No one likes my car

BigT · 11 May 2006 at 12:57

I was wondering if I might get some advice from you all on why there is no interest in my car I have for sale. I'm not really looking for comments on the actual car itself, more about ideas why I have not had one single phone call showing interest. I feel I must be missing something obvious but I can't for the life of me work out what.

This is the motor: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WW...category=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200618234211411

The way I see it, it is not stellar mileage, it is below Parkers guide for a private sale in poor condition (even though I know it is in excellent condition, but a buyer wouldn't know that), has a decent spec. and is priced lower than many comparable cars.

I wouldn't mind if people were coming to see the car and didn't like it, but I have not had one phone call in weeks of advertising. Is the description poor? Do the photos need to do the car better justice (someone on these forums once said it looks like I live on a council estate!) or does no one use just the interweb to buy cars and so I should stick it in the paper edition as well? Or perhaps people just don't buy BMWs from private sellers or fake wood and an auto box is offputting? I'm at a loss

I also have it up on pistonheads and have ebayed it a few times with similar dis-interest, leading me to think I am doing something wrong. Any advice, or other places that would be a good place to sell it, would be gratefully appreciated. Part-ex'ing it is not an option as I already have the replacement.

BigT · 11 May 2006 at 13:03

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628459060&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEUS:IT&rd=1

I was trying with the completely honest approach, but perhaps that was wrong. Price was £500 higher then that I want now. I am thinking of listing it this weekend for free on their promotion. Perhaps go with the 99p start and £9995 reserve?

I was dismayed at the time to see 330Ci's going down that approach only getting to £7500 and hence unsold.

BigT · 11 May 2006 at 13:04

NathanE said:
I'd get it put into some papers. Cars like that will sell but not to the younger generation who are the ones that tend to shop for cars online...

Would nationals or locals get better results? Sunday times motoring section has a load of cars like mine but there are virtually zero in my local rag.

BigT · 11 May 2006 at 13:11

lozza23_uk said:
everyone likes to get a "Bargin"

grabbing a 10.5k bmw for 9.9k would be pubworthy chat for about 5 years to some people

Fair point but I had it up a month ago for £10.5K ono and still no phone calls. I've actually removed "no offers" form the ad now and try and be confident that it will sell itself once someone sees and drives it.

Lashout, thanks for the eBay advice.

BigT · 11 May 2006 at 14:59

Bes said:
Fantastic motor you have there, if I thought I could get a decent amount for my Cupra I wouldn't mind buying that at all

That's very nice of you and the others to say. I guess everybody is gutted when they sell on a car and think it is worth more than it really is. I know how much it has cost me to get it valeted, serviced etc. and the fact I haven't cut corners anywhere in the years I've had it, but to not get one phone call is just so frustrating, not to mention the damage it is doing to my bank balance :eek:

I think the next time the ad is up for renewal I'll follow Von Luck's advice and photoshop out the "private" plate in the pictures. Rather than adding any value it might be detracting from it I guess.