Asking too much?

[ezmobee]

Re: Asking too much?

I just looked at your ad. Man I'm surprised. I think that boat with that motor should be worth a minimum of $1500 ALL DAY LONG! And my advice was going to be to emphasize as best you can its "turk-key-ness" but you've already done that.

So I would take the advice above and really spit polish the thing as best you can. Take better pictures. Did you know you can insert photobucket pictures into your CL ad just like you can here on the forum? You can! and they can be nice and big and big and bright. Still insert at least one CL picture so your add still has a little "pics" icon next to it. And on-water video (again, hosted on photobucket) is also priceless. Good luck!

 

[koko1]

Re: Asking too much?

I have had nothing but great experiences with craigslist here in northern Alabama... I sold a big screen TV in 6 hours and my last boat in less than 24 hours... .. Also bought my current boat from craigslist...

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Asking too much?

I have bought and sold my fair share of stuff on craigslist. A couple boats, an outboard, some unneeded building supplies etc.

Here is what I look for when I'm buying:

A brief, but well written ad that gives just the few details needed to know what it is you are looking at. Use of the craigslist pictures is a must. I typically won't even look at an ad unless it has the (pic) next to the title. In some cases fewer words are better when buying. If I think the person isn't really sure what it is they are selling, I see that as an advantage that will allow a lower price.


Here is what I do when selling:

I write an ad that is very thorough. Sometimes I go a little overboard with details. I make sure I know exactly what I am selling and answer as many potential questions as possible in my ad. I price the item in the same ballpark (within reason) as a similar item that has an ad that is either poorly written or very incomplete. I post 4 pictures on the ad and say that I have more pictures/videos available to those that ask. I never give my phone number and never give my personal e-mail. I request that people contact me through the craigslist e-mail and that I check my e-mail constantly and will respond promtly. I make sure people know that I know what I am selling. I want them to feel comfortable that I know what I am talking about so, if they ask a question I may have some credibility.

Last week I sold a broken boat in 2 days and a FICHT (talk about a potential hard item to sell) outboard in 4 days. I got close to my orignal asking prices for both items and I'm pretty sure the buyers were very satisfied. I lost money on the boat since I bought it thinking it was in good shape only to find out later it had some damage. I made a hansome amount on the motor that I bought from someone that obviously didn't know what it was and was selling it for way below market value.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Asking too much?

That's definitely true about consignments, but the advantage is the boat is out of your way, which in your case, Bluegill, means the itch to sell is not quite as strong. So, as an alternative to consigning your rig is there somewhere safe you can park it other than your house? Just a thought.

 

[McBoatin]

Re: Asking too much?

Ive sold two boats and 5 outboard motors on craigslist as well as on ebay. I can tell you that many people will not follow through. It is the down fall of this type of selling choice.

Figure out what you want and if you have time do not budge. Be nice and but be firm. Time is the key. Someone will show up with cash even a month after your add. If you need the money now then you will have to make due with an offer and trying to press the buyer into giving out more cash.

Try ebay. you will have to pay fees if you sell the item and sometimes for the auction itself. set the the reserve price to your lowest selling price and let the auction go for a few days. It will at least give you an idea of what the boat will sell at. And you can re-evaluate what you want. If anything you sell it!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Asking too much?

Bottom Line! It is not selling because it is priced too high for the potential buyers that are seeing your ad. You have two choices. Drop the price for the pool of buyers that you are reaching out to right now or advertise to a larger segment. For the latter, advertise on Boat Trader online or put your ad in other Craigslist areas. You can also wait for the right buyer to come along but that depends on how long you want to wait. Now is the peak selling season so don't wait too long to make your choices.

 

[superpop]

Re: Asking too much?

A boat, like most things is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. You got a good deal on your new boat because of the economy and the buyer of your old boat is looking for a deal as well. I would keep lowering your price by 100 bucks a week until it sells, that is how you will know what it is worth, or you can wait forever on the hope that a buyer will come with 1500 dollars. Craigslist is very good at determining prices as good deals sell super fast and average deals take a little longer and bad deals just keep getting re-listed, sometimes for a long time. As soon as you start dropping the price it turns into a kind of auction and people start watching and as soon as it hits the right price they jump, and they also know that someone else will jump at some point so you then get a pretty good compromise.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Asking too much?

Being an avid Craigslister, I'd like to throw my few pennies in the bucket.

1. Could you post a link to your craigslist ad? I'd just like to see it.

2. As mentioned above, learn how to link pictures from a photobucket or picassa website to your page. Like was said, you can have beautiful 800x600 photos on there, vs. those crappy little ones CL allows.

3. Like was said, it only takes one person. I have sold a ton of stuff on Craigslist, but my last car was a very dissapointing experience. I had to list it multiple times, over the course of a few weeks (because that section moves so fast). I had tire kickers, people not showing up, one guy even got me to take the car to a mechanic to be inspected and when the inspection came out solid he still tried to lowball me. Hell, I had an airline captain write and ask if he could use outside funding sources because he was currently flying...sure, buddy...how's Nigeria look from up there? But, one day I got a call from a kid who brought his dad with him as an 'enforcer' or to lend fatherly advice. I knew it was a done deal when he said, "Son, if you don't buy this, maybe I should buy it for your mother and I". ha.

4. I like to think of every possible question and then write it. I write robust ads. Mention how new the gas is, how well it starts, when you used it, how long you've been the owner, what your favorite moment in the boat was, what you think this boat does better than others.

Anyway, good luck...stay the course!

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Thank you everyone for replying to this. I make my paycheck in "guest (customer) relations," so assured, every potential buyer I have is treated to a response, no matter what it may be. Actually, I have re-posted it once a week since about the begining of April, each time, writing a new ad, with a new title to "keep it fresh"

And to be completely honest, as the weeks went by, my ads got a little less detailed every time, something that shouldn't have happened at all

I actually have a potential buyer I feel very confident about, willing to pay the full $1,500 (my absolute minimum) on Tuesday.

Thanks again for the constructive and very helpful criticizm / advice. It was surelly appreciated

ezmobee-Thank you for the advice with the photos. I did NOT know that!

Everyone, again thank you. I trully appreciate it. I will keep you updated as to what happens on Tuesday

P.S. For those who have not seen it, here is the link to the CL ad
http://appleton.craigslist.org/boa/1727960819.html

I believe I posted the link to more photos on Photobucket in the original post. I know I need a new digital camera! It is moving up and up on the list! My nicer one took a swim with me two summers ago

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Sold it today! Guy came by, we looked it over and discussed it, he paid my asking price of $1,500.

Could I have gotten more if I asked / waited? Possibly, but I am happy it is gone. I picked my new boat up from the marina today, so I can begin getting that ready, cleaned up, and install my trolling motor.

I am glad to see it go to a pretty nice guy with a wife and kids that will enjoy it, and also the wad of cash dosen't hurt!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Asking too much?

Nice deal. Let's see some pics of the new rig!!!

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Asking too much?

Nice deal. Let's see some pics of the new rig!!!

Hopefully in the next couple of days I will have a new digital camera. Mine went for a swim with me HAHA. Then, it will be on the top of my priorities!