Seeking - Bring a Trailer (BAT) Advice

[Laneco]

So the time has come for us to move one of our cars down to its next owner. The car is our replica 550A6 spyder. As most of these are 4 cylinder VW, with an occasional subaru and ours is a 911 engine - the market is maybe a little unique. We both feel that BAT is the place to sell it.

For those who have sold, bought, or browsed with great enthusiasm that website - can you offer advice/suggestions that would help our process? We are going to use the professional photographer and I think a couple of short videos with good audio quality would be helpful. Maybe run it through a tunnel and give it the beans - LOL!

angela

[fintstone]

I have not sold on BAT...but I must say that your Spyder is one of my favorite cars in the world. It should sell itself. Good luck with the sale.

[mattdavis11]

I would mention in the ad that they do not need to bring a trailer.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I have not sold on BAT...but I must say that your Spyder is one of my favorite cars in the world. It should sell itself. Good luck with the sale.

Absolutely.

There are some experts at this here but I had to do a quick search:

https://bringatrailer.com/porsche/550-spyder-replica/

Best of luck, Angela!

[Zeke]

Or just sell it to a Pelican. That should do for a start anyway, with no fees. Other p-car sites as well.

[Joe Bob]

What will you be asking? Post some pics!

[Baz]

Angela, It may be worth the time to contact BAT and ask them also for their input on presentation formats they recommend.

Although what you mention seems to be exactly what they usually have on their auction listings.

GLWS!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Or just sell it to a Pelican. That should do for a start anyway, with no fees. Other p-car sites as well.

This is not bad, particularly if you don't need to move it in a hurry. Call Jerry Seinfeld, he is rich, and that car would be right up his alley.

I hope this is not precipitated by any adverse event

[rrental]

Sold a '86 930 on BAT and got some good replies and bidders. What we did is made a gallery of many high quality pictures. Besides that we made a few video's running and starting the car. We also made a few video's of the car driving by.

Be honest. If there is a defect or imperfection describe it and include pictures of it.

BAT will help you with the writeup and they do a pretty good job.

Good luck selling.

[LWJ]

Angela,
I have sold two Porsches at a satisfactory price. Let me tell you what I did:

1. I wrote a detailed advertisement
2. I had lots of good- not professional pictures
3. I priced at top of market

I sold one one (930) on Pelican. I had 12 responses in 12 hours and shut down the ad.
I sold the other 911SC on Craigslist in a day or so.

I was going to do the BAT route but I am a tightwad. Start easy, local and cheap. You really don't have anything to lose. Your car is exceptional. More coverage is good to find the right person.

(Also, I just made a call to someone I know who has the interest and checkbook. They weren't the person for this but Pelican has an amazing network and can probably sell your car to the right person.)

[Scott Douglas]

First off, I'd recommend you say you're moving your car on to the next owner, not down to them.

The people that browse BAT seem to like the auctions by the seller 911r a lot. They also like the photography used in their ads. Personally, I find it too artsie and don't feel it documents the condition of the car as well as it could. Remember, the photo's are what most people will use to judge the condition of the car. I don't think many people actually see a car in person before bidding.
I would refrain from making statements that are judgemental of the condition. Let the pictures do the talking. You can't have too many pictures either IMO.
As for BAT helping with the write up, well, let's just say I've seen some that could have used some editing.
Good luck.

-I have not sold on BaT, but I did photo a 'Vette some time ago for an auction.

[t6dpilot]

I have sold two vehicles and an MFI system on BaT. I found the process to be pretty painless, but the vehicles I sold were special other than their uniqueness. I plan to list a 914-6 GT this spring like the one 911r sold. Now that should be interesting...

Take lots of good photos in early morning or late evening light. For "money" shots, I like to position myself a moderate distance from the vehicle and zoom in a little bit. Find a pleasant backdrop that does not distract from the view of the vehicle and make sure the lighting is really good. That will mean you move the car around a lot. Get good detail shots too along with the undercarriage. Finally, take an in car video preferably with a mounted GoPro, a walk around, and drive by. Write a good description and you are good to go.

Good luck!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Some things I've noticed about successful auctions Angela:

Pictures. Can't have too many of them as long as they are great and tell the car's story in detail. I've heard BaT photographers suck. Your hring a professional photographer is very smart.

Seller participation. You must be part of the auction transcript answering questions, providing insights and details about the car, on a regular basis. Definitely be there the last day.

Videos: make them visceral. Boring driving around videos are boring.

Your car is pretty special, and you are a super cool character. The combination of the two in an interactive auction should make for a great combination getting you the highest price possible.

Hope this helps.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have nothing to add other than you have a very unique car and it's in great shape . I would buy it if I had the $$$ as I have always loved the 550's . Good luck with the sale .

[p911dad]

I bought one and sold one, had a good experience both times. The only thing I would add to the other comments is the seller needs to be responsive and timely to questions from the potential bidders. Good communication is important. Good luck!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would totally echo what the others said, photos and video sell the car. Your investment in a pro is wise and may pay off quite literally. Considering how unique your car is I think BaT is a good fit, there’s a very good chance it could bring more than expected. One other note, don’t let the BaT folks push you into an artificially low reserve. Remember that they really only get paid when a car sells, so that is their primary motivation.

[Embraer]

I sold my Ferrari on there. I made money on the car, but i got hosed from the comment section when a previous owner decided to let everyone know how much he trashed the car....some of it blatantly false, but he wanted to appear cool to the BAT crowd. Additionally, I dealt with the "it's a an F355...I know how they're time bombs, expensive, valve guides, yada yada yada" comments by "experts" who knew nothing, but recited what they had read on the internet.I spent thousands of dollars correcting the stuff the PO did during his ownership, but the auction damage was done. I messaged him letting him know that his comments were unnecessary. He apologized, then proceeded to shill bid the car up. All in all I made money, but man, it was an aggravating experience.

[Kraftwerk]

I have 1,193 "Thumbs -Up " comments on BAT sometimes I wonder why I even comment.. I guess it's a bit like being at a bar and someone brings up a car -topic.. I have only bid on a few cars, never won anything or sold anything, so no real advice here - but I might comment favorably if I see it on auction. Check their history of sales with the Spyder replica, see if that gets you in the ball park of what you need for it. READ all the comments of sold cars. Emphasize the Porsche engine, that is a bonus for sure, and be sure to note any other authentic Porsche parts that might be on the car. What percentage does BAT take? Maybe your buyer is on Pelican or Renn List. Will be watching for it. I have only seen one in my life and it was a real one, later it sold to a Canadian guy for a cool mil.

[911boost]

No experience with BAT but I love your car, damn my 3 car garage house that already has 3 cars and 4 motorcycles in it.....

[Jim deCordova]

Angela I have sold 3 cars on BaT, a 74 Carrera, 65 Corvette and a 98 Corvette. I think the folks above have already covered the main points. My comment would be to have a thick skin when the "no money no bid" jerks come out with their know it all comments, and stupid " I think I am so smart" comments
Along with quick responses to legitimate questions, I recommend you pay attention to some of the comments made by the folks after the sale as to what they thought helped, or could have been done better.
Good Luck with your sale.