Warning signs in a small ad
Discussion
Just seen this ad which immediately put me off what could be a perfectly good car:
https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1016387
Made me wonder: what wording in a small ad sets your alarm bells ringing?
If you’re the OP on that ad, the wording that made me think something was wrong included:
- Title doesn’t state the make and model, which looks like you don’t know or appreciate it yourself. Always best to include some expertise eg “pre-ABS” model
- ‘no advisories’ on MOT on a car at this price range is the least you expect. Makes me wonder if in the past you’ve had some
- No description of mileage or service history (although pic suggests very respectable 47k), which given both are critical to the price makes me think not mentioned as not good eg 147k miles and Cat D
- ‘condition speaks for itself’... er...no it doesn’t, you need to say what it is, very precisely. Otherwise I’ll assume it’s rusting and won’t start
- POA is really only for valuable/rare cars, whereas a 328 GTS can and should be priced. How you price shows you know your car/market
- being a purist, change of wheels is a worry too, as makes me wonder what else isn’t standard. Would be better to show with original and offer alternative.
On plus side:
- Good number of pics including interior (annoys me when don’t show that)
- Taken in sunshine, not a dark garage
- No rubbish in description about ‘lady drivers’, ‘selling for a friend’ or ‘great investment’.
What wording gives other PHers the hoolies?
https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1016387
Made me wonder: what wording in a small ad sets your alarm bells ringing?
If you’re the OP on that ad, the wording that made me think something was wrong included:
- Title doesn’t state the make and model, which looks like you don’t know or appreciate it yourself. Always best to include some expertise eg “pre-ABS” model
- ‘no advisories’ on MOT on a car at this price range is the least you expect. Makes me wonder if in the past you’ve had some
- No description of mileage or service history (although pic suggests very respectable 47k), which given both are critical to the price makes me think not mentioned as not good eg 147k miles and Cat D
- ‘condition speaks for itself’... er...no it doesn’t, you need to say what it is, very precisely. Otherwise I’ll assume it’s rusting and won’t start
- POA is really only for valuable/rare cars, whereas a 328 GTS can and should be priced. How you price shows you know your car/market
- being a purist, change of wheels is a worry too, as makes me wonder what else isn’t standard. Would be better to show with original and offer alternative.
On plus side:
- Good number of pics including interior (annoys me when don’t show that)
- Taken in sunshine, not a dark garage
- No rubbish in description about ‘lady drivers’, ‘selling for a friend’ or ‘great investment’.
What wording gives other PHers the hoolies?
Edited by 67Dino on Sunday 16th September 10:00
rallycross said:
For me it’s when the vendor talks a load of balls with very little details about the condition and history the actual car being sold. Take this example from eBay today what a load of tosh.
“sporting executive image”“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
RemyMartin81D said:
67Dino said:
“sporting executive image”
“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Sold!“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Out of interest what was it?
Only kidding. Was from an ad that RemyMartin81D spotted for a BMW 330ci M Sport.
M4cruiser said:
"Rare model"
... what they mean is they can charge a lot more than it's really worth.
Annoys me a lot because I'm usually going for an automatic, and it seems all autos are "rare". Rubbish!
Totally agree. And even worse when the rarity is caused by having counted only cars of the same colour/spec etc. e.g. "Rare 1986 automatic model in Puce Green with optional brown floor mats, one of only 5 in this spec". Yes, and also happens to be the only one with that number plate and a large rust patch on the driver's sill, but neither of those makes it valuable either. ... what they mean is they can charge a lot more than it's really worth.
Annoys me a lot because I'm usually going for an automatic, and it seems all autos are "rare". Rubbish!
Pericoloso said:
What's wrong with ..."one previous keeper " ?
Prefer 1 over 10......
@Treetops.
The first thing many people do when they get a a used car is spend some money improving it. So more owners = more things have been sorted. Probably doesn’t apply to a true “one owner, cherished for 20 years” car but not many of those about. Prefer 1 over 10......
@Treetops.
treetops said:
Pericoloso said:
What's wrong with ..."one previous keeper " ?
Prefer 1 over 10......
@Treetops.
It's more just say "two owners", not "one previous". Makes it sound like one owner. Prefer 1 over 10......
@Treetops.
“1 OWNER 8v Mk2 Golf GTi 'Big Bumper' For Sale. It took me over 2 years to find this car and it was well worth the effort! It is an absolute beauty. Extremely rare to find a 1 owner car”
So it’s not 1 owner is it? It’s 2 because you now own it. Duh.
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