eBay vs. BAT - Direct Comparison Opportunity

[2ndTARGA]

993 just listed on BAT - bid to $40K so far: 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 6-Speed | Bring a Trailer

Auctioned on eBay 10 days ago - No Sale at $44K: 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 2-Door, 72K Miles, C2 | eBay

Will be interesting to see how this goes.....

[Fubawu]

I really think eBay is used as a venue to view the car. Rarely
Are the cars sold through the auction.

[trader220]

Having listed hundreds of cars on eBay I can tell you most dont sell on eBay as an auction or a listing. People call and make a deal. The exception being the cheap cars, stuff about $6k and under. I had a more luck selling those through auctions on eBay than with the expensive stuff.

I don't think this is really a good comparison now that the car's already been on eBay it may influence the action on BAT. My impression is that the crowd on BAT is turned off by cars which have already been tried on eBay.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by trader220

I don't think this is really a good comparison now that the car's already been on eBay it may influence the action on BAT.

Bingo. But, it's better than nothing.
The fact that this thread now exists also alters the BAT results

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by trader220

I don't think this is really a good comparison now that the car's already been on eBay it may influence the action on BAT. My impression is that the crowd on BAT is turned off by cars which have already been tried on eBay.

Not saying this isn't the case, but I don't get it; if I wanted a car, I wouldn't give two sharts if it had been listed on eBay or anywhere else, previously. Why would anyone even give that a second thought?

[sugarwood]

Because social proof lies at the most fundamental core of human nature.

[Unobtanium-inc]

I've never used BAT to sell so I can't comment on that but I have sold hundreds of Porsches on ebay and can tell you that if you price them to sell, they sell. My cars almost always hit the reserve and sell. If you shoot for the moon and hope to get a record price, well, you probably won't get it. You see lots of car getting re-listed over and over again, and the price stays the same, people thinking they know better then the market. Unfortunately the market speaks whether you want to hear it or not. Not to say you can't hold out and get the price you want if you wait long enough, but if you are trying to move cars holding on to maximize each one isn't really good business. I'm hoping one day to get part of my shop yard back and I can't do that by trying to show the market who's boss!

---Adam

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

I've never used BAT to sell so I can't comment on that but I have sold hundreds of Porsches on ebay and can tell you that if you price them to sell, they sell. My cars almost always hit the reserve and sell. If you shoot for the moon and hope to get a record price, well, you probably won't get it. You see lots of car getting re-listed over and over again, and the price stays the same, people thinking they know better then the market. Unfortunately the market speaks whether you want to hear it or not. Not to say you can't hold out and get the price you want if you wait long enough, but if you are trying to move cars holding on to maximize each one isn't really good business. I'm hoping one day to get part of my shop yard back and I can't do that by trying to show the market who's boss!

---Adam

I agree. I've sold many cars on eBay....everything from daily drivers through MG's, Triumphs, Porsche's and even a Ferrari. All my cars have sold at what I considered a good price.

If you have a bunch of pictures and have honest descriptions (avoid the sales hype) you can sell a car for a good price.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Because social proof lies at the most fundamental core of human nature.

Wood, I must be slower than 356s, 912s, 914s and 924s because I still don't get it; social proof of what?

Does this mean that if a car is listed elsewhere and doesn't sell, then its sales potential is diminished in the new venue because tinfoil hat wearing types think "it didn't sell then/over there, so it must be a rolling shart box"?

[1979-930]

^^^ Yep.
And I'll just let MichaelB reiterate one of the best posts about auctions and human perception I have read.

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Yes, that was my Sienna car. It stood leagues above the Grand Prix white Euro car. It was in another ballgame altogether in comparison actually. The door seals on the euro car were trash, the gauges foggy ~ to the point you could not read the fuel level, the intercooler down-pipe was cobbled together & welded to fit whatever turbo it had bolted on then topped off with a AutoZone hose clamp. The exhaust looked to be painted with a brush with some hardware store silver. The seats were over-stuffed at best... In comparison the Sienna car was factory correct down to the perfect leather dash. Fine car. However, the bidders spoke. Someone wanted a tossed together euro in white Vs a fine paint-to-sample copper color version. Who would have thought? Well actually I would have thought. I told the contingent of pals with me that SOMEONE would rather have the white car & I was right. The Sienna car was not parked a prime location whereas the white car was. The white car had the turbo stripe, and Pasha checkered seats... And it showed lower miles (kilometers). How could the bidders have known that the other 1979 was far better? The truth is that the undereducated masses could not have known. The Sienna car was fantastic. And only one bidder will get to know that. The prices were quite literally flipped on this pair. But you get what you get at auction. I tried BAT & received the same offers ($115k) which I declined. It looks as if the market has spoken as it went for essentially the same money at both venues. C'est la vie.