How does Bring a Trailer work?

[KevinTodd]

BaT works well on both ends, even since the Hearst acquisition. A lot of great tips above for sure...my biggest takeaways:

1. Do a "premium" listing and BaT will send a professional photographer to document your vehicle inside and outside, and underneath. The pics definitely assist in making the sale.
2. Include a cold-start video, a walk-around video, and a driving video of the sale vehicle.
3. Be 100% honest in the vehicle's description, calling out unseen issues, etc. It goes a long way w/bidders as they are effectively buying without seeing the vehicle in person.
4. Include all pertinent service records and a carfax of the vehicle.
5. Be active in the auction once it goes live. Answer valid questions, point out facts, and above all do not engage trolls in the comments--this is where a lot of auctions go off the rails.

Good luck!

[speeder]

All you need are accurate digital photos in decent light, (no direct sunlight or glare and absolutely no flash photography of interior), taken with an iPhone is more than good enough. It’s important to show every part of the car and especially the flaws. If a car is being represented as a flawless, Pebble Beach concours car, every inch of it must be photo documented to show this. Otherwise, just clear photos showing all wear and damage.

It’s simply amazing, looking at Craigslist, how many people can’t photograph a car. I don’t think that it requires paying a professional photographer, just some basic guidance.

[Pazuzu]

This:

Originally Posted by Tobra

So I have this little old widow lady patient of mine...so it would probably be up to me to shepherd her through the process

and this:

Originally Posted by Norm K

A pretty good working knowledge of the listed vehicle is important, as there will be lots of questions and comments - from both the peanut gallery and from legitimate potential buyers. A seller who closely monitors the comments section and responds appropriately will almost certainly get more for their vehicle than one who simply posts and waits to see what happens.

Makes me think there could be a busy and lucrative cottage industry for someone to be the interactive person between BaT and all of the "little old ladies" out there. Someone who can take the photos, put in a good discretion, and field the questions intelligently so that the seller can have a hands-off experience. 10% of the sale price would be pretty good cash, and I bet that the interactive sales garner much more than a 10% premium when it's all said and done.

[hcoles]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

This:


and this:


Makes me think there could be a busy and lucrative cottage industry for someone to be the interactive person between BaT and all of the "little old ladies" out there. Someone who can take the photos, put in a good discretion, and field the questions intelligently so that the seller can have a hands-off experience. 10% of the sale price would be pretty good cash, and I bet that the interactive sales garner much more than a 10% premium when it's all said and done.

Or even just someone that helps you check all the normal boxes before posting and then provides advice as questions show up during the 7 days especially during the last day or so.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

This:


and this:


Makes me think there could be a busy and lucrative cottage industry for someone to be the interactive person between BaT and all of the "little old ladies" out there. Someone who can take the photos, put in a good discretion, and field the questions intelligently so that the seller can have a hands-off experience. 10% of the sale price would be pretty good cash, and I bet that the interactive sales garner much more than a 10% premium when it's all said and done.

What you are describing is consignment sales and it's been around since the cavemen days. BaT is just another one of countless venues for marketing a car. If someone started a consignment business and only marketed on BaT, they would have to turn away all of the little old ladies and their cars that didn't make it onto BaT, since they do not accept every submission and the car has to be deemed interesting by their staff. It's gotten a little easier since the site was sold last year but it's still technically curated.

[Skytrooper]

Man, I would have loved a chance at the '68 Torino !

The vultures are terrible along with shady "helpful" neighbors. I went through my Chargers value and inventoried all the spare/extra parts for my wife. She wouldn't have had a clue if I died and probably would have taken the first offer, like the widow in the OP.