People selling cars and just don't care?

[TheSneakiness]

Just an observation I've made over the last couple of weeks.

I've been looking at unregistered cars going for cheap (< $1000) on Gumtree and Carsales to keep me occupied, get it going as a run around and to teach myself a few more things about cars.

My main source of query comes via email so with Gumtree that's OK unless that user is fairly inactive but with Carsales you need to enter in a phone number, so I use 0400 000 000 as a number with a query to ask if they have a list of things that need fixing on it to save a trip to the local RW certifier.

All of the cars I've enquired about I've received one response on Gumtree saying something along the lines of someone else is coming to see it, if they don't I'll contact you (spewing about that too cause it was a nice 2001 AUII XR8)

Is it that hard to respond to an email query? Do I need to change my attack?

[BA Supa Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

Just an observation I've made over the last couple of weeks.

I've been looking at unregistered cars going for cheap (< $1000) on Gumtree and Carsales to keep me occupied, get it going as a run around and to teach myself a few more things about cars.

My main source of query comes via email so with Gumtree that's OK unless that user is fairly inactive but with Carsales you need to enter in a phone number, so I use 0400 000 000 as a number with a query to ask if they have a list of things that need fixing on it to save a trip to the local RW certifier.

All of the cars I've enquired about I've received one response on Gumtree saying something along the lines of someone else is coming to see it, if they don't I'll contact you (spewing about that too cause it was a nice 2001 AUII XR8)

Is it that hard to respond to an email query? Do I need to change my attack?

I sold a few cars on both carsales and gumtree. I didn't answer any emails, IMO if someone is genuine they will call. Most of the emails I received were silly questions or low ball offers. Gumtree is good cause it's free, but I've had more success with carsales.

[SumoDog68]

If you are chasing something specific - email , phone , text , FB message - whatever it takes :-) main goal is to establish communication and find out info and possibly negotiate.
So , yes , you also need to be more flexible :-)

[Brazen]

With 0400 000 000 as a contact detail I would just assume it's a scammer.

[STINKY NINJA]

I don't take emails or txt messages seriously when selling cars,pick up the phone and call or I assume its timewasters.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by Brazen

With 0400 000 000 as a contact detail I would just assume it's a scammer.

That is a good point actually, maybe if I do put in my number instead it'll be taken more seriously.

[gcg2503]

You ask if the sellers are serious which is pure irony.

If you were serious about buying you would pick up the phone.

[theBlake]

I spend time late at night browsing car sales, so that's when I send an email. I think it's pretty obnoxious to TXT or call someone at midnight.

But yes, I am surprised at the number of people that don't even reply, Especially when I have asked what is the best time to call after hours. i just figure that they are not serious about selling a car, and move onto the next one.

[Ben73]

I reply to emails if they seam serious. Major spelling mistakes or lack of any form of grammar and stupid questions I will ignore.
I actually got an email through carsales that was nothing but their contact details, what do they expect me to ring them?

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

Just an observation I've made over the last couple of weeks.

I've been looking at unregistered cars going for cheap (< $1000) on Gumtree and Carsales to keep me occupied, get it going as a run around and to teach myself a few more things about cars.

My main source of query comes via email so with Gumtree that's OK unless that user is fairly inactive but with Carsales you need to enter in a phone number, so I use 0400 000 000 as a number with a query to ask if they have a list of things that need fixing on it to save a trip to the local RW certifier.

All of the cars I've enquired about I've received one response on Gumtree saying something along the lines of someone else is coming to see it, if they don't I'll contact you (spewing about that too cause it was a nice 2001 AUII XR8)

Is it that hard to respond to an email query? Do I need to change my attack?

Have you looked at Professor Farnsworths ad for his AU XR8? He has a good list of what it requires as well. Very desirable if you want something to work on.

[fordomatic]

Sold plenty of cars and i never answer emails or texts. If they are serious they will call, every one of my cars have been sold within two weeks so it clearly hasn't hindered a sale.

[gregaust]

Last car I bought I called the guy then went and looked at it. He knew I was serious and before I even made an offer , he told me he'd take $1000 under the advertised price ,simply because he was sick of time wasters and silly low ball offers.
Make the call and go check the car yourself.
A car under 1k I'd suspect the seller just wants to get rid of it without too much effort of emails and questions.

[XG_Falcon]

My advice is to call them and have cash ready. When you inspect the car, make it clear you can pay for it that day. Money talks.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Sold plenty of cars and i never answer emails or texts. If they are serious they will call, every one of my cars have been sold within two weeks so it clearly hasn't hindered a sale.

Last car I sold the only person who made initial contact through a phone call is the only one who said they would turn up for a look but never showed.

If you advertise online, you really should be happy to reply to an email I believe.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by XG_Falcon

My advice is to call them and have cash ready. When you inspect the car, make it clear you can pay for it that day. Money talks.

This as well... it's why I've been holding back as I get paid monthly and just want a fixer upper which is why I've stated the price.

[Franco Cozzo]

I sold my Ambo primarily through email contact, the first time I rang the buyer was when I picked them up from the airport.

[FG50T]

If I see you're not genuine to at least leave your real phone number, why am I going to bother emailing you back? Even when someone emails me I call them to respond.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Anyone who sends me contact via carsales i usually ignore, unless I can call them via telephone. I usually then proceed to google to the telephone number before calling them.

Ive had a pretty good success rate with carsales and trucksales to date selling online.

[rst2000]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I reply to emails if they seam serious. Major spelling mistakes or lack of any form of grammar and stupid questions I will ignore.

lol, like SEAM which should be SEEM....

[GREGL]

I have a bad feeling answering emails, just really paranoid about scammers when I am selling anything. Ebay I am a bit more comfortable with but Gumtree forget it.
The one thing that drives me crazy is texts. The first one maybe I will respond to if it feels genuine however these days some consider it normal to carry out a appraisal via sms. No sooner have you answered one question another question comes and on it goes.
Had a pair of eh widies on gumtree for $60 P.C photos and all. One fella asked 3 times within an hour 3 different questions, then got offended when I got shirty and told him to f..ing ring. Gumtree is the absolute worst for it but it's free so you can live with it to a point.

[theBlake]

exactly, SMS stands for SHORT Message Service, not have a flappin conversation.

[jstanovic]

I always put NO SMS THANKS on every ad I place, generally stops the messages coming in still get the odd idiot with their first text saying "will you take $xxx" which is always a rediculously low offer.

I get the same with work, the sms will say "I got your number from John please call me regarding some work needed at my place". WTF? No other info, they can go **** off haha

[OzJavelin]

Sorry .. But I'll go against the grain on this one. If you don't want to correspond (at least initially) via email (and to a degree sms) don't bother using the Internet to advertise. Drive your car around with a for sale sign and phone number on it like the old fashioned way. All you will get is face-to-face locals and local phone calls ..

If you use the Internet expect Internet based communications ..

[EB#]

I have sold stuff on gumtree and actually prefer emails or gumtree-message-to-email as the initial contact method. To avoid ridiculous/illegible/junk text messages I don't even list my number. Emails can easily sort the junk from the serious inquiries and then swiftly move to a phone call/inspection etc. The hardest part is dealing with the "no show" despite an agreement, but that is par for the course and impossible to predict.

As a buyer, I got my last car via a gumtree ad in a similar way.... email then call. A brief email sent to a seller can quickly gauge how keen they are to actually sell, respond to a message and/or make themselves available for an inspection. (If the indications are that the seller has NFI or I would be stuffed around, I don't bother pursuing it). In my case, I had noticed an ad in the morning, had an inspection lined up by lunchtime and took the cash with me... all very easy and paid 15% under asking price.

In regards to hunting for a car on Carsales, entering a dodgy phone number is fine for the dealers to keep them off your back, but not a good look for a private sale inquiry.

[Paull]

Just get yourself another email address as well as a burner prepaid phone. Every time I buy/sell on eBay, Gumtree, Classifieds etc, I switch the phone on and check that email. When complete, I ignore that email account and switch the phone off.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by rst2000

lol, like SEAM which should be SEEM....

You're a bit of a harsh marker.
What I was referring to was the ones that are like

"Hello i like look of your car you have sale listed on gumtree.com.au is it still for sale. Are you willing to take lower price"

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

This as well... it's why I've been holding back as I get paid monthly and just want a fixer upper which is why I've stated the price.

I guess you're just trying to get an idea of what's out there at the moment then?

[Brazen]

I prefer SMS personally, I can respond when I'm free and it seems to give nervous buyers less impediment to contact you.

Sold a car to someone over a half dozen texts, he showed up with his uncle to look it over, paid cash on the spot and drove off. A nice guy who was a bit quiet, could of scared him off if I told him to call (texts really don't bother me).

[FGX335]

Older vs younger generation. In my industry, all the old guys want to deal on the phone, but the younger ones prefer email. That way, you also have a paper trail (in a business sense).

Agreed that advertising online also means email is perfectly fine, just have your BS-o-meter on hand.