Why is selling a car on eBay getting harder to get good money?

Chris V: Why is selling a car on eBay getting harder to get good money?
I have sold over 400 cars on eBay. It just doesn’t seem to be like it used to be. Cars aren’t selling for as much money. People used to fly in and buy cars from all over. Now I only get local people. I am selling them for more and faster in the local newspaper. Also, 1/2 the people that are top bidder don’t even pay. It’s just not barely worth it anymore. Does anyone else feel this way? If so, why?
Haha, well now that you say it…..I had a conversation with my dad today about him getting a car on eBay. I wasn’t even thinking from the buyer’s side……but I told him no way because I have bought 2 Corvettes and a 350Z from reputable dealers on eBay. All 3 promised me no paintwork. There was paintwork on ALL 3. One even had the nerve to try to get me to sign a “paintwork disclosure” after I drove 300 miles when promised “NO PAINTWORK” liars.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Ian F
There’s so much fraud, it’s driving bidders away. Simple as that.

It’s much easier to get screwed as a buyer than it is as a seller. At the very least you waste time and money going to see a vehicle which may not be as represented. At worst you lose your money and get no car. It can be hard to spot fake listings.

Oh the bright side, the number of fraudulent buyers out there drives sellers away, too.

The solution: Deny Africa internet access. The whole continent.

Answer by sofiztk8ed
people are getting to tight with their money. they want everything for free

Answer by nevergonnaletyoudown
Vehicle shipping is too expensive. I live on the west coast and it seems like most of the dealers on ebay are from Texas or the east coast, and shipping a car out here is a minimum $ 1000. Add that to fact that you’re bidding on something sight unseen and if something goes wrong you cannot take up your grievances in person, and it seems like more trouble than it’s worth.

Answer by sweetromanticgirl4u
Hi…….i am a part time car wholesaler, not a dealer, although if i had any money i would be. I cant believe you sold 400 units on ebay, thats awesome!! You didnt specify your location, it must be a metropolis. Every single car i ever listed for sale on ebay, never even came close to the reserve. People on ebay are bargain hunters, i assume, and unless you have a “hot” model, its gonna be tough to sell. Maybe its my location, i live near little rock. The last car i had listed was a red toyota celica GT convertible, 1988 model, original owner was my Dad, 120K miles in good condition, well maintained. My reserve was $ 1800, and the bid went up to $ 800. I sold it in the local paper a few days later for $ 1700, and i feel as if i gave the car away. I have bought 3 trucks on ebay in the past year. I am originally from NJ, so i know the area well. About a year ago, i researched on ebay a few dealers that i might be able to work with. I purchased a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder, 4wd, loaded for $ 1300, and it needed some minor work. I drove around to all the dealers i researched, the one i was most hopeful to meet was “tradezoneautosales” in Hampton, NJ. I was bidding on a particular truck they had, but lost on the final bid. It was a former show truck, Big, lifted,4×4 tricked out gmc. They advertise as a “no bull” dealer…..yeah right. When i get there, i want to see the truck for my own eyes, in person, even though i lost the bid. The winning bidder was $ 3500 or so. Well, he doesnt know where the truck is, maybe the buyer picked it up. We chat a bit, i tell him what i do, he says he’d be happy to work with me. I drive my Pathfinder back to Arkansas, fix it up and sell it for $ 3200. I look on ebay, and bang, there’s that same big gmc 4×4 for sale by the same dealer i was at a few days ago for sale. The ad says the buyer was a deadbeat bidder. But, i didnt get a “second chance offer” like they say they do. I watch the truck, and the 2nd time around it sells for $ 2800. i think my last bid in the first auction was $ 3200 or something like that. Then i start bidding on a little gmc 4×4 he’s got, 66,000 miles on it, 94 model. I bid $ 750 on it, and at the last minute i lose the bid on it, it sells for $ 760. Hence, a week later the truck is back up for sale again, the deadbeat bidder story again, and i didnt get a second chance offer. Those guys are so full of crap up there……..they just buy cars from the auction, and sell em on ebay. They talk a good game of a 100 point check list, and every car is certified. Now i just email them once in a while, i tell him a particular car he’s got looks great for the demolition derby………he’s now refused my bids. Then i purchase another 94 Pathfinder on ebay from a guy in Wayne NJ. $ 2000. it looks good, but when i get there, there were way more dings and scratches on it then were apparent in the pictures. The guy tells me it was his wifes truck, but as i get in the truck, the power mirrors dont work, and the right one has been hit and the plastic is cracked. I cant even adjust it to see down the right side. The seller says, “he didn’t know”. I even spoke with the seller over the phone, he assured me the frame over the back wheels had “only surface rust”. Well, it also had 4 or 5 big holes rusted through too. I told him i wanted some money back or i was gonna give him negative feedback, so he gave me $ 100. Turns out he sells cars on ebay thru a dealer he works for out of Paterson NJ. At least it drove ok, I drove it home, fixed the mirror and welded the frame, and sold it for $ 3500. I just bought another one last month from a guy in Ct. for $ 1500, but it needs work too. Right off the bat, it was obvious this car hadnt had an oil change in quite some time, and the trans fluid was old too. The interior is dirty,….dirtier than it appeared in pictures. At least this guy was truthful about the rust. It runs and drives good and i’d like to keep it for my personal car if i can. I have 2 other cars for sale now, an antique Plymouth for $ 3500 and a Dodge Spirit for $ 1850. Both cars are in excellent condition, and everything works, i am going to lose money on both, and i cant find a buyer. Best offer on the antique car so far was $ 2500, heck, thats what i paid for the paint job. And, the best offer i got on the Spirit so far, was $ 800. I have been buying and selling cars all my life, but in the last few years the climate has changed. Everybody wants a bargain. I cant sell a Dodge in perfect condition, but i can sell a fair condition 4wd Pathfinder all day long for all the money. The other problem, ebay always wins. Last year they raised the rates on cars from $ 25 to $ 50 plus, per unit. It hasnt seemed to hurt their business any, but for me, $ 50 is alot to advertise a car on a site that might not sell. And, besides, sometimes you get a bunch of dumb questions, like, “hey, will you sell me the front seats outta that car?” What? Buy the whole car you idiot, then you get the front seats for free. Thats my ebay story…….too many people probably got hurt or buy a car with undisclosed issues. Hard to get your money back when you pay up front a few weeks ahead of time. Go to craigslist.org and look at cars for sale in Arkansas. You’ll see my 2 cars there, excellent condition, no buyers in site……Good Luck!

Answer by ucantcme
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF THE WORD “FRAUD” AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS IN ANYWAY REFERS TO YOU BUT THERE IS JUST SO MUCH OUT THERE.