Useful suggestions required

[Mully]

Mods, I've started this in PD as it's mainly a rant.

Afternoon all,

My car is not selling (see the link in my sig). The only people I have ringing or coming to look want to offer me far less than the car is listed for. Sample discussion below:
("How much is your reserve?"
"No reserve"
"Oh. would you take (reserve minus $4K?")
"No")

It is priced way below similar cars on TM or in the Paper or on car yards.

Now, I'd like some suggestions as to why it's not selling. Is it because of fuel prices, uncertainty in the economy or what?

BTW, don't start with the "Cos it's a Holden, get a Ford you fag" thing. I'm actually looking for serious suggestions. This is delaying my getting a bike.

[jim.cox]

Now, I'd like some suggestions as to why it's not selling. Is it because of fuel prices, uncertainty in the economy or what?

Its not selling because 17.5K$ is a LOT of money - way more than most private purchasers have got, in cash, to spend on a cage.

I dont know about you, but its about twice what I would have available (even scraping the bottom of each and every barrel)

Without finance I simply can not afford to purchase it (even if I did want it)

Just my $0.02

[Mully]

This must be a first, they've moved it OUT of PD.

Its not selling because 17.5K$ is a LOT of money - way more than most private purchasers have got, in cash, to spend on a cage.

This is true, but others must be selling. I realise that I can't offer finance like a car yard can, maybe that's part of it. And it's not a boy racer car, that boy racers would be prepared to get in hock (Thanks, Instant Finance) for.

[turtleman]

It's because there are a large number of twits on tardme that want something for nothing. They will always try to get something cheaper than a listed price/reserve, regardless of whether it is already a bargain or not.

[Coyote]

Bump up the price by $4k

Someone will offer you $4k less

Sold!

[Mully]

Bump up the price by $4k

Someone will offer you $4k less

Sold!

See, you joke, but I tried that.

If I put the price up, no-one even rings. If I set the value, they want to pay $4K less. Bastards.

[onearmedbandit]

Firstly, trademe is a place people go searching for bargains. I'm not saying your car is overpriced (not at all), but it won't sell quickly there. The big turn-off about your advert is the mention of it being Police Spec, yet it's not until further into the advert do you say it actually hasn't been used as a police car. When people read the ad they will most likely stop at the first bit and not read any further, simply because they assume it has been a cop car.

Have you taken it to weekend car sale fairs? Advertised it in other media?

Selling cars is a piece of piss, I've done it for 11yrs. The right product, presented properly, at the right price will sell. Make sure all your ducks line up and you will be sweet.

[edit] Talk to a finance broker - then put into your ad "Finance available - Subject to normal lending criteria"

[shafty]

Maybe talk to a Motor Finance Co and ask what sort of deposit they would want etc and then in your Advert say " Finance may be available on a $xxx deposit to approved purchasers".....

[bucket boy]

It's because there are a large number of twits on tardme that want something for nothing. They will always try to get something cheaper than a listed price/reserve, regardless of whether it is already a bargain or not.

Ill have to admit im one of these twits when im buying machines.
if your buying its a buyers market theres plenty to chose from.The way i do it when selling is put what your absolute bottom dollar is have that as your starting bid then put your wish price as reserve then you can always lower your reserve if still no buyers depends how keen you are to get rid of it by dropping it lower

[Mully]

Thanks for the advice all. I have been advertising it outside the house when it's clean, I just don't like putting it out when it's filthy.

Some good thoughts there too. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the oppotunity to rant.

[Mikkel]

It's because it looks too much like a mufty. Nobody likes having all the people in front of them slowing to 5 km/h below the speed limit everytime you come up behind them.

Ill have to admit im one of these twits when im buying machines.
if your buying its a buyers market theres plenty to chose from.The way i do it when selling is put what your absolute bottom dollar is have that as your starting bid then put your wish price as reserve then you can always lower your reserve if still no buyers depends how keen you are to get rid of it by dropping it lower

Unless you insist on getting a manual that is...

[Horse]

Also your photos are terrible. Sorry, harsh, but that's my first impression from looking at them. Only after a bit of study do I realise that the car is actually shiny and mint, it's just the photos making it seem much less so.

It's a white car? Why does it look blue in the photos?

Answer: you've taken it in the shade with a digital camera either in manual mode (and the white balance is set wrong) or it's just a cheap and nasty one (and doesn't do auto white balance very well).

Borrow a reasonable digital camera off someone, drive the car somewhere picturesque, and take photos with the sun behind you. Zoom in as much as the camera allows (optical zoom only) and then walk backwards until the car fits in the frame. If you're more than 50m back you can probably zoom out a bit, but a longer lens gives a "squarer" shot that will represent the car better. Maybe take a stepladder to get teeny bit of elevation (although a low angle shot can also look good with the right background).

[Big Dave]

If 'anything' doesn't sell - the price is not right.

[Mully]

Also your photos are terrible. Sorry, harsh, but that's my first impression from looking at them. Only after a bit of study do I realise that the car is actually shiny and mint, it's just the photos making it seem much less so.

It's a white car? Why does it look blue in the photos?

Answer: you've taken it in the shade with a digital camera either in manual mode (and the white balance is set wrong) or it's just a cheap and nasty one (and doesn't do auto white balance very well).

Borrow a reasonable digital camera off someone, drive the car somewhere picturesque, and take photos with the sun behind you. Zoom in as much as the camera allows (optical zoom only) and then walk backwards until the car fits in the frame. If you're more than 50m back you can probably zoom out a bit, but a longer lens gives a "squarer" shot that will represent the car better. Maybe take a stepladder to get teeny bit of elevation (although a low angle shot can also look good with the right background).

Thanks Horse. We did take the photos with our old digital camera, which was a cheap one. Miss Mully has a nice shiny new one, so I'll give it a clean and take it somewhere in the weekend. Auction expires on the 20th anyway. Hadn't noticed the car looks blue in the main photo until you mentioned it. Doh!!

Thanks for the photo tips too. Not sure it'll help to much because there are size restrictions on TM for the photos, but I'll do my best.

Thanks all for the help, everyone. Might try dropping the start price to entice bidding (pfft) and tell people that I wont be offering it to watchers, only bidders (same people watching it all the time, but not bidding)

[FROSTY:Me]

Mate--as discussed 1 --the pics are not good. --come see me Ill do better ones for ya
2-The car looks plain--If I had it on the yard Id fit a set of 17' or even 18 " alloys and a spoiler
3) its pretty quiet in bigger used car sales atm
4) your choice of words -dont talk POLICE

Immaculate December 2004 VY2 Commodore Executive (2005 model)
4 Airbags and ABS brakes
Cruise Control
Factory FE2 Suspension (same as the SS)
Limited Slip Diff
Wider tyres with really good tread (225 instead of 205)
4 electric windows (Normal ones only have front electrics)
SS size Brake Rotors (bigger than standard to disperse heat better)
Performance engine chip.
Engine bash plates (protects the engine from underneath)
This was ALL factory fitted.

All I have added was professionally tinted windows (receipt available).

Please note this car has only had 1 owner from new.

Always been fully serviced by Holden Dealers.

Any Pre purchase check welcome

Test drives are welcome, for full licence holders over 25 (for insurance reasons)

--CHECK THIS OUT MATE--TRUST ME ITLL IMPROVE YA CHANCES

Have a quick look at this one--sorta similar car