How to spot timewasters?
Discussion
Okay, for reasons outside my control, I had to put my 996 up for sale.
Now, so far I've only advertised on Pistonheads, and straight away I got an email from a guy who wanted to know if i'd take a Focus ST in Part ex, which I cant really as i need to seriously downgrade to an eco-box.
Today I get a phone call from a guy in London, asking about the service etc, but he didnt ask where the car was until the end of a 20 minute phone call, and then he sucks his teeth because its "a bit of a distance"! its in the ad FFS!
Now, I've treated both as serious buyers, though neither has seemed particularly desperate to come view the car, which cant be a good sign? So, are these timewasters? Is there anyway to spot them?
Has anyone got any tips for successfully selling a 996 privately?
EDITED TO ADD: oops - meant to post this in GG - Mods can delete this one cheers
Now, so far I've only advertised on Pistonheads, and straight away I got an email from a guy who wanted to know if i'd take a Focus ST in Part ex, which I cant really as i need to seriously downgrade to an eco-box.
Today I get a phone call from a guy in London, asking about the service etc, but he didnt ask where the car was until the end of a 20 minute phone call, and then he sucks his teeth because its "a bit of a distance"! its in the ad FFS!
Now, I've treated both as serious buyers, though neither has seemed particularly desperate to come view the car, which cant be a good sign? So, are these timewasters? Is there anyway to spot them?
Has anyone got any tips for successfully selling a 996 privately?
EDITED TO ADD: oops - meant to post this in GG - Mods can delete this one cheers
Edited by Fidgits on Thursday 26th April 10:52
The Sunday Times is quite a good forum, as is the Exchange + Mart.
When people phone, ask them for a landline number, and that you'll ring them back.
That way you also have a record of viewers.
When selling just treat all the punters as if they're never going to come back, or turn up. Its all stories selling cars unfortunately.
Good Luck.
When people phone, ask them for a landline number, and that you'll ring them back.
That way you also have a record of viewers.
When selling just treat all the punters as if they're never going to come back, or turn up. Its all stories selling cars unfortunately.
Good Luck.
Fidgits said:
Okay, for reasons outside my control, I had to put my 996 up for sale.
Now, so far I've only advertised on Pistonheads, and straight away I got an email from a guy who wanted to know if i'd take a Focus ST in Part ex, which I cant really as i need to seriously downgrade to an eco-box.
Today I get a phone call from a guy in London, asking about the service etc, but he didnt ask where the car was until the end of a 20 minute phone call, and then he sucks his teeth because its "a bit of a distance"! its in the ad FFS!
Now, I've treated both as serious buyers, though neither has seemed particularly desperate to come view the car, which cant be a good sign? So, are these timewasters? Is there anyway to spot them?
Has anyone got any tips for successfully selling a 996 privately?
EDITED TO ADD: oops - meant to post this in GG - Mods can delete this one cheers
I actually ask them a few questions to see if they know anything about the cars,that way you can tell whether they just want a chat or not.If they have no real knowledge of the cars they rarely come and look in my experience.Now, so far I've only advertised on Pistonheads, and straight away I got an email from a guy who wanted to know if i'd take a Focus ST in Part ex, which I cant really as i need to seriously downgrade to an eco-box.
Today I get a phone call from a guy in London, asking about the service etc, but he didnt ask where the car was until the end of a 20 minute phone call, and then he sucks his teeth because its "a bit of a distance"! its in the ad FFS!
Now, I've treated both as serious buyers, though neither has seemed particularly desperate to come view the car, which cant be a good sign? So, are these timewasters? Is there anyway to spot them?
Has anyone got any tips for successfully selling a 996 privately?
EDITED TO ADD: oops - meant to post this in GG - Mods can delete this one cheers
Edited by Fidgits on Thursday 26th April 10:52
I'll welcome any feedback on the ad:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/161891.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/161891.htm
Probably the only thing I can say is stop being appologetic about the age and mileage, while it is far from the cheapest 996 it looks straight and honest and if I was in the market for one I would come and look at it, I would simply state it is Year x and mileage y, not explain why where and when, it makes something that isn't a problem stick in a buyers mind, I always tend to go for high mileage cars yet it even made me think a bit.
However the rest of the ad is great you can tell it has been well cared for and the pics are good, it should sell easily.
Beware the buyers who are serious but don't want to come and view it straight away, a serious buyer gets in his car asap in case he misses out.
Questions like how fast does it go, mpg, insurance cost etc are ones to be aware of, they usually show up a test pilot.
A serious buyer would have no problem with you only offering a test drive with you as a driver at first, they should then be happy to arrange insurance etc. just prior to the purchase to make sure the car is as it should be. I appreciate it when looking at cars if the seller drives the car carefully and refuses test drives to every kevin that comes to look at it, I don't want to buy a car that has done the paris dakar down the back lanes thankyou.
However the rest of the ad is great you can tell it has been well cared for and the pics are good, it should sell easily.
Beware the buyers who are serious but don't want to come and view it straight away, a serious buyer gets in his car asap in case he misses out.
Questions like how fast does it go, mpg, insurance cost etc are ones to be aware of, they usually show up a test pilot.
A serious buyer would have no problem with you only offering a test drive with you as a driver at first, they should then be happy to arrange insurance etc. just prior to the purchase to make sure the car is as it should be. I appreciate it when looking at cars if the seller drives the car carefully and refuses test drives to every kevin that comes to look at it, I don't want to buy a car that has done the paris dakar down the back lanes thankyou.
The ad is way too appologetic. You are telling too much of a story and IMO will attract timewasters who fancy a chat but have no intention of purchasing it. Stick to the pertinent facts. It looks like a good honest motor. If I were after a 996 (perish the thought ) it would be on my list.
Good luck.
pp
) it would be on my list. Good luck.
pp
Personally I find a bit of chatty preamble fine but then stop, it gets annoying after a while when you just want the salient facts and it is too wordy, I don;t want paragraphs I want a list with comments only where necessary.
Up to hears is fine but then this:
She is a 996 Carrera 2 coupe, with the manual 6 speed gearbox, the purest expression of the 911, a fantastic driving experience I can tell you. I wanted a 911 every since I was a small boy, and while they say never meet your childhood idols, this has lived up to the dream more than I could have possibly imagined.
gets a bit too much and desperate-sounding for me, and this:
It's midnight blue, which is rarer than the Ocean Blue, and much better as the shade changes depending on the light, and can appear black to a deep navy. It has the grey interior which is lovely, and fantastic in the summer as it doesnt get as hot and sticky as the black, yet still looks fantastic, especially against the paintwork.
is very subjective, FWIW I agree midnight is nicer than ocean but grey interior is rarely a plus. SOemthing like this would suffice:
Midnight blue exterior (a dark metallic blue)
Contrasting grey leather interior
just my personal opinion and the pics are great
Up to hears is fine but then this:
She is a 996 Carrera 2 coupe, with the manual 6 speed gearbox, the purest expression of the 911, a fantastic driving experience I can tell you. I wanted a 911 every since I was a small boy, and while they say never meet your childhood idols, this has lived up to the dream more than I could have possibly imagined.
gets a bit too much and desperate-sounding for me, and this:
It's midnight blue, which is rarer than the Ocean Blue, and much better as the shade changes depending on the light, and can appear black to a deep navy. It has the grey interior which is lovely, and fantastic in the summer as it doesnt get as hot and sticky as the black, yet still looks fantastic, especially against the paintwork.
is very subjective, FWIW I agree midnight is nicer than ocean but grey interior is rarely a plus. SOemthing like this would suffice:
Midnight blue exterior (a dark metallic blue)
Contrasting grey leather interior
just my personal opinion and the pics are great
Fidgits said:
Cheers WO - i've changed it slightly on your reccomendations.
The car looks to be a real bargain, Fidgits. If it doesn't sell quickly I'll be amazed. The warranty means that the new buyer has similar backup as if the car was new - and it looks like all the consumable bits have been replaced recently.
£22.5 for a serious 911. Wow.
Of course the car is 8-9 years old...hence the price. But there are much older Porsches still going strong...
Nice toy for someone. Good luck for a quick sale...
also its a nice spec car so gather up all the details and put in one list for better impact (OPC Warranty at top!) in non-anorak form w/o option codes
eg
comfort seat right and comfort seat left - this is more of a non-option in that it hasn't got sports seats, on either side
490 Hi-Fi sound system - should read "Upgraded 6? speaker Porsche sound system"
686 Radio "Ludwigsburg" SQM with arimat - even I do not understand this "Porsche CD stereo system" perhaps
eg
comfort seat right and comfort seat left - this is more of a non-option in that it hasn't got sports seats, on either side
490 Hi-Fi sound system - should read "Upgraded 6? speaker Porsche sound system"
686 Radio "Ludwigsburg" SQM with arimat - even I do not understand this "Porsche CD stereo system" perhaps
Edited by Adam B on Thursday 26th April 12:02
I don't know whether it was a deliberate decision to omit the link to your PH profile, fidgits.
If it wasn't, consider adding it. When I was looking, I'd generally pay more attention to those of the PH ads that had a link to the seller's profile. In your case, it will show you've been a regular poster in the Porsche forum, which in turn will show anyone interested in looking that you've been enthusiastic about the car and that it has been looked after.
If it wasn't, consider adding it. When I was looking, I'd generally pay more attention to those of the PH ads that had a link to the seller's profile. In your case, it will show you've been a regular poster in the Porsche forum, which in turn will show anyone interested in looking that you've been enthusiastic about the car and that it has been looked after.
Lurking Lawyer said:
I don't know whether it was a deliberate decision to omit the link to your PH profile, fidgits.
If it wasn't, consider adding it. When I was looking, I'd generally pay more attention to those of the PH ads that had a link to the seller's profile. In your case, it will show you've been a regular poster in the Porsche forum, which in turn will show anyone interested in looking that you've been enthusiastic about the car and that it has been looked after.
If it wasn't, consider adding it. When I was looking, I'd generally pay more attention to those of the PH ads that had a link to the seller's profile. In your case, it will show you've been a regular poster in the Porsche forum, which in turn will show anyone interested in looking that you've been enthusiastic about the car and that it has been looked after.
any chance you could set up more details on the car under the blog? dates on when the warranty stuff and tyres were done always helps.
is it on elsewhere?
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