archemedes

I had a hard time figuring where to put this, it applies to just about anything your selling.
Top 10 Selling mistakes
1. Often quality and condition of the ca match the quality and condition of the oner. Good communication, and helpful attitude sell cars.
2 List an asking price, a potential buyer thinks the seller is afraid to list the price and it scares that buyer away.You have no place to start a negotiation
3. Don't think you'll start a bidding war on a vehicle stating you'll accept"best offer over $2000".This indicates you want $2000 for the vehicle, but your fishing for more money in sterile water with no bait
4."$3000 or best offer" is another gem we've all seen. Basically your admitting that the asking price is probably too high at 3 grand and that your very willing to haggle downward. Remember no OBO
5."FIRM" No such thing when selling, firm is the same as stop when reading an ad because the seller probably has more money in the car than it's worth and will not be open to any negotiations
6."Must sell due to health" Can be a double edged sword, as people tend to think price might be extremely negotiable,brings alot of parasite interest
7.Make sure your reachable if you give a number, if you get messages return them in a timely mannner
8."BY apointment only"ISn't every private sale by apointment only? That's why your calling. It conveys a snooty attitude and just turns people away
9.Presentation make it clean they see the stuff how you show it, not how it can look with the garbage gone and clean, even a turd looks better washed
10.Do not voluntaily talk down your car. Only bring up positives, and if asked answer honestly, let the buyer decide if it needs something.
This was taken from Hemmings Muscle Machines April 2005

RFF

good info

camaro94

good advice

archemedes

now some buying mistakes
10 Buying Tips
1. Don't get caught in the emotion of the moment, step back take your time and spend only what the car is worth
2. A shrewd seller watches your reaction to the car. Be nonchalant look everywhere, and take your time this sends a message to the seller your not in a hurry to buy.
3 Don't be overly critical, sellers don't have to sell to you.
4.Never act like an exper about the vehicle, ask questions even if you know the answer, you can learn alot about the seller and the car by listening. Not to mention if they find you know alot they may think the car is worth more
5.Take a spot rot or other magnetic device to spot plastic filler
6. Ask for receipts, and original paperwork it can hint to repair history and maintenance (or lack thereof)
7.Never buy a car without driving it on the highway you need to get up in speed, watch the gauges
8. Take a good flashlight and mirror, check the underside of the car, fresh undercoating can be hiding something
9.If you have doubts or just want to think it over take a camera and take pictures of everything, remeber your first impression is usually right
10.Try not to buy a car sight unseen, it's easy to get taken advantage of
Copied from Hemmings Muscle Machines April 05

camaro94

more good info.

archemedes

number one seems to be common here, and the reason I keep posting prices

camaro94

yeah, its common a lot of places. You want the car so badly, you just don't pay attention. I'm like you, though. Before I say yes, I take all the info and start chscking value. That's how I talked myself out of the black 85 T/A.

archemedes

I know I sound like a complete *** when I do it, but I've lost money like that and hate to see it happen to other people