“Single owner” 71 2800CS on BaT

jmackro said:
For the fee that BaT charges, personalized service of a level that would make a difference probably wouldn't pencil out. If you want hand holding, go to Bonhams, RM Southebys or the like. Or to a BaT intermediary such as WOB who will take the pictures and answer the questions. Of course, that strategy will cost more than plain BaT, but the car is more likely to sell. As JMinPDX also wrote, "e9’s are still desirable cars, but they don’t sell themselves".
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You make a good point about hand holding from elite auction houses.....but BaT misses out on their seller's fee each time this happens. A little coaching strategy would likely be easy to implement and would probably more than pay for itself with increased sale rates.
 
It's pretty simple. Pay BaT $99 to list your car. You're assigned a BaT advisor. If seller agrees to no reserve then the advisor doesn't have much to do. BaT will get a commission. If it's a reserve auction then it should be the responsibility of the advisor to explain that the vehicle is more likely to meet reserve if the seller provides some if not all of the following... In the case of this e9;
Compression test
Under carriage photos on a lift
Diving video from inside the car
Photos of body VIN stamp and matching engine VIN
Photos of each individual work order receipt
Paint thickness readings
Be responsive. Attempt to answer ALL questions
(Just noticed e9 inspection sheet said tires are from 1987! Says alot about the seller :rolleyes: )

Seller did none of the above. RNM. BaT gets no commission. Car still hasn't sold in offers after the auction. I'll guess the reserve was somewhere north of $30K. I think it may have gotten there if presented properly.

Sorry to be long winded but this e9 listing just adds fuel to the "e9 values are plummeting" argument. In this case it was the seller's fault (and partially BaT).

Like Dick said in the comments:
"It's easy to buy a car...it's a lot of work to sell one"
 
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If I was BaT, I would try harder to educate sellers. I don't think individual attention is needed, but a list of "suggestions" like John posted would probably do. Like they do for the photos (which is hidden in the FAQ)...

How to Take Great Photos of Your Car

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Also, their published "descriptions" have become kind of a standing joke. I think they can do better and still keep the lawyers happy.

This is the first car I sold on BaT...

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The listing is far better than the ones for cars I've sold lately. In the old days, I was able to steer their drafts somewhat to be more my voice and to insist that some parts of the write up I sent to them be included. Now, it is pretty much a cookie cutter write up ("The car is finished in yellow with chrome bumpers and trim. The 3 spoke steering wheel fronts an 85 mph speedometer and various engine gauges. etc")

The bottom line, however, is that BaT does a great job and provides a great service overall. I wish I had thought of the idea first.
 
JMinPDX said:
(Just noticed e9 inspection sheet said tires are from 1987! Says alot about the seller :rolleyes: )
Click to expand...
To that point, the seller also mentions (twice) "had the carburetor rebuilt" (singular). If you don't know the car you are selling, or cars in general, your probably best off putting it on consignment.
 
JMinPDX said:
It's pretty simple. Pay BaT $99 to list your car. You're assigned a BaT advisor. If seller agrees to no reserve then the advisor doesn't have much to do. BaT will get a commission. If it's a reserve auction then it should be the responsibility of the advisor to explain that the vehicle is more likely to meet reserve if the seller provides some if not all of the following... In the case of this e9;
Compression test
Under carriage photos on a lift
Diving video from inside the car
Photos of body VIN stamp and matching engine VIN
Photos of each individual work order receipt
Paint thickness readings
Be responsive. Attempt to answer ALL questions
(Just noticed e9 inspection sheet said tires are from 1987! Says alot about the seller :rolleyes: )

Seller did none of the above. RNM. BaT gets no commission. Car still hasn't sold in offers after the auction. I'll guess the reserve was somewhere north of $30K. I think it may have gotten there if presented properly.

Sorry to be long winded but this e9 listing just adds fuel to the "e9 values are plummeting" argument. In this case it was the seller's fault (and partially BaT).

Like Dick said in the comments:
"It's easy to buy a car...it's a lot of work to sell one"
Click to expand...

I've sold 4 cars on BaT and agree with every comment you make John, except one. This is just my opinion but paint thickness readings really only matter on a car claiming to have all original paint with no body work. Most e9s now have been repainted, having that as a 'best practice' with selling a coupe might only hurt the seller. Even if their is zero rust, there will probably be some filler in there someone to keep everything smooth.
 
Worth every penny and more to the right buyer. Good result for the seller, a much better one for the buyer.

Let's say it again, all together now: A really original coupe, in really good condition, one owner, well cared for, low miles, a good + respray in the original color.

If you have forgotten already - It is a BMW E9 Coupe. All we need to know.

What will we be saying when the market returns to reality five or so years from now?
 
Offers after the auction are limited to the reserve price or less only, that is why few are accepted as sellers want more than the reserve. And BaT has been low balling reserves at least on coupes for quite a while.
 
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