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85 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2008 at 9:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

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#36 of 85 on topic by stickguy Jun 04, 2004 (5:33 am)
wonder if AT will be at all useful for a free ad for my Miata.   Anyone have advice on the best place to list something like a Miata?? Maybe a board they can share (I never joined any other ones when I got the Miata). Just looking for something beyond the local paper, and short of Ebay.
#37 of 85 free, though? by ghulet Jun 05, 2004 (5:43 pm)
I think AutoTrader is a pretty good place to put an ad, a lot more people know about it now and most households (at least those in the market for a Miata) have computers and internet. The nice color picture tends to whet the appetite of potential buyers, too. Conversely, I think eBay is a decent place for collector cars, but I can't imagine why someone would buy something that's easily available locally (your average newer car) from a buyer halfway across the country, unless the price and/or condition of the car were absolutely phenomenal.   There 'technically' IS a way of listing a car on AutoTrader.com for free, but it's an absolutely-no-details kind of ad (smaller, at the end of all other ads for cars of similar description, price and phone number only, no picture, no mileage, no color, nothing). At best this will get you too many lookie-lous or a bunch of calls that will go nowhere because of the cars details (mileage, transmission, color) that aren't described in the ad, or worse, will get you no response at all. Serious ads get serious response; I'd spend a little money, weed out those for whom the car isn't right and attract the real potential customers.
#38 of 85 another thing about AutoTrader.com.... by ghulet Jun 18, 2004 (2:35 pm)
I've had numerous experiences with calling or e-mailing sellers of ads on AutoTrader, only to discover some of the vehicles had sold literally MONTHS before. Apprently if you purchase the 'til it sells' type of ad, unless the seller contacts autotrader, it will sit on the website indefinitely. Very irritating. Of course, if the seller is too lazy to contact them and thus avoid the phone calls, I guess we can't blame AutoTrader, now can we?
#39 of 85 Ghulet ....... by rroyce10 Jun 19, 2004 (4:22 am)
..... ** will sit on the website indefinitely. Very irritating. **              Good point, but most of it is ego .. I've had customers tell me that they sold their vehicle in 2hrs and got $2,000 over the retail *asking* price .. then come to find out it was in the ad for 6 weeks and they got handed $3,000 under the asking price - ego my friend, ego ....................                              Terry.
#40 of 85 true, but... by ghulet Jun 19, 2004 (1:36 pm)
...why would someone tell me (a potential buyer) that the car had sold several months before if they still had it for sale?   What I mean is, sellers forget to contact AutoTrader when their car sells, then it can sit on the website for months. It's a pain. I think they should put the date the ad first ran somewhere in the ad, and perhaps let the sellers log on to cancel the ad when it sells.
#41 of 85 by qwalls Jun 19, 2004 (5:49 pm)
I believe "run till it sells" ads drop off after 60 days unless you renew them.
#42 of 85 Re: Gb .... [rroyce10 #24] by mikefm58 Jul 01, 2004 (6:19 pm)
Replying to: rroyce10 (Mar 26, 2002 4:36 pm) Speaking from my own current experience trying to sell my '98 Mustang, the last ad you wrote would run about $100 in the local paper. They're prices are $45 for an itty bitty 3 line ad running 3 weeks and $10 for each additional line. So to run a super ad like you mentioned, would probably be upwards of $100. The ad I posted with them cost me $65 and I only got a couple calls. Don't think we even got to the negatives about my car (18" wheels and dual flow masters) that we've talked about in "Real World Trade In". . I tried running a super ad in autotrader but was limited to about 200 characters. After posting the basics and options, hardly enough room for things like "new brakes, maint. up to date, carfax report, must sell, etc. etc." And that cost me $55 for 12 weeks. The last time I checked, there were about six other 98 Mustangs similar to mine within 100 miles, mine is priced near the bottom of the price range, so far one call, and that was a no show. I think I'd go hungry if I were a car salesman....LOL. . My last resort will be ebay. I can post an absolutely super ad with a great description and lots of pics for less than $45. If I get a bid I'm looking for, there's another $40 charge.
#43 of 85 selling used car to Canadian by mybuy Nov 08, 2004 (4:41 am)
I wasn't sure where to put this question, so if there is a better forum for it, please let me know. I'm selling my 02 Astro AWD on Autotrader. My first serious buyer lives in the UK now and will be moving back to Montreal where he wants the van shipped. This is the first time I'm selling on the internet, so I have a lot of questions about how to get the money (certified check, I'm sure) and then hand over the title in a way that is trustworthy for both parties + now has the added complexity of shipping across the Canadian border. Any guidance or suggestions of where to look for other advice this would be appreciated.
#44 of 85 .... Careful ......................... by rroyce10 Nov 08, 2004 (5:09 am)
........ There is a lot of "I live in Nigeria, and I will pay you double" .. "I'm in the UK and I'm moving to the States and I will give you a check for $25,000 and you give me the rest back" .. and unfortunately Ebay just plugged with a $900,000 settlement because of internet fake bids ... I'm sure there will be many more posts on this subject .. me, I have to drink coffee and watch my favorite cartoons.                 You have to VERY careful these days ....                                  Terry. Replies to this message: mybuy (Nov 08, 2004 5:55 am) dhowson (Nov 29, 2004 4:37 pm) kirstie_h (Nov 29, 2004 4:41 pm) qwalls (Nov 29, 2004 4:44 pm)
#45 of 85 Re: .... Careful ......................... [rroyce10] by mybuy Nov 08, 2004 (5:55 am)
Replying to: rroyce10 (Nov 08, 2004 5:09 am) Thanks for the heads-up. That's why if this looks legit, I want to be extra careful with working out the details. He did send both his London and Montreal addresses with his inquiry, though I will try to double check if those are legitimate addresses too. As you point out, the internet has lots of possible pitfalls as well as opportunities. Thanks!

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