Any experience with BAT?

rrental · rrental's Garage

I am considering selling the 1986 930 to raise funds for finishing the hot rot 911. I noticed Bring a trailer on line auction site. It ain't cheap but it might be worth a try. Anyone ever sell there and how was your experience?

I will post it here at pelican first. See if there is any interest.

FYI it's a prussian blue 1986 930. 76 K miles. Headlights, steering wheel and exhaust are updated but i have the original parts and the air injection system boxed up.

Would you guys think it would be better to bold on the sugar scoops and the original exhaust or leave it as it is.

All other parts are stock from bumper to bumper. Front (bumper/hood/fender) repainted a few years ago due to rock ships. Very clean car with signs of usage but no scratches, dents, etc.. Originally a Californian car imported into Canada. Should be easy to bring back to the USA. I am relatively close to the border so delivery would not be an issue.

Thinking $120K Canadian. Would it be better to price in US$?

Pictures....

Rick Brooklyn · 03-07-2016, 02:21 AM

If you sell on bat be prepared to be raked over burning coals. Some nitty misanthropes will find a way to complain about the tires valve stem caps or some stupid **** like that, and a few dozen people who don't know your car from a minivan will start running their mouth with factually inaccurate bull**** and you'll have to spend your days calling them out and countering their bull****.

Other than that, whatever price you have in mind, make sure you put a reserve as high as that price.

billh1963 · billh1963's Garage

They certainly seem to be growing. BAT just added another day of auctions.

I agree with Rick. The comment section can be useful if someone who actually knows something chimes in. Unfortunately, it's usually Internet "experts" and wannabes who try to talk down a car...even though they aren't the ones bidding.

Flynt · 03-07-2016, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Brooklyn

If you sell on bat be prepared to be raked over burning coals. Some nitty misanthropes will find a way to complain about the tires valve stem caps or some stupid **** like that, and a few dozen people who don't know your car from a minivan will start running their mouth with factually inaccurate bull**** and you'll have to spend your days calling them out and countering their bull****.

Other than that, whatever price you have in mind, make sure you put a reserve as high as that price.

Bingo.
The staff is nice and easy to work with, easy site to use, and you can't get more eyeballs on your car for $250. But oh, the users! They seem to be getting more angry about air-cooled 911s, too. Make sure your ducks are lined up before listing, as according to the users, any little thing is a sign of a dishonest seller.

I haven't met any really interested end-users here (or Rennlist). A lot of flippers and low-ballers. Granted, I've tried to get all the money out of the cars I've listed here, but I've had some seriously ridiculous offers (site unseen) on my cars. Always worth a shot, though.

rrental · rrental's Garage

Ok thanks guys. I got a pretty thick skin. Not easily offended...

Flynt, what would you say is the best outlet for advertising?

Do you guys think this price is reasonable? I looked at prices on several sites and it seems like this is about where a car like this will fit in. Hagerty money would be nice but that's just not realistic imo.

Rick Brooklyn · 03-07-2016, 08:34 AM

Also bear in mind that 90% of cars on BAT are small tickets in the low double digits. $90k USD would be in the very high end of the range for BAT.

COLB · COLB's Garage

Right or wrong, shipping and importation from Canada seems to be an issue on every BAT auction from the Great White North.

It is anecdotal, but I seem to recall a couple of cars coming in below estimates because there was confusion over the ease of importation, and the seller couldn't give a cut & dried answer.

This may have been for cars in somewhat remote locations, but the poster input will be the same regardless. Someone will ask about importation, some rando will mention the "nightmare" he had importing a car, and a mini-debate will ensue about whether it is easy, difficult, or impossible -- with ten dudes chiming in.

Posters will fan uncertainty about any car -- primarily to show how smart they are. So if you DO list, have you ducks in a row about how to import the car. Make sure it is in the ad, and closely monitor the comment thread to head off the critics.

Same-same with smogging in California. My assumption here is that an '86 Turbo can't be registered in California -- but you can bet it will be a topic of conversation, particularly with the aftermarket exhaust.

Personally, I would return it to dead stock and sell the headlights & exhaust on the forum -- or just include with sale if you don't want to mess with it.

Yorkie · Yorkie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Brooklyn

Also bear in mind that 90% of cars on BAT are small tickets in the low double digits. $90k USD would be in the very high end of the range for BAT.

I have to part with my Hagerty Condition 4 '70 911S sometime this year. Its not a perfect car by any stretch of the imagination (Amateur older restoration, not numbers matching and I actually drive it) and I was thinking that both the Early S Registry and BAT crowd will slay it due to its less than perfect condition. Would the Pelican Brain Trust put it on ebay, here or on BAT? Due to some sad circumstances I really don't want to leave too much money on the table. I appreciate the advice.

Matt Monson · 03-07-2016, 11:48 AM

I would list both these cars here in Pelican and not BaT. There are a lot of dealers lurking these days but there's plenty of end users looking to make a love match too. I would list the 930 is US$ and do some homework on exporting it in advance. It's not terribly complicated but being able to knowledgeably answer questions about the process will go a long way towards closing the sale.

mobius911 · 03-07-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie

I have to part with my Hagerty Condition 4 '70 911S sometime this year. Its not a perfect car by any stretch of the imagination (Amateur older restoration, not numbers matching and I actually drive it) and I was thinking that both the Early S Registry and BAT crowd will slay it due to its less than perfect condition. Would the Pelican Brain Trust put it on ebay, here or on BAT? Due to some sad circumstances I really don't want to leave too much money on the table. I appreciate the advice.

Early S will most probably treat you well. Some get prickly when the cars are not represented honestly- too much promotional puffery, or misrepresenting the condition. But if a car is represented honestly they will gladly accept it. Lots of folks there have non-matching and Rgruppe style cars.

You've already said it's a non-matching condition 4. Most people with condition 4's seem to think they are condition 2's. So you're already ahead of the game.

COLB · COLB's Garage

I would try listing it here and the Early S registry first.

Ebay is an advertising venue -- not really an auction site. I think your odds of finding a paying buyer for a car like yours on an Ebay auction is slim.

You will get a winning bidder who is a 14 year old kid, non-paying bidders, scammers, etc.

If you get no love on the forums, and definitively want/need to sell, BAT is pretty solid. Probably better than an actual auction house. With BAT, anyone bidding has a high probability of being a legit buyer, as they have more stringent registration/bidding requirements.

BAT is ruthless when there is less than full disclosure, and/or if the seller pleads ignorance about major aspects of the car's condition/history that a knowledgeable, honest owner should be aware of. Example: making a claim like "believed to be the original engine." Question: "Why has seller not ordered a kardex on a $75k+ car? Obviously has something to hide." etc.

If you show the warts up front, there is less of a feeding frenzy than with cars that are under-described. A vague/tight-lipped, caveat-emptor sales approach on BAT is going to get a weak response.

Honest cars, honestly described tend to do well, and sometimes much better than they should.

misterwaterfall · 03-07-2016, 12:56 PM

On the 930, I would strongly suggest getting the car into the US before listing on BAT. Covering that process will pay tenfold on the sell price as they seem to think it's rocket science over there for some reason. On the forums it seems to be less of an issue, but you'll still get docked a couple grand if you are expecting the buyer/buyers shipper to pick up in canada and pay the fees and 2.5% tax.

dienstuhr · dienstuhr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterwaterfall

On the 930, I would strongly suggest getting the car into the US before listing on BAT. Covering that process will pay tenfold on the sell price as they seem to think it's rocket science over there for some reason. On the forums it seems to be less of an issue, but you'll still get docked a couple grand if you are expecting the buyer/buyers shipper to pick up in canada and pay the fees and 2.5% tax.

Good advice in theory, but if you're a resident of Canada and not a US resident or dealer how do you "import" a car to the USA? It's the US buyer that imports the car from Canada, not the seller. Unfortunately you can't just drive the car across the border and sell it in the USA.

d.

r-mm · 03-07-2016, 01:27 PM

Being a producer and consumer of internet BS chatter I'd like to think everyone knows the difference between tire kicking comments be they in good taste or not, and genuine issues being flagged. Stay above the fray, provide useful info and I think BaT is a good venue. nice car!

rswannabe · 03-07-2016, 01:48 PM

I have sold two cars on BAT with exclusive listing before they did auctions. I got great responses on both and sold my 914-6 in barely 24 hours and my M2 in barely 48 hours. I have not used their auction yet.

touringteg · 03-07-2016, 02:38 PM

Pelican works fine. I have interest from dealers and private buyers.

I recently marketed a car on Ebay. A buyer saw it on Ebay, then found it on my local classifieds. They bought it right away for full price outside of Ebay.

rrental · rrental's Garage

Great info, thanks! It would be ideal to have it in the USA for selling but unfortunately for earlier mentioned reasons that would not be possible. Also, the deal should technically be made in Canada. Not the USA. As far as I know I could not even put it in consignment other than "borrow" it to a dealer, make the deal, drive it to Canada, collect the funds, and export it again.

I fully understand that it will cost me being in Canada, but I am willing to give up some money for that. Agree on the "ducks in a row". That's why it's not officially for sale yet.

Waiting for the roads to be clear and swept. Take it for a spin and get it checked over in the shop.

rrental · rrental's Garage

Just have been reading up on the rules and regulations and it's actually very easy to re-import a vehicle into the USA.

Added bonus, there will be no duty as I can prove the vehicle was originally bought and previously registered in California and Idaho. ( I am the third owner)

Thanks for all the info. It will show up in the classifieds in the next few weeks or so.

gshiwota · 03-07-2016, 04:13 PM

I have sold two Porsches on BAT Auctions and was very pleased with the whole process. I agree with all of the comments here and found that if you're transparent and respond to negative comments quickly, openly and calmly (don't get into a pissing contest) it works very well. In fact, on both of my auctions, other commenters jumped in and defended me when the trolls tried to cast doubt on my cars.

The biggest downside I see for BAT is their buyer audience seems to be really fickle. If you research the sold prices on their Porsches you'll see some that were steals and some sold a "WTF-prices". Rare, stock and highly desirable cars tend to do well on their site and I think your 930 certainly checks those boxes. If I were you, send a note to the BAT guys and find out what they think you car will sell for.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss.

misterwaterfall · 03-07-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrental

Just have been reading up on the rules and regulations and it's actually very easy to re-import a vehicle into the USA.

Added bonus, there will be no duty as I can prove the vehicle was originally bought and previously registered in California and Idaho. ( I am the third owner)

Thanks for all the info. It will show up in the classifieds in the next few weeks or so.

I agree it is easy but like the poster above me said that audience is fickle and their ignorance seems to get the best of them with some issues. If you do make it to BaT maybe just outline the importation process within the ad to take away any confusion.