Best place to sell a car?

[thorsen]

I've been trying to sell an old Range Rover but I'm wondering if there is a better alternative than CL or eBay. The last few times I've sold a car on eBay it's been a painful process trying to get the buyer to pay up. The last time I sold a Mercedes on eBay I vowed "never again".
I've had the Rover listed on eBay for about a week now and I've had nothing but freaks. One guy wants to make payments on it, one guy offered me $500 because "datz all i got". I've had a lot of people express interest, make an appointment to come see it, then never show.

The Range Rover forums I visit seem to have pretty weak boards (nothing compares to Peach Parts!). Any suggestions on a site I'm missing?

[E150GT]

I think youll get that anywhere. My dad sold an old buick and it took forever and there was a lot of people like what you were getting.

[benhogan]

Thor-
Have you considered donating the car? I did this to my lemon e320. If you are in pretty high tax bracket, it might be worth investigating.

Just my $0.02

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by thorsen

I've been trying to sell an old Range Rover but I'm wondering if there is a better alternative than CL or eBay. The last few times I've sold a car on eBay it's been a painful process trying to get the buyer to pay up. The last time I sold a Mercedes on eBay I vowed "never again".
I've had the Rover listed on eBay for about a week now and I've had nothing but freaks. One guy wants to make payments on it, one guy offered me $500 because "datz all i got". I've had a lot of people express interest, make an appointment to come see it, then never show.

The Range Rover forums I visit seem to have pretty weak boards (nothing compares to Peach Parts!). Any suggestions on a site I'm missing?

Which forums have you tried? What is the condition of the Range Rover?

[The Clk Man]

I've had great luck on Autotrader it cost me $40 and it was worth it to me.

[SwampYankee]

Why not try posting here in the PP classifieds? There are a number of non-MB's listed. I've always loved the pre-bling Rovers.

Unfortunately CL has all but killed other selling sites/publications, so options are certainly limited.

[The Clk Man]

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Why not try posting here in the PP classifieds? There are a number of non-MB's listed. I've always loved the pre-bling Rovers.

Unfortunately CL has all but killed other selling sites/publications, so options are certainly limited.

SUP BILL aka Kojac?

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

SUP BILL aka Kojac?

Same ol', same ol', my 'Man. Kids keeping me busy and money-free!

[Angel]

I've always used craigslist - and had a seperate email account for such - and that email (anonymized) was the only contact info for me available on the CL ad - this lets you easily filter out most of the chaff that comes from CL ads.

State your terms well in the ad: things like "Cash only", "no offers accepted" (or "OBO"), Car is sold as is, where is", "contact me via email only, leave your name, phone number and a best time to call". "If the ad is still up, the car has not been sold"

Also be sure to state things like "willing to sell today", "clear title in hand" (IMPORTANT), "starts and runs" (or "will require a tow truck to move")

I also add a line in the ad that says "please include the words 'I love old rovers" in your response" - this helps weed out people that arent reading closely or are just spam-bots. This might also weed out a few decent responses - but if its a real person replying, their reply will be more than 1 sentence long so you can make your own call there.

Put up your ad, don't be afraid to not respond to people if they dont offer what you are looking for - when is email only, its not like they can (easily) stalk you and bug you until you sell it to them.

Do your best to give the first responders the first chance at the car, but the rule I follow is : the first person here, with cash, that wants the car, gets it. no 'dibs' or favors. Or : "Cash is King". Maybe make exceptions for friends/family (in that case - you offer it to them before putting it on CL)

I dont know anyone who accepts payments from strangers - I'd just blow off those emails - or respond with a polite "contact me when you have my asking price and I'll see what I can do" - then he has your contact info (and you have his b/c you asked for it in the ad) and if he/she magically finds the money - you have a sale.

I have never dealt with ebay - its getting too 'buyer-focused' for me to start selling stuff there now.

And maybe you do all of this stuff already. if so, sorry for telling you what you already know

-John

[Mr.Kenny]

Craigslist works well for me; but let your ad weed out the tire kickers and B.S. folks.
I research what the vehicle actually sells for on ebay.
I give all the information that a buyer would want to know about the car, mileage, length of ownership, problems, rust, title, etc. in the ad.
I don't give any personal sob stories, because no buyer is interested.
Never lie; tell the truth and buyers will trust you.
Don't give ultimatums; like "This Price is good today only" or "Must sell today".

Remember; 'Project cars' take longer to sell and have a very narrow audience.

Look at the photos you post; is there a dog sniffing around; is there junk everywhere? Is it sitting in a field with grass growing around it?

Remember; anything will sell at the right price......even if that price is "FREE"

[TwitchKitty]

Originally Posted by Angel

I've always used craigslist - I also add a line in the ad that says "please include the words 'I love old rovers" in your response" - this helps weed out people that arent reading closely or are just spam-bots. This might also weed out a few decent responses - but if its a real person replying, their reply will be more than 1 sentence long so you can make your own call there.


-John

This reply pretty well sums up my experience with CL. I am curious about the one line that I boldfaced. I wouldn't be too sure about that one. I usually won't reply to an ad without a phone number and if I do I just say to call me. No call, that's all.

If your CL ad sounds too good to be true it will probably get flagged and deleted.

When I sell I usually say to email me with a phone number. I don't answer emails. Too much phishing and spam on CL.

The best place to sell a car is on a car lot but maybe not easy to find.

[spdrun]

CL spam frequently refers to "your item" or "the object" rather than "your car." Best way to weed out spammers is to create a (free) Google Voice number and use it as a voicemail box for CL replies - you can listen to voicemail online.

[elchivito]

I don't allow email replies on CL ads. I put my phone number in the description, disguised with words and numbers so bots can't pick it up. You'll still get the lowballers who'll call you, but they always ask what you'll take sight unseen and you can tell them to pee up a rope and they're done. At least you don't get the "Hey is it still for sale" phish emails.
Really if you think about it, CL car sellers don't have to put up with anything that retail car salesmen don't deal with on a daily basis, and they get to keep the whole nut, not just commission.

On a side note, do you have any of those "sell it yourself" lots around? I've had luck there too, if you're not worried about leaving the vehicle parked somewhere away from home.

[spdrun]

Originally Posted by elchivito

I don't allow email replies on CL ads. I put my phone number in the description, disguised with words and numbers so bots can't pick it up.

Just write it the old-school way. (212)PEnnsylvania 65000.

[oldsinner111]

Tennessee is a good market for cars,and Rovers