Should I Sell my car on eBay?

Randy Webb · 05-16-2003, 03:19 PM

I have not been able to sell my primo 911 on the PCA web site or in Pano.
Is it a good idea to list it on eBay?
How much does eBay charge?
Are there any tips that will make it sell quicker or for a higher price?

I have a huge amount of $$ in this car and would like to get say 30% of it back (so I can put that into the next project).

Thanks!

Superman · 05-16-2003, 03:29 PM

I have no experience with Ebay except as an observer, but it seems to me that buyers there are willing to pay top dollar PLUS there. Heck, I could probably sell my used razor blades there. They'd be a good deal at only $1 each, buyer pays shipping.

adscab · 05-16-2003, 03:32 PM

eBay is a good way to guage interest. They charge $40 to list your car and tack on for any additional advertising features. In addition, you will pay a commission if your car sells. I would put a reserve price on the auction at the least you would accept to close the deal. Keep in mind there is a charge for a reserve. Also keep in mind that auctions without reserves tend to go higher.

I would take great high res pictures, be very detailed in your description (be very honest to) and lower your expectations. Unless someone is looking for the car exactly the way you have it set up, everyone is looking for a deal. The old saying about not getting nearly what you put into the car, expecially mods is true. If you can, take the mods out, replace them with the stock parts and sell them separately on eBay.

Good luck.

shrouded · 05-16-2003, 03:59 PM

With a little effort, you can do well on eBay. I listed my old car there a couple of months ago. It actually didn't sell there (it didn't meet the reserve), but it generated a lot of interest. I ended up working out a deal that did meet the reserve with the high bidder, after the auction closed.

I have also watched a couple of car deals on ebay, involving close friends of mine both buying & selling. PM or email me if I can help.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

I brought my current Porsche on eBay. Actually the seller ended the auction early so he could sell the car to me. I was the local buyer.

If you don't want to pay the extra for a reserve auction, just start the auction at the minimum that you are willing to accept. If you don't sell it the first time on eBay you can relist for free.

motion · 05-16-2003, 05:24 PM

I just sold my wrecked Cab on eBay... over 4000 people viewed the auction, and I had perhaps 50 telephone calls and email inquiries.. not bad at all. The nice thing is the wide exposure to people that would otherwise not see your car advertised locally. That's a good thing

I say try it... you're only out $40 if it doesn't sell.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Randy, show is your car with details. Maybe someone here will want it. Also consider Early911Sregistry.org or Pelican's or Rennlist's car classifieds section.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Just my $.02

If you advertise your car here, everyone will ask what's your best offer, or they will ask willing to take ???

But if you sell it on eBay they don't bid the price down they bid it up. You may get a flakey bidder who won't buy the car after the auction, but you can report it to eBay and they will relist the car for free.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm seriously considering listing my car on eBay too. I check 911's on eBay several times a day and don't see too many triple black G50 Carreras. So maybe there's hope for me.

schulr · schulr's Garage

Also try autotrader.com, believe they also have an auction process as well. Very wide audiance and you can get a feel for what the prices are.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Last two Porsche's I bought on autotrader I would go that route first - if you don't get your price go e-bay.

rudy sanchez · 05-16-2003, 08:34 PM

I sold a 68 911 on ebay recently. i got the $ quickly and I tried to talk all bidders out of bidding! but I did have to cancel one bidder.

check out all bidders history and be ready to cancel some 13 yo kid in Utah who likes to bid for fun.

BTW, there are bidders from Japan or other destinations that can easily spend the $ on an ebay 911 than buy locally.

the reasons why some auctions don't do well, poor or few pics, vague descriptions by persons who don't seem to know what they are talking about, and nonresponsive seller... i.e. be prepared to answer emails asking the same questions ... but this can be avoided by detailed and easy to read description; ebay does not charge by the line like a newspaper ad... so let the info flow!

good luck

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

I found my 86 Cab on Ebay last month. Surprisingly with only 65,000 original miles, and a reserve of only $16K...there were no bidders. I called the guy directly and we made a deal a couple of days later off of Ebay.

LeeH · 05-16-2003, 08:50 PM

Hey Randy,

Can you tell us a little about your car and what you're trying to get out of it?

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

I recently sold my cab on Ebay and it was a positive experience- the key to success is honesty, pictures, and DETAILS! Like Richard said, what do you have to lose?
Here is a link to my add: (7318 hits!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=10156&item=2408982733

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

That's true - and you got a very price on that too. I think Sean is right - and his ad was a good standard.

sundaypunch · 05-17-2003, 05:55 AM

I've sold two specialty vehicles (non P-cars) on ebay with great results. It helps to make it clear that you are an enthusiast that hand picked the car and gave it top notch care. Anticipate the questions buyers might ask and answer them in your listing. Some may not like it but I always put in a very long description. I also use approx. 20 pictures that are clickable to very large pic's. and take pic's of all the problem areas as well. This also helps cut down on the amout of emails you'll have to deal with.

I've got 5 years of excellent feedback (200+ w/ all positives) so this really helps ease buyers minds when I'm selling. I would highly recommend regular buying and selling on ebay to help build your feedback rating. Whether it's a $10 or $10,000 item you still get a positive.

Tspringer · 05-17-2003, 10:44 AM

I bought my 308 on ebay and sold my E-Type from ebay. Its a fantastic way to market a car. Be aware that ebay will really only put you in touch with potential buyers. Most will still want a pre-purchase inspection and may negotiate after the auction is the car is not exactly as described. However, I have come into contact with many great enthusiasts and I think ebay is a great place to buy/sell collector cars!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Just my .02 worth, I bought my '74 Targa on eBay last June. The seller was local and I didn't meet the reserve, but neither did anyone else. I showed up at his place the moment the auction ended with a cashier's check and got the car. Officially, it didn't sell through eBay, but it really did. I wonder how common this is? I use eBay to buy used parts and new stuff that I can't get through Pelican Parts. I found a guy parting out a 911 last fall and got alot of parts. My experience has been 100% positive!