Selling through a dealer?
Discussion
Is it fairly common for people to use a dealer to sell a car on their behalf?
I've recently had to come to terms with the fact my pre-cat will be going on the market this year due to baby. I've been considering putting an advert together and I've noticed that, out of the 42 Griff's in the classifieds, only 3 are being sold privately. Is there something going that I'm not aware of...
Be great to hear experiences if anyone's used a dealer for this purpose - were you happy with the service?
Cheers
Graham
I've recently had to come to terms with the fact my pre-cat will be going on the market this year due to baby. I've been considering putting an advert together and I've noticed that, out of the 42 Griff's in the classifieds, only 3 are being sold privately. Is there something going that I'm not aware of...
Be great to hear experiences if anyone's used a dealer for this purpose - were you happy with the service?
Cheers
Graham
V8 GMS said:
Is it fairly common for people to use a dealer to sell a car on their behalf?
It might be advisable to seek advice regarding ownership of your car before taking this route as I've read on these forums about a dealer who went bust after selling someones car but before handing the money over to the person they were selling it for.
the main reason for using a dealer would be to stop the hassle factor, people saying they will turn up and not showing, can ruin weekend after weekend, dodgey emails, scammers, general nutters that are attracted by your advert!! I have had them all in the last few months but would still not use a dealer, as has been said why give your money to someone else, just filter your enquiries and try to avoid the loonies.not to mention still being able to use your car when you want, that is worth the grief, spring will be here soon so in no real hurry, and could be worth more when the sun is shining!!
It's up to you but I would put the words open to offers in the advert if you are keen to sell and are not going to advertise it very low in the first place. Mine was advertised on here and didn't get much response until I put those words in the advert and put it on eBay with a reserve. The bloke who bought it was local but didn't get in contact until I said open to offers in the ad!
You can "qualify" used car dealers by ringing and asking what they would pay for your car. If they say they'd rather do sale or return; or even something like, "sorry we're fully stocked and currently have no spare money, how about sale or return?", I'd stay well away.
However, if they offer you £X, and it's a reasonable bid, because the car is worth £Z; you could then suggust doing sale or return at £Y. (Because the garage must have the £X in their account to make that offer.) And if you ring, the dealer might even offer you the £Y.
If you do sale or return, keep the V5 and spare keys. When the dealer has a deposit from the new customer, he should have sufficient funds to buy the car from you anyway; and wait till he gets paid in full by the potential customer.
However, if they offer you £X, and it's a reasonable bid, because the car is worth £Z; you could then suggust doing sale or return at £Y. (Because the garage must have the £X in their account to make that offer.) And if you ring, the dealer might even offer you the £Y.
If you do sale or return, keep the V5 and spare keys. When the dealer has a deposit from the new customer, he should have sufficient funds to buy the car from you anyway; and wait till he gets paid in full by the potential customer.
When you sell private you are invested - you want to get a maximum return. Some dealers that will sell want a hefty commision, but also tend to get a higher price.
Problem is if they want 10%, and they feel they can sell a car for 20,000 you would realize 18,000. Perhaps as a private sale you could only get 18,000 so it is a wash, and you have managed to avoid the hassles.
Reality is once they have it they may say they need to drop the price. They drop it 3,000 to sell it. Now it sold for 17,000 less your 10% fee of 1,700 so you realize a price of 15,300.
The dealer cut their commision by 300, but you, the one who is actually invested in the car, have cut your price by the other 90% of that reduction, or 2,700.
Dealer is worried about selling it - not about how much they sell it for - not going to work as hard for their 300 as you would want them to for your 2,700.
Sell it private, you have more room, and you have more interest in the price being fair for you.
Been there - done that.
Cheers.
Problem is if they want 10%, and they feel they can sell a car for 20,000 you would realize 18,000. Perhaps as a private sale you could only get 18,000 so it is a wash, and you have managed to avoid the hassles.
Reality is once they have it they may say they need to drop the price. They drop it 3,000 to sell it. Now it sold for 17,000 less your 10% fee of 1,700 so you realize a price of 15,300.
The dealer cut their commision by 300, but you, the one who is actually invested in the car, have cut your price by the other 90% of that reduction, or 2,700.
Dealer is worried about selling it - not about how much they sell it for - not going to work as hard for their 300 as you would want them to for your 2,700.
Sell it private, you have more room, and you have more interest in the price being fair for you.
Been there - done that.
Cheers.
Edited by UKAuto on Wednesday 5th February 19:30
I would advise selling through a dealer, there are too many people out there who are pro at taking your car or using dodgy money.
Some other points to consider:
The dealers can arrange finance OR the buyer can, most finance houses want the protection of the dealer, therefore you can ask a little more for the car....so many cars over £10k need finance.
The dealers protect the buyer and the seller and have a marketing route plus well paid and experienced salesmen.
The dealers always seem to get a higher price for the cars as they know what to prep and people feel safer buying from the dealers.
I have had so many people turn up late, not turn up at all or simple want to "test drive" with no intention to buy...I will only ever use a dealer now.
I am local to Fernhurst TVR and have always found them willing to help me sell my cars, they acheive much higher sales values and can return you more in many cases. If you look at their recent sales on cars like the SE GRIFF at over £35k! If you were buying that wouldnt you want a dealer to put their money where their mouth is an stick a 3 yr non insurance warranty on it? I couldnt sell my speed six Cerbie privately for what it was worth as people were scared of the engines going pop back then.
Some other points to consider:
The dealers can arrange finance OR the buyer can, most finance houses want the protection of the dealer, therefore you can ask a little more for the car....so many cars over £10k need finance.
The dealers protect the buyer and the seller and have a marketing route plus well paid and experienced salesmen.
The dealers always seem to get a higher price for the cars as they know what to prep and people feel safer buying from the dealers.
I have had so many people turn up late, not turn up at all or simple want to "test drive" with no intention to buy...I will only ever use a dealer now.
I am local to Fernhurst TVR and have always found them willing to help me sell my cars, they acheive much higher sales values and can return you more in many cases. If you look at their recent sales on cars like the SE GRIFF at over £35k! If you were buying that wouldnt you want a dealer to put their money where their mouth is an stick a 3 yr non insurance warranty on it? I couldnt sell my speed six Cerbie privately for what it was worth as people were scared of the engines going pop back then.
I had a terrible experience with a dealer, not Tvr specific!
Naughty twonk,
To be honest I'd rather buy private!
Some dealers pay an owner rock bottom, polish the crap out of it and add a few K?
They ain't all respectable.
If a dealer finds issues they often mask them and fool you!
A proper Tvr man is very different but still.
As you can see I've got experience of buying and selling through dealers.
There main goal is money! Fact
Please any dealers out there leave it you know I'm right!
I have huge respect to the proper dealers but money rules most people's heads and that includes dealers.
I'm somewhat dismayed they all seem to be in dealers hands.
I contacted many dealers in my search, f
king insult my intelligence with there offers on my immaculate S2.
One Tvr dealer offered less than 1500 quid.
Trying it on comes to mind!
Rant over, I need to make it clear if its a Tvr only man then there great as I've contacted a number and all offered great advice!
Its the nerks who just buy anything I wonder about!
Naughty twonk,
To be honest I'd rather buy private!
Some dealers pay an owner rock bottom, polish the crap out of it and add a few K?
They ain't all respectable.
If a dealer finds issues they often mask them and fool you!
A proper Tvr man is very different but still.
As you can see I've got experience of buying and selling through dealers.
There main goal is money! Fact
Please any dealers out there leave it you know I'm right!
I have huge respect to the proper dealers but money rules most people's heads and that includes dealers.
I'm somewhat dismayed they all seem to be in dealers hands.
I contacted many dealers in my search, f
king insult my intelligence with there offers on my immaculate S2. One Tvr dealer offered less than 1500 quid.
Trying it on comes to mind!
Rant over, I need to make it clear if its a Tvr only man then there great as I've contacted a number and all offered great advice!
Its the nerks who just buy anything I wonder about!
Clearly there are dealers and there are dealers....we all need to make money too though.
What I liked about Fernhurst so much was the friendly advice, a cup of tea with Simon and a good tour around...and when I was looking at the wrong car for me out of their stock they told me why it was not right, instead of taking my money....the biggest deal though is their Warranties, they stand by them and that allows the buyer some faith in what could be a money pit, therefore selling through the dealer protects all round...as I said before.
I have to agree that any trader that buys anything blind and then flogs it on is just pushing other peoples problems along the line, if a dealer stands by their own warranty then they cannot buy rubbish without fixing it or it is coming back to be fixed later anyway.
What I liked about Fernhurst so much was the friendly advice, a cup of tea with Simon and a good tour around...and when I was looking at the wrong car for me out of their stock they told me why it was not right, instead of taking my money....the biggest deal though is their Warranties, they stand by them and that allows the buyer some faith in what could be a money pit, therefore selling through the dealer protects all round...as I said before.
I have to agree that any trader that buys anything blind and then flogs it on is just pushing other peoples problems along the line, if a dealer stands by their own warranty then they cannot buy rubbish without fixing it or it is coming back to be fixed later anyway.
Hi guys,
Thanks for all the replies. There's a lot more to think about than I had first considered. I've decided it makes sense for me to sell the the car privately - Afterall I love talking about TVRs.
Rob Ingleby promptly sourced my last TVR (Chim 500) for one of his clients. (Rob, if you're reading this feel free to get in touch).
I'll try to get the advert up over the weekend - if the classifieds section is working! Cheers.
Thanks for all the replies. There's a lot more to think about than I had first considered. I've decided it makes sense for me to sell the the car privately - Afterall I love talking about TVRs.
Rob Ingleby promptly sourced my last TVR (Chim 500) for one of his clients. (Rob, if you're reading this feel free to get in touch).
I'll try to get the advert up over the weekend - if the classifieds section is working! Cheers.
Edited by V8 GMS on Friday 21st February 11:29
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