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Is Autotrader worth the price?
I've had my 993 on Autotrader for three weeks and have not gotten a single inquiry about it. I've gotten more views on Pelican than on eBay and the only serious inquiries have been through Pelican. I have run into some Porsche guys who had never heard of Pelican, so I figured Autotrader would be a good way to reach those guys, as well as some of the European market.
I got an email from a guy who works at Autotrader, asking me how my ad was working out for me. I replied that it was a total waste of money so far. He called today to discuss and tried to upsell me to their $250 ultimate or whatever package, said my current ad was getting buried at the bottom of the last page. When I do a search for 95-98 993s, I put a price range of $35-60k, which weeds out the turbos and S'es and then 37 results appear. I don't think 37 is too many ads to scroll through, particularly when each one has a thumbnail photo showing the color. This Autotrader rep. claims I'll get 93% more views and my car will sell quickly with this package. I'm very skeptical. Should I do it? |
I think Autotrader is useless. Any time I have used it to buy a car, I have to wade through endless old ads for cars that are already sold. I use Cars.com, now, for looking for cars to buy.
I've sold all of my Porsches through Pelican and PCA. JR |
Pelican, PCA, and sadly Craigslist will bring your biggest pools of buyers.
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I sold my 951 in '08 through Autotrader to a buyer in Austin. I didn't pay for a "premium" listing.
I also listed on Pelican, but the ad kept getting pushed off the front page (there were a lot of 944s for sale at the time), and at best I sent a few people pictures and never heard from them again. This was also back before 99% of the responses on Autotrader were scams. I listed my RX-8 on Autotrader last year and got tons of scam responses. I ended up selling it to CarMax for what I could get. I think that overall, there are just so many avenues for selling a car online that it is hard to get it in front of a buyer looking for your car. |
Pelican, PCA, CL, and Car Gurus. A clean ad with great pics and a well researched price will bring buyers. The days for paid Autotrader ads are pretty much over methinks.
FYI: This weekend I saw a 993 C4S in black, original paint, no accidents, 34k miles, $60k |
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If yours is what I'm looking for, I'll find it. Sounds like you're being pumped. |
I have sold several cars over the last 2-3 years on Autotrader. Never had to use any of their premium services.
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I have never liked autotrader, I have sold several porsche over the last couple years, ebayed a few of them but had problems with dead beat bidders, craigslist always results in calls (why not its free) but I think I have had the best luck with PCA
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Do you have to be a PCA member to list there? I let mine lapse a while back, as the local PCA is pretty lame.
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As far as I know, yes. But, I have had more luck with Pelican.
JR |
Can you send me a link to your ad? Co-worker was looking for a 993.
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Your ad is seen, no doubt. But at your price you may be testing the market. It may be too high?
I put my Sequoia on the local CL and getting zilch, figured I'll try Autotrader = same result. This tells me I need to drop the price by at least a grand, which is almost 20%. It isn't costing me anything in my driveway, so I'll wait for the first weekend to pass and if there is still no bites, then relist at dropped price. Georg |
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I'm not up on the 993 market, but my guess is that the price is just too high, especially since its had paint. Doesn't matter if it was painted by the baby jesus and blessed by the pope, paint is paint, and it scares away TONS of buyers. Top dollar cars have to be box stock, just as they rolled off the showroom floor.
But I know you aren't desperate to sell, so wait long enough and someone will come along with the money and buy it. OBO only works to an extent. Most people will haggle within a price range, but if they feel the price is way too high, they ignore it all together. |
I listed my Lotus on auto trader a few days ago.....all I've gotten so far is scammers that want to sell me marketing services for the car...not amused.
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Rick,
I know you are being honest about your car in the ad. But, having just read it for the first time, I came away thinking that the car has too many stories. Wrecked, painted, burns oil, brakes from a wrecked car, incorrect CarFax, modifications made by an enthusiast owner, etc. When I am looking at a used car, I want one with no stories. Couple the above with what seems to be a high asking price, that would cause a lot of people to move on to the next ad. |
I sold my Boxster on Autotrader. I tried to list on kijiji but they said it was listed too cheap ly and was not realistically priced. They rejected it! It needed motor work and Autotrader accepted it no problem with the declaration that it needed motor work.
As the above member says perhaps it is listed for too high a price. If you say you will look at offers you should have more interest. Everything sells for a price. Patience and realistic pricing is key. Guy |
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I think a large reason for the stagnation is due to your (descriptively) honest approach unfortunately. Remember, you are competing with shady used car dealers and curb-stoners that are representing competing vehicles as "unmolested" and "cleanest in the country" etc. to get people on the hook (with no mention of any issues the car might have). Your 993 could easily pass for an "unmolested" example, but you have chosen to do the right thing and disclose the car's history. However, I would focus on capturing some initial interest first, then explaining things in more detail once you have a dialog going with a potential buyer. Phrases like "track wreck", "poked a hole in the stock bumper", and "making 5th and reverse slap into each other" are going to turn away a lot of folks. Maybe try keeping the ad short and sweet, saving the "gory details" for those who express genuine interest. It probably isn't going to help your cause to pay for any "premium" marketing for the car either. The reality is that your bottom line is likely going to suffer in order to move it (just my $.02). Great car though. I've ridden in it and driven it. Anyone considering a 993 should take a closer look. SmileWavy |
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Ok, will "sanitize" the ad copy and emphasize the clean Carfax and Autocheck.
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I've sold 7 or so cars over the last 10 years on Autotrader. Many of those were fairly 'niche' or enthusiast models (NSX, salvage title Integra, RX-7 V-8 conversion, etc) that I thought would have been better or easier sold through the various enthusiast boards. My experience has been that the boards tend to generate tire kickers and dreamers that will wear you out with endless questions (via email, never phone), picture requests, and ludicrous offers. All of this is usually accompanied by them picking apart every last detail of your car and generally lowering your self-esteem in an attempt to steal your car at 40% of the ask:D
My goal with my Autotrader ads has always been to be very complete but succinct in the description and to price slightly less than anything comparable. I've always gotten 95% or better of my asking price using that strategy and sold it to the first person to come look. I'd rather advertise a car for $39k and sell it in a week for 38.5k then ask $45k and wait 3 months to find the right buyer who'll pay $41k. I haven't seen your ad but I'm guessing, as others have said, that your price and/or description is hurting you. Maybe it's purely luck but I still think Autotrader is the best way to get in front of the most buyers. |
I have never sold a car on Autotrader. Not one.
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If I didn't have the A3 on lease, I'd make an offer sight unseen. :)
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I like the honesty off the ad, it shows integrity. I would be a little irritated if I drove over to see the car and learned of some of these things.
I would like to be honest as well here, your price seems very high to me for a moderate milage, tracked, resprayed, driver 993. Nothing against the car, and I am certainly not a 993 market guru but the ask seems offputting even as an opener |
Do you have Kijiji in the U.S.? I sell almost everything within 24 hours on it, at no charge....cars, trailers, tech you name it.
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Be honest Rick, but use different wording. Honesty goes a long way. Matt does a good job outlining the best qualities (and focuses on them) and also the negatives (but does not dwell). I am out of touch with the 993 market but a casual glance says you're a bit high $$ for the reasons stated. I would consider dropping the price, if you are anxious to sell, to near your bottom line. IMO your car is very desirable...something I would pay good money for...but the blue exterior definitely is not a bonus. YMMV.
Yeah yeah get off my lawn. ;) |
Wow. You don't like midnight blue metallic on a 993? I've never heard that from anyone. It looks awesome in photos and way better in person.
I pared down the CL and Autotrader ads. I want to keep it pretty thorough on Pelican, since this in an enthusiast crowd. But I may edit a little later tonight. |
I don't have a ton of research but you are likely priced double what it will sell for. People will call and talk down 5% but not $25000
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Uh no, I've been offered $35k several times and told low-mid $40s is more like it. For half of asking price, I'll keep it and sleep in it if I have to.
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^^ This! Stay honest but sell the sizzle not the steak. She will probably find a buyer at $40k |
I'll buy it at $40k. :)
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I do think you want to be within 10% of what you need for the car, otherwise buyers will be afraid they are low balling you and you won't go down that far. I would not expect someone to drop their price by 10k. If you think mid 40s is realistic, I'd ask 49k. And then just stay firm in the negotiations and don't go down 20%.
I am not sure where the 993 market is, but I agree that is NOT a 35k car. North of 40 or keep it. They will never be $30k cars again IMHO. G |
I've bought from Autotrader before. Granted it was about a year and a half ago, but around here and at the time at least it was more or less a good way to sell a car that was too nice for Craigslist - basically private sellers with about the same year/model that new car dealers had on their used lots.
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Omit the things that are not relevant and don't add to the happy feeling a buyer gets when reading the ad. JR |
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Rick, as a semi 'professional' flipper - my experience is that Autotrader and Cars.com represent 90%+ dealers, another 3% are dealers representing as private and very, very few actual private sellers. Further, actual private sellers seem to substantially overprice their vehicles there.
So as buyer, even for personal use, I see these two sites as dealers and go there as a last resort if I can't find what I need. Say what you will but Craigslist and Ebay are the go to for the majority of buyers and sellers. Ebay is global presence. C/L is regional but you can list the same ad in surrounding areas (BTW, C/L states this is against their policy - but I have never had a problem doing it) Some very good advice has been given here, is the ad needs to be complete, descriptive, to the point with good photo's. I believe you are in sales; mortgage related and as the saying goes ......"To be successful at sales takes a lot of work" - apply that same philosophy to your own sale. You need to cast a wide net, be patient and most importantly be polite. Lastly price the car to sell. I cannot overstate this especially in the current economic conditions. Pricing the car above the market and then expecting offers and negotiating down to actual value is a losing strategy. I see this all the time in the current residential real-estate market in my area. If you not receiving any real offers with in 2-3 weeks then the ad is poorly written, bad pix, or overpriced...............................sometimes all 3. Sellers trying to wring out all the money is the world for something does nothing for me and I usually just move on even if I'm interested in the vehicle. |
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