GRM Craiglist Seller's Guide

Is it just me or does every car on CL now get at least 30MPG?

Strizzo wrote:

ClemSparks wrote: A “Mechanic Owned” Chevy tracker with a blown engine…what could possibly go wrong with that purchase?!

you sure it doesn't "just need a head gasket?"

And a radiator, and a heater core, and a head, and a...

i almost forgot "runs great, just needs the motor put back in"

well if it runs great, why was the motor out of it!?

Im probably an isolated case, but after the antics of my mom and her Trans Am, Bonneville SSEi, and Grand Prix GXP, "lady driven" strikes fear into me.

I like the optimistic:

"needs headgasket, $32 at pepboys"

btw,

you people are not going to reform CL.

This is typical for this area.

Its a great car just has some problems -197000 miles -power stering goes out -no a/c -no stereo But its a great car. Im trying to get rid of it bc so i can get a new car so please if u want one just contact me and really would like to get rid of quick (843)-814-7939 all cash for 2000 and will have pics up in a couple days plus has a rebuilt transmisson and a new alternater has sunroof

I just ignore them. You can't fix stupid or lazy.

Needs TLC - I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in a car that needs Tender Lovin' Care. I have my hands full with my wife, thank you. Any car that demands I "take it slow" and use foreplay is out.

No Low Ballers - as if the position of my testicles relative to the ground has anything to do with it. You smug high-baller bastard.

My new favorite is people who include absolutely no contact information whatsoever. I'm sorry, but even if I were telepathic, I doubt I would waste my powers on your 91 Escort.

Here's the last paragraph of the ad I have up for my Mini. I guess I shouldn't be surprised I've only had ONE inquiry:

World weary GRMer said: If you don't know about these cars, please do your research before contacting me. They are not suitable for daily use. They will rust if you leave them outside overnight. You can get just about any part for them but finding someone to work on it for you may be difficult. This is a collector car, not a suitable transportation device for a novice. Serious inquiries only; I will not give joy rides to tire kickers. I will not take trades. You cannot make payments. If you can't string a couple of sentences together in an email I won't reply to you. I'm asking $6900 for it. I won't take less just because you ask in your first email. If you're serious, come see it and then tell me why it's not worth what I'm asking. Maybe, just maybe, I'll knock a little off. But I probably won't.

A quick check of the local postings reminded me of this reoccurring gem: "I just want to get my money back out of it." Translation: I'm stupid, I didn't do my homework and I bought a piece of crap. Now I'm hoping you'll do the same.

I hate listings that put $1 (or the down payment, the monthly payment, etc.) in the price for the title so when I search for vehicles priced for >$X to <$Y I get vehicles with the real price of $Z listed in the actual ad, which is 10x of $Y. I'm not looking for your $Z priced vehicle if it is 10x the price I am searching.

I am loving this thread. Oh, how true!

Currently there is this in my area listed at $1
I highlighted the gems.

craigslist said:

2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Edition, Station Wagon SAAB, Fully Loaded, Needs Tires, Oil Change and small oil leak, needs to be fixed. 2018 Mi. All Maintenance records, runs great!

I've seen all of the above, I try to remember that most people selling stuff on CL are mouthbreathers and act accordingly...

JohnRW1621 wrote: I am loving this thread. Oh, how true! Currently there is this in my area listed at $1 I highlighted the gems.

craigslist said: 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Edition, Station Wagon SAAB, Fully Loaded, Needs Tires, Oil Change and small oil leak, needs to be fixed. 2018 Mi. All Maintenance records, runs great!

So I called and was told it only leaks a little oil, so I park it in my gravel driveway.
Was also told that the leak is likely from the head gasket but he thinks a bottle of "stuff" added could clear that up.
Has 218,000 miles. Wants better than scrap for it and knows a guy that will give him $800 for it and part it out. Asking $1,000

An ad I've been running for my Mercedes 560 recently. Haven't gotten many hits, but I am trying to describe the car so that I don't have to answer every stupid question 100 times. What do you think?

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3197820175.html

volvoclearinghouse wrote: An ad I've been running for my Mercedes 560 recently. Haven't gotten many hits, but I am trying to describe the car so that I don't have to answer every stupid question 100 times. What do you think? http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3197820175.html

You spelled "brakes" right and included adequate contact information, so I'm good.

ClemSparks wrote: “Serious Inquiries/Offers Only.” See “no scammers” above. I want to add a line to my ads that says something along the lines of “While I generally tolerate only the most serious of responses…depending on my mood, I may also entertain ludicrous, whimsical, or potentially irresponsible inquiries.”

Some time, when I have a few free hours and some money to waste, I will dress up as a clown, complete with makeup and squeeze horn, and make an appointment to see one of these vehicles.

Step out of my car. Look carefully at for-sale car. Honk horn several times. Perhaps craft a balloon animal.

Then get back in my car and drive off.

Seriously.

I have a buddy that when he is selling something puts this disclaimer in the ad: "Stupid questions will be cheerfully ignored." Normally, that cuts the questions down by half and the rest tend to be really interested buyers.

I am happy to say that the two cars I sold this summer on CL have been trouble free.
The first (sisters Saturn SL1) sold in 4 days to the second person to call and the first to look at it for 6% off my asking price.
The other, M-I-L's Minivan sold in 8 days to the second person to look at it and 4th to ask questions.
for 5% off my asking price.
I was not low-balled, hassled or scammed. The Saturn did have one "no-show" shopper.
Little hassle; the minivan caught the attention of a telemarketer who wanted to sell me services of listing the car for $499.00 on his website! I got about 3 robo-calls from them.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: An ad I've been running for my Mercedes 560 recently. Haven't gotten many hits, but I am trying to describe the car so that I don't have to answer every stupid question 100 times. What do you think? http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3197820175.html

The ad is good, but I'd include more pictures. You did a great job disclosing things, but by including more pictures potential buyer's can see that the car is in excellent shape and you're being extremely thorough in your disclosure.

I always try to understand the target audience before selling a car. Are you going for the Mercedes enthusiast, or just someone who wants a fun, good-looking convertible for the summer? If the second, you probably included too much info in the original ad, and probably scared them away. You can keep the ad simple, and then if you get a reply from a Mercedes enthusiast, you can give them the details. I personally appreciate the details you included, but other potential buyers may not. I'm not suggesting that you misrepresent the car, but it's kind of like a first date. You want to be yourself, but you don't want to lead in with all of your problems/baggage...

I echo what is written above about too much info and not enough pictures.
Pictures are free and like the saying goes, "one picture is worth a thousand words."
Do less about telling me the car is in good shape and more about showing it.
CL gives you 8 pictures so be sure to use them all. For my cars, I also list a link to even more photos.
Saturn: http://rides.webshots.com/album/582855909WcbKwN
Minivan: http://rides.webshots.com/album/583259484GLkVjK

As mentioned above, you may need to sell the lifestyle a little to a potential buyer.
A nice picture taken in front of a lake or a golf course may be helpful in your case. If you look at some of the luxury car sellers on ebay, they are often photographed in front of a nice house. I often figure that they drive to a cul de sac of a nice neighborhood and shoot photos (they do not live there.)

As for the text, body; I like the facts first and then the story.

The facts would look like (example)
2001 Mercedes Benz 560 SL
5.6L V8 engine, automatic trans
114k miles
Strong AC
Good tires at 75-90% tread
Next point
etc
etc

It is then after a quick presentation of the facts I might get into the rest of the story. It is a delicate balance of too much and not enough. Personally, i like to still leave just a few things for them to ask questions. I think it is necessary to engage the buyer into some conversation and when you do, answer their questions without being too deep or too negative. Echo of the first date advice given above.
If I could change CL, I would make a standard format for auto listings that required some basic things first like name, engine, trans, mileage, etc. so that is how I try to give the info.

dj06482 wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote: An ad I've been running for my Mercedes 560 recently. Haven't gotten many hits, but I am trying to describe the car so that I don't have to answer every stupid question 100 times. What do you think? http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3197820175.html

The ad is good, but I'd include more pictures. You did a great job disclosing things, but by including more pictures potential buyer's can see that the car is in excellent shape and you're being extremely thorough in your disclosure. I always try to understand the target audience before selling a car. Are you going for the Mercedes enthusiast, or just someone who wants a fun, good-looking convertible for the summer? If the second, you probably included too much info in the original ad, and probably scared them away. You can keep the ad simple, and then if you get a reply from a Mercedes enthusiast, you can give them the details. I personally appreciate the details you included, but other potential buyers may not. I'm not suggesting that you misrepresent the car, but it's kind of like a first date. You want to be yourself, but you don't want to lead in with all of your problems/baggage...

Agreed, it IS a good ad, just way too much stuff of little importance to the average CL lookieloo.

You could have paired that down to something like this:

560L, runs good. Brakes are good but does have an ABS light on. Everything works except the odometer and clock, which quit at 94k miles. Car has been repainted and doesn't exactly match the original hardtop I am including in the sale. Convertible top has have some tear repairs, does not leak, and works as it should. This is an excellent hop in and cruise to the beach kind of car. price. phone, if wanted known, for questions or looking.

I think I have summed up almost all your selling points in way less verbage.

Pricing:

Sellers compares asking price to the selling rate on Craigslist, only fails to notice that the other items for sale were in measurably better condition, lower miles, newer model year, etc. These vehicles are usually way over Blue Book.

Seller compares asking price to KBB, completely ignoring market prices. Oh what, you haven't had an offer despite the vehicle being listed for months? And you won't take anything less than Blue Book? Your angry at me for offering less? Is this a car your selling, or gold? I'm pretty sure cars usually aren't investments.

When I wrecked my ZX2, I got blue book value for it. I'm glad for this, as I made money on the deal. I had $1600 into the car, and I got $3300 from the insurance.

Had I bought the car at Blue Book value, the money spent on clutch, suspension, wheels, and front end repairs would have been wasted after the accident.

So yes, Blue Book value does matter when someone asks more than it.

Another peeve and related to pictures...
If you are going to tell me the car has a flaw then add a picture of the flaw to the ad in the additional photos.
Example: If you tell me the car has a slight dent/scratch on the passenger side then give me a close up of it so that I too can judge the "slight-ness" of it.

In your case, a picture of the hardtop in place would be nice.
Also, a picture of the dashboard trim should eliminate the wordy statements that it is all good and intact. Same for the statements of the interior generally being in good shape. Show me, don't tell me.

I never use statements like "or best offer." The guy who is going to throw you a low offer is doing so weather you invite him to or not and why invite a shopper to a lower offer if you do not have to. Of course, this advise coincides with the concept of be realistic in your asking price.

In reply to PHeller:

Same thing in the muscle car market, except replace KBB with Barnett-Jackson.

There is a nice lil 66 Mustang coupe floating around the local CL for 6k. Too bad it is maybe a 4k car TOPS needing a bunch of piddly interior and a little bit of exterior work which amounts to about 2k and then to top it off, it is just the same crappy 200 6 cyl automatic car that you can get for 2500 any day of the week.

Edit- it is an original looking V8 car with fender badges and 5 lug wheels/brakes, but in no way is it worth 6k. http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/3236365558.html