Should there be a "how to post a for sale ad" thread?

[Oso]

I haven't seen one... and I've gone through about 50 pages of vehicle for sale threads and some of them are painful to look at. People posting huge paragraphs with no punctuation, trying to wrap image tags around the file source code from their desktop, stuff like that.


I'm happy to write one up to sticky at the top of each for sale section if needed. I know I can't be the only person who finds this a little difficult.

It would basically be a "what info is needed to sell" and "how to post photos" tutorial wrapped into one. :beer:

 

[s_x_i]

Yes, but would people stick to it??


Here's the one from our local forum, feel free to borrow from it:




Seems like there's some idiocy on here regarding the best way to sell a car... I borrowed some and added some, so I didn't have to type it up - try and use it.

If you really do want a successful transaction, here are a few guidelines that may help you out:

1) Pictures - No serious buyer will make an offer without pictures, especially if the distance is too great for a personal inspection. The first question you will receive in your thread will be for pictures. Why waste time? Beg, borrow, or steal a decent camera and post them. It's free. You do not need to post 30 shots of the car, just enough to show the front, back, sides, and interior. If a buyer needs to see those 30 shots, they can ask via PM.

2) Prices - It is unfortunate for the seller, but the fact is that used cars depreciate! The average buyer on this forum probably watches used prices very closely, so asking what you think it is worth without checking actual sales figures is a waste of everyone's time.

But my car is a single owner and I have all of the service records - A valid point and may be worth a slight premium. Your mileage may vary.

But I have expensive mods - Sorry, that may be worth some premium, but most buyers don't care (or don't even consider that a bonus). Performance mods may recapture some value (but never all of it). Cosmetic mods may be positive or negative (those sick black rims may be great for you, and horribly ugly for the next guy)

No asking price, but looking for offers - The worst way to sell a car. POST A ****ING PRICE! You will only attract what you feel are lowballs. You are fishing for a misinformed buyer, and you will not find many of those here (except David). You will only attract ridicule and silence.

These are very very simple points, but there are too many ads that fail to meet basic standards....

Here soon, I'm gonna start cleaning up threads that don't have basic info in them. "Car for sale runs good call for details" **** your thread - that shit belongs on Craigslist.

Good luck with the sale.

 

[Oso]

Of course not. It wouldn't be meant to be a rule-book to go buy, more of a guide book for people who simply don't know how to use the internet past putting posts on a forum.

Even your post you put up wouldn't work. Needs to be simple and to the point and literally break EVERYTHING down so ANYONE that can read can do it.

 

[Njc0las]

For sale: Mustang cobra. Make me an offer. No low-ballers or tire-kickers.

 

[Oso]

The worst ones are

1999 Mustang

and all that's in the thread is a link to another thread which has a link to another thread on a different forum.

Or

1999 Cobra

call for info, high-low miles. it's a color. has seat. don't need to sell but need to sell fast. price is negotiable and firm.

 

[Ironhand]

Sure make a thread for the FS section. Not like one currently exist.

Oh, and no one will read it anyways. Who cares. If they cant figure out how to make a FS thread then they can keep whatever they are selling.

 

[STAMPEDE3]

Don't think we haven't discussed, debated, kicked this idea around before?

Do you see how big the market is and how fast it moves?
Enforcement would not be easy.
Easier for members to click on a thread and if it doesn't have what you're looking for then close it.
Sorry, not trying to get out of work here but.........

BTW,
Should we have a suggestion box section for threads like this?

 

[Oso]

It's not about "rules" per se. It's more about showing people how if they want to. I looked at a couple of the market subforums and didn't see anything of the sort.

 

[svtcop]

BTW,
Should we have a suggestion box section for threads like this?

I think a suggestion box section would be great. It should look just like this one I found.
Suggestions Box - SVTPerformance

:thumbsup:

btw everyone, check out my for sale ad!

blank

 

[CobraBob]

I really like both the Suggestion Box idea and the How To Post A For-Sale Ad sticky idea. At least the "how to post" sticky would provide recommended ad content and layout. It certainly wouldn't hurt, and it might just help more than a few write more effective ads. If it is done, I recommended a thread title for the sticky that "hooks" the reader by stating it will help them not only write an effective ad, but increase the number of potential buyers who might read the ad. JMO.

 

[WireEater]

My car is really awesome and it's for sale. PM for detials and send email address for pictures.

 

[SweetSVT99]

I really like both the Suggestion Box idea and the How To Post A For-Sale Ad sticky idea. At least the "how to post" sticky would provide recommended ad content and layout. It certainly wouldn't hurt, and it might just help more than a few write more effective ads. If it is done, I recommended a thread title for the sticky that "hooks" the reader by stating it will help them not only write an effective ad, but increase the number of potential buyers who might read the ad. JMO.

We already have a Suggestion Box. ;-)

It annoys the hell out of me when I come across a poorly written for sale ad, whether it's here, CraigsList, or wherever. However, it really isn't the job or the mod/admins to police whether or not someone can write an ad to fully maximize the potential of selling their vehicle or item. I bet if someone were to put together a well written "here are some tips to sell your crap" post, we would give it some consideration. We WON'T enforce the format though, way too much turn over in that section for that.

A perfect example: I was browsing Craigslist the other day, since I'm casually looking for a tablet. There was an "andriod tablet" for sale for a good price, so I emailed and asked what the model was. The response I got back was "well I don't know why you need that, but it's xxxxx". I couldn't find that make/model anywhere, so apparently they didn't even bother to actually look at it. Guess that person isn't interested in actually selling anything...too bad for them.

 

[SpectorV]

or... make them so that when they are posted they must be approved. When they are looked at before approval if they have issues like this they are sent back to the original poster so they can be fixed. This way you only let correct looking F/S posts show up.

 

[SweetSVT99]

or... make them so that when they are posted they must be approved. When they are looked at before approval if they have issues like this they are sent back to the original poster so they can be fixed. This way you only let correct looking F/S posts show up.

Are you volunteering to moderate 100s or threads a day? oke:

 

[SID297]

Are you volunteering to moderate 100s or threads a day? oke:

We had trouble keeping up with just the Terminator parts forum.:lol1:

 

[PoohBear]

Could their be a guide they could follow like that from autotrader. Maybe have a sticky with the template that they could copy and paste into their thread/ad and just put down their own info where needed with a few pictures. Something like this.

Primary Information about this vehicle:
AT Car ID: AT-11E0832A
Price $19,999
Mileage 19,200
Body Style Coupe
Exterior Color Silver
Interior Color Tan
Engine 8 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission Manual
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Two Door
VIN View VIN

Vehicle Description
INSTALLED OPTIONS
Driver Air Bag
•Anti-Lock Brakes
•Air Conditioning
•Alloy Wheels
•Cruise Control
•CD Changer
•CD Player
•Passenger Air Bag
•Rear Window Defroster
•Leather Seats
•Power Door Locks
•Power Mirrors
•Power Windows
•Power Steering
•Side Airbags
•Tinted Glass
•Tilt/Telescope Steering Wheel

Seller's Description and Comments
Mustang GT 2008 Deluxe with Premium Package *** 19195 Miles ** Original Owner ** Silver exterior with Tan interior- *, CAR SHOW *** (310) 600-1417 Mike Feature- * Manual 5 speed 4.6L ** Leather Seats * Shaker 500 sound system * Illuminated, multi-colored Center Console Drink Holder * Multiple Colored front carpet lighting (factory) * Simonize System 5 upgrade * Blue Tooth upgraded System by Factory **17" Premium Painted Cast Aluminum Wheels * 4 Wheel Disk Brakes * 5 Speed Manual Transmission * * AM/FM Radio * Air Conditioning * Bumpers Body Color * CD Player * Cylinder configuration: V-8* Driver Door Bin * Adjustable Head Rests * Auto Express Down Window * Driver Vanity Mirrors * Dual Front Impact Airbags * Front Bucket Seats * Front Center Armrest * Front Cup holders * Cruise Control * Front Anti-Roll Bar * Front Fog Lights * Front Reading Lights* Front Wheel Independent Suspension * Illuminated Entry * Low Tire Pressure Warning * Number of Valves:24 * Occupant Sensing Airbag * Pass . Vanity Mirror* Power Driver Seat * Power Windows * Rear Anti-Roll Bar * Rear Window Defroster * Remote Key-less Entry/alarm * Sequential multiple point fuel injection * Speed Control * Split Folding Rear Seat* SPOILER * Tachometer* Tilt Steering Wheel* Pirelli Performance ( great condition) * Traction Control* Variable Intermittent Wipers * EBD Electronic Brake Dist * Emergency Trunk Release * Floor Mats * Power Outlet(s) * Power Steering* Small Size Spare Tire * Factory Remote Alarm System * Always garaged, Non-smoker, One Owner, Satellite radio, Upgraded sound system*Smogged 0n 5-14-2011 . ORIGINAL OWNER CAR WITH CAR FAX ! $19,999.() Call Mike or Fey at 310-600-1417 [email protected] Vehicle is in/ Los Angeles 91403 (310) 600-1417 Mike

 

[SweetSVT99]

Do you really think that those people who are too lazy to voluntarily post up information about what they are trying to sell, are actually going to take the time to read and follow a guide of any sort?

 

[SID297]

Do you really think that those people who are too lazy to voluntarily post up information about what they are trying to sell, are actually going to take the time to read and follow a guide of any sort?

This.

 

[Ironhand]

Are you volunteering to moderate 100s or threads a day? oke:

I would.

 

[vettez062002]

Do you really think that those people who are too lazy to voluntarily post up information about what they are trying to sell, are actually going to take the time to read and follow a guide of any sort?

this

if you post a complete bullshit thread then its only the OPs fault if the car doesnt sell. Being lazy, no pics, vin, vids, or detailed important info should be in every single FS thread.

there should def be guidelines, but if you cant fathem the thought that no one will call you with a post like.
FS: "03 termi in florida make offer" come on... really? if you post a BS thread, expect BS replies plain and simple.

I would say you MUST POST THE FOLOWING or thread will be deleted

year, make, model, mileage, color, VIN!!!!, location, asking price, alteast 1 half ass picture, contact