A little back story; I have been recuperating from a heart bypass since January. Thursday the 31st of March, 203 folks got laid off from the company that I work for and I was one of them. During this convalescent period, I've really spent a lot of time reading and learning here, and reading my technical books. I really think I've got a good understanding of what this site is all about, and what traditional-ism really means now. Unfortunately, I don't know if I have an income to support what I see in my mind's eye now. That's not really the scary part for me. The fear is about selling shit. I've never sold a car in my life. I'm afraid to talk to people about selling stuff. I'm afraid of the dickering process, the potential scams, shipping something as large as a car... The whole nine yards. I know that if I sold what I have, I'd have a good start on what I see in my head. I just can't find the cojones to place an ad and sell it all. Can anyone offer any advice? Two of the cars are off topic for this forum, but work for the Dogfight classifieds. -Nevala
I have sold many cars many different ways. The best way I have found is Ebay. Your car will sell for what its worth (probably more) It will usually sell within two weeks and there is no dickering involved. Just make sure they pay cash. You just have to be realistic in the pricing you set for it.
Don't ship, sell local only, cash only ... that takes care of scams. The B.S. is pretty much unavoidable.
Not if you don't want to ship. With the extra exposure, you will always have people pestering you to ship it. That said, selling online can be be safe, easy, and effective, if you still stick to cash only.
I don't know what advice one could give other than y'all be careful out there. Every deal is a potential scam, I suppose. I've always dealt with folks assuming they are honest, but I also try to do some due dilegence. One good thing about the HAMB is that if you were buying a car some distance from you, you could ask a HAMB'er or two to check it out for you firsthand before you write a check. Selling stuff is no different. I usually let my stuff go way too cheap it seems. But really, what something, anything is worth, is dependant on what someone is willing to pay for it, and how much you need/want the money. What other people tell you something is worth, is just what it's worth to some other person. An example: I would give you $100.00 for any tri five Chevy on the planet. Does that mean they aren't worth 100 bucks? Heck no. It's life, the car hobby should be fun, try no to lose too much money and have fun with it. I just listed a classic motorcycle tach on eBay yesterday. I almost threw the dang thing away several times over the years. I placed the addd, and put a starting bid of $100 bucks. Before 24 hours was up, I've already had someone offer me $500.00 for it. For a motorcycle tachometer! Amazing...So, again, it's worth what you are willing to give for it, or what someone else is willing to pay you for it. It's just a thing, it's not life. Go enjoy it!
For some reason I really like how you've worded/written your post. Basically what that means is I read it and thought, "Hmmm, that's interesting". I honed in on this sentence, and the bolded part in particular: "I just can't find the cojones to place an ad and sell it all." It makes me think that you're thinking you have to sell it all in one shot. My thought is to try something smaller, localer, and easier to start with ... baby step it. For your next sale you might try another way, if you feel like it. You may start figuring out what you like and don't like- what works for you. Maybe you can come up with some good ad verbiage that expresses your concerns. How about seeing if anybody you already know is interested?
Even if you only want to sell locally, don't forget that many (most?) people nowadays are going to start their shopping process online.
Just make sure to do all the paperwork to release your liability, however you sell a car. Save copys for at least the legally required period. I just got a notification from the state about a boat I sold almost 5 years ago, glad I still had all the info. Good luck on your sales.
i have had a few tranactions on ebay and i believe it is the way to part with some of those odds and ends that we have accumulated over the years. i have not specifically sold a car. if you are serious and have a number of things i would be happy to share my experiences to help you short cut the learning process (email or pm me). in my opinion the key item for an ebay seller is to be open and honest. tell the buyers if it has a wart or many. for the pristine stuff be sure you let them know and take good pictures. good luck and enjoy. larry
first off, don't EVER let it be known that you have a definite financial NEED to sell a car. if you DO, you have just set yourself up to be hounded down to the lowest price imaginable. been there, done that. vultures are everywhere.
Overcome your fear by selling a few smaller items first. Then move on to the big stuff. I also wish you well in your medical recovery. As long as you don't ship anything or sign away your title until you have the cash in hand you will be ok. Go to your bank and ask their advice and ask also if you can set up a separate account.
The key to selling online is honesty and good pictures. Describe your stuff honestly, that way there's nothing to dispute. You don't have to ship the big stuff like engines, transmissions or whole cars. If they want it they'll figure out how to get it. State that clearly and upfront. Dictate the method of payment. On big stuff I always get a deposit thru paypal to cover fees if the buyer flakes out and take only cash when it's picked up, period, done, not negotiable. Steer clear of Craiglist until you're comfortable with telling people to get the eff off your property because although 98% of those deals go fine we'll occasionally get a nitwit or two that have to be told about it. Start small and work up from there, like the other guys have said. That way you'll get your legs under you without substantial risk. I've bought and sold lots of stuff online and haven't really had any issues. Most people out there are still honest and just want to buy or sell something without any BS. Kevin
No, I just mean that selling all of these extraneous things would help me be able to raise the funds for the car that I envision.
I understand. I don't really NEED to sell anything (at this moment, knock on wood). Maybe I worry too much. I still appreciate all the advice I can get though.
If you're that timid...don't sell anything and then think about how you're life might have turned out. For crying out loud, get off your ass and sell something small at first...learn from it and then sell something bigger...etc. Before you know it, you'll be a seasoned veteran. My Dad pushed me into the deep end of the pool and said "You'd better learn to start paddling or you'll drown". Tough love works.
I think you need to consult an attorney about this situation of being laid off while on a medical leave, I don't want to go OT here but if that's what happened it may be illegal. Call your state labor board and inquire.
ALWAYS get the money first before handing anything over or shipping.. make them do the work..tell them to arrange for shipping from their end that way its out of your hands..
If you really don't want to deal with it all, look in the yeallow pages where you live and search "auction services". There are people who handle selling stuff on eBay (and other places) who will do the listing, take the pictures, handle all the response, and even, in some cases handle the shipping. You can use as much of their services as you like. They typically work on either a flat fee or a per centage of the value of what is sold. You can also check on Craigslist for someone to help you. As every one else said, nothing leaves your hands until you have either cash money or wire transfer receipts.
1940 has good advice,go to your bank and tell them what you want to do.they will set up a separate account so the buyer can transfer funds into it from his bank. I sold one to a guy from out of state and told him to bring cash.Well he didn;t and showed up with a company check.Stupid me trusted him and after he had my car and title the check bounced.I finally got my $ but it was a real hastle and nerve racking.The bank told me there are a lot of fake cashiers checks out there so don't trust them .transfering funds is the safest way or good old cash. Thank god you came through your surgury.
Thanks to everyone's advice, I posted an ad. It's on the Dogfight site's classifieds, and OT, so I won't link here. I appreciate people talking me through it.
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