Selling A Porsche (Or Other Make) On EBay Automotive
As a long time buyer, and a fanatical watcher of auctions I've come to glean a few tips that, I hope, will be useful for those contemplating or currently selling cars in eBay Motors. I'd like to cover listings, display and description, successes and failures, caveats, dangers and scams, and finally, alternatives. And while it is mostly geared to 911's and other Porsche's, the basic points apply to all cars. Personally, I don't care what software you use to list on eBay. Whether you use eBay's own tools, or a third party offering such as GarageSale (on the Mac). And that's the point. You want to expose your car in the most appealing, open way. We're not talking about attic junk, inexpensive merchandise, or the like. We're talking about a relatively expensive item. And in a medium that is fraught with dangers, both on the selling and buying ends. You need to keep in mind that the buyer needs the assurance that they are dealing with an honest seller, who will make every effort to present their offering in a way that is clear and open.
If anything I say is meaningful, this is probably it. But let me put it even more bluntly. Clarity means money. I've seen dozens of cars go for way under the money because the seller didn't have a clue. Poor title, bad pictures, descriptions that are either lacking or deceptive. These are all pocketbook killers. And time wasters. Your time, especially. Of course, the basics are Year and Model. But you need to add some sizzle to drum up interest. 2002 Carrera 996 is ok, but perhaps adding words relating to options, warranty, location (especially in a road salt free area), etc. provide a more concise opening to your listing. On the other hand, one listing I thought was terrible had the title "Clean Title, No liens". I would hope so already. Don't state the obvious. And if the title wasn't clean, and/or there were liens better to mention that in the body of the listing. Buyers will find out eventually. VIN, mileage, color, options, etc. Most things are automatic but make sure you list options.
If you don't have the 'option' to check off, include it in the body copy. You want to sell the car, don't you? You're selling two things. The car and yourself. You're asking a person to spend thousands of dollars. If you aren't a dealer with a nationwide reputation, you need to reassure the buyer that you are a caring owner who has treated your Porsche like your baby. In the UK, service history and where the car was maintained is of supreme importance. To me, it is too. If you kept records, and hopefully you have, state it. If some specialist did the servicing, state it. Offer a chance for interested buyers to get a Pre-Purchase inspection. Platz (dot) com has a list of good service centers for this. I always recommend an inspection. It's a good investment. It also shows that you have faith in your car. Remember, the more you put into the selling of your car, the more you'll get in the end. Of course, not everyone has the time.
But try. Also try to be available for personal visits. Another good thing to mention is any Porsche affiliation. PCA members, this is a big plus. Don't be shy. Hey, and if the car won any awards at shows, don't be modest. Of course, try to be honest about the car. Is it a salvage title? Well, you should mention that. If they order a CarFax they are going to find out anyway. Same for bad accidents. A small dent, well. Body work that was cosmetic and repaired. I leave that up to you. Conversely, talk about condition, especially if it is a plus point. Lack of road chips, scratches, original paintwork, etc. Pluses. But don't lie. You're going to back it up with photos! Also, if you use one of those checklists which have all the points and a grading range, excellent to poor, don't check off excellent if that area leaves much to be desired.
One dealer has been listing the same car for months now. His pictures are good. But they also reveal leather seats with pronounced cracking. It's obvious. But he has 'Excellent' checked off under condition for the seats. Hey, if he's stretching the truth on that, what else is he hiding. Now I emailed him with links to leather products that could fix them up. But rather than spend twenty or so bucks fixing them, he keeps on listing the car. Oh yeah, his engine bay is dirty. And this is a dealer! 27,000. No takers. Is this an IQ test? I'm a firm believer in the value of good photography in selling cars. And I've seen hundreds of cars not selling because the pictures were few, overexposed, too small, etc. I don't know if the seller is uncaring, hiding something, or just lazy. Do I want to spend tens of thousands on a car that I can't see in person or at least photos.