom how a trader would know about it.

[rallycross]

its too cheap if your first bid is from a trader.
put the price up!

[Harris_I]

Haha, yeah, that was my first thought as well. But my pricing strategy is always the same - look at a few dozen comparables, price it slightly more than a trade-in but alongside the cheapest private sales (on the basis that the more expensive private ones are always somewhat speculative) and it will sell immediately, saving me a lot of tyre-kicking nonsense.

[Harris_I]

Hi mods. Thank you for redirecting my post. Could you please help? The trader has made an offer and I'm holding off on accepting simply because no private buyer can view my ad. I have tried four times to contact the adverts team (twice by email and twice by phone) but no luck!

[Harris_I]

Anyone know how to get in touch with the classifieds team? One phone number just rings off the hook, and the other goes through an overly elaborate menu system to tell you no-one is available so please leave a message. (Email seems pointless as two emails remain unanswered).

[jeremyc]

Harris_I said:

Anyone know how to get in touch with the classifieds team? One phone number just rings off the hook, and the other goes through an overly elaborate menu system to tell you no-one is available so please leave a message. (Email seems pointless as two emails remain unanswered).

I have alerted the powers that be.

Can you give us an ad reference number or some other way of identifying the ad?

[Harris_I]

Much appreciated Jeremy. Ref is 1891778.

[Highway Star]

I'm having the same 'issue'. One call and one email so far, after having put the car on this evening, but the car isn't on the site and searches can't find it? Ad number is 1893044. Many thanks.

[Harris_I]

OK Pistonheads. Don't bother. I've resubmitted the ad and this time it's on. Would have been nice to know what the problem was first time round.

[madbadger]

I have got the same problem with a live ad not showing.

No reply to my email yet - but it has only been a couple of hours since I sent it. My id is 1892950

Ta.

[madbadger]

Harris_I said:

OK Pistonheads. Don't bother. I've resubmitted the ad and this time it's on. Would have been nice to know what the problem was first time round.

Snap.

Renewed the Ad and it was there immediately.

[KatieM]

We're having a few issues with free "grandfather" adverts. The majority of the time they publish just fine but, sometimes they only go live for a few hours. The issue is being looked into at the moment and is easily fixed. You can either report your advert or email [e-mail] and I'll sort it for you.

Madbadger, your advert should be live now!

[Harris_I]

Katie - can I understand how a trader was able to know about the advert even before it was up on the website?

Thanks,

Harris

[anonymous-user]

Harris_I said:

Katie - can I understand how a trader was able to know about the advert even before it was up on the website?

Thanks,

Harris

From what I understand of her reply, the Ad was live and then delisted itself

Hence the trader seeing it, but then not being able to

[jeremyc]

Harris_I said:

Katie - can I understand how a trader was able to know about the advert even before it was up on the website?

If I've understood correctly, your ad may have appeared on the site for a short time (when the dealer spotted it) and then disappeared due to the problem Katie describes.

[Harris_I]

Ah, ok. Thanks all.

[madbadger]

KatieM said:

We're having a few issues with free "grandfather" adverts. The majority of the time they publish just fine but, sometimes they only go live for a few hours. The issue is being looked into at the moment and is easily fixed. You can either report your advert or email [e-mail] and I'll sort it for you.

Madbadger, your advert should be live now!

Thanks Katie. It's working fine now.

[Highway Star]

As is mine, I relisted it and it seems all good now.

Not moaning though, I do appreciate the free grandfather ads for us loyal long term members!