How well does WTB strategy work on Pelican?

[MJM911SC]

I have never done a WTB. What are your experiences. opinions and advice about this strategy?

Thanks

[christiandk]

Unless you write that you are willing to pay ANYTHING for the car you are looking for, it has not "worked" for years, imo. But you may get some advice on where to find the car you are looking for.

[robertocravallo]

Worked very well for me. Was looking for a Turbo Look convertible in 12.2010 and had an answer 12 hours after posting. Beautifull car, thanks Jack, is still sitting in my garage.

Give it a try, doesn't cost anything, so why not try?

[matt930s]

Works great for parts, but the WTB section for cars is so saturated I wonder who bothers to read them. Especially the "I will buy any air cooled " crowd....

MattR

[ficke]

I rarely reply to WTB ads, most of the time what they really mean is WTBC, "Want To Buy Cheap"
Especially when the WTB ad is posted next to what they want for sale.

[brianvb]

They worked a couple years ago for cars. Now All car deals are gone . I have noticed the parts section has a big increase in WTB , probably due to many people restoring hopeless old cars, me included.

[Bergo]

I've had moderate luck with WTB parts ads. Always get one or two people trying to scam me with every post, but I generally don't reply to anyone with under 250 posts, and I'll look through their post history before dealing with them.

[SilberUrS6]

WTB works OK for parts. I bought some wheels from techweenie from a WTB post. I also got scammed pretty hard because I didn't do my due diligence with some parts. Since it was my own fault, I won't out the seller. But here's the deal - if you post a WTB, make it detailed as to what you want, and ask for pictures of the parts before you pay the money.

[msark]

I look at the WTB once in a while to see what the "buy side" has to say about the market and value. Contacted a a WTB ad about a car I had just started thinking about selling. I tossed out what would have been my real-sale number. He agreed, sent someone for a ppi and paid me within the week. The car went off to Germany to a very nice fellow, not a dealer as best I can tell...

[creaturecat]

i have had reasonably good success (purchasing) via wtb parts.
the Porsche car wtb's? seems like a excellent starting point, if nothing else.

as the old saying goes ... the early worm gets the bird.

[mreid]

It works great once you filter out the scams. Btw, their new approach is to look for wtb ads and then post a for sale with that part at an attractive price, often with a picture lifted from another place. Beware!

[gshiwota]

WTB doesn't work, I'm still waiting for a response to my ad below.

WTB - Low mileage, original owner, original paint Porsche. Will consider 356 Carreras, early 911S and soft window targas. Must be perfect! Willing pay up to $15,000 under FMV. Seller must provide PPI, personal guarantee, jump through hoops and obtain permission from my wife before I apply for an auto loan and transfer funds.

[ficke]

Originally Posted by gshiwota

WTB doesn't work, I'm still waiting for a response to my ad below.

WTB - Low mileage, original owner, original paint Porsche. Will consider 356 Carreras, early 911S and soft window targas. Must be perfect! Willing pay up to $15,000 under FMV. Seller must provide PPI, personal guarantee, jump through hoops and obtain permission from my wife before I apply for an auto loan and transfer funds.

Nice,
Most want to buy ads are a variation of the above and not worth responding to in my view.

[bobbyp]

Originally Posted by ficke

I rarely reply to WTB ads, most of the time what they really mean is WTBC, "Want To Buy Cheap"
Especially when the WTB ad is posted next to what they want for sale.

See this quite often, WTB ad and a car or cars that match that are already in the for sale section. Mostly a waste of time.

Here is an oldie but goodie that was recently re-posted on rennlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPy-HNFuJwc

[MichaelB]

I responded to a WTB some time ago. The guy wanted super old Panorama magazines (Porsche club newsletter).

I have some real vintage ones so I got a hold of the guy... He posted a phone number - so I called. Know what I got? Here is how it went:

Me ~ "hey I saw your ad, I have several old Pano's that fit the description in your wanted ad. Any idea on the price range you want to be in?"

Him ~ "Price range? Most people just give them to me. If you dont want to give them away then I am not interested."

Me ~ "Really? Pano's from the early sixties should be pretty rare. I cant imagine giving these away..."

Him ~ "Fine then" - audible click as he hung up.

I have not considered responding to a wanted ad since.

[matt930s]

Sometimes I wish PP had a paid member area. That may weed out the jokers.

MattR

[hbueno]

I sold my 911SC in January as a result of a WTB ad. If I had waited a few more months I probably could have sold it for more, but that's life...

Hugo