subject: Why has it become so hard to sell a car the old fashioned way? [print this page] Earlier this year, I put my trustyFord Focus up for sale in my local newspaper, just as Ihad done as a matter of routine over the past decade or so regarding various cars? We are talking about Britain's most popular car here, so surely afive door, 1.6 petrol, 58 plate Zetec with less than 44,000 miles on the clockwouldn't take long to shift at a paltry price of7,500k? How wrong could I be?
Three weeks and over 200 worth of local advertising fees later, I still hadn't had a sniff! Three years ago I was able sell my Volkswagen Golf of similar standing within two days. So what had changed? Is itthatmost private car buyers are now unwilling, or unable, to buy a vehicle without the facilities a car retailer can provide i.e finance, warranty & service? Is itdown to the fact thatprivate buyers areincreasingly concerned about possible scams? Is it because manufacturers are now offering huge incentives to buy new cars? Is it a combination of all of the above?
What can be said with certainty is that, with fewer private car buyers in the marketplace, more and more car sellers are turning to online car buying companies. The obvious benefits of taking that route isconvenience, especially as most companies now offer a free valuation and free collection service. Expediency is also a major plus point as many car buying companies offer animmediate paymentof cleared funds whenyour vehicle is collected! Throw in the fact that most car buying companies are small enough to offer a flexibility of serviceto suit your specific requirements and it becomes an increasingly attractive option.
I ended up selling my car to a car buying company for not that much less than I had hoped to achieve privately. I suspect I am not alone!
Why has it become so hard to sell a car the old fashioned way?
