Here's my advice ebay auctions...take it for what it's worth (Free
) I have not bought or sold any cars on ebay, but I've done about 50 auctions 1/2 as seller 1/2 as buyer, and I've learned/researched a lot on what makes auctions generate the highest bids.
Cars that appear stock/unmolested usually sell for more than cars with modifications, especially "F&F" ones...condition of each car being equal Most people that want to customize cars want to do it their way and won't pay top dollar for it unless its a really hot setup, e.g. built by a reputable builder or just an incredible piece.
Take the neon & stereo stuff out, and sell that seperately, you'll gross more and you will attract buyers that may otherwise be turned off. If you had a custom install I'd suggest otherwise but the stereo gear looks thrown in there & the neon is broken. (My stereo install looks about the same in my car
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Also hide the wires you have hanging out under the dash, and clean your battery terminals. Hide the graduation tassle on your rear-view mirror, it says "smokey burnouts in school parking lot" (which may be completely not the case but people think like that).
Make the car look like it was a owned by an older, anal-retentive enthusiast who bought the car new and kept up with all the maintenance.
Show hi-res/detailed pictures of every body surface which reveals imperfections & shows qualityThis increases bidder confidence because they can better judge the quality of the body/finish, etc. Here's a good example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2472907669&category=6007If at all possible shine the car up very nicely and do the pics in a garage with flourescent lights overhead, the silver will glow like new.
Take pictures of the car that reveal how certain high-wear items have aged.
For example, on a Contour I'd take detailed pics of the drivers seat, the carpet by the driver's feet, the rear bumper seam along the 1/4 panel where sag occurs, etc. This helps distinguish your piece from the others out there.
Find the text of previous auctions that sold high and use the same content/format Don't be untruthful or plaguerize (sp) but at the same time that content (plus the car) helped draw such a high price. Adapt it for your use (either page layout or content layout).
Devise a strategy to discourage sniper bidsAnyone on ebay a lot knows bid sniping is a great way to get a deal many times. It's the only way I bid on an auction unless I do 'buy it now'.
Do you get lots of questions only to not have any bids on the car from that party? They could be into sniping your auction. Check their user ID, and see how they bid on previous auctions...was it always in the last minute or less? You may have a sniper on your hands.
Come up with ways to encourage "buy it now" or give a perk if the selling price goes over $xxx amount, e.g. free shipping/delivery within xxx miles, throw in some spare parts, etc. It will incent people to drive the bid up sooner making it harder for snipers to lowball you. I would say if the bid goes over $xxx you'll install new tires and balance the wheels. You'll pay $350 for some cheap hi-perf tires, and the buyer will not have to worry about it.
Anyhow...good luck!
