When it comes time to sell one of your first builds, How do you put a price on your time and pleasure. Going to sell my 23 roadster, need to clear up some bills. This is the first car I built back in the early 80's. How do you put a price on the carbon fiber/ kevlar, hood that you clay modeled and cast a made mold. Hand made frame. Nothing store bought, Where do you start? Most will pull a price out of the air, and see the reaction. I'd post a picture of it but don't want to get deleted, for something that looks like a add. Ya thing if I post some pics, it would be OK ? I have been deleted before Honest I don't have a clue where to start, Bob
Put it on ebay.... ebayers will show you what it's worth. You'll never be able to put a price on your hours or enjoyment. So you should look at other 23 roadsters that have sold and set a price consistent with them. Or Price it to sell and move on!
figure out what you have invested in parts, that is why saving receipts is a good thing. unless you have a business, or a well known name as a builder, you can pretty much throw your time and especially pleasure out of the picture. add a bit on to price, to have room to negotiate. remember, with this economy the buyer has the upper hand. if car has a 80's look to it a sale will be slower. if you "have to sell it" be careful not agree to a figure that won't work for you. take only cash or cash with partial trade.
Hey Chad, Ebay is not a value guide nor does it dictate what a car is worth in todays market. A handful of bidders take there shot at one point in time...thats it. The seller sets the price to the best of his ability, but you don't sell at a lower price just because thats the high bid on one auction. Use ebay to get the word out, if it sells at your price...GREAT, but its only a tool...not a value guide or market barometer. I do agree with you that all sellers must do their research before setting a price. Murph
I understand what you are saying. Part of problem is it looks like a East Coast Super modified, not your standard 23. Hell they made a new cl*** for it at 1994 Autorama Cobo Hall, Radical Altered Rod. Still have the damn trophy. I guess I'll try what you said, and try Ebay Thanks Bob
^^^what he said. I've also seen that with cars that are more likely to appeal to the sit-and-show crowd, trophies and magazine articles seem to help sometimes. Some guys (not trying to knock them) see that if other people really like the car, then its cool enough for him to buy. All and all I think appraisal is your best bet. And its a card to use in negotiations as well.
Murph... It was a joke. Nothing is worth anything until you sell it! Then you know what it was worth to someone!!!
As stated before. Whatever one's opinion of ebay, it'll get you a great idea in one week. Surf the cars for sale ads there, get an idea of how to word the listing, List it with a reserve that you know for sure nobody would ever bite on and watch the bidding. At the end of the listing take the high bid, add fifteen percent on a straight up auction and relist it.
I think you already know about what it would take to sell your car, if your really looking to sell it, not just test the water, put your price on it and list it on ebay you'll have all kinds of BUY IT NOW offers. make the best deal you can, Sell it and move on, my 2 cents.
Chad...your correct! There is an *** for every seat all ya gotta do is find em. Its tough out there. Murph
Always remember when selling: You can always come down from a high price, but it's a lot harder to go up if you find you priced it too low.
You can't set a price based on blood sweat and tears, just like you can't put a price on the joy your car gives you. I have a friend who's wife wants him to sell his car. He continuously advertises it at a ridiculously high price and tells her the market is no good because nobody calls. Selling is cold stuff when it comes to sentimental value. Prices are determined by the market you're in and the comparable sales prices being paid. You can't use your costs to set price either because very few cars bring prices equal to the costs of construction. Aggressive marketing can bring higher prices, just look at the big auction houses. The same car sold through Barrett Jackson will probably bring a higher price than Craigslist. It costs money to market the car though, and you have to draw the line somewhere. Good luck and sorry to hear you have to part with your car.
Always a tough call. I am building one of my project cars to sell for the same reason, really need to turn it over to cover expenses and pay down some debt. My plan is to keep the car stock, make it a driver, will probably paint it, but not sure about the upholstery. Regardsless, my plan is this. I know what top line versions of this car go for 30K. This wont be a national champion restoration, somewhere between driver and really nice driver. I know what I have into it for parts, forget about time and labor (sweat equity), and will probably price it about half of what the sweet ones go for. I will make out on what I have in it, and it will be a decent deal. I think the larger question is not what price to put on a car to have it sell, vs how much do you have to go UP to get what you want out of it. I am from the non-school of selling stuff for what I want for it. I was never much into bs-ing people on what I wanted for the car. I was fair in the price, and that was that. When you get stories like, "Well you want 7, but its gonna cost me 1K to come and get it so I will offer you 6." Nice try, bad logic. I dont care how much it costs you to get the car. No one cared how much it cost me to get the car moved to where I am. The art of the non giveaway car, or finding that right price so the buyer feels like they beat you down, and got a deal. All so odd to me.
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