5 stages of auto sales
02-14-2009, 02:32 PM
#16
Race Car
It's marketing 101...
1) Target the right audience.
2) The message/details for that audience (Specs, pics, etc)
3) The "offer" - Why should they have more interest in what you're selling than what they can find elsewhere
4) Remove barriers to purchase - No gymnastics required by the buyer. Accommodate the PPI easily, etc.
1) Target the right audience.
2) The message/details for that audience (Specs, pics, etc)
3) The "offer" - Why should they have more interest in what you're selling than what they can find elsewhere
4) Remove barriers to purchase - No gymnastics required by the buyer. Accommodate the PPI easily, etc.
02-14-2009, 02:44 PM
#17
Racer
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1-Denial-My car is unique and not like every other Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari that is for sale and is worth every penny of asking price. Mods are NOT included at that price. It's a steal as is.
2-Anger- G!d damn low balling sacks of ****. Every offer I get is $5k under my asking price. They think they can steal it from me. Well, I'll just keep it and enjoy it. (enter smiley face here)
3-Bargaining-OK guys, last chance before I put it on ebay and all the other sale sites. I'll even throw in the mods for the same price.
4-Depression-I cant believe how little our cars are worth now. I never thought I'd see the day. I've put my soul into this car.
5-Acceptance-New price!!!! {Typically about $5k lower than the offers received in stage 2 (whoops) Sadly, still over market but he's getting there.}
2-Anger- G!d damn low balling sacks of ****. Every offer I get is $5k under my asking price. They think they can steal it from me. Well, I'll just keep it and enjoy it. (enter smiley face here)
3-Bargaining-OK guys, last chance before I put it on ebay and all the other sale sites. I'll even throw in the mods for the same price.
4-Depression-I cant believe how little our cars are worth now. I never thought I'd see the day. I've put my soul into this car.
5-Acceptance-New price!!!! {Typically about $5k lower than the offers received in stage 2 (whoops) Sadly, still over market but he's getting there.}
02-14-2009, 03:11 PM
#18
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I've come up with a theory 14 years ago, while buying our first house, that there are three stages to purchasing real estate. Excitement, Depression, Resignation. You are first excited about what you can find out there, then get depressed by what's actually out there, then resign completely and buy something that represent market and your now seriously reduced expectations.
I'm at the beginning stage of yet another Resignation, having to buy a condo in Boston now. So the original poster's summation is pretty near and dear to my own experiences as both buyer and seller.
And, oh, I sell stuff (software) for a living. Software that costs slightly more than a 993 and is also a semi-commodity, just like used 993s, so people can actually compare it to other software out there and make a decision on how much to pay (range is easily 10X between cheaper and more expensive examples). I think if I called my potential customers thieves and tire kickers, I would certainly not be able to keep a 993.
I'm at the beginning stage of yet another Resignation, having to buy a condo in Boston now. So the original poster's summation is pretty near and dear to my own experiences as both buyer and seller.
And, oh, I sell stuff (software) for a living. Software that costs slightly more than a 993 and is also a semi-commodity, just like used 993s, so people can actually compare it to other software out there and make a decision on how much to pay (range is easily 10X between cheaper and more expensive examples). I think if I called my potential customers thieves and tire kickers, I would certainly not be able to keep a 993.
02-14-2009, 03:14 PM
#19
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02-14-2009, 03:25 PM
#20
Drifting
...a person with enough money to buy a 993 should have a slightly better understanding...Nile
I shoulda been a freakin' psychiatrist...RutgersU
02-14-2009, 05:22 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
Sadly, a great observation form the OP! It seems a lot of folks these days are skipping from #1 directly to #5.
I would add one thing to #1: "I am NOT desperate to sell! If I don't get what I am asking, I'll just keep it."
I would add one thing to #1: "I am NOT desperate to sell! If I don't get what I am asking, I'll just keep it."
02-14-2009, 05:38 PM
#22
02-14-2009, 07:31 PM
#23
Weathergirl
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Might be worthwhile to examine those five stages from the point of view of an unmotivated seller.
So many of the market/buying threads recently have had a lot of the "are you nuts, look around, the economy's tanking, now sell me your 993 cheap" attitude. That attitude works well I guess, when you're dealing with a must sell to keep my house sort of situation (like that fellow on Pelican a few months ago).
It also might work OK if the seller has a dozen cars, 8 figures in assets and a bored, "maybe I'll sell one of the Porsches and add an Aston" sort of attitude. That's what it's worth? So be it.
But for the vast middle class of 993 owners, the tone and nuance of buying and selling these cars is somewhat different. It's always been very focused on finding the "right" one. And what do you do when you find the right one, but the seller won't take your lowball offer? Complain that sellers are irrational and out-of-touch with the market of course.
So many of the market/buying threads recently have had a lot of the "are you nuts, look around, the economy's tanking, now sell me your 993 cheap" attitude. That attitude works well I guess, when you're dealing with a must sell to keep my house sort of situation (like that fellow on Pelican a few months ago).
It also might work OK if the seller has a dozen cars, 8 figures in assets and a bored, "maybe I'll sell one of the Porsches and add an Aston" sort of attitude. That's what it's worth? So be it.
But for the vast middle class of 993 owners, the tone and nuance of buying and selling these cars is somewhat different. It's always been very focused on finding the "right" one. And what do you do when you find the right one, but the seller won't take your lowball offer? Complain that sellers are irrational and out-of-touch with the market of course.
02-14-2009, 07:35 PM
#24
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Yea, I have taken a ride on the wild side in Amsterdam in years past. It will be my 4th trip to the Dam and going to have a pretty good trip lined up. Casa Rosa, Anne Frank's house (which I have yet to see) , a boat club venture, and a few other things. I would tip toe through the tulips but they will all dead by the time we arrive. And of course, visiting a few coffee shops along the way. 
02-14-2009, 08:10 PM
#25
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Might be worthwhile to examine those five stages from the point of view of an unmotivated seller.
So many of the market/buying threads recently have had a lot of the "are you nuts, look around, the economy's tanking, now sell me your 993 cheap" attitude. That attitude works well I guess, when you're dealing with a must sell to keep my house sort of situation (like that fellow on Pelican a few months ago).
It also might work OK if the seller has a dozen cars, 8 figures in assets and a bored, "maybe I'll sell one of the Porsches and add an Aston" sort of attitude. That's what it's worth? So be it.
But for the vast middle class of 993 owners, the tone and nuance of buying and selling these cars is somewhat different. It's always been very focused on finding the "right" one. And what do you do when you find the right one, but the seller won't take your lowball offer? Complain that sellers are irrational and out-of-touch with the market of course.
So many of the market/buying threads recently have had a lot of the "are you nuts, look around, the economy's tanking, now sell me your 993 cheap" attitude. That attitude works well I guess, when you're dealing with a must sell to keep my house sort of situation (like that fellow on Pelican a few months ago).
It also might work OK if the seller has a dozen cars, 8 figures in assets and a bored, "maybe I'll sell one of the Porsches and add an Aston" sort of attitude. That's what it's worth? So be it.
But for the vast middle class of 993 owners, the tone and nuance of buying and selling these cars is somewhat different. It's always been very focused on finding the "right" one. And what do you do when you find the right one, but the seller won't take your lowball offer? Complain that sellers are irrational and out-of-touch with the market of course.
02-14-2009, 08:12 PM
#26
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I see about 90% complaining from the sellers, 10% fom standers-by like myself and none from the buyers (to the tune of "oh, 993s are too expensive).
Other than that, if the seller doesn't wish to sell, now's as good time as any not to sell. I would not call them "sellers", though. "Owners", perhaps. Not "sellers".
In this market i'd be a buyer if I had any space for any more cars. Albeit I don't
Other than that, if the seller doesn't wish to sell, now's as good time as any not to sell. I would not call them "sellers", though. "Owners", perhaps. Not "sellers".
In this market i'd be a buyer if I had any space for any more cars. Albeit I don't
02-14-2009, 08:17 PM
#27
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If there are no buyers...
We can do a little survey here. Let's see how many people bought 993s and what they pay. Do they consider their cars clunkers? Has anyone who bought a "perfect" car for 50% over market value had not put more money into said car?
PS. I often question myself as to why I keep saying this. It is certainly to my advantage for the 993 values to go up through the roof. I also care very little about the world's fairness and other ephemeral concepts. it's just... so obvious that not saying it seems wrong.
02-14-2009, 08:55 PM
#28
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Another thing to remember is that just about any "normal" Porsche is considerably cheaper these days. If the only reason a person is selling is to upgrade to a more expensive Porsche, a lower selling price really doesn't matter. The price difference between the two cars is more than likely smaller now than a year ago. Different story if you're selling just for the cash...........you'll lose. As I said before, everything is a tough sell these days, if you don't have to, don't do it.
02-14-2009, 09:25 PM
#29
Nordschleife Master
I keep reading all of these threads about how our cars are rapidly loosing value due to the suffering economy. I must say I am rarely presented with an example of this. Looking through the classifieds 993asking prices are still $35k-$40k for a car with reasonable miles, records, and in "good" condition. That is what I payed for my car 2 years ago. With that being said there is currently a 125,000 or so mile C2 in the classifieds for $25k. Not that this is a bad car but you get what you pay for. I am constantly toying with the idea of putting off finishing my basment, selling my 993 and buying a 993TT but, of course these cars still bring a premium for a nice example. If you are selling a "used" 993 that has had or needs paint work, has high milage, no records, the interior is trashed, and is your typical car entering its teens then I would expect to take a bath on the price. If you are selling a nice car hang in there tell the tire kickers and theives to pound sand! There is always someone looking and you should be able to sell your car no problems.
BTW, spell check is your friend ...
02-14-2009, 09:46 PM
#30
Weathergirl
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It's worth what somebody would pay for it.
If there are no buyers...
Really, until a buyer AND a seller get together and agree, there's nothing happening. Mostly, that's what's going on--or not going on to be accurate--right now.
And what happens when a buyer goes deal hunting? John D and nile13 did pretty well. But einreb92's recent threads point out that the 993s a weak economy brings out may not all be such great deals.
As I've posted before--still waiting for the posts from new owners who picked up their 993 from Holt's or Schmidt or Truspeed for mid-$20s.