Adventures in Craigslist

"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker) 08/10/2016 at 09:12 • Filed to: craigslist, adventures in craigslist

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I’m currently selling my 1-Series on Craigslist and while I’ve actually received a ton of legitimate interest and look to have the car sold to one of two buyers by the end of the week (after two days on CL!), I woke up to this email and could not help but be tickled at the Craigslistyness of it:

I wanted to know if you have gotten a carmax appraisal? They are a dealership who buys cars at a decent price. I am willing to pay 500 above their written appraisal. The benefit to both parties is that, they are reputable third party that does a complete check up and its totally free. Let me know, I’m ready to buy with cash in hand thanks.

Never change, Craigslist. Well, actually, please do, but since you won’t I’ll just enjoy these moments.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 09:21

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On the one hand, “hey, get your car appraised so I don’t have to actually pay attention to what I’m buying” is definitely working an angle. On the other hand, it’s not a terrible idea, apart from the appraisal tendency to be more than $500 below private party.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/10/2016 at 09:26

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The Carmax appraisal is way closer to $5k less than the price two buyers have offered me than it is $500. Otherwise I’d almost be impressed by the bit. Probably not a bad strategy for something cheaper where they delta just isn’t nearly so large, but here it’s kind of laughable.

E90M3 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 09:26

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You seem to be having the exact opposite experience selling your 1 on CL as I did.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > E90M3 08/10/2016 at 09:29

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Yeah, I recall your struggles. I think being a 135 with a stick makes all the difference; both of the people lined up to buy the car right now have commented on how difficult it’s been to find a 135 with a stick that someone doesn’t want $20k for. Not to rub it in, but I’ve honestly gotten so much response that I feel like I’ve underpriced it

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 09:30

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In short, he assumes that you’re dumb enough to think you have an “ordinary” car, not one that has a limited but distinct demand. If it were a random ‘03 3 series with an auto or something, it would be different.

E90M3 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 09:31

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You’re also in Dallas right? San Antonio didn’t really seem to be the correct market either. How much are you asking for it?

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/10/2016 at 09:32

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That’s probably accurate and I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to find out that he’s a flipper and that such a strategy actually works pretty well for him.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > E90M3 08/10/2016 at 09:37

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Yeah, Dallas, although the guy first in line right now is in D.C.

Asking $12.5k. 87k miles and in great condition for the mileage other than the front bumper being road rashed from community and a scuff on the side of the rear passenger side bumper, which together total about $1200 of paintwork that needs to be done.

It’s the only 135 on the internet right now that I can find for under $15k (I’ve not given it an exhausting look, but the response tells me I’m probably not missing much). I probably should have asked $13.5k, but that’s what I was thinking my car would have been worth without the paint issues. Still, it’s going to sell quickly at this price which is nice, I’d be lying if I said following your struggles didn’t give me some consternation about the process of selling mine.

E90M3 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 09:57

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I think half of my problem was the market. If I was in ATL like I am now, I probably would have had no problem getting my asking price. I actually bought my M3 from Park Place Porsche in Dallas. The large market helps, plus with DFW there, you have a major airport for someone to fly in and pick it up. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s a manual 135 either, more desirable among enthusiasts.

I saw you ad and it looks like more than a fair price, even with the problems noted, I’d have no problem paying full price. Too bad I haven’t found another job yet.

Let’s face it, you have a more desirable car in a better market at a very reasonable price. I wish my experience had been as good yours has been so far, nevertheless, best of luck selling it.

E92M3 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 10:04

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Funny, I’ve offered a friend $500 above his Carmax offer for his Jeep Wrangler before. He still took their offer because they were willing to write a check that same day. I was serious and would of paid him in 2 days, there was an easy $4k of profit on the table.

I’m surprised there isn’t a real company that advertises hard to beat Carmax offers by $500, that gets all their inventory that way. My local Acura dealer will match their offer, but that’s it. Seems like adding a few hundred would be a great way to have inventory brought to you, and make good profits.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > E92M3 08/10/2016 at 10:50

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This isn’t the worst idea I’ve ever heard. There’s no doubt that there’s plenty of money to be made at the prices Carmax pays for cars.

WiscoProud > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 11:34

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I've had mixed results with CarMax. They gave me a pretty low offer on my LR3, but my Xterra had a good price which I used to negotiate at the dealership who had the vehicle I wanted.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/10/2016 at 11:38

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There’s a scam out there where someone contacts you and says they’re interested, but want you to run the VIN first and send them the report. Then they say, “Changed my mind,” and pocket $3 in commission for selling the VIN report.