Market place really is the wild wild west .

[fastfredracing]

I sold all my inventory , I like to always have 2 or 3 cars for flips .
I've been trying to purchase a car for 2 weeks now. Just because it is listed for sale, does not mean you can land it .
I have cash money in my pocket and a tow truck on standby . I message people and let them know Ill be there when I say, I am not here to low-ball them and will pay them and be out of their hair as quick as possible .
I bet I land less than 15% of the vehicles I inquire about .
Having sold a bunch of cars, I understand their plight. Within minutes of listing ,your inbox fills with tons of ridiculous messages from lowballers and requests for more pictures , and silly questions usually already answered in the listing itself .
Its frustrating , but I am used to it . You just gotta keep shaking the tree till some fruit falls off .
That being said, I have recently hit some home runs that I am surprised I was able to land . I think you just have to be on it constantly and be one of the first responses to the ad then , get your hind quarters there asap with a pocket full of money and no excuses .
I was supposed to grab a V70 r wagon in Toledo tomorrow . Id be there right now , loading it , except Ohio titles need to be notarized, and notary publics are not usually open on Sundays . The car was listed yesterday around 4 pm, so I couldn't get there before notaries closed for the day .
The guy has been super responsive , and just messaged me back that someone is grabbing it in the morning . I was just outside loading up the truck getting ready to roll when I saw his message .
Another V 70r about 2 hours away . She messaged me back that it will not currently pass PA inspection, and her price is firm. I said fine, Ill be there when you tell me, pay asking price , and no drama . Crickets.... 6 days later, I see its still listed for sale .
Do you guys have any good strategies for getting better responses from People ?
I also scour Co Part and IAA and honestly feel that ship has sailed . By the time you purchase the car, pay the fees and make repairs, you end up at almost retail price , usually with a salvage title, so I just keep on pounding the market place pavement

[onewhippedpuppy]

Post Covid I find it very hard to find good deals on cars. I feel like there are far fewer private party cars for sale in general and everybody either trades in or asks above retail because they are delusional. As much as Craigslist was a PITA, Facebook Marketplace is horrendous. There’s no effective search or filters and the majority of sales are either scams or sold months ago. I’ve never succeeded with buying or selling on there. I honestly don’t have any positive suggestions, only sharing in your frustration.

[Baz]

I'm not a high volume guy like you Fred.

But feel I have been very successful with my motorcycle purchases.

In fact, just secured another today over the phone and will pick it up tomorrow. An hour drive away.

I start by sending a message, (here's the actual one I sent today).....

Good afternoon (their name), I live in NSB and am interested in your RC24. I already own several RC26's, so am familiar with these 2nd Gen. VFR's. Would appreciate the opportunity to discuss further by phone, if possible. I am not a scammer and promise not to waste your time. I just have a few questions. (my phone number) anytime today (Sunday) would be great! Thanks, Bazza

About an hour later I get a reply: "Yeah I can call you - OK to do it now?"

I say "Sure now is perfect - thanks!"

He calls...we have a nice 10 minute conversation ending with an agreement for a set price - in this case a little less than the listing price, but a little more than his "rock bottom" price.

Most of the time I make the deal while on the phone. I always offer to send some money for a deposit - and they never say sure. They usually just say "I want you to see it first." But I come with trailer and cash in hand and like you said - zero drama - I drive off and it's a win-win.

I did have a guy in Georgia I couldn't get a deal done with because he was reluctant to provide more than the ONE photo on his classified. But the joke is on him because the bike ended up back on MP a month later for much less $ and more photos PLUS a video - and I made a deal with that guy. And that was a great deal - even with several hoops.

I have some pretty good stories, as I'm sure you do. I hope you get that Volvo wagon, Fred...they are GREAT cars!!!

[ryans65]

I've had very little luck with marketplace, I surf it regularly but I am not a member of facebook so when something comes up I have to have my girlfriend phone it in. People are generally ok but there's quite a few creeps that don't want to just give their phone number so I can ask them questions. I don't ever fire off lowball offers or really any offer over the phone I always deal in person but it's been difficult to say the least. I like to keep at least one flipper car rotating for extra project money but like someone already said it's been weird since covid. I've shown up to look at more overpriced junk that is priced so far out of fair market value that sometimes I think that the sellers just want people to show up and shoot the breeze. Almost all my best deals have been word of mouth or a freind of a freind so I always keep that in mind too.

[Arizona_928]

I sold a Honda civic for 750 dollars and had over 100 responses in a few hours….

How did i vet them? I didn’t respond to anyone that responded in Spanish. That took out about 90% of the replies. At the end of the day, i sold it to a guy who said he was looking for the Bruce Jenner and would rather buy the whole car… No headaches on my end from someone upset over something minor a day or so later… I would go that route of buying for parts. State you own your own truck and can pick up same day… it’s purely psychology at that point.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Secondary but related comment, I find that private party sales have greatly reduced as well. I always prefer to buy direct from an individual so I can talk to them about maintenance, upkeep, etc. But man the options are scarce out there.

[Arizona_928]

People are lazy now in days. They can use an app to order food, a ride share, purchase a car, hook ups or find a significant other, and even purchase drugs….


As for the second hand market, it seems that people can’t function without a car dealership.

[Alan A]

Because selling a car (or buying one) is a PITA.
Between shifty sellers and flaky buyers it's a crap shoot.
Everyone lies.

At least you know what the dealer is - usually untrustworthy and in it for themselves - but there's a (short) warranty buying from a business.

[Arizona_928]

I looked at 21’ cx5 at a mazda dealer. No warranty, sold as is.

It’s all an illusion. Or people are in debt to their eyeballs and can’t afford a car outright.

[911 Rod]

The few things that I have sold the scammer always says "I will pay your asking price".
Maybe change it to "Let's discuss your asking price"?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Baz

But feel I have been very successful with my motorcycle purchases.

In fact, just secured another today over the phone and will pick it up tomorrow. An hour drive away.

Seriously, Baz, you really need to arrange all your Interceptors and take a picture! It would become iconic, like those pictures of all the Porsches on the front straight at Rennsport.

[faverymi]

I know several people that have contacted Carvana or companies like that.

The car gets picked quick and they pay you quick.

And you don't deal with anybody no questions asked.

Car is gone for good.

Something said about dealing with the least amount of humans.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

I looked at 21’ cx5 at a mazda dealer. No warranty, sold as is.

It’s all an illusion. Or people are in debt to their eyeballs and can’t afford a car outright.

This is my theory. Nobody pays cash so there’s not as much demand for private party sales. Most sellers owe money so it’s a PITA to sell private party with a lien.

Last year I sold my Gladiator Mojave, it was immaculate and I was the original owner. Listed it private party for about a month and ended up all the way down at trade in value - didn’t get a single call. Ended up trading it into a dealership who of course marked it up and sold it.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Seriously, Baz, you really need to arrange all your Interceptors and take a picture! It would become iconic, like those pictures of all the Porsches on the front straight at Rennsport.

Ha - thanks, Herr Oberst. I would love to do it one day. Too time consuming at the moment.

The transaction went smooth as silk today.

I got to see his other motorcycle - a BMW airhead cafe racer that was really cool. Army vet and his buddy also there as well. In and out in about an hour...most of the time spent yakking about motorcycles.

BTW...he said before we talked he had some others asking about the bike. But he looked at their profiles and didn't want the bike to go to a dismantler/flipper. Said he's stoked it's going to a home where it will be cared for and loved.

Sometimes things happen --- for a reason......

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nobody pays cash so there’s not as much demand for private party sales. Most sellers owe money so it’s a PITA to sell private party with a lien.

This right here. I'll admit, I'm often looking at cars on the lower end of the price range, but the number that come up on FBM with "Title missing" or "No Title" or "parts only" is pretty remarkable.

About two months ago we were visiting the granddaughter, and there was something on FBM in a town on the way home. We emailed the guy earlier in the week, explained the situation, let him know we would be nearby on Sunday afternoon. No problem, he said. But, he didn't want to give us his address or phone number. Emailed him Sunday morning, letting him know a better schedule. No response. Emailed him as we were leaving town, no response. Emailed him when we were about a hour away, no response. Emailed him when got into his town, again no response. We kept driving, got home about 6:00pm. He finally emailed us back around 7:30 - Are you still interested? Nope.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

The few things that I have sold the scammer always says "I will pay your asking price".
Maybe change it to "Let's discuss your asking price"?

Yeah. I never discuss money up front. I use some other opener relating back to the specific car or the person selling it.

It’s the same principle as tinder. You don’t just message a girl stating “you’re so hot”… yawn. They probably get that 500 times a day. Be different, “ You must have a p-value of at least 0.05, because I fail to reject you.” Or my favorite from Jay and silent Bob. *nsfw* https://youtu.be/5wAsAg7LwhA?si=y-uYTEGmyLzGdAPS

[Baz]

Already mentioned this but worth repeating.

The first message I send......I give the seller MY phone number and politely request a phone call so we can discuss further. Make sure to include BEST TIME for them to call you!

Also - and very important....you have to somehow personalize your message. Start off addressing the person by name. At the end of the message sign off using your name - first and last. In between you have to include why you are interested in the item.

After that - the ball will be in the seller's court and you've done your part. Period.

And like I said. If it's meant to be it will be.....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

This right here. I'll admit, I'm often looking at cars on the lower end of the price range, but the number that come up on FBM with "Title missing" or "No Title" or "parts only" is pretty remarkable.

About two months ago we were visiting the granddaughter, and there was something on FBM in a town on the way home. We emailed the guy earlier in the week, explained the situation, let him know we would be nearby on Sunday afternoon. No problem, he said. But, he didn't want to give us his address or phone number. Emailed him Sunday morning, letting him know a better schedule. No response. Emailed him as we were leaving town, no response. Emailed him when we were about a hour away, no response. Emailed him when got into his town, again no response. We kept driving, got home about 6:00pm. He finally emailed us back around 7:30 - Are you still interested? Nope.

Being locked into their messaging app is a huge downfall. I only have a Facebook account for marketplace and I refuse to have their apps on my phone. Making it worse, their messaging app auto populates the scammy messages like “is this still available” for all things. So you have a program that helps people who suck at communicating to suck at communicating even more when selling an expensive item. Brilliant!

[Eric Hahl]

How's this for low balling. I placed an ad for an item with a listing price of $22k.

One of the replies was...

$1300?

I blocked and reported them. You can actually report them for lowballing now.

[jrj3rd]

The problem with selling cars through Marketplace and similar is for every Fred there are 100 Richards....