Thousands of advert views; barely any enquiries
Discussion
covmutley said:
I canonly speak for myself but would say the following about the advert:
-I don't like photos in different locations. Suggests they are taken at different times (possibly for a negative reason) and would not be quite sure what condition its actually in
-give more details about previous history. It sort of reads that you have done a fair bit, but previous owners haven't
- I think it's just too negatively written. You say decatted, BUT comes with the cats. Surely say something like it is decanted and sounds fantastic, AND comes with the original cat if you want it more original.
Same for the paint, you say it's not pristine. Can you say it's good,but with some chips that reflect age. So not lying at all, just being more positive. Saying its not pristine makes it sound tatty, I think.
Some very constructive advice: thanks.-I don't like photos in different locations. Suggests they are taken at different times (possibly for a negative reason) and would not be quite sure what condition its actually in
-give more details about previous history. It sort of reads that you have done a fair bit, but previous owners haven't
- I think it's just too negatively written. You say decatted, BUT comes with the cats. Surely say something like it is decanted and sounds fantastic, AND comes with the original cat if you want it more original.
Same for the paint, you say it's not pristine. Can you say it's good,but with some chips that reflect age. So not lying at all, just being more positive. Saying its not pristine makes it sound tatty, I think.
Edited by covmutley on Monday 20th March 14:30
coldel said:
Just a few observations to add to the pretty well documented list...
The thousands of views on FB are not potential buyers, unless there is a market of 15k+ TVR Tuscan buyers out there that are just passing over your advert. I think the likelihood is that its just people browsing. Same for the 500 or so. Mostly just browsing and not actually in the market right now for a premium priced private sale. Chances are the advert is fine and you are just going to need to wait a few months to get a sale. Nothing abnormal about that with a car being sold privately at this price, and in a market that is highly niche.
Sure you can improve the advert, you always can. Take pics in a neutral setting and be methodical, front back sides and quarters. Interior pics need to show more as they cut off the tops of the seats etc. Clean everything up, it needs to be spotless. In the advert, maybe group your advert text up as it is hard to digest as its a bit scatter gun. Reason for sale etc. always help.
Ultimately you are selling an expensive niche toy designed for summer driving in a wet and miserable March during a cost of living crisis. Potential nibbles are going to be few and far between if at all. The likelihood is that the advert is fine and the buyer will find it. Just be prepared that what you think its worth does not equal what it is worth to sell. If you are not willing to let it go at the market dictated rate, then you will be keeping it.
I think your final paragraph sums the situation up well: there are likely fewer people with large amounts of money to spend on toys due to Putin/Trussonomics/other; those that do probably aren’t thinking about a topless sports car at this time of year; there are better put-together adverts for Tuscans (as has been made abundantly clear on this thread!) which are selling.The thousands of views on FB are not potential buyers, unless there is a market of 15k+ TVR Tuscan buyers out there that are just passing over your advert. I think the likelihood is that its just people browsing. Same for the 500 or so. Mostly just browsing and not actually in the market right now for a premium priced private sale. Chances are the advert is fine and you are just going to need to wait a few months to get a sale. Nothing abnormal about that with a car being sold privately at this price, and in a market that is highly niche.
Sure you can improve the advert, you always can. Take pics in a neutral setting and be methodical, front back sides and quarters. Interior pics need to show more as they cut off the tops of the seats etc. Clean everything up, it needs to be spotless. In the advert, maybe group your advert text up as it is hard to digest as its a bit scatter gun. Reason for sale etc. always help.
Ultimately you are selling an expensive niche toy designed for summer driving in a wet and miserable March during a cost of living crisis. Potential nibbles are going to be few and far between if at all. The likelihood is that the advert is fine and the buyer will find it. Just be prepared that what you think its worth does not equal what it is worth to sell. If you are not willing to let it go at the market dictated rate, then you will be keeping it.
Belle427 said:
I dont get the weather/wrong time of year thing.
Surely an enthusiast especially for this car will buy at any time?
Seems to be an old wives tale to me as I've never thought like that when buying a rag top.
This.Surely an enthusiast especially for this car will buy at any time?
Seems to be an old wives tale to me as I've never thought like that when buying a rag top.
We are coming into spring in a week or so.
I once sold a Triumph Spitfire on Christmas day.
I tried to sell a motorbike for £6995...no joy for months, reduced to £5995 sold two days later.
Price does matter......looks a nice car, I actually like the colour...each to their own I suppose.
SWoll said:
Based on what? The fact that he lives in a normal house on a normal street? Seem a good, honest advert to me in comparison to the kid of overly posed and bulls
tty stuff the majority of dealers push.
Nothing to do with the fact he lives in a normal house, half the 'pictures' are screenshots off a mobile phone and they are not even good mobile pics.tty stuff the majority of dealers push.The car has not been prepared or even cleaned before taking those bad photos, a quick £20 valet by the local hand car wash would make it look much more presentable.
The same goes for the small jobs it requires, we've all seen the adverts that state "aircon just needs regas" or "suspension knocking, only needs £20 drop link" why if its such a simple job dont you get the work done and have one less negative thing putting people off buying the car.
Even when i'm selling a £1500 runaround i take more care over the advert and photos than this car at many multiples of the value and never have trouble selling them.
At the end of the day he is asking for help to sell the car and i am not the only person saying the photos are very poor so its likely that the photos are causing an issue not the fact he lives in a normal home.
Thank you to all for the various contributions.
Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
bobsavage789 said:
Thank you to all for the various contributions.
Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
Looks like a good plan. You can take photos in a car park as well! Doesn't need to have pretty backdrops. Just a set of pictures of the car methodically taken and no filters applied. But sounds like you got a plan coming together...Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
The only other thing I always do with cars (and appreciate its a bit after the horse has bolted) but I always run project threads on a couple of forums. That way any potential buyer can see your journey with the car, all the work you do, the care and attention. Every buyer of my cars has called this out as a good reason to come look at the car.
bobsavage789 said:
Thank you to all for the various contributions.
Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
If you could run out to the peak District I know a fantastic spot to take some pics, although you do get your feet wet!Suffice to say my dreams of becoming a professional car photographer have well and truly been shattered.
Based on the feedback I’ve received, current plan of action:
1) leave adverts live until I get some time off to address things (PH one runs out next week, I think)
2) change the wheels back to silver
3) sort boot badge and handbrake gaiter
4) new photos in an open space (I doubt there’ll be the right combination of weather and opportunity to head for the hills for some photos, unfortunately)
5) rewrite advert with new pictures
6) consider dropping price (I’ll see what else is out there at the time)
7) hope the better weather inspires people to buy a beautiful, yet hopelessly impractical targa-top sports car
So as someone with a fair bit of experience in this area, my points would be:
- Take all the photos in the same location and make sure they are all in landscape, adverts that go landscape to portrait come across like a FB Marketplace car that the seller has little interest in.
- Upload at least 30 photos, they may be of the same area from a slightly different angle, but buyers have more confidence in adverts that have a load of photos.
- Remove the negative points, unfortunately being that honest kills an advert, it’s also a 20+ year old TVR, buyers will expect stone chips and signs of wear.
- Concentrate on highlighting the good points and how well maintained it is.
I’d also not expect much demand for a few weeks when the weather starts to pick up, a Tuscan is very much a summer car.
- Take all the photos in the same location and make sure they are all in landscape, adverts that go landscape to portrait come across like a FB Marketplace car that the seller has little interest in.
- Upload at least 30 photos, they may be of the same area from a slightly different angle, but buyers have more confidence in adverts that have a load of photos.
- Remove the negative points, unfortunately being that honest kills an advert, it’s also a 20+ year old TVR, buyers will expect stone chips and signs of wear.
- Concentrate on highlighting the good points and how well maintained it is.
I’d also not expect much demand for a few weeks when the weather starts to pick up, a Tuscan is very much a summer car.
I do not think the photos are so bad, imho..I mean if you put quite random photos of a 993 C2 manual (less than 100k), it could be gone in a day or two..a few years ago it would be gone in minutes. (Maybe market for them also slowed-down). I think it's mostly to do with demand, at this age of cars, Tuscan is still a bit niche, never reached the mainstream.
Belle427 said:
To my eyes the profile of the tyres look too big in picture 2, the stance looks all wrong.
Any ideas op if they are standard sizes?
Feel like I’m adding insult to injury with that comment so apologies.
They're 40 profile all round for a more comfortable ride, and to help protect the wheels. When researching this, there are loads of different schools of thought, so I'm not bothered about them being not the prescribed profile.Any ideas op if they are standard sizes?
Feel like I’m adding insult to injury with that comment so apologies.
bobsavage789 said:
PH ad now updated (it'll have to do for the time being until I can deal with the negatives and take new photos).
Wheel colour change also booked in with reputable local company: you lot had better be right about the colour putting people off!
Reads a lot better now. I refrained from commenting on the wheel colour as that is personal preference, although it certainly will do no harm having them in silver. I won’t profess to be knowledgeable in the TVR market to know what’s desirable and what’s not, but reverting a car to standard appearance will usually appeal to a larger market.Wheel colour change also booked in with reputable local company: you lot had better be right about the colour putting people off!
Tyre profiles don’t look wrong to me, some tyre shine won’t go amiss though
bobsavage789 said:
Fair questions, and at the risk of this turning into a sales pitch:
The £20.5k one has covered 96 miles in the last year; mine has 992. That would raise questions for me as a buyer. There’s also no mention of a rebuild, and the lower mileage might mean the engine isn’t out of the woods yet. However, I don’t know anything about that particular Tuscan, so I’m just speculating.
The £25k has a patchy service history (I actually looked at it before it was sold to that dealer when buying mine) and the interior looks rather tired.
Assuming you mean the one at £29k, I’m surprised that hasn’t been bought yet: it looks like a nice example. I suppose the higher price reflects the protection buying from a dealer offers, as well as some of the upgrades.
Must admit, my first reaction on reading your advert was what went on between 2003-08? I see it obviously had a rebuild so you presumably have history for that period. Given you have gone to the effort of typing out the rest of it you should probably include those years too. Would not stop me calling, but I would be suspicious.The £20.5k one has covered 96 miles in the last year; mine has 992. That would raise questions for me as a buyer. There’s also no mention of a rebuild, and the lower mileage might mean the engine isn’t out of the woods yet. However, I don’t know anything about that particular Tuscan, so I’m just speculating.
The £25k has a patchy service history (I actually looked at it before it was sold to that dealer when buying mine) and the interior looks rather tired.
Assuming you mean the one at £29k, I’m surprised that hasn’t been bought yet: it looks like a nice example. I suppose the higher price reflects the protection buying from a dealer offers, as well as some of the upgrades.
My personal experience selling my Tuscan a few years ago was similar, was priced right (I felt) had one or two private enquiries but ultimately nothing. Sold it back to James Agger in the end at a price I was happy with, he punted it on within a matter of days. They are a very niche car - I think most people want the comfort factor of buying from the trade. Give James a bell.
mab1 said:
Must admit, my first reaction on reading your advert was what went on between 2003-08? I see it obviously had a rebuild so you presumably have history for that period. Given you have gone to the effort of typing out the rest of it you should probably include those years too. Would not stop me calling, but I would be suspicious.
My personal experience selling my Tuscan a few years ago was similar, was priced right (I felt) had one or two private enquiries but ultimately nothing. Sold it back to James Agger in the end at a price I was happy with, he punted it on within a matter of days. They are a very niche car - I think most people want the comfort factor of buying from the trade. Give James a bell.
Oh fiddlesticks: no idea why those services have been missed out…My personal experience selling my Tuscan a few years ago was similar, was priced right (I felt) had one or two private enquiries but ultimately nothing. Sold it back to James Agger in the end at a price I was happy with, he punted it on within a matter of days. They are a very niche car - I think most people want the comfort factor of buying from the trade. Give James a bell.
I’ve tried JA, but after an initial chat and my sending him some photos, he’s stopped replying…
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