Do most private buyers simply go on price? Car not selling.
Discussion
Trabi601 said:
Yup, sadly, a petrol Mazda 3 in resale silver is always going to be a minority interest car.
I guess the only thing I can make it attractive with is the price.Ironic that resale silver doesn't sell.
Only reason I originally got it was because I had a choice between silver or black. The black car had no sunroof.
Other point - you're in Lincolnshire. The vast majority of your buyers aren't in Lincolnshire, and are pricing up the trip to come and pick up the car. If I'm looking for a commodity car, I'll pick the one this is close to home - indeed, the one that is close to home can be more expensive.
It's like buying cars in Scotland - you can get much better value up there, but you have to be there already, otherwise you pay a fortune to get it home.
It's like buying cars in Scotland - you can get much better value up there, but you have to be there already, otherwise you pay a fortune to get it home.
funkyrobot said:
Yes, I shall be pricing it more aggressively. On reflection, I originally set it too high.
Sadly, this is almost always the case. If you can afford to wait, then a 5-10% premium for a better-than-average car might pay dividends. But, if your car is nothing special (e.g. no FDSH, crazy options or colours) then you're better off just aiming for the middle and generating some interest.rxe said:
Other point - you're in Lincolnshire. The vast majority of your buyers aren't in Lincolnshire, and are pricing up the trip to come and pick up the car. If I'm looking for a commodity car, I'll pick the one this is close to home - indeed, the one that is close to home can be more expensive.
It's like buying cars in Scotland - you can get much better value up there, but you have to be there already, otherwise you pay a fortune to get it home.
Yep. Lincolnshire seems to be quite rubbish for car buying and selling. It's like buying cars in Scotland - you can get much better value up there, but you have to be there already, otherwise you pay a fortune to get it home.
As the public transport is so terrible here, cars always seem to cost more, from buying perspective. Selling wise, I guess my car isn't mainstream enough to warrant a good price (not that it is anything special).
C70R said:
Sadly, this is almost always the case. If you can afford to wait, then a 5-10% premium for a better-than-average car might pay dividends. But, if your car is nothing special (e.g. no FDSH, crazy options or colours) then you're better off just aiming for the middle and generating some interest.
Thing is, it does have FDSH. It also has MOT for nigh-on a year, and very, very good tyres (front two were put on in May and have done hardly anything).However, the market is proving to be difficult, so I'll just need to price to sell. I want rid of the car really as it is just costing me money sitting on my drive.
fivepointnine said:
Really sad, as anywhere else in the world and this car would be snatched up instantly for that price. Sometimes less is more in the ad. I have had more luck with a very simple description in the past.
When thinking of my ad, I thought it would help to give as much detail as possible.When you look at some ads though, they do seem very thin on the ground.
Personally, I like a bit of detail as it gives the impression the seller is genuine and not some trader posing as a private seller.
That looks like a decent car at a good price and the ad reads well. My experience is that the used car market at that level is a fickle place. Sellling mainstream cars privately seems to be no issue for us. We live in the south and our two Corsas and one Astra (all owned from new, well cared for with FSH etc) went in no time at all at prices I was more than happy with. Our 11 year old Polo sold in 24 hours. The best car (condition and low mileage) in our little fleet was my daughter's Peugeot 207. I must have tried to sell it 3 times and we had one viewing from memory. We ended up keeping it as I was loathed to let it go for a pittance. My feeling is that it was less attractive being 3 door and petrol to start with.
funkyrobot said:
When thinking of my ad, I thought it would help to give as much detail as possible.
When you look at some ads though, they do seem very thin on the ground.
Personally, I like a bit of detail as it gives the impression the seller is genuine and not some trader posing as a private seller.
I agree, I myself like to see a comprehensive ad, stating if anything major has been replaced, etc. The problem is that most of the car buying public are idiots that only care if it has an MOT and service history. Detailed ads are good for enthusiast cars, and would work well if your car was like an MPS or something (where you would probably be selling on forums anyway).When you look at some ads though, they do seem very thin on the ground.
Personally, I like a bit of detail as it gives the impression the seller is genuine and not some trader posing as a private seller.
alock said:
I scanned the advert in a few seconds. The two things that jumped out at me was that it was 78k miles and has had its 112k service. I started looking for details of the engine swap before realising I misread your advert.
The number 112,500 is far too prominent in the advert.
Very good point. I didn't read the advert at all until now - but when you look at it, you do have to ask questions about the mileages!The number 112,500 is far too prominent in the advert.
That would put people off straight away.
Advert and price updated. I hope it reads better. Price is now reduced, so should generate some interest and hopefully sell.
Someone did text me about the vehicle last night. However, they seem quite hung up about the condition of the bodywork. Saying things like 'how bad are the scratches, I guess they aren't that bad if they don't show up on the pictures?'. I have told them to come and view the car or call me for details. I don't mind discussing anything about the vehicle, or letting people take a look. I'm not going to spend ages texting details though.
Oh yes, I had the old 'what is the price of the car?' query. I have told them to come and take a look and we'll discuss.
I'll see about using AT over the next few days.
Someone did text me about the vehicle last night. However, they seem quite hung up about the condition of the bodywork. Saying things like 'how bad are the scratches, I guess they aren't that bad if they don't show up on the pictures?'. I have told them to come and view the car or call me for details. I don't mind discussing anything about the vehicle, or letting people take a look. I'm not going to spend ages texting details though.
Oh yes, I had the old 'what is the price of the car?' query. I have told them to come and take a look and we'll discuss.
I'll see about using AT over the next few days.
PositronicRay said:
Good luck.
Bare in mind any potential buyer won't be looking for a Mazda per se. But the best car for their needs at that price point, in the locality.
Yep.Bare in mind any potential buyer won't be looking for a Mazda per se. But the best car for their needs at that price point, in the locality.
It's now priced to appear when someone looks for a sub £2k car.
I've also knocked up a photo bucket album with loads and loads of pictures of the car on. I've just sent it over to the person texting me. Should help.
I’m no cars sales expert, however, one thing jumps out straight away. We all know honesty is the best policy, yes? But OP I feel you are being overly honest describing imperfections on the bodywork. A simple “age related marks as would be expected on a car of this age” would be suffice, then send details if requested. In the pictures the car looks good, but the description would put me off.
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