What is it with people who sell cars online (Miata content)???

Am I the only one who can't seem to get online car sellers to respond to emails or phone calls? Honestly, if you are trying to sell a vehicle for thousands of dollars, might it not be a bad idea to, you know, actually RESPOND when someone inquires about said vehicle?

Background: I'm Miata shopping. Started off looking for any old 1.8 car, now I've narrowed my search to 95-97 M-editions (I want the 15" wheels). They aren't exactly common in my price range (under $4000), but they are out there, and I'm willing to travel if I have to. I've found 4 or 5 within a day's drive of me, but either they don't respond at all to my inquiries, or they clam up once I ask for more details and pics. I've sold a few cars online, and I always respond as quickly as I can to any kind of contact. And, oh by the way, I also give plenty of detail and pics in my ad so people know what they are looking at, another thing that's sorely lacking.

Honestly, should it be this hard?

Tom_Spangler wrote: I've sold a few cars online, and I always respond as quickly as I can to any kind of contact. And, oh by the way, I also give plenty of detail and pics in my ad so people know what they are looking at, another thing that's sorely lacking.

I'm guessing you don't price your cars at the bottom of the market, though.

Josh wrote: I'm guessing you don't price your cars at the bottom of the market, though.

I've sold a few in that price range, and I still try to give as much info as I can and respond quickly. Seems like common courtesy and professionalism to me.

And anther thing (while I'm ranting), memo to used car dealers out there: Your red Miata is not an M-edition! Your Miata with cloth seats is not an M-edition! Your Miata that doesn't say "M-edition" on it anywhere is NOT AN M-EDITION! I see a lot more of this with dealer ads than private party ads. I don't know if it's that the dealers are cluless about Miatas or if they are trying to decieve ignorant customers.

Tom_Spangler wrote: I don't know if it's that the dealers are cluless about Miatas or if they are trying to decieve ignorant customers.

Yes.

Skruffy's easy instructions for non car people selling cars online:

1. Are you going out of town for a long period of time? If so, list the car now. It wouldn't make any sense to list it when you get back.
2. Do you have a digital camera? If you do, don't bother putting the pictures in your add, just ask people to email you for them.
3. When you take the photos make sure they're all from odd angles and never show the whole vehicle. Extra points if you leave the car in a dark garage and take pics through the door.
4. Cars that have major mechanical problems and lots of rust still qualify as "in perfect condition".
5. Low mileage is anything below 250,000. Be sure to mention how low the mileage is without actually telling the number in the ad.
6. Every sporty car is "rare" even if there's 50 of them on your local craigslist.
7. Never, EVER answer emails or return phone calls. You don't need to waste your time with those deadbeats.
8. If your vehicle is equipped with a cool set of wheels or a nice stereo or something be sure to photograph them but don't mention that they aren't included in the sale till someone comes to look at the car.
9. Don't bother washing the car or cleaning all the garbage off the floor. That's the new owners job.
10. Every Miata is an "M Edition". I mean, hell, the word miata even starts with an m! This goes for every bmw having the "M package" as well.

It's simple marketing, but something not many people understand. Some of the descriptions are rediculous for what they leave out, and sometimes what they put in. And not even a picture? Come on.

I feel your pain. I just picked up a used Forester Saturday and the used car shopping game is stupid. I can't tell you how many people never return e-mails or phone calls. I've even seen a few where there is a pic, but the pic isn't the car for sale, but "mine looks just like it."

Too bad your so far away. There's a guy here in north AL selling a 95 M-Edition.

skruffy wrote: Skruffy's easy instructions for non car people selling cars online: 1. Are you going out of town for a long period of time? If so, list the car now. It wouldn't make any sense to list it when you get back. 2. Do you have a digital camera? If you do, don't bother putting the pictures in your add, just ask people to email you for them. 3. When you take the photos make sure they're all from odd angles and never show the whole vehicle. Extra points if you leave the car in a dark garage and take pics through the door. 4. Cars that have major mechanical problems and lots of rust still qualify as "in perfect condition". 5. Low mileage is anything below 250,000. Be sure to mention how low the mileage is without actually telling the number in the ad. 6. Every sporty car is "rare" even if there's 50 of them on your local craigslist. 7. Never, EVER answer emails or return phone calls. You don't need to waste your time with those deadbeats. 8. If your vehicle is equipped with a cool set of wheels or a nice stereo or something be sure to photograph them but don't mention that they aren't included in the sale till someone comes to look at the car. 9. Don't bother washing the car or cleaning all the garbage off the floor. That's the new owners job. 10. Every Miata is an "M Edition". I mean, hell, the word miata even starts with an m! This goes for every bmw having the "M package" as well.

11) Don't bother learning to spell the name of your car correctly. Shoot for a first-grade reading level when writing your ad.

http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/1457990061.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/1457140719.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/1447940856.html

There's a few from us here in Oregon. Good luck man, always glad to see another Mazda on the road.

Good luck. There's a '96 M-edition with 75,000 miles sitting in my garage right now. I don't think I'd sell it for $4,000, though. It would be too difficult to buy another rust-free, low-mileage 1.8 with a Torsen. Plus, I really like the 15" wheels, too.

Teqnyck wrote: http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/1457990061.html http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/1457140719.html http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/1447940856.html There's a few from us here in Oregon. Good luck man, always glad to see another Mazda on the road.

Thanks, though Oregon is a bit farther than I want to drive (I'm in Michigan). I must point out, though, that the first two... aren't Ms. Link is dead on the third one.

Even GRM'ers get fooled....

wlkelley3 wrote: Too bad your so far away. There's a guy here in north AL selling a 95 M-Edition.

This one? http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/1429126500.html

I've seen that one and I'm somewhat tempted. But I'm not a huge fan of Merlot. Still......

Alabama is near the limit of my range, but I'd consider anything where I could do one day there, one day back.

Kramer wrote: Good luck. There's a '96 M-edition with 75,000 miles sitting in my garage right now. I don't think I'd sell it for $4,000, though. It would be too difficult to buy another rust-free, low-mileage 1.8 with a Torsen. Plus, I really like the 15" wheels, too.

And I don't blame you. I realize I'm in the 100+ thousand mile, needs a top, dings and dents area with these cars, and I can live with that.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

wlkelley3 wrote: Too bad your so far away. There's a guy here in north AL selling a 95 M-Edition.

This one? http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/1429126500.html I've seen that one and I'm somewhat tempted. But I'm not a huge fan of Merlot. Still...... Alabama is near the limit of my range, but I'd consider anything where I could do one day there, one day back.

Yep, that's the one. Didn't know he had it on C-list, I saw it on the local club forum.

I hate people who don't reply to questions! I found an gorgeous white on tan 944 in El Paso (where I'm stationed). Price was good, miles where low, CARFAX checked out. I emailed the seller, seeing if they would be willing to store the car for me. I was going to buy it, and see if they could just hold on to it for me. No answer. Nothing. Bastards.

A side note, if anyone ever spots a white on tan 944, let me know!

It gets better. Got this response from an Autotrader ad (since pulled) that I emailed on over a week ago:

Hello, The car is still for sale. It has a clean title, very well maintained, no exterior damages and no mechanical problems, i don't smoke. I'm asking $2900 for it. I have to to sell this car as fast as I can because in three weeks I will be in Iraq and I think I'll stay there for a while that's why I'm selling it so cheap. Currently I'm in a military base in Indiana and the car is here with me. I can ship for free within US if you want to buy it. Let me know what you decide ASAP. The pics speak for themselves, You'll love the car, I can guarantee you that! Thank you

Of course, the car was originally in Georgia and was $3700. Now it's in Indiana, the price has dropped by $800, and he'll ship it for free! What a deal!!!

I didn't bother reporting it to Autotrader, I figure they already know it's a scam, that's why they pulled it.

This isn't fun anymore.

I HATE people who use the "I'm in the military scam". It made selling my car before I deployed stupid difficult, and makes all Soldiers look bad. I'd really like to break those peoples fingers. Just a little.

If it makes you guys feel any better about folks who won't answer their phones:

I work for a pizza delivery business. It is store policy to call customers who have never placed an order before to verify the order and address. Last weekend I called a customer from my car, and no answer.... I was calling because when I got to "his" address, it was incorrect. When I got back to the store and called him on the store's phone he answered. Why wouldn't he answer my call? He has caller I.D. and the phone I use has the I.D. blocked for MY protection. and he said he never answers any "blocked I.D." calls. We also get folks that order a pizza then change their minds. Do they call and tell us that they no longer want a pizza? No, they just don't answer the door when I deliver it and don't answer the phone when I call to ask if they still want the pizza.

For what it's worth, I have answered a few CL ads recently. I managed to get responses from sellers when I walked a fine line between interest in the car/truck and trying NOT to sound like the need to see it in person should be done at MY convience.(sp?). I juat missed a decent 4X4 Ford Ranger with a 4 cylinder engine.