1979 300TD sells tonight (hopefully) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

4onthetree · #1 07-30-2009, 01:08 PM

It's listed on Ebay right now, with an opening bid of $1750. Figured I'd list it here as well. I'm going to miss it, but I could stand to cut down my collection and some recent dental work for my wife added to that motivation :-).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220456929760&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

TX76513 · #2 07-30-2009, 01:19 PM

876 hits - you did have quite a few people stop in and look at it.

TylerH860 · #3 07-30-2009, 01:29 PM

I can't imagine it not selling. Just wait for the 11th hour bids.

4onthetree · #4 07-30-2009, 01:30 PM

There does seem to be interest - there's quite a few "watchers" as well. I suppose I'll just have to wait until this evening and see what happens. Apparently the demand has dwindled somewhat. I had another '79 300TD I sold last year for $2250 the same day I listed it locally on Craigslist and it wasn't in as good a shape as this one (hence the reason for selling it after I found this one). Of course, that one had the euro-headlight conversion though.

Pavka007 · #5 07-30-2009, 06:01 PM

You have listed Nevada as location on e-bay..is that correct? You are just next door...sort of

4onthetree · #6 07-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Nevada is correct, but it's Nevada, Iowa; a small town near Ames and fairly close to Des Moines. I had it listed on Craigslist and got a call from someone in the Bay area who wanted to look at it, but found it through Google. They decided not to make the drive after learning that the car is actually located in the midwest. I've since been putting the state along with the town in my listings - Nevada, IA.

Pavka007 · #7 07-30-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4onthetree

Nevada is correct, but it's Nevada, Iowa; a small town near Ames and fairly close to Des Moines. I had it listed on Craigslist and got a call from someone in the Bay area who wanted to look at it, but found it through Google. They decided not to make the drive after learning that the car is actually located in the midwest. I've since been putting the state along with the town in my listings - Nevada, IA.

Well...that's life...it sucks sometime

Good luck with the sale... I am watching you on Ebay

4onthetree · #8 07-30-2009, 07:21 PM

It can be a regular beach sometimes as well :-). Thanks for checking out the wagon though - the more buzz the better!

4onthetree · #9 07-31-2009, 12:52 AM

I'm surprised - I thought that was a pretty good starting price. Anyway, it's obviously still for sale if anyone's interested. I did get a call from someone who saw it on Craigslist earlier and he was thinking of coming to look at it tomorrow if it didn't sell via Ebay. So, we'll see if that goes anywhere.

TylerH860 · #10 07-31-2009, 01:11 AM

Huh, perhaps the end time for your auction was bad? Midnight on a Thursday?

UriahT · #11 07-31-2009, 08:05 AM

Yup, end the auction on a Sunday evening if you want the most people on their computer drooling over it.

Also, if you decide to list it again, include some details on shipping the car. Ask a few places around, in Iowa you're bound to have guys making runs all over the country. The coasts, where people have money and do buy cars on ebay, are not likely to fly out to the Midwest to buy a car and drive it home.

I'll also note... Since the bio craze has died down, the only people left who want these cars are enthusiasts. And we are all scared to high heck of rust. That said, your opening bid seemed more than fair. Just things aren't selling unless they're mint.

4onthetree · #12 07-31-2009, 01:55 PM

Yeah, midnight was probably a bit late. I've had good luck in the past listing items from 7:00 to 9:00 on Tuesday through Thursday, but it's been awhile since I've sold anything on Ebay. This was actually a relist from the first time when I had the opening bid at $1979. Maybe this Sunday evening will be the next relist.

Thanks for the suggestions - very true about the bio-craze. I think that ship has sailed for awhile. I did find someone interested in acquiring the WVO I have though, so that's a plus. From this point, I won't bother muddling up the deal with the possibility of dealing with tanks, barrels, etc.

I can't say I blame the enthusiasts (or anyone) for staying away from any rust - I used to work in a body shop years ago, and it's not fun stuff to deal with. However, here in Iowa it can quickly turn into a "beggars can't be choosers" situation if one doesn't want to head out west to find a car. Compared to other cars of the same vintage in this state I've seen, this one has remarkably little rust.

As for that starting bid, I thought it was fair as well :-). If I relist it, that's where I'll start once again. Before that, I may drop the price on my Craigslist ad and see if it attracts any attention. The car certainly isn't mint, but from what I've seen on Ebay, the mint ones bring far more. I was hoping to break even, but that's starting to look a bit difficult. It also wouldn't be the end of the world if I don't sell it. I can always park it out back and keep using it as needed.

4onthetree · #13 08-03-2009, 11:39 AM

Hopefully the 3rd time is a charm. We'll see how next Sunday evening at 8:30 fares. I'm still in the mood to sell it, so hopefully the price drop will spark some interest. If it doesn't sell for at least this much, it's just going to get parked out back on a cement slab for awhile, at least until next spring.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220461675327&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Chadahar · #14 08-03-2009, 02:03 PM

Nevada, Iowa. I remember the town well. I lost my Antique Case tractor off my trailer at the junction of the road into Nevada and the major Hiway between Ames and Marshalltown. Chipped my pride, dented my tail gate, locked the trailer to the truck and the tractor had to lifted up by a crane truck. I think everyone I knew drove past me that morning.

I lived at the RV park about 4 miles east of Nevada on that Hi way and worked at Fisher Valve in Marshalltown. Wish you were closer to So CA.

4onthetree · #15 08-03-2009, 10:19 PM

Losing an antique tractor off a trailer. That sounds harsh. I know that intersection your talking about well - I turn there to go home every night and turn there to go to work every morning. I'm also familiar with that RV park. Is it the one right next to Twin Anchors golf course? I used to golf there quite a bit before a move to a bigger house slowed that activity a bit and a new baby daughter a year and half ago pretty much stopped it entirely :-). I have to say I wouldn't mind being a bit closer to SoCal myself, especially during the winter months!