As some will know, I'm currently selling a car. I've been surprised at how little interest there has been so far (although this is the first weekend it's been up for sale), especially as we thought that we were pricing to sell.
I got a Glass's guide price for the car, indicating £2,330 as a private sale price. Even at £1,995 I've only had a couple of calls, and there they were looking for serious discounts.
Is this sort of disconnect between guide price and reality normal? I'm a bit sore about having paid for a guide price that seems to be so far out, although it will make for a good lever to avoid dropping lower if I get someone interested.
Also, any tips? It's in Autotrader (print and online), has a fresh service and 12 months MOT. What else should I be doing?
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Also, any tips? It's in Autotrader (print and online), >>
Are you sure it is online? I have just searched private sales nationally for a 53 reg Ka with 57k miles at £1995 and can only find this red one (at the price:
" 2002 FORD KA 1.3i 3dr Hatchback 3 Door Hatchback, Red, Petrol, Manual, Drivers airbag, Folding rear seats, Front head restraints, Immobiliser, PAS, Radio/Cassette, Adjustable Seats, MOT February 2010, Tax February 2010, FSH, "
(comes up in the search because their telephone number ends with digits 53 !)
I see there are dealers selling 53 reg Ka's with <50k miles for <£2k.
Edited by jbif on 09/10/2009 at 18:53
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Yep, it's online. Link is here:
tinyurl.com/yfnjzw4 (links to the Autotrader ad)
Bit worrying it didn't come up on a search when you were specifically looking for it though..
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Having now seen the ad at tinyurl.com/yfnjzw4 , I changed my search criteria to say 2003 rather than 53, as I noticed that you had not referred to 53 [*] in your copy.
That change now brings up the ad on my search.
[*] I had used 53 before as a search term based on information from your previous thread where you had said it was a 53 reg, which could mean a 2003 or 2004 year car. You will note that traders usually specify their heading in the fashion "2003 53 Reg Ford Ka".
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I found it without any problems (well, apart from the site has changed since I last looked!).
There are similar sounding cars for hundreds less - but the same the other way too.
Must say I've always wondered about AutoTrader - there are soooo many cars on there how on earth do you pick one out?
Last time I sold privately we put the car in the local rural free sheet. I don't think anyone rang until Sunday afternoon and then they came and bought it. What did amaze me is that we continued to get calls for weeks afterwards.
ETA - I just searched for private sales up to 7 yrs old up to 60K miles up to £2K. Think there were 27 hits.
Edited by Bill Payer on 09/10/2009 at 19:16
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Must say I've always wondered about AutoTrader - there are soooo many cars on there how on earth do you pick one out?
I've bought on Autotrader but never sold - you get a lot of people giving you hassle.
I've always had success selling relatively cheap cars by cleaning the car, sticking a large clear sign in the window and parking it up locally where lots of people will see it. Maybe in a shopping centre (free) car park or a Saturday, outside your local supermarket over the weekend. Town square etc. The Ka would be attractive to parents wanting a first car for 17/18 year olds.
Inevitably people will want to chip the price, however realistic or "priced to sell" you offer it at. If you put it up at £10 someone would offer you £5!
J
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What's the situation with advertising a car on the road?
I remember reading somewhere that it was some sort of offence to leave a car with adverts in a car park and you could be fined.. I can't remember any details though.
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...Is this sort of disconnect between guide price and reality normal?...
The book won't buy the car and the most important word has always been 'guide'.
Being able to interpret the guide price is the key, and one of the hardest things to do.
Traders who can do that make money in good times and bad.
Your car might be 'five behind' - £500 less than the book price.
In troubled times, a car the trade regards as a 'dog' might be 'half book' - literally 50 per cent of the guide price. I won't mention an example because it will only upset Alfa owners.
Rarely, a car might fetch more than book or 'overs'. The new MINI was an example when it first came out.
So at the time a trader might have bid 'a grand over' for a late used MINI.
Your car has a value, it's just you haven't found it yet.
Edited by ifithelps on 09/10/2009 at 19:22
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My mum and sister have both recently sold Fiestas in that price band. A neighbour has sold cars for years and he didn't recommend Autotrader as as others have said there are just too many to consider.
Sister's sold via an A4 sheet in the window.
Mum put an ad in freeads and had a lot of interest, but before anyone turned up to view a family friend had put one of their neighbour's sons onto it and he bought it.
Edited by daveyjp on 09/10/2009 at 21:27
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Auction prices still look high to me (dawoo/chevy Matiz 56 reg 10,000miles £3900 + fees. last tuesday). Nice and simple .
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I've always sold my cars thro' the local paper but the peculiar thing,as someone above noted,the calls START long after the paper comes out.
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I bought my daughter a 52 plate Ford KA collection approx. 18 months ago with 34000 miles, new MOT and FSH and we paid £2200 from a dealer.
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Quick update. It's all gone rather well. Sold for the £1,995 asking price to a nice family as a first car for 18 year old daughter. Bit of a result, should hopefully be a good car for her.
Cheers for the advice all.
Gord
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