What are best and worst times of year to sell? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 08-13-2013, 06:44 PM

I was doing a little reading on the best and worst times of the year to sell cars. Found this:

We’ve found consistently the best time of all to sell a car in the USA is March/April. I believe this is because American’s do not have a lot of savings, and tax return time is one of the few times people have a large lump sum of money to spend. Right before Christmas is one of the worst times to sell a car, as people are thinking about spending on other things, are out of town etc… But right after New Years there is usually a peak, perhaps because of end of the year bonuses.

I wonder to what extent this applies to our specialized niche of the market.

gatorblue92 · #2 08-13-2013, 07:48 PM

I bought both my Altima and Odyssey in the first half of December of 2011 and 2012 respectively because of the end of year deals that were going on at the time. I would agree that March-May is a busy time due to the tax returns that come in. I actually bought my 280E in March but that was because it was for sale and I had been looking for another Benz after selling my 300D.

scottmcphee · #3 08-13-2013, 07:59 PM

The best time to sell is when you don't need the money. The worst time to sell is when you do.

shertex · #4 08-13-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

The best time to sell is when you don't need the money. The worst time to sell is when you do.

Excellent point.

Skid Row Joe · #5 08-13-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I was doing a little reading on the best and worst times of the year to sell cars. Found this:

We’ve found consistently the best time of all to sell a car in the USA is March/April. I believe this is because American’s do not have a lot of savings, and tax return time is one of the few times people have a large lump sum of money to spend. Right before Christmas is one of the worst times to sell a car, as people are thinking about spending on other things, are out of town etc… But right after New Years there is usually a peak, perhaps because of end of the year bonuses.

I wonder to what extent this applies to our specialized niche of the market.

The last two very used in terms of age/miles cars that I've sold either through the newspaper, or parking in front of my home, were sold in random months - to ppl who were basically scraping the limits of their credit to come through with the $5K or less. When you're talking about a car that is over a decade or two old, you're going to get a lot of folks at their financial outer limits - or maybe not.

I've bought (1) new car in May, (1) new car in July, (2) new cars in December, (1) used car in December, (1) used car in June.

I've given (2) cars away - one was a POS non-running Cadillac, and the other was a very nice condition used Mercedes-Benz - no rhyme or reason as to the when on these......

IIRC, the new auto sales industry sells the most cars/trucks in December. I have no idea about used.

lorainfurniture · #6 08-13-2013, 10:13 PM

Tax season is the best time to sell any running sub 5 thousand dollar car. If it runs, it's sold.

cooljjay · #7 08-14-2013, 12:45 AM

Any time before the birth of eBay....but since we can't travel back in time....and well the way the economy is....probably never.....but if you must sell, I don't see any changes regardless of the month....

1project2many · #8 08-14-2013, 07:15 AM

I've been in auto business for over 20 yrs, more than half with dealers both new and used. Typically, money starts to dry up around the second week of December. By January you're sometimes wondering what you're going to do to make a buck. Beginning around the last week in February the tax returns start rolling in and people come in spending like they've just hit an oil well. That usually lasts through the end of April into May. I spent almost three years at a specialized dealership for collector cars. The goal was to make enough by the end of April to carry the rest of the year. They'd usually do it, too.

Personally I've found that the best time to sell anything is when my wife is involved. She seems to have a knack for finding people willing to part with money. That's always made me wonder what she was thinking when she met me...

shertex · #9 08-14-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1project2many

I've been in auto business for over 20 yrs, more than half with dealers both new and used. Typically, money starts to dry up around the second week of December. By January you're sometimes wondering what you're going to do to make a buck. Beginning around the last week in February the tax returns start rolling in and people come in spending like they've just hit an oil well. That usually lasts through the end of April into May. I spent almost three years at a specialized dealership for collector cars. The goal was to make enough by the end of April to carry the rest of the year. They'd usually do it, too.

Personally I've found that the best time to sell anything is when my wife is involved. She seems to have a knack for finding people willing to part with money. That's always makde me wonder what she was thinking when she met me...

Excellent insights....both on cars and on wives!

rs899 · #10 08-14-2013, 09:09 AM

Does your air conditioning work? Does your heater work? Plan accordingly....

DieselPaul · #11 08-14-2013, 12:02 PM

All my garbage has sold in tax season, all my good stuff sells year round. As stated as long as you don't need the money a buyer always seems to materialize.

daw_two · #12 08-14-2013, 12:12 PM

I don't need a buyer.
I don't need to sell anything.

I have the following for sale:
I have one 300SDL with a very low mileage engine and rebuilt transmission.
I have one 300D with a very good interior; probably 8 out of 10 that needs an engine.
I have three Cummins 4BT engines.
I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota, 4x4, Crew Cab with 4BT and 47RE swap.
I have a 2001 Freightliner step van with a 4BT engine.
I have a 1982 240D that I'm parting out.

I don't need a buyer.
I don't need to sell anything.

1project2many · #13 08-14-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

reverse psychology.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't need a buyer.
I don't need to sell anything.

How about a shortage?
"Due to coflict overseas and the rising costs of scrap metal, old Mercedes are being crushed at a record rate. This is creating a shortage of affordable old Benzes. Luckily, I happen to have some."

Skid Row Joe · #14 08-14-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1project2many

How about a shortage?
"Due to coflict overseas and the rising costs of scrap metal, old Mercedes are being crushed at a record rate. This is creating a shortage of affordable old Benzes. Luckily, I happen to have some."

Junkyard scrap value of $500.00 +/- will remain their low sales value figure. There's more old MBs than you can shake a stick at - if and when they surface for sale. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw an exquisite condition early '90s 560SEC @ my indy's place of business the other month. No, it was not FS, just getting some service there too. My indy has some righteous old MB examples mainly because he has the opportunity come right to his doorstep by his client-base. Lucky guy!

Mark DiSilvestro · #15 08-15-2013, 10:07 AM

For me, buying or selling has been all over the
map. I bought my first diesel on my birthday in Septemer 2006. I did manage to sell that one for about four times what I paid in April of last year. (Though I had a bit more in that car by then)

Sometimes it just depends on when the annual inspection is due. I bought a '98 Nissan Altima in August of '05, because my rusty '84 Honda Accord failed it's emission-test and wasn't worth the price of a new cat-converter.
I got my free Toyota Camry in January 2011 because the owners didn't want to spend $3000 to get a $2500 car to pass safety inspection. Plus all the tickets they were getting for the dead tags & inspection sticker!
Of course, it only cost me about 1/5 that amount to make the car legal!

Happy Motoring, Mark