Private sellers
Discussion
Here's a strange thing...
A couple of months ago, I noticed some F430 prices had dipped below £90k with main dealers, and figured private sellers must be getting a lousy deal. So (fancying an F430 at the time) I placed a wanted ad', looking to strike a deal somewhere between trade and retail and therefore benefitting both parties. All I got was dealers wanting to (understandably) sell me a car at retail price, and private sellers who were often asking MORE than dealers for pretty much the same cars.
Now private sellers can ask what they like, but my guess is that at some point they'll end up giving them away to a dealer for sub £80k. That's certainly been the fate for a lot, given the number for sale at the moment.
As I say - strange.
This isn't an appeal for someone to sell me their car by the way...I've gone cold on the idea...but rather an open question as to why when so many are clearly trying to sell their cars, nobody seemed interested in making a sensible offer and avoiding the dealers nicking their cars.
A couple of months ago, I noticed some F430 prices had dipped below £90k with main dealers, and figured private sellers must be getting a lousy deal. So (fancying an F430 at the time) I placed a wanted ad', looking to strike a deal somewhere between trade and retail and therefore benefitting both parties. All I got was dealers wanting to (understandably) sell me a car at retail price, and private sellers who were often asking MORE than dealers for pretty much the same cars.
Now private sellers can ask what they like, but my guess is that at some point they'll end up giving them away to a dealer for sub £80k. That's certainly been the fate for a lot, given the number for sale at the moment.
As I say - strange.
This isn't an appeal for someone to sell me their car by the way...I've gone cold on the idea...but rather an open question as to why when so many are clearly trying to sell their cars, nobody seemed interested in making a sensible offer and avoiding the dealers nicking their cars.
It is strange. Have found this before with people will let dealers shaft them rather than have a private sale 
Some of the cars that dealers are getting may have been taken back due to balloon payment time so they are handed back rather than paying the balloon, just a thought!
This year i sold 360 Spider private & purchased a CS private without any hassle it can be done.
Some of the cars that dealers are getting may have been taken back due to balloon payment time so they are handed back rather than paying the balloon, just a thought!
This year i sold 360 Spider private & purchased a CS private without any hassle it can be done.
I tried to sell my 430 through Private sale
I ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
I ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
traxx said:
I tried to sell my 430 through Private sale
I ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
Completely understand that, but if someone places an ad' making clear that they have the cash, hopefully that should make a difference. I ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
My experience is that if a main dealer has a car up for £87k, they've paid somewhere around £73k-£75k for it. I suppose it depends on how well off you are, but £12k+ feels like more than 'slightly under the market' to me.
Additionally - you never know what 'value' was placed on the car to the seller
Let's say the 430 was being chopped in on a £300k Zonda!
Even though the 'guide' price is (say) £80k and the private price was running nearer 90k... it could be that givent the dealer had margins to play with on the Zonda , he may (knwoing eh didn't intend to sell the Zonda at £300k) have attributed a value to teh 430, to the seller of say that 90k?
Ok I'm pulling numbers out of the air(!) but basically - It may have been chopped in on something else, so the seller may have got a value that appeared *to him* that is closer to private sale than one might imagine?
Let's say the 430 was being chopped in on a £300k Zonda!
Even though the 'guide' price is (say) £80k and the private price was running nearer 90k... it could be that givent the dealer had margins to play with on the Zonda , he may (knwoing eh didn't intend to sell the Zonda at £300k) have attributed a value to teh 430, to the seller of say that 90k?
Ok I'm pulling numbers out of the air(!) but basically - It may have been chopped in on something else, so the seller may have got a value that appeared *to him* that is closer to private sale than one might imagine?
evil_dr_fish said:
Additionally - you never know what 'value' was placed on the car to the seller
Let's say the 430 was being chopped in on a £300k Zonda!
Even though the 'guide' price is (say) £80k and the private price was running nearer 90k... it could be that givent the dealer had margins to play with on the Zonda , he may (knwoing eh didn't intend to sell the Zonda at £300k) have attributed a value to teh 430, to the seller of say that 90k?
Ok I'm pulling numbers out of the air(!) but basically - It may have been chopped in on something else, so the seller may have got a value that appeared *to him* that is closer to private sale than one might imagine?
You mean he allowed himself to be legged over? It's sometimes puzzling how exotic car owner and the money to buy it crossed paths in the first place.Let's say the 430 was being chopped in on a £300k Zonda!
Even though the 'guide' price is (say) £80k and the private price was running nearer 90k... it could be that givent the dealer had margins to play with on the Zonda , he may (knwoing eh didn't intend to sell the Zonda at £300k) have attributed a value to teh 430, to the seller of say that 90k?
Ok I'm pulling numbers out of the air(!) but basically - It may have been chopped in on something else, so the seller may have got a value that appeared *to him* that is closer to private sale than one might imagine?
I have only ever sold one of my sports car privately - the 360 - and that was pain free. But lack of free time these days means my cars now go on SOR with a local dealer; while also advertising privately it by appointment only.
I am also wary of buyers coming to the house .. for security etc.
But for my next puchase I am thinking of putting a wanted advert on pistonheads for an F430 - cash sale. Never tried this before and would be gtareful for any thoughts on this?
I am wary that sellers may see this as another buyer trying to "steal" their car off them like the dealer and they would be wasting their time. Of course I will be looking for the best price, but this will still be a better offer than trade value, plus it would be a cash sale.
I am also wary of buyers coming to the house .. for security etc.
But for my next puchase I am thinking of putting a wanted advert on pistonheads for an F430 - cash sale. Never tried this before and would be gtareful for any thoughts on this?
I am wary that sellers may see this as another buyer trying to "steal" their car off them like the dealer and they would be wasting their time. Of course I will be looking for the best price, but this will still be a better offer than trade value, plus it would be a cash sale.
traxx said:
I tried to sell my 430 through Private sale
I ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
DougI ended up wasting so much time because:
1. People who were never going to be able to buy it wanted to see it
2. I had to waste hours for someone to send an expert to check out a car that had just been serviced and had 2 years of warranty remaining
3. Another person wanted to buy it, but didn't tell me he needed credit - which of course became a disaster
Basically I was left with the opinion that if you have a busy job - don't waste your time, just sell it slightly under the market to a dealer
On the other hand if you have loads of time and are in no rush then price it high and wait
1. Why do people do that? Timewasters
2.Why did you have to waste hours surly the potential buyer could have had the car picked up by Ferrari dealer? But yes given the history of your car I would not have needed to have it checked.
3. As number 1 timewasters.
On your final point why would you need to price it high?
When I sold the 360 put it on at a fixed price had lots of phone calls sifted down to one veiwer who bought the car as it was 100% as described. He did have the car inspected by Ferrari dealer in spite of it only being returned from full service the day before he looked it over but the car was out of warranty so he just wanted peace of mind (and I fully respected that). Paid by CHAPS.
The CS looked at it on a Sunday out of warranty and 8 months since last serviced so the owner got me an SD3 reading to give me an update of CCB disc/clutch wear paid for car by CHAPS it was in my garage Friday.
Trouble free and all parties happy.
And I love my CS fantastic car and a good buy.
Try5t said:
I have only ever sold one of my sports car privately - the 360 - and that was pain free. But lack of free time these days means my cars now go on SOR with a local dealer; while also advertising privately it by appointment only.
I am also wary of buyers coming to the house .. for security etc.
But for my next puchase I am thinking of putting a wanted advert on pistonheads for an F430 - cash sale. Never tried this before and would be gtareful for any thoughts on this?
I am wary that sellers may see this as another buyer trying to "steal" their car off them like the dealer and they would be wasting their time. Of course I will be looking for the best price, but this will still be a better offer than trade value, plus it would be a cash sale.
See my original post! You may have better luckI am also wary of buyers coming to the house .. for security etc.
But for my next puchase I am thinking of putting a wanted advert on pistonheads for an F430 - cash sale. Never tried this before and would be gtareful for any thoughts on this?
I am wary that sellers may see this as another buyer trying to "steal" their car off them like the dealer and they would be wasting their time. Of course I will be looking for the best price, but this will still be a better offer than trade value, plus it would be a cash sale.
Try5t said:
But for my next puchase I am thinking of putting a wanted advert on pistonheads for an F430 - cash sale. Never tried this before and would be gtareful for any thoughts on this?
IMHO You have nothing to lose but the cost of the advert (which, let's face it si peanuts on comparison...As for whether anyone's offended / bothered by it? Who cares?! If they are - they won't call you!
We all know the game we play when we buy / sell a car - it's the buyer's job to try to find out how low the vendor is able to be pushed and the vendor's job to maintain as high a price as possible!
It's nothign personal - it's simply making a deal!
I agree with the *theory* of splitting the difference of trade price etc - but theory and reality aren't always the same!
Give it a go - let us know how you get on.
There are so many cars for sale at the moment that imho, a sensible seller (and certainly the motivated seller) will realise there is little to differentiate his offering from the many others and that he will need to get a bit more proactive about it!
My good friend has a 430 F1 05 coupe car in black, its done 14/15k and has red carpets not sure what else but think it has up graded stereo. He would take 80< private if it was hassle free, he's been offered late 70's trade. Im mentioning this without asking him as cant hurt if a non messer was to be interested.
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