I'm selling! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pxland · #1 11-13-2007, 08:12 AM

Hi all,

I am selling my 280SEL and thought some of you might be interested. The thread is here:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/205134-1973-mercedes-benz-280sel-4-5-a.html#post1673155

This website has been such a big help and the #1 reason that the car has been brought back to the shape it's in today. Y'all are such a wonderful wealth of information and so willing to give your time to help other's Benzs.

Thanks a ton.

pxland · #2 11-13-2007, 07:17 PM

Since I'm here I have a question.....

I've taken the "full disclosure" route with my ad here and on Craigslist. Does anyone think that that's a good idea? Or should I breeze over the bright spots and address any issues when people ask or come look at the car?

I personally don't want anyone buying anything from me who does not know what they are getting, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Tomguy · #3 11-13-2007, 08:39 PM

Full disclosure will only help it sell faster.

I spent enough money on myself on a new toy or I'd have bought Al's 4.5 by now (or yours if his is sold already). But since I got a different type of toy I need accessories for IT first

pxland · #4 12-27-2007, 06:35 PM

It's still available.

Listed at 1750 now.....

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/517078145.html

It really is a solid car for that price, even though it is under a foot of snow right now.

thorsen · #5 12-27-2007, 07:15 PM

That is such a great deal it is not even funny. I paid $1500 for a rusted out 250C so I am kicking myself right about now.

Good luck. I think you would be able to get $2k on the big E pretty easy.

Dana B. · #6 12-27-2007, 08:36 PM

Also, you might want to include a few pics of the engine bay and the interior, as well as any obvious blems. Looks like a great deal.

pxland · #7 12-28-2007, 07:33 AM

I've been sending out the engine bay pics, interior pics, pics of the trunk, and pics of the rockers and any dings to anyone who shows an interest.

Unfortunately Craigslist only lets you post 4 so I chose all exterior. I think next time I will include one of the interior in my ad.

I have been thinking about Ebay.

Can anyone tell me...

If I set the reserve at say $1500 and it's not met what fee I will have to pay?

pxland · #8 12-28-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pxland

Can anyone tell me...

If I set the reserve at say $1500 and it's not met what fee I will have to pay?

alright, with a little looking I found out that it costs 40 to list and another 50 if your reserve is met.

So here's a new question that I couldn't find so easily....

What is the best way to get paid?

If I take Paypal then I can only take out $500 a month, which sucks because I want to buy a new digital SLR (which I suppose I can buy with paypal and maybe even on Ebay).

Is there a better way?

pxland · #9 12-28-2007, 07:46 AM

Here's another question....

I found a seller who has original Bundts who will let me have them for $50. If I buy them and have them mounted do you think the car will sell that much faster? It looks ugly as hell since I only have three matching hubcaps.

Which leads me to another question.....

Has anyone removed the paint from these old hubcaps?

I've got a couple of non-matching hubcaps from the PO and if I could knock the paint off of them and throw them on I think the car would look a lot better. I don't have easy access to a sand blaster so I was hoping there was an easier way.

Thanks!

thorsen · #10 12-28-2007, 08:05 AM

Px,

Don't forget the final valuation fee that eBay will charge you. I sold a 300SD for $6k and total fees came to the neighborhood of $200 - which is not a bad deal at all. I could not have gotten the $6k selling locally.

I recommend that you get a deposit via PayPal and request the rest in cash. I ususally ask for a $250 deposit which covers the eBay fees. You don't want to get the whole amount through Paypal becuase they charge fees (3% ?) and you are cheating yourself.

Good luck. If you want any tips or want someone to review your ad, let me know.

JeffreyNMemphis · #11 12-28-2007, 09:24 AM

I think Ebay is the best place to sell a Classic car. Yes, pointing out the flaws is the best way to go. Even better if you could do a critical pre-purchase inspection and provide the cost to repair the shortcomings. And, if the car is a restoration candidate or daily driver candidate or parts car? You can post 24 pictures on Ebay if you use the easy step by step format, or more if you know how to write HTML and link photos to a hosting site. Take a look at some successful auctions and you will get an idea of what your photos need to show. I sold a car on Ebay last month and got 3500 page views; I don't think I could get that many people to see my car by advertising in a local paper or craig's list. When I was looking for my 73 280SE/SEL I watched Ebay obsessively until I found one I liked (although it was not on Ebay). After you put it on Ebay, you can increase your traffic by mentioning here and other MB enthusiast sites that your car is on Ebay.

I think most prospective 280SEL buyers generally know what they are looking for, but you may want to tell them why the 280SEL is more special than other W108 models. It would be unusual for someone looking for a Chevy Cavalier to stumble onto your car and buy it. So, what would someone looking for a 280SEL want to know? For instance; does the car have rust? Does the car need a paint job? How is the interior? Does the wood need to be repaired/replaced? Does the transmission shift properly? Have the fluids in the engine and transmission been changed frequently? What is the compression in each of the eight cylinders? Does the engine smoke? Does the car have some nagging problem you can't fix or is so expensive you won't fix? How is the suspension? Does the car have any mods like pertronix?

The fuel injectors cost $200 each new to replace, does it need fuel injectors? What are the other expensive bits? Are they in good condition?

Finally, how many hub caps do you need? What color do you want? What color do you have? Somebody here has extra hubcaps (I think I have at least 24 W108 hubcaps), maybe you can trade the color you have for the ones you want? How much does a hubcap cost on Ebay?

pxland · #12 12-28-2007, 09:59 AM

Well, it's on Ebay....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320201110886

I actually posted the ad and then went back and made the changes that you guys suggested.

If you check it out and have any other suggestions please let me know.

pxland · #13 12-28-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Finally, how many hub caps do you need? What color do you want? What color do you have? Somebody here has extra hubcaps (I think I have at least 24 W108 hubcaps), maybe you can trade the color you have for the ones you want? How much does a hubcap cost on Ebay?

The specific color is called beige gray. It's kind of a creamy gray color, and I just need one.

I've got two tans and a red I believe. All in normal condition, nothing spectacular. I even think all three have little spots of curb rash.

Now that the listing is up I probably don't want to worry about it. If for some reason noone takes it I'll either look at getting a hubcap from you, or getting bundt cakes.