I was cruising down the road yesterday minding my own business when I spotted this cool old Buick Riviera for sale on the side of the road. The gigantic FOR SALE slathered across the windshield drew me in like some sort of gearhead bug light. The “No Dreamers” tag had me chuckling a little. It had me roaring after I looked the car over.
Long story short, the car is a total wreck. High school kids complete paper mache projects thicker than the sheetmetal on the rear quarters and floors in this car. Yes, it is a complete Riv and would make the perfect project for someone looking to do the full resto boogie but the “No Dreamers” tag is stuck in my head. This guy NEEDS dreamers. They’re the only ones crazy enough to buy this car! Someone with the “dream” of bringing this classic Buick back to former its greatness and tire shredding glory is his perfect customer. The “No Dreamers” thing rubbed me the wrong way.
Anywho, the point of that diatribe was to lead into the question of the day.
What’s the best way to sell an old car? Is it to do it like this guy and essentially scare off anyone that would normally have a passing interest? Is it to understate any issues to at least get people to look at the car? Perhaps the best technique is to be totally up front with every dent and ding, allowing the chips to fall where they may?
What say you? Tell us the best method for selling an old car (to dreamers and non-dreamers alike)
1. Post the real price of the car on the car in big numbers. (if you can’t see the price from 30 ft away, make it bigger),
2. Make it a realistic and fair price (too many “heaps” are priced like they’re fully restored and at Barrett-Jackson).
3. Give honest replies to questions.
4. Be patient and try not to be obnoxious to people who know less about it than you think you do.
5. Wait for the right buyer (don’t be pushy)
6. Don’t lie about the car.
7. Don’t try to rip people off by taking advantage of their passion, their lack of knowledge, or their impulsiveness.
funny. yes my biggest peeve is someone selling something has no price listed. It will save you a million phone calls if you LIST THE PRICE. I love idiots on Craigslist with no picture or price of a car they are selling. Fail
You’re right about that seller needing the dreamers.
Every now and again I go through a mental phase thinking about selling the Centurion. The rust is winning at the moment, but it’s not horrible by some east coast standards I’ve seen. It’s ready for a new paint job, but otherwise it runs like a champ, sounds good and is a good driver. Some days I just feel like driving it to Las Vegas and cruising around with the ‘For Sale’ sign on it with the title in my back pocket to see if it’ll sell on the spot there.
I think the only way is to be totally honest. I’ve restored and sold MANY repairable totals and I always keep a file of pics (now digital) of the car as I got it and what I did to fix it. I start with cars with clean titles so that’s not a concern to a buyer. So I show them the pics and tell them as well as show them what I did – I’m PROUD of my work.
The cars were always priced fairly and I usually had them sold before they were finished. Occasionally I’d have to fight with the buyer to let me drive it for a couple of days to make sure everything was OK but in the end I think they were pleased that I cared enough about my product to make sure it was OK.
I haven’t done one in a while but I’d do it the same way tomorrow (and will, when I sell Mom’s car).
Dan
I tell ya what ,Dont be a Di@# when someone comes to look at the junker. Some smart ass tried that on me once. Told him to go F&*$ off and stick the car up his ass. I think he still has it.
when i sell a car i am up front with it. i also do not act like i have to sell the car.
i hate buyers that coe up and act like they are doing me a favor taking my junk off my hands. makes me rather scrap it then sell it to them i actualy did that once
I’m upfront and too honest,always seem desperate and end up loosing at least 25-30% off what ever I have in it…..
I buy high and sell low…..
Do like I’ve done in the past. Wait until you’r so sick of looking at the POS you end up giving it away for half what you paid for it.:-P