Car selling - spam enquiries?

[Skyedriver]

I've a car for sale on a well known "Classic" car site as well as PH.
I'm getting few enquiries over the last couple of weeks worded like this or similar:

Hello, https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C********* Hi could you please provide further photos/video of vehicles, particularly areas of any concern, and documentation. Regards ************ @gmail.com

I've sent additional photos and descriptions to the first couple but beginning to wonder if it's just spamming as I've not received any further contact. I'd have hoped for some sort of response either positive or negative.

Anyone else had similar?

[dkatwa]

I had the same issue when selling my Aston...in the end, I pulled the ad and will keep the car. Best is to get a mobile number before you send any info.
GLWTS

[Summit_Detailing]

Seems to be part and parcel these days of selling a car, especially an older car.

I've always gone back with something along the lines of "what specific photo's do you want?"
Which is a simple qualifying question - either gets no response if a time waster or you will get a response if genuine - sometimes something as simple as an engine bay photo or driver's seat which would show bolster wear or lack of etc.

Absolutely no reason to send any photo's of documentation in my opinion, I'm happy to list dates, mileages etc of servicing or notable repairs & end that sentence with - of course I am happy for you to look at the paperwork in person when you view the car.

Cheers,

Chris

[Skyedriver]

thanks Chris,
The big problem I have with selling is my location, I'm not exactly central to anywhere except the west coast of Scotland!
I have said in my write up that photos are available so in part it's my own fault but when you're 70 mile north of Glasgow there's many who won't bother travelling on the off chance it's any good. (It is BTW)

[Harji]

When I advertise my classic SAAB on PH I got nothing but two spam enquiries "I am interested in your ITEM", whereas on Car & Classic I got genuine calls, and sold it to the first viewer.

[RoVoFob]

Skyedriver said:

thanks Chris,
The big problem I have with selling is my location, I'm not exactly central to anywhere except the west coast of Scotland!
I have said in my write up that photos are available so in part it's my own fault but when you're 70 mile north of Glasgow there's many who won't bother travelling on the off chance it's any good. (It is BTW)

If you haven’t provided images/enough images in the ad, you’re forcing genuine buyers to get in touch to even decide whether they like the look of the car. That’s unnecessary hassle for people. It makes work for real buyers and doesn’t stop scammers. How on earth are they going to know it’s any good if you haven’t provided any evidence, since ‘very good condition’, ‘service history’ and other widely used ad phrases are practically meaningless?

If I lived somewhere remote, I’d go out of my way to show just how good the car is to help people justify travelling to see it, so that when they got in touch they were just checking I sounded legit, rather than mulling over whether the car was the right model/spec/condition - and warranted a big trip.

I advertised my wife’s Yaris a few weeks back and it sold within three hours, which I put down to listing at a fair price (what I deemed the market value, but a few hundred below the inflated Auto Trader ‘estimate’) and because I’d provided a brief but thorough description of the car and decent pictures of all the key bits of the car (including dials, dashboard, front seats, rear seats, boot) and documents.

When people got in touch they were pretty much ready to view and just doing a sense check before arranging a time to come and see it. Minimal hassle for them, since I’d answered all the main questions already…

[Skyedriver]

I've included all the pictures I'm allowed within the adverts constraints, ie 12, the additional photos offered were mainly close ups.
It's not a "current model" like a Yaris, rather a TVR from the 1980's so a little rarer. (There are 4 on C&C and 6 on PH)

[ChrisH72]

Might be a rare car but have you tried just listing it on AT?

I’d say most buyers will be looking there rather than on these forums. You may well get some scam emails but the standard response is….. all details are in the ad, you’re welcome to come and look if interested.

I sold my BMW 18 months ago and found AT the best site by far. Zero enquiries on PH and I didn’t bother with eBay this time as too many scammers and time wasters. I had two phone calls about the car from the AT listing and it sold to the first person who came to look.

[KTMsm]

There is a well known adage in the Trade "Buyers call"

If your ad is well written there should be enough information in it - I simply reply to emails and text with "Please call" after they have called I'll happily email any further information

[RoVoFob]

Skyedriver said:

I've included all the pictures I'm allowed within the adverts constraints, ie 12, the additional photos offered were mainly close ups.
It's not a "current model" like a Yaris, rather a TVR from the 1980's so a little rarer. (There are 4 on C&C and 6 on PH)

Fair enough. I thought you hadn’t bothered including pics and were telling people to get in touch for them.

Are the pics included good…are they clear, well framed and useful? Many sellers’ shots are atrocious being blurred, showing random things like door handles or only showing half the car (without another shot showing the other half), or taken in very low light where you can hardly see anything.

Yes, you may have a rare car, but just as there are fewer buyers looking for one, there are fewer people selling them, so you should still be able to build some interest. There were thousands of other Yarises for sale when I sold ours and yet it still sold quickly…

I sold a Volvo S60 T5 recently and it was the only one I could find on AT, PH and eBay. It got loads of outward interest from the owners’ group on Facebook (including numerous people telling me it was worth £1,000 less than I sold it for) but only a couple of people bothered to get in touch. It got more serious interest from AT, though. I imagine even those after rare cars would check on AT to see if anything was on there…

[Skyedriver]

Thank you again.
I don't believe it's overpriced if it were located maybe southern England, or the Midlands or even Scotland Central Belt. Maybe a lower price would tempt people to travel. So far I've only used the free options of C&C and PH. I will look at AT but think I'll delay now until the current covid panic has receded.
TBH, on the odd occasion I've been after a car I've rarely looked at AT, maybe I should.

[Skyedriver]

Here's a good one. It follows a "Is this still available", I replied "Yes". I've redacted his name, not sure I shouldn't shout it from the roof tops


Thank you for your email. My name is (redacted) and I serve in the U.K Royal Air Force. FYI, I'm purchasing the vehicle for my brother as a special birthday gift but he isn't aware of me doing this because I am making it a surprise for him. So can you assure me I won't be disappointed buying it from you? Also, I do have a few questions I would love to ask.

What's the condition, any damages?
Are you the original owner and why are you selling it?
Does it have any mechanical issues or faults?
Do you have the title in hand?
Is there a lien on the title? (If yes) how much are you owing if I may ask?
Do you have an account set up with PayPal?
Do you have any offers yet?
Is there any additional information I need to know about it?

P.S. I have a carrier agent that will come for the pick up after the payment is completely confirmed.


Hope to hear from you soon.