Best way to sell a car

pgj2015

I am trying to sell my former car the last three months, have it on adverts, done deal, and have for sale signs on it. haven't had any interest from done deal or adverts but had a lot of calls from people driving by it and seeing the for sale signs.

it is a 2002 car and im looking for 1,300 euro for it, low mileage, very well looked after, timing belt changed good tyres etc, some people who have rang have said 1,300 is too much for a 2002 car but i know its worth it as its in such good condition and i know how hard it is to buy a well looked after second hand car in Ireland. I have had the car 3 and a half years and only had to replace a ball joint on it. The people who have rang me about it, some have said they will come test drive it but never have, if someone drives it, they will buy it im sure.

Any tips for me?

coolbeans

What's the car? Link to the ad? Wasting time otherwise.

pgj2015

http://www.adverts.ie/car/ford/focus/2002-ford-focus/11191501

SCOOP 64

Might be age of car with insurance now the way it is, with cars over 15yrs, plus 1.6 dearer tax, most people not bothered about the power of a 1.4 they just want cheaper tax, but looks a nice clean car.

coolbeans

It's nice for what it is and all that and it's a 1.6 in the hatchback which is rare in Ireland but it's also on the eve of its fifteenth birthday so insurance will be an issue.
The dent on the back would annoy me too if I'm being picky. You gotta think of your audience. At this end of the market people care about running costs and yours is relatively expensive to tax and will be perceived as having a big engine for what it is.
The new tyres bit is vague. Are they Chinese ditchfinders or decent rubber? If it's the former I'd just take that reference out of the ad.
Personally I'd take the first offer a grand that came my way if I were you.

pgj2015

coolbeans wrote: »

It's nice for what it is and all that and it's a 1.6 in the hatchback which is rare in Ireland but it's also on the eve of its fifteenth birthday so insurance will be an issue.
The dent on the back would annoy me too if I'm being picky. You gotta think of your audience. At this end of the market people care about running costs and yours is relatively expensive to tax and will be perceived as having a big engine for what it is.
The new tyres bit is vague. Are they Chinese ditchfinders or decent rubber? If it's the former I'd just take that reference out of the ad.
Personally I'd take the first offer a grand that came my way if I were you.

The dent was on it when I bought it, its not too bad at all, it doesn't bother me and im very particular about things like that, I think its because it was like that when I bought it, its a 2002 car though so its hard to find them without a few scraps i suppose. the tyres are Keter, was told they were middle of the road tyres.

SCOOP 64

just noticed on add " price non-negotiable" change that for a start, i would move on as soon as i read that.

pgj2015

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

just noticed on add " price non-negotiable" change that for a start, i would move on as soon as i read that.

That is because I wont take less than 1,300 for it, i will give it away to someone I know before I will sell it for less than 1,300, it will be the best 1,300 anyone will spend. I know it will suit someone down to the ground but i just need that person to come see and drive the car.

You could buy a focus for 800 but what will you be buying? a car that probably doesn't have the timing belt done, hasn't been looked after and has been giving the seller problems in the last few years, i think 1,300 isnt a lot of money for this car,

Ded_Zebra

Looks like really nice example! Fair play to you for keeping it so well

Doesn't look badly priced to me and the ad is good, excellent even. I'm surprised you're having trouble selling it.

Has anyone been to see it?

SCOOP 64

pgj2015 wrote: »

That is because I wont take less than 1,300 for it, i will give it away to someone I know before I will sell it for less than 1,300, it will be the best 1,300 anyone will spend. I know it will suit someone down to the ground but i just need that person to come see and drive the car.

Understand that, but still it stops people talkng too you, you want to get people at lease to look at the car and see how it is, "price non-negotiable"
just gives the impression this person may be hard to deal with.

blindside88

pgj2015 wrote: »

That is because I wont take less than 1,300 for it, i will give it away to someone I know before I will sell it for less than 1,300, it will be the best 1,300 anyone will spend. I know it will suit someone down to the ground but i just need that person to come see and drive the car.

You could buy a focus for 800 but what will you be buying? a car that probably doesn't have the timing belt done, hasn't been looked after and has been giving the seller problems in the last few years, i think 1,300 isnt a lot of money for this car,

If you want 1300 advertise it as 1350 and reduce the 50 through negotiation. I personally wouldn't look at a car that said no negotiation and I image most people are the same

pgj2015

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Looks like really nice example! Fair play to you for keeping it so well

Doesn't look badly priced to me and the ad is good, excellent even. I'm surprised you're having trouble selling it.

Has anyone been to see it?

Thanks I am a bit ocd about how i look after my cars, im surprised i haven't had 1 call from done deal about it, i sold a car without an nct on it no problem a few years ago but i suppose unless you saw and drove the car and knew im being 100% honest about what i say in the ad, maybe thats why it hasnt sold yet.

pgj2015

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

Understand that, but still it stops people talkng too you, you want to get people at lease to look at the car and see how it is, "price non-negotiable"
just gives the impression this person may be hard to deal with.

you cant increase the price of the ad now on adverts, for some reason.

Del2005

pgj2015 wrote: »

Thanks I am a bit ocd about how i look after my cars, im surprised i haven't had 1 call from done deal about it, i sold a car without an nct on it no problem a few years ago but i suppose unless you saw and drove the car and knew im being 100% honest about what i say in the ad, maybe thats why it hasnt sold yet.

If you've had no calls then it's over priced, I know that you think it's worth €1300 but obviously no one else does. You either need to drop the price or wait for the one person who really needs a 1.6 Focus, as the majority of Irish car drivers only look at the motor tax and little else.

pgj2015

people have stopped to get the number off it, but none of them have sat in it and driven it. I think some people think because its a 2002 they are gonna get it for 500 euro or something but its worth 1,300 of anyones money. if i didnt have my business car i would gladly keep it for another few years.

delaney001

Might just be me, but if I were buying a new car I would never think to look at adverts. It's always donedeal for me. You might not like donedeal or the cars that are on it but id guess it has 5-10 times the traffic of boards.
Example: I have 8 in my family (all live rurally) aged 30-70 and everyone one of them knows what donedeal is and how handy it is. I'm nearly certain only my youngest sibling knows what adverts even is.

coolbeans

pgj2015 wrote: »

people have stopped to get the number off it, but none of them have sat in it and driven it. I think some people think because its a 2002 they are gonna get it for 500 euro or something but its worth 1,300 of anyones money. if i didnt have my business car i would gladly keep it for another few years.

It's only worth what people are willing to pay for it. Clearly it's worth more to you but the market is a harsh mistress. Your ad is excellent so I reckon it'll only shift if you drop the price or wait it out for a good long time.

SCOOP 64

pgj2015 wrote: »

you cant increase the price of the ad now on adverts, for some reason.

Dont think you should increase price just take off "price non-negotiable" you might get some interest.

pgj2015

delaney001 wrote: »

Might just be me, but if I were buying a new car I would never think to look at adverts. It's always donedeal for me. You might not like donedeal or the cars that are on it but id guess it has 5-10 times the traffic of boards.
Example: I have 8 in my family (all live rurally) aged 30-70 and everyone one of them knows what donedeal is and how handy it is. I'm nearly certain only my youngest sibling knows what adverts even is.

I have had it on done deal the last couple of months. Ad has now expired.

pgj2015

coolbeans wrote: »

It's only worth what people are willing to pay for it. Clearly it's worth more to you but the market is a harsh mistress. Your ad is excellent so I reckon it'll only shift if you drop the price or wait it out for a good long time.

Thanks for the advice, I think I will stick with 1,300 for a while longer, I have been close to selling it, one guy said he would pay the 1,300 but just didn't have the money, and a few other people were very interested but they were aged 19-23 and the insurers wouldn't quote them on a 1.6.

jackofalltrades

Looks like a tidy car and a well put together Ad.
As others have said new insurance rules and the unpopularity of a 1.6 will mean your market of buyers is much smaller.
That and it too expensive.
You can get a similar car from a dealer for a lot less.

the_syco

Offer it for more than you want, so people feel good when they haggle money off you.

Also, what's wrong with the car? You crash it? When looking for a car, I ignored all of the ads which had the reg plate blanked out. Found most of them got cagey when I asked for the reg, as if I was really interested I'd have the reg ran through motorcheck for a few euros.

pgj2015

jackofalltrades wrote: »

Looks like a tidy car and a well put together Ad.
As others have said new insurance rules and the unpopularity of a 1.6 will mean your market of buyers is much smaller.
That and it too expensive.
You can get a similar car from a dealer for a lot less.

1.4

has the belt been changed?

higher mileage

pgj2015

the_syco wrote: »

Offer it for more than you want, so people feel good when they haggle money off you.

Also, what's wrong with the car? You crash it? When looking for a car, I ignored all of the ads which had the reg plate blanked out. Found most of them got cagey when I asked for the reg, as if I was really interested I'd have the reg ran through motorcheck for a few euros.

I just blanked out the reg because of criminals cloning plates, they use done deal and similar sites to get reg numbers, the car is 100% legit, never crashed etc.

Car99

You may give it to someone you know.

pgj2015

Car99 wrote: »

You may give it to someone you know.

Great contribution there.

jackofalltrades

pgj2015 wrote: »

1.4

has the belt been changed?

higher mileage

The 1.4 litre is the one people want, that makes it a more desirable car.
The dealer could probably do a deal on getting the timing belt done and it would still be cheaper than your car.
That's if buyers even ask about it, a lot at that price don't.

Francie Barrett

I just had a look on Gumtree and I would be very confident that I could get a 2004/2005 Focus in decent nick for the same price as yours or even cheaper if I was patient.

4 2005 Focus' available at €1400 (I would haggle down to €1300) - https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars/Ford/Focus?price_from=1400&price_to=1400&year_from=2005&year_to=2005&sort=price%20desc

13 2004 Focus' available at €1300 (I would haggle down to €1200) - https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars/Ford/Focus?price_from=1300&price_to=1400&year_from=2004&year_to=2004&sort=price%20desc

That gives you an idea of what you are up against.

If I could see 2004/2005 Focus' available for what you're looking for, then I wouldn't even consider a 2002 Focus with 122k miles on the clock.

pgj2015

jackofalltrades wrote: »

The 1.4 litre is the one people want, that makes it a more desirable car.
The dealer could probably do a deal on getting the timing belt done and it would still be cheaper than your car.
That's if buyers even ask about it, a lot at that price don't.

surprising price from a dealer on a 2002 focus from what i have seen on done deal, I wonder how good the car really is, have seen dealers looking from 1,500 to 2,500 for them.

pgj2015

Francie Barrett wrote: »

I just had a look on Gumtree and I would be very confident that I could get a 2004/2005 Focus in decent nick for the same price as yours or even cheaper if I was patient.

4 2005 Focus' available at €1400 (I would haggle down to €1300) - https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars/Ford/Focus?price_from=1400&price_to=1400&year_from=2005&year_to=2005&sort=price%20desc

13 2004 Focus' available at €1300 (I would haggle down to €1200) - https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars/Ford/Focus?price_from=1300&price_to=1400&year_from=2004&year_to=2004&sort=price%20desc

That gives you an idea of what you are up against.

If I could see 2004/2005 Focus' available for what you're looking for, then I wouldn't even consider a 2002 Focus with 122k miles on the clock.

122 k miles is nothing on a focus. its low mileage for a 2002 car.

Bigus

Here's a higher mileage but much more desirable 1.4 Focus in same spec and colour asking
€450 with NCT to march 2017 and new discs and pads and well maintained
And very honest advert.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/02-focus-1-4-nct-3-17-final-price-drop/13615645

Car99

pgj2015 wrote: »

Great contribution there.

Well of you're firm on €1300 , you wont get that, so you may give it to someone you know as you said yourself .

I'm not being smart just realistic.

Francie Barrett

pgj2015 wrote: »

122 k miles is nothing on a focus. its low mileage for a 2002 car.

I am just telling you what 99% of people will think. If they see a 2004/2005 car that is the same price as a 2002 car with similar mileage, then won't even look at a 2002 car, no matter how nicely it has been maintained.

xabi

It's way overpriced, you might get lucky if you hold out but I doubt it. 1K max car.

pgj2015

Car99 wrote: »

Well of you're firm on €1300 , you wont get that, so you may give it to someone you know as you said yourself .

I'm not being smart just realistic.

i am 100% confident i will get 1,300 for it, it just might take me a few more weeks, I will come back to you when i do sell it for that. i have been very close to selling it for 1,300 but insurance was a problem for the buyers.

Bigus

There's close to 1000 petrol Focus old model for sale on donedeal alone with half of them ASKING under 500.
Great cars just too much supply.

pgj2015

Francie Barrett wrote: »

I am just telling you what 99% of people will think. If they see a 2004/2005 car that is the same price as a 2002 car with similar mileage, then won't even look at a 2002 car, no matter how nicely it has been maintained.

that 1.4 has 50,000 more miles on the clock and sounds like it has been in the garage getting repaired recently unlike my car.

Bigus

pgj2015 wrote: »

i am 100% confident i will get 1,300 for it, it just might take me a few more weeks, I will come back to you when i do sell it for that. i have been very close to selling it for 1,300 but insurance was a problem for the buyers.

Insurance is a problem an ALL pre 06 cars for new policy/change of car and soon will be on pre 2007, no insurance =no sale .

pgj2015

Bigus wrote: »

Insurance is a problem an ALL pre 06 cars for new policy/change of car and soon will be on pre 2007, no insurance =no sale .

I know, it just rules out younger drivers which is a pity but it will suit an older driver im sure.

darg

Why ask people for the best way to sell a car and then disregard all advice?

xabi

darg wrote: »

Why ask people for the best way to sell a car and then disregard all advice?

That's what I was thinking, 99% of posters said the same thing that it's overpriced, the fact that there's no interest in months should tell you what you need to do if you want to sell.

Bigus

Ok 2 years younger 2004 and lower miles only 90 k miles and a Ghia ASKING 800 and in DUBLIN , I'd say 550 would drive it away.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2004-ford-focus-1-6-ghia-nct-03-2017/12958244

pgj2015

xabi wrote: »

That's what I was thinking, 99% of posters said the same thing that it's overpriced, the fact that there's no interest in months should tell you what you need to do if you want to sell.

well would the fact that i have had 4 or 5 people say they will buy it for 1,300 and then run into insurance problems not tell you to hold out? i asked about the best way to sell it on here to see if anyone had any advice i hadnt thought of, sometimes the best way to sell something is not to just keep dropping the price.

Bigus

pgj2015 wrote: »

well would the fact that i have had 4 or 5 people say they will buy it for 1,300 and then run into insurance problems not tell you to hold out? i asked about the best way to sell it on here to see if anyone had any advice i hadnt thought of, sometimes the best way to sell something is not to just keep dropping the price.

They did some research and went and bought younger cheaper cars .

xabi

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/AUTOMATI/2917120372253681386/advert?channel=CARS

pgj2015

Bigus wrote: »

They did some research and went and bought younger cheaper cars .

They would of bought the cars had they not been too young, older people will get insurance on the car.

Bigus

xabi wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/AUTOMATI/2917120372253681386/advert?channel=CARS

Bill Griffin knows his prices

xabi

pgj2015 wrote: »

They would of bought the cars had they not been too young, older people will get insurance on the car.

That's what they told you, experienced it loads when selling cars

Bigus

pgj2015 wrote: »

They would of bought the cars had they not been too young, older people will get insurance on the car.

Young and naive

Francie Barrett

pgj2015 wrote: »

i am 100% confident i will get 1,300 for it.

If you've got all the answers, then why are you asking for advice?

pgj2015

Francie Barrett wrote: »

If you've got all the answers, then why are you asking for advice?

I was originally just looking for ways to sell it quicker for full price.