Bring a trailer selling experience?

[Nostril Cheese]

I have a little flip project. Low mile 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400. What's the process of BAT like? Shipping, transfers, etc...

[unclebilly]

Sold my 76 930. Sale went well, I wish the car was located in the CONUS, I would have some better but myself and the buyer were both happy.

[wdfifteen]

I sold my truck on BaT. Everything went smoothly. I'll use them again when it's time to pare down the collection.

[JeremyD]

I also have had a good experience with BAT - both selling (1974 IROC car) and buying my wife's 560SL

[jhynesrockmtn]

I sold a project 914 last year. It went well. I was actually pleasantly surprised by what it sold for. The only issue was it took the buyer a while to pick it up. He had to arrange shipping to the east coast. He paid right away though.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-porsche-914-97/

I have another one I'm getting ready to list.

[gregpark]

I've sold several cars on BAT and it was a pleasurable experience every time. Smooth transactions with both the money and transport. The norm? Maybe I lucked out? I'm sure there are some nightmare stories out there

[Zeke]

I got 2wice what a Boxster would have sold for locally. I'd go back to BaT or use Cars and Bids for more mundane stuff. For instance, I have a 94,000 mile 2006 PU that needs tires and AC work. It's a great find for someone as low mileage rust free trucks don't exist. An '06 should be rather affordable compared to new even at retail. Locally I'd get beat up badly and have to put up with a dozen idiots.

Auctions are perfect as you don't need to deal face to face. If you're serious and have a good vehicle, list it no reserve. It would be a really off day you didn't get more than above wholesale. But check out previous sales for your model.

And detail your vehicle to look like a diamond. $3-400 spent on dent removal will come back in spades. That sort of thing. Fresh oil and all that will take it over the top.

[gregpark]

A maybe telling story about BAT?-
When you list a car, you're dealing with one agent and I recognized my agents name on the first car i sold. Turns out I worked on his dad's house, his uncles house and the Porsche dealership they owned. We had a pleasant and lengthy conversation. Next thing I know, I'm assigned a different agent. Apparently they want no personal association, probably in case something goes south. When a car sells, BAT exchanges info with the seller and buyer and washes is hands of the both of you. BAT gives transactional advice beforehand but that's about it. I sold a car recently on Pcarmarket and it worked out well. The car didn't reach reserve and my agent told me it's not over, hang tight. He worked with the top bidder and got me 2K over reserve! BAT will do the same thing. They want a sale, otherwise they only get a lousy 99 bucks

[speeder]

I've had a mix; mostly good luck selling but just got killed on my BMW R100RS that I listed no reserve and somehow sold for approximately 50% of street value. I must have done a terrible job listing it and taking photos...I'll admit that I was rushed and did not want to put any effort in it. I just wanted it gone but I got killed.

On the flip side, I did really well on my old Scirocco and a Caterham I sold for a friend. I'll definitely use them again but I need to be more careful about no reserve sales and make sure to really put effort into videos, etc.

[gregpark]

Important to take lots of photos, the more the better, and best to use a pro. Not so much for a bike but it paid off for me on one car in particular.
I have a theory, I notice the exciting auctions tend to be in the late afternoon. In a live auction things get wild after the bidders have had a few drinks. Not sure if you could fanagle a close of auction time but might be worth a shot. Your car goes onto the waiting list and you get 7 days to the minute from the start of the listing. The next car I list I'm going to ask if we can delay the start for afternoon

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

I have a little flip project. Low mile 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400. What's the process of BAT like? Shipping, transfers, etc...

If they would accept it, (they've gotten looser but it's still technically a curated site), it would be no reserve and shipping costs are killing the BaT bike market unless it's something really special. That particular bike would do better on CL or some other local site, I think.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Important to take lots of photos, the more the better, and best to use a pro. Not so much for a bike but it paid off for me on one car in particular.
I have a theory, I notice the exciting auctions tend to be in the late afternoon. In a live auction things get wild after the bidders have had a few drinks. Not sure if you could fanagle a close of auction time but might be worth a shot. Your car goes onto the waiting list and you get 7 days to the minute from the start of the listing. The next car I list I'm going to ask if we can delay the start for afternoon

You're not wrong but the problem is that they've gotten greedy and run over 100 auctions a day with all of them needing to be staggered, at least slightly. It wouldn't hurt to ask but I think it's just luck of the draw.

[gregpark]

I think you're probably right, luck of the draw. They're not very bending but yes, BAT has indeed become more accepting. Funny, they started out listing junk, hence the name. They would not accept a nice 2005 Dodge magnum R/T Hemi several years ago. I think they would list it now.

[matthewb0051]

Not great experience. They had my auction ending in the evening (9 or 10 pm IIRC) on a holiday weekend.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Important to take lots of photos, the more the better, and best to use a pro. Not so much for a bike but it paid off for me on one car in particular.
I have a theory, I notice the exciting auctions tend to be in the late afternoon. In a live auction things get wild after the bidders have had a few drinks. Not sure if you could fanagle a close of auction time but might be worth a shot. Your car goes onto the waiting list and you get 7 days to the minute from the start of the listing. The next car I list I'm going to ask if we can delay the start for afternoon

Two minute rule in effect according to their site.

[ckcarr]

I don't know about the selling, but I bought a vehicle that I had been looking at here in this town. So I had the vin No# of it, typed it in to Google, and to my surprise the exact car popped up as a prior Bring-a-Trailer sale. What then sold me were the 130 professional images of the exterior, interior, engine bay, etc. And also a four minute walk around video of the car.

In other words, the more pictures the better.

Is that motorcycle rare? Have you tried Facebook Marketplace?

[Scott Douglas]

When you guys say 'The more pictures the better', what kind of pictures really help make the sale?
I used to be listed as a BAT photog and had their list for what to shoot, but from a buyers perspective what are you looking for specifically?
I'm helping a friend sell his car soon and will be taking pictures of it soon as well.

[gregpark]

For someone to shell out big bucks for a car they can't drive or see in person they'll want all the info and pics you can give them. I typically provide a couple hundred pictures and some people have even asked for more in specific areas

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks Greg. Appreciate the input.
Guess I'll need to get more film for my camera.

[Zeke]

Scott, everything. And if you show a defect or three there is some cred that comes with that. My pic guy moved the seats forward and showed a bit of stuff on the black carpet that was behind and under the seat. Since the seats in a Boxster can rest against the bulkhead this is an area that one doesn't pay much attention to.

If there are asphalt streaks on the bottom side of the rockers, take pics. It there are jack dents in the floor pan, take pics. Take pics of the backside of the steering wheel and the pedals. It's hard to shoot through glass so use a phone for some shots. Shoot the door thresholds and jambs. Same for under the hood and hatch/trunk. If you are where the car is parked, show the floor, just make sure the shot is believable if you can.

Show all 4 tires so the potential buyers can see if they all match. Get a phone close up of the dates and tread. Find every nick and scratch even in the glass (maybe use some paper behind the glass and shoot with no reflection if you can). Get out the tool kit, jack, show the spare and any manuals. If there is paperwork, spread it out like fanning a deck of cards. Details of invoices are not important unless it's a big item that was described in the text. The volume of paperwork speaks for itself. If there are very few insignificant invoices, pass.

Sunny days at noon are the worst for pics. In the summer shoot at decent morning daylight or 6 to 8 pm. Take a light to illuminate areas that are too dark. Of course if there is a lift, great, but otherwise you need a way to shoot the bottom of the engine and trans. If it's nasty, so be it. Up front and honest looking pics get the job done. I don't know what the recommended photo count is but I'd say 200 is enough if there aren't duplicates. On that, avoid 6 different angles of the same thing. Just use the best shot and go to something else.

That emphasizes the state of the car. Also note things that are exceptionally good if something stands out. OEM stickers are always a good pic. For instance, IDT a new radiator core support comes with the fan belt diagram. If you find things like that, document them.

I once looked at a PU that was detailed very well but they didn't get the bed clean enough at the seam to not know how it was used. But I pulled down a visor and it was covered in construction dust on the top. Could hardly see the color. Whoops. Dirt behind the gauge glass is another one.