MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300211349650&rd=1>
It isn't selling like I thought it would, and may not hit the $2200 reserve. You people always have good advice on how to change stuff.
TIA
Around the Northeast that car would go for $2,000 tops, so where it is right now is unfortunately probably on point.
Chris,
Looks like a totally fair, and descriptive, ad to me. Ebay has become more, and more, funny about all bids now being just at the end. I think that no one trust's no one anymore.
Only advice I would offer is to clean up the trunk for a better picture.
Chris, I looked at some completed eBay auctions today and most cars don't seem to meet reserve and very few cars actually sell. The notable exception was a street rod MGB with a Chevy 350 engine, but it appeared to be a first class car. I don't have any suggestions that may help. I know some people seem to be having trouble finding extra funds for purchase of items they don't have to have. You have two days left see maybe there is someone just waiting to bid late in the auction. In any case good luck.
Clifton
actually it isnt that bad of a car though looks like it could be a good driver
Ummmmm.... Personally, I think it's a pretty darn fair reserve for a decent car.
One hint: Don't tell us the reserve. We're your friends, so naturally we'll steal you blind. ;)
Looks good to me Chris, the only thing I can think of is to lay out the tonneau and top covers and take a pic show them laying flat. Just to show what they look like to a buyer since it doesn't have a soft top.
What I would be worried about as a potential buyer is a car that sat for the past 11 years and has not had the brakes gone through, hydraulics gone through, the fuel tank gone through, the tires gone through and so on, yet is advertised a driver. If you did that stuff you might have mentioned it in the ad. I wouldn't trust brakes or tires that sat for 11 years. Sorry.
Looks fair to me. Is that Roops corporate headquarters in the picture.
Ok, you really want my opion? Please don't be offended, it's intended to be constructive!
Use "supersize all pics" option so folks can see the pics in greater detail. Well worth it IMHO. I think it costs 75 cents.
Use bulleted lists or large centered text in colors to highlight the car's selling points. Get rid of superfluous information like "Her boyfriend had sent the defective part out to be fixed just before they split up and she never got it back." Perhaps leave in "Originally a California Car" or similar. Organize the information so it's easy to scan, Like have a list of pros and a list of cons, or something similar.
Give the car a wax, and spray vinyl cleaner on the top, interior panels, and tires. Use some 'back to black' on the bumpers. Take pics at a nice scenic overlook or somewhere..
Consider rewording "The exhaust runs clean at both idle and higher revs unless you really romp on the gas which produces a carbon puff followed by a an oil puff. My guess is the valve guide seals have gotten hard while sitting. This is not hard to fix, but you could run the car as is for a long time without the polution police ever noticing." to something a little less wordy like "engine runs well with a little smoke on occasion" or something. Elaborate on the pros, abbreviate the cons. This does not mean lie, just don't go on and on about the bad things :)
Oh and don't be suprised if it gets bid up in the last seconds. That's the only way to buy anything on eBay in my opinion. Good luck!
PS. If anyone asks questions, answer and post the responses for all to see. This generates more interest and chances are more than one person has the same question.
I wouldn't change much if anything Chris. It is obviously an honest description and you should leave it at that. If it doesn't sell this go 'round try one more time and if it doesn't happen then park the thing for a month and see what happens when the season gets going.
If I were forced to tell you something to change I would suggest that you ditch all of the references to the lost distribution and maybe even the tale about the car sitting for so long. Just describe it as it is and leave it at that.
RB cars are curious things, either you like them or you don't and I think in this case the right person just hasn't seen it yet. $2500 to $3000 or maybe a little more for a dead stock RB car with a hard top is certainly not unreasonable in my book.
Jack
Nice looking B for the price you are wanting. I'm surprised you haven't gotten some better bidding on it. Maybe on the west coast the rubber bumper cars just don't fetch a very good price. I've noticed the east coasters seem to like the rubber bumpers a bit more. Or it could be Mike devalued it on the BJ the other day. LOL
I think in Ca. you are up against the Smog laws with that year, equal less people interested.
Chris,
You might rename the COD to a body crack at the vent window. Folks outside our marque might think its more serious that it really is. Also, you might make the first picture a exterior picture without the hardtop on.
That car would go for a mint here in Boston... as virtually all local driver Bs have rusted to bits by now. Probably a good 3-4k+ car here . looks fairly unmolested. If the sills/rockers are good.. it is a good buy.
It's hard to say. Looks like a nice car to me. But I'm not close enough to come look, and then drive it home. So you lost most of us right off, as it's too far away to be a practical buy, but all auctions for cars are that way. (Boats, not so much, you can get an independent appraisal.) So you have a few potential bidders watching from your neck of the woods. Which I do about a quarter of the time, while the rest float by unnoticed on ebay or craig. So maybe no one is looking this week. Next time, might be three prospective buyers. -Larry
Why is a ebay reserve a secret? Somebody enlighten me. Thanks.
I would slap a for sale sign on that baby and park it in a high traffic area, top down of course. You will be surprised how fast it will sell. Your reserve is most fair.
Well, I was right, you folks have good perspectives on things:)
Brakes just don't go bad here when sitting inside, and the tires were replaced with used.
I don't expect anyone on this board to bid as most of you are way far away and those close have their cars. Since eBay changed to a flat listing price, it is hard to say why anyone would have a reserve period let alone keep it secret.
There are a couple of locals who are interested and plan to come see the car, so who knows.
Maybe it is time to start using the green board and NAMGBR classifieds as well as Craig's LIst more and eBay less.
The pictures were taken at the home location, yes.
chris Wrote:
The value of a car depends on where you live. One in that condition would probably sell for right around your reserve here, your pictures present it well enough, the buyers can see all the dings and will bid accordingly. I agree that you will probably get some action in the last few minutes of the auction.
I bet you make the reserve, or get darn close. Most of your action will come in the last hour.
Ryan Reis Wrote:
The Wiz Wrote:
I think it is a very good deal. Here, that would sell in an instant at $2200. The only thing i would do differently is take the picture without a top. Get's people imagining themselves topless
Ken
I think spring is in the air considering the number of cars coming out for sale. I agree with the others, bids come up at the last minute. I would think it should top out around 2 grand. If you want me to pick, the rust in the dog leg bothers me. No such thing as just "bubbles" I've opened up a few of those and it wasn't pretty behind. But then you're not going for 5 grand either. Good luck. I think you have a better shot than the guy trying to get 45K for the trailer car :) BTW, were's he been since his auction ended??