Dilemma

[s5tuart]

So, my eBay ad for my 2008 Focus Estate has expired with no sensible offers around the £1500 I wanted for it. My temporary insurance finishes on 29th July.
ebay ads cost £25 and Autotrader want north of £40
I got quotes for a pay monthly insurance policy from several places but most of them want two months premium in advance and charge at least £50 cancellation fee.
So, unless I SORN the car, to relist and reinsure it will cost around £150 plus another month road tax which is on DD at £12.
I could SORN it and drop the price to £1400 and relist on eBay but I’m not sure anyone will want to buy a car that is not able to be tested by driving it at least a couple of miles.
I would appreciate any ideas.

 

[SmartAmg]

I know it's not well thought of
but for a quick sale, have you tried we buy any car, just a thought.

 

[s5tuart]

I know it's not well thought of
but for a quick sale, have you tried we buy any car, just a thought.

Yes I tried them this morning. I got a starting offer of £540

 

[SmartAmg]

Yes I tried them this morning. I got a starting offer of £540

Ah, right, not good.

 

[s5tuart]

I’ve discovered that an Ad on Gumtree is free so I’ve listed it on there.
However I would like to reach a larger audience

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

What is the model, fuel type, mileage and when does the MoT run out?

 

[s5tuart]

What is the model, fuel type, mileage and when does the MoT run out?

Focus Style Estate
Diesel 1.8
118345 miles
MOT until July 2021

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’d stick with EBay for coverage and cost:

- I would have the MoT test done that’s a big plus.
- The Style model is a basic spec but the 1.8 diesel engine is pre DPF so that’s in your favour
- to add interest I’d put the starting bid at £950 which is probably above trade and a buy it now value of £1500.
- You can adjust the above values to suit depending on whether there is any interest.

 

[s5tuart]

Thanks Malcom. yes, the current MOT was done at the end of June so expires 2021.
sorry for the previous typo!

 

[Bogus]

Gumtree is fine as long as you are prepared to tolerate loads of dumb questions and outright chancers. I sold my SAAB on gumtree, but jeez I had to put up with some stupidity en route. One guy asked 3 times if the DMF was ok despite the fact it was clearly advertised as an auto, and my answer to his question was Its an auto as per advert didn't stop him asking twice more. One other viewed, tested, offered a price, which I accepted,shook on it then evaporated. Several others made daft offers without ever seeing the car. Gumtree will work, but not without trying your patience first.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If the cam belt has been changed and it has a good service history I think it should sell, as you say always difficult keeping the standing costs down pre sale you can see why so many people use trade-ins and WBAC

 

[s5tuart]

Gumtree is fine as long as you are prepared to tolerate loads of dumb questions and outright chancers. I sold my SAAB on gumtree, but jeez I had to put up with some stupidity en route. One guy asked 3 times if the DMF was ok despite the fact it was clearly advertised as an auto, and my answer to his question was Its an auto as per advert didn't stop him asking twice more. One other viewed, tested, offered a price, which I accepted,shook on it then evaporated. Several others made daft offers without ever seeing the car. Gumtree will work, but not without trying your patience first.

Oh dear! I was somewhat afraid of that! If they’re genuine people then I’ll spend as much time as they need but if they’re time wasters I have quite a short fuse!

 

[s5tuart]

If the cam belt has been changed and it has a good service history I think it should sell, as you say always difficult keeping the standing costs down pre sale you can see why so many people use trade-ins and WBAC

Yes cam belt, water pump, battery, starter, front suspension arms all done from two years ago to current

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Gumtree is fine as long as you are prepared to tolerate loads of dumb questions and outright chancers. I sold my SAAB on gumtree, but jeez I had to put up with some stupidity en route. One guy asked 3 times if the DMF was ok despite the fact it was clearly advertised as an auto, and my answer to his question was Its an auto as per advert didn't stop him asking twice more. One other viewed, tested, offered a price, which I accepted,shook on it then evaporated. Several others made daft offers without ever seeing the car. Gumtree will work, but not without trying your patience first.

Yes there is a downside to gumtree but then again it’s cheap to use, I’ve sold a few items mainly pushchairs etc now that our grandchildren have grown out of them

 

[s5tuart]

Yes there is a downside to gumtree but then again it’s cheap to use, I’ve sold a few items mainly pushchairs etc now that our grandchildren have grown out of them

Agreed. To list a car for free is unbeatable and so far I’ve had 3 replies and someone coming to view this afternoon.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The beauty of EBay compared to Gumtree is the feedback which is a great leveller most users including myself value a 100% feedback and I look for the same when when selling/buying

 

[s5tuart]

Problem solved!
It’s just sold via Gumtree!
Result

£200 deposit paid with the balance due tomorrow!!

 

[SmartAmg]

Problem solved!
It’s just sold via Gumtree!
Result

£200 deposit paid with the balance due tomorrow!!

Can I be nosey how much did you get?

 

[s5tuart]

Can I be nosey how much did you get?

£1450
Happy that it’s going tomorrow as it’s saved me all the headache of which path to choose.
I had 3 calls in the first hour.
It languished on Feebay for a month with no sensible offers.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A good deal all round pleased you’ve had a successful sale. I like the gumtree platform for local sales