Tips for successful selling on MTFCA classifieds

[AdminJeff]

We set up this forum in Jan and 1000's of items have been sold. That's good. Speaking from personal experience both selling and watching numerous transactions unfold, there are things that work, and others that don't work as well. Here are some pointers to get the most out of placing an ad:

- keep your description as clear and concise as possible in the Subject of your post. This is the first thing ppl see.
Preface the subject with FS: or For Sale: or WTB gives a clear indication of your intention

Good: FS: 1921 sidelights, excellent condition
Bad: Sidelights

Good: FS: Sherman Head fits late car, excl condition
Bad Head

Good: WTB: fenders for 1921 Touring, need all 4
Bad: I'm looking for fenders

WTB is short for Want To Buy

When your item sells make sure you note it in a final post or modify the subject of the original post

FS: 1921 sidelights, excellent condition *sold*

If you are interested in buying an item, State your intentions clearly.

Good: Bob, I'll take it. Sent you an email also.
Bad: I'm interested.
Bad: I might want that
Bad: can you ship it to New York?

The last one is a detail you can work out later with the seller, but first state your intentions. And do it forcefully. Do you want it or not? Then say so!

TIP: Always, always follow up your post on the forum with an EMAIL to the seller. Click on the users name and then click on the send user email button. Put the item name in the subject and the item you want in the body. This puts you "in a position" should there be others who want the same item. And it's easy for the seller to figure out who was first to the party especially for hit items.
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Lastly, negotiate price AFTER you confirm to the seller you want it. If the seller is firm on the price, and it's not what you want to pay, then let it go. No hard feelings. The seller can keep the listing up and you can keep looking. Or, the two of you can work out a little bit better deal and everyone wins.

A good transaction is where everyone feels good at the end and both give up a little bit in the process.

Anyone else have tips? These are your forums. Bring it on!

AdminJeff

AdminJeff

[Ruxstel24]

All good tips Jeff. I like the email response, it helps with id and going back later to add a tracking number, etc.

A good transaction is where everyone feels good at the end and both give up a little bit in the process.

I was under the impression that after a GOOD transaction, you both feel a little violated...

[Layden Butler]

And if you say you will purchase it, your responsibility is to follow thru. Send the payment for it. If your better half says NO, the gas gauge shows empty and you need to put some in the tank to get to work tomorrow or your buddy just called up and said he will not give you more than you are paying for it, you are still committed to purchasing. You should know if you are able to pay for the item, and as for your buddy, his pulling out is your downside risk for the upside profit you were trying to get.

Sellers have responsibilities too. Hold it for and sell to the first hand you see in the air. No fair selling to the fourth response just because it is someone you know ( or offers you more). If a would be buyer is upset that he didn't get it, remind him that had he posted a wanted ad, no one else would have even known about the part!

I could go on and on! Obviously Jeff, you wound me up.

[Tbird]

I would add one more. Please include pictures of your items that you are selling. If it has defects note them and take a good up close picture of the defect/imperfection/dent etc.

[AdminJeff]

All great points. I think everyone can benefit from this thread. It's why I opened it up to comments.

AdminJefv

[Mark Gregush]

Thank you Jeff.
One of my pet peeves are people that just put "For Sale" or "Wanted" or "Car For Sale" as a title and you have to open the ad to find out it's nothing your interested in.
Remember, words are free you are not paying per word, write an ad.
Just because the space for the title looks to be only so long, you can do longer titles.
If you have a number of items to sell, put each one on it's own line.
There is nothing harder to read then a whole list that is strung together and looks like a run on sentience without punctuation.
Helps too, in this case, to number the parts so the buyer can say they want part # such and such.
Most web site classifieds you need to list a price, if you don't know the price, then you the seller, need to do some checking.
It is not up to the buyer to try and guess what you might be interested in getting for the part.
As a seller, let people know if you only want to receive; emails, PM or on line replies. Doing all three, good chance of missing maybe the first person to say they want it.

[AdminJeff]

Mark, all great points.

Jeff

[Mark Gregush]

One more thing to add (I am sure there are more), when it sells or you found the needed item, update the ad. Just because it drops out of site does not mean it is gone. You do not have to go thru all the ads, just click on your name and open the user control panel, click on show post. Jeff turned on the full edit so you can change the title to add "sold" or "found".

[Mark Gregush]

I did think of something else; DO NOT BOGART SOMEONE ELSE'S AD. Start your own.

[AdminJeff]

I did think of something else; DO NOT BOGART SOMEONE ELSE'S AD. Start your own.

Bogart

(slang verb) To keep something all for oneself, thus depriving anyone else of having any. A slang term derived from the last name of famous actor Humphrey Bogart because he often kept a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, seemingly never actually drawing on it or smoking it. Often used with weed or joints but can be applied to anything.

[Mark Gregush]

Ok how about "don't piggy back someone else's ad"
Oh, looked up Bogart, the description of what it means is all over the place.

[Quickm007]

Thank you for all tips and making this clear for all.

[ModelTMark]

Refrain from using "L@@K," this doesn't make people look at your ad.

[Junkyard4]

Another tip, if you are sending payment through the mail please put a note in the envelope or write on your check/money order as to what payment is for. You may not be the only person the seller is dealing with. It is amazing to me how many times I’ve opened an envelope to find a money order only and have no clue as to what the payment is for. I’ve even had cash sent to me without a name on the return address of the envelope. Very frustrating and then the buyer gets made when their item is late getting sent

[phigemparts]

These points might be beneficial for selling items

[Mark Gregush]

Don't start a new post if the photos don't load. RE-try and add them to the first one and if more then 5, load as a reply to the first post. Use the edit to add to first post if they don't load the first time around. It's the pencil symbol in the field. If you are not sure the photos loaded, use the "Preview" to check.

[Michael A]

Good point Mark, re piggy backing.
Also for the newbies like me year of manufacture is very important.
Michael A

[Mark Gregush]

If there are more then one items in an ad, don't just say "email sent", say what item the email is about so others know that someone is interested in X item. That way there wont be several people asking about the same item.

[Allan]

It needs to be just as well packed to send within the USA as it does to send overseas. If you have something to sell, why cut the rest of the world out of the deal by restricting the sale to the continental USA? The buyer pays shipping in most cases.

Allan from down under.

[D Stroud]

I've noticed that for awhile, a lot of posts just have an item listed, no for sale, wanted to buy, looking for or whatever. Not a big deal, but just makes looking through the adds easier and quicker if the poster would make it clear what was desired. If I'm not looking for that particular item, I shouldn't have to open that item to see what is what. JMHO Dave

[Michael Peternell]

Personally if posted and I want it I'll pm or email. Cool new repops are fun to say I'll take one ! Be sure to follow through. That said, anything more than a few hundred dollars doesn't need to be posted unless you're trying to impress someone.

[DonH]

How do i post a [part for sale

[Mark Gregush]

Click on new topic and post your ad. It's on the left side in the header bar. While is is not stated, prices are needed. Photos help sell your part as well as a good description and if you will ship.

[25 roadster john]

I posted on Sept 1st a WTB for original metal tire tube valves. Didn't get any responses. Was there something wrong with how I posted? This is my first attempt at the classifieds. Hope someone can explain. Thanks

[StanHowe]

Don't tell somebody you will send a check and then not do it.
If you have to check with the wife first or save up a little more money don't ask a vendor to "set it aside for me and I'll get a check in the mail."
About one person in ten that I talk to that is going to send a check never does it.
Of course I deal with customers around the world that are not T customers as well as T owners.

[Mark Gregush]

Is there a way to mark the ads sold without bumping them? Duh yes to my own question. Edit the title or message. They only get bumped if the there is a reply.

[SparkTag]

WTB a complete stanchion either side---need ONE --advertise wind wing brackets, can have some rust but look like it has been in the or weather for several months greg adams ---beladams1@verizon net.