Autotrader's price 'rating'
Discussion
Anyone noticed that Autotrader now tell you whether an advert is 'priced low', 'good price' and 'great price'?
I browse pretty regularly and these seem to be little more than a plug for traders (that presumably pay for it). There are some very well priced privately traded cars that don't get one of these new adverts.
Is this an evolution of 'featured' adverts that nobody really gave a sh*t about? Seems almost like market manipulation to me.
I haven't got any data to back to up yet, but I'm building a spreadsheet that I will share shortly to prove my theory.
I browse pretty regularly and these seem to be little more than a plug for traders (that presumably pay for it). There are some very well priced privately traded cars that don't get one of these new adverts.
Is this an evolution of 'featured' adverts that nobody really gave a sh*t about? Seems almost like market manipulation to me.
I haven't got any data to back to up yet, but I'm building a spreadsheet that I will share shortly to prove my theory.
This only includes trade sales, which I don't like. For instance, I was looking for cars recently and two cars were available. One was at a trader at a 'good' price and the other was from a private seller, but that had no rating. The private sale was £1k below the trade price, and the two cars were comparable in terms or age and mileage (spec identical). £1k difference being about 15% of the trade price. So I think the ratings muddy the waters somewhat- the private seller either appears very cheap (so what are they hiding?) or the trade valuations are too high.
I pay no attention to these ratings now.
I pay no attention to these ratings now.
Jiebo said:
Anyone noticed that Autotrader now tell you whether an advert is 'priced low', 'good price' and 'great price'?
I browse pretty regularly and these seem to be little more than a plug for traders (that presumably pay for it). There are some very well priced privately traded cars that don't get one of these new adverts.
Is this an evolution of 'featured' adverts that nobody really gave a sh*t about? Seems almost like market manipulation to me.
I haven't got any data to back to up yet, but I'm building a spreadsheet that I will share shortly to prove my theory.
You sound like the most boring man in the world.I browse pretty regularly and these seem to be little more than a plug for traders (that presumably pay for it). There are some very well priced privately traded cars that don't get one of these new adverts.
Is this an evolution of 'featured' adverts that nobody really gave a sh*t about? Seems almost like market manipulation to me.
I haven't got any data to back to up yet, but I'm building a spreadsheet that I will share shortly to prove my theory.
A spreadsheet? f
king hell.They have some system whereby they can dictate prices, so maybe these flag are against prices they can't control?
A year or so ago. I went to see a Mercedes at an independent dealer. The price was right, so I went to view it, and decided to buy. The dealer checked Autotrader and said "Oh, AT has reduced the price so you can have it for £400 less than we agreed."
I didn't waste much time asking what the fk just happened 
A year or so ago. I went to see a Mercedes at an independent dealer. The price was right, so I went to view it, and decided to buy. The dealer checked Autotrader and said "Oh, AT has reduced the price so you can have it for £400 less than we agreed."
I didn't waste much time asking what the f
k just happened So as a used car dealer here is a little insight.
Autotraders pricing guides are not that accurate to start with.
These markers do not take into account any optional extras / number of owners / condition / mot / service history at all.
For me that is the biggest problem as the car garage down the road who buys 7 owner battered cars from auction jet washes them then sticks them online can have a load of low price / great price markers.
The dealer who has actually prepped the cars right and done the job right may not have any marker but which car represents better value?
General public will cotton on when they go to see the rough stuff with the great price markers I think soon enough.
It is not a terrible idea in principle but the data powering it is atrocious.
The OP collating a spreadsheet you have no chance pal, even Autotrader don't know whats going on with it.
Autotraders pricing guides are not that accurate to start with.
These markers do not take into account any optional extras / number of owners / condition / mot / service history at all.
For me that is the biggest problem as the car garage down the road who buys 7 owner battered cars from auction jet washes them then sticks them online can have a load of low price / great price markers.
The dealer who has actually prepped the cars right and done the job right may not have any marker but which car represents better value?
General public will cotton on when they go to see the rough stuff with the great price markers I think soon enough.
It is not a terrible idea in principle but the data powering it is atrocious.
The OP collating a spreadsheet you have no chance pal, even Autotrader don't know whats going on with it.
Lol. A higherup at Auto Trader has obviously been to a motor industry conference where a consultant in a shiny suit has told everyone in a keynote they had better get into "big data" or they will go bust... The exec has gone racing back to the office all pumped up about his big vision and forced through a new recommendation-engine for the AT website, whether anyone wants it or not...
POORCARDEALER said:
Autotrader are the number 1 in despicable companies I have had to deal with
That is pretty much the universal rule. They're worth about £2bn last time I looked though which is amazing really.At some point I wouldn't be surprised if they get bought up. BCA and Manheim in particular seem to be determined to have a completely sown up system from start to finish. Cox Automotive now aim to distribute the car via Manheim, deliver it via Movex, finance it via NextGear and sell it via motors.co.uk. BCA aim get stock from WBAC, distribute by BCA Auctions, deliver by BCA Logistics, finance by BCA Finance and are only missing an advertising platform.
confused_buyer said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Autotrader are the number 1 in despicable companies I have had to deal with
That is pretty much the universal rule. They're worth about £2bn last time I looked though which is amazing really.At some point I wouldn't be surprised if they get bought up. BCA and Manheim in particular seem to be determined to have a completely sown up system from start to finish. Cox Automotive now aim to distribute the car via Manheim, deliver it via Movex, finance it via NextGear and sell it via motors.co.uk. BCA aim get stock from WBAC, distribute by BCA Auctions, deliver by BCA Logistics, finance by BCA Finance and are only missing an advertising platform.
https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/AUTO:LN
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