Marketing Psychology Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 04-05-2012, 08:17 AM

Selling my 300E....currently on Rhode Island Craigslist. At some point I will put it up as an Ebay auction. Question: does it HELP or HURT my chances of selling it via Craigslist if I announce my intention of putting it on Ebay? In other words, does the prospect of an auction motivate people to buy or demotivate them?

I was thinking of something like: "Vehicle will be for sale on Craigslist through April 30. At that point, if it hasn't sold, it will be listed as an Ebay auction with a buy-it-now price higher than $2395."

t walgamuth · #2 04-05-2012, 08:36 AM

no difference imho.

strelnik · #3 04-05-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

no difference imho.

Personally, I think it's a GOOD thing. Ebay has requirements and protections. If you are willing to sell a car that way, to me, it is less likely that you are a scammer and more likely you are a guy who just wants to sell a car and wants to do it in a reasonable amount of toime.!

just my 2 cents.

Zacharias · #4 04-05-2012, 04:20 PM

Interesting points of view.

From my recent experience since September (sold one car, now selling off a pile of old Volvo memorabilia and parts), I would not worry about it one way or the other. Frankly 90 percent or more of those I deal with don't read anything you put there anyway.

eBay is better in this respect than Craigs or Kijiji. I may as well have just posted pics and a phone number with the free ads. No one read a word of my ad (asked me about everything I stated in the ad when they called or texted).

One person texted me to ask if they could text me. Really?

Could be just my area, but Kijiji rawked in terms of response. I got nary a nibble off of Craigs in two months. Disappointing, as I am long-time fan of CL.

On Kijiji you HAVE to repost the ad each week to keep getting hits.

shertex · #5 04-05-2012, 04:25 PM

Kijiji = Ebay classifieds in the U.S. We get six for free per year, so I want to use it somewhat sparingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

Interesting points of view.

From my recent experience since September (sold one car, now selling off a pile of old Volvo memorabilia and parts), I would not worry about it one way or the other. Frankly 90 percent or more of those I deal with don't read anything you put there anyway.

eBay is better in this respect than Craigs or Kijiji. I may as well have just posted pics and a phone number with the free ads. No one read a word of my ad (asked me about everything I stated in the ad when they called or texted).

One person texted me to ask if they could text me. Really?

Could be just my area, but Kijiji rawked in terms of response. I got nary a nibble off of Craigs in two months. Disappointing, as I am long-time fan of CL.

On Kijiji you HAVE to repost the ad each week to keep getting hits.

Brian Carlton · #6 04-05-2012, 09:53 PM

I don't believe a reader of CL will be influenced either way with your threat to put it on e-bay.

In fact, I don't believe such a threat belongs in the CL ad. What you do with it after CL is your business...........not anyone else.

kerry · #7 04-05-2012, 10:04 PM

I think some readers of the ad would see it as a threat, and be turned off by it.

shertex · #8 04-05-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I think some readers of the ad would see it as a threat, and be turned off by it.

Of course, unless those same readers are likely buyers, I'm not sure I care. Still seems like there's value, in any form of advertising, to convey a time limitation. It seems like Craigslist ads typically convey no urgency. So I'm just trying to figure out different ways to get people off their butts to buy my car. While I prefer the Craigslist route, Ebay is not so bad.

kerry · #9 04-05-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Of course, unless those same readers are likely buyers, I'm not sure I care. Still seems like there's value, in any form of advertising, to convey a time limitation. It seems like Craigslist ads typically convey no urgency. So I'm just trying to figure out different ways to get people off their butts to buy my car. While I prefer the Craigslist route, Ebay is not so bad.

I was thinking of buyers. I've been looking and seen ads like that. I pass them by, think 'good luck with that--what makes you think Ebay will be better', and move on to the next ad.

Clemson88 · #10 04-05-2012, 11:09 PM

"Screw you guys. If you don't buy my car now I'll raise the price and put it on Ebay!"

Yeah, that'll bring em in.

shertex · #11 04-05-2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I was thinking of buyers. I've been looking and seen ads like that. I pass them by, think 'good luck with that--what makes you think Ebay will be better', and move on to the next ad.

Maybe it's in how it's said....I don't know why it would have to be construed as a "threat." Just a matter of telegraphing my plans for selling the car.

It just seems that Craigslist is kind of a SLEEPY medium. But, it is free and it is where a lot of people look for cars.

sleepstar · #12 04-05-2012, 11:42 PM

i don't think it will matter one way or the other. and like someone else said, 90% of people on CL don't read anything in the ad anyway. it's astounding. the only thing is that 95% of people on ebay don't read the description. unbelievable some of the things i've dealt with selling on there. and now it's pretty much the buyer can say or do anything and get their money back. maybe it's different with ebay autos though.

shertex · #13 04-12-2012, 09:42 AM

Obviously this is just anecdotal and not statistically significant, but it seems that, since I added the line about the Ebay auction, the number of inquiries I've gotten on the car has increased markedly. I'm cautiously optimistic about selling it soon.

charmalu · #14 04-12-2012, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Zacharias

Interesting points of view.

From my recent experience since September (sold one car, now selling off a pile of old Volvo memorabilia and parts), I would not worry about it one way or the other. Frankly 90 percent or more of those I deal with don't read anything you put there anyway.

Sounds like a lot that read the threads, will ask the question that was just posted 3 posts above with the answer.
I think most just skim the description on the item on e-bay or CL, as well as the threads here.

I think it has a lot to do if the buyer is looking for your model yr car or just window shopping. If they ask stupid questions................next!!!

Charlie

shertex · #15 05-01-2012, 09:58 AM

While I'll never know for sure, it certainly seemed like my strategy generated interest. And two days before the Ebay listing day, a guy called from Maine, asked if he could Fedex a deposit, then bought it this past Saturday for close to my asking price. At any rate, I was certainly glad to avoid the Ebay fees.