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  1. #1
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    BaT Case Study

    Been almost one week since my 1970 911T sold on BaT so I've had plenty of time to let this marinate.

    Conclusion?

    BaT is far and away a better place to sell a good car than here or any other place. According to a few people in this community I should not have been able to sell my car for more than 85k. It ended up bringing 103k. (Would have gone higher if not for some dumbass and yes; many members here can take credit for an "assist." Thank You!)

    When the dust settled over 24,000 views and 1100+ "Watchers". (As an added bonus the video for our biz that was included in the auction has attracted 1800 views to date; not exactly viral but nothing to yawn at either.) I would challenge anyone to get this kind of exposure anywhere over a one week period when selling a car. I'm confident the "no reserve" helped. (When I first mentioned that idea to someone and they said "you're crazy" I knew right then it was genius. Humans find immense pleasure in watching others crash or win.)

    Needless to say, I am now a big BaT fan... and all of you should be as well; the site is playing a big part in rejuvenating Porsche values.

  2. #2
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    +1 the combination of having a well documented good car and being known to the Porsche community helps a lot. I was happy with my experience also with my 914-6, I was expecting a little more than the $82k it brought, but the $100 sellers fee and the $300 I paid for pro pictures netted me $81.6k. The other big name auction houses did want my car but at "no reserve" plus there 10% sellers fee and the cost of transporting the car to the auction site ($1,500). So to sell my car at one of these other auction houses my car would have had to bring $92k to net me the same amount. There are 2 914-6's being auctioned at the end of October at RM/Sotheby's in Atlanta so I will be interested in following those.
    Last edited by mfitton; 09-28-2018 at 04:56 AM.
    Mike Fitton # 2071
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  3. #3
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    I’ve been following Frank’s BaT experience with great interest. I agree with his conclusion that BaT is a great place to sell Porsche... if you’re Frank.

    Cheers,
    John
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Peanut's Avatar
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    I window shop / daydream about buying cars a lot, probably like a lot of folks here, and the decent to good cars get strong money on BaT. I've seen two BMW 3.0 coupes go well past $100k, while good coupes languish on the "enthusiast" forum. Same story here in my humble opinion. Frank's car was a perfect example.

    Even average cars, like an e46 M3 brought something like $51k last week, which is a premium price.

    I wonder if BaT will not be the premier spot to sell a car in the future, due to the volume of good cars being listed. Will buyers adopt a "wait & see... maybe a better one will come along" outlook?

    Scott
    1968 911S
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    1973 BMW 3.0CS - Frances (gone but not forgotten)

  5. #5
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    The 73S Targa didn't sell at auction but BaT is still a great place to get exposure. Have a hunch the car will have a new home very soon.

  6. #6
    I'd agree with Frank for selling... My Alfa just sold there today. IMO it did 10-15% better than what I'd have thought I could get for it privately. Maybe I lack ambition ;-)

    I think it's a good place to sell, but not without its issues: It takes them a long time to get ready to list your car (twice what they advertise), it requires more work (cue Frank's superb video), and especially more patience. People respond well to a responsive seller, but that means fending off many questions politely that your first instinct might be to quash ("it's in the description, read it". "I said no rust, that means anywhere, stop listing parts and asking if there is rust". "No the bumper is not crooked, your face might be", etc... can't do that...)

    Not sure it's a good place to *buy* though unless it's an obscure car with few interested parties... I have this theory that with their global reach, all it takes is one rich guy that doesn't care about doing his homework and will overpay whatever, to "ruin" an auction for an enthusiast on a "normal" budget. Then again maybe that's the new normal... Statistically, there might *always* be one of those guys if you have >1000 watchers and 5000 people checking your ad, and it might be next to impossible to win an auction there unless you are prepared to overpay...

    I was kind of annoyed at them initially, but it's hard to argue with results.
    Greg.
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    72 911T - 73 2002
    #1461

  7. #7
    Senior Member NZVW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Beck View Post
    Been almost one week since my 1970 911T sold on BaT so I've had plenty of time to let this marinate.

    Conclusion?
    I personally don't think that this Thread was Op'd for the purpose tit for tat,, scratch ya face off stuff, regarding listings on the BaT.

    So,,, with no further adieu ,

    What are your feelings Guano , after your recent exposure to the Millennials and trolls on BaT ??

    Being on the outside looking in, I would love to know the inuendo's of the status of the OP topic.

    No For Sales please,,

    Soz,, Answer has already been previously posted by op
    Mark

  8. #8
    Frank,

    Having never listed a car on BaT, I'm interested in who actually writes, and is ultimately responsible for, the copy that appears in the auction listing.

    I see in the BaT T&C's that under the heading 'Seller Content' they variously state:
    'We do not claim ownership of Seller-generated content and material provided to us in connection with the Services
    (collectively “Seller Content”).


    'Company does not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy or reliability of any Seller Content'

    Company does not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy or reliability of any Seller Content or endorse any opinions
    expressed by you or anyone else. By submitting the Seller Content you fully and unconditionally release and forever
    discharge Company and its officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all claims, demands and damages......


    You acknowledge and agree that Company has no control
    over, and shall have no liability for any damages resulting from, the use (including, without limitation, re-publication) or
    misuse by you or any third party of any Seller Content. Company acts as a passive conduit for Seller Content and has no
    obligation to screen or monitor Seller Content.



    BaTMedia is a vehicle listing, information service and auction website that brings together Buyers and Sellers. BATMEDIA
    IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE BROKER OR DEALER AND DOES NOT SELL, EXCHANGE, BUY, OR OFFER FOR SALE, NEGOTIATE
    OR ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE, A SALE OR EXCHANGE OF AN INTEREST IN ANY VEHICLE LISTED FOR SALE ON OUR SERVICE.
    BATMEDIA DOES NOT HOLD OR POSSESS TITLE FOR ANY VEHICLE LISTED FOR SALE ON OUR SERVICE.


    It seems that BaT go to quite some lengths in the small print in legally distancing themselves from the 'Seller Content' which presumably includes the representations made by the seller about the car in the listing. I wondered how you actually created the listing description for your 'T' as I believe BaT also assign someone to help sellers craft the listing.
    Looking for 1967 911 trans 130830/902-1

  9. #9
    No different than Gooding, RM, Mecum, BJ etc. It is standard "auction house" language. It is on the buyer to verify.

    A friend bought a car at Amelia a few years ago that wasn't exactly as described. He has a long term relationship with the auction house but admitted
    if they had wanted to play hard ball he was "screwed" (re: contract language). In this case he still wanted the car but thought a discount was in order for the non-disclosed discrepancies. All parties came to the table and an amicable settlement was made.
    Early S Registry #235
    rgruppe #111

  10. #10
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    Tim,
    I actually submitted 3-4 paragraphs of entertaining ad copy... they wouldn't use it. I indicated that I wanted some humor... nope. They write all of the ads which I find incredibly boring and they avoid using absolutes. (I.E: "No rust." "No collision damage." Etc.) I think it's fairly obvious lawyers are the main culprit.

    A seller could bring a colorful Mexican salad to the party but all the guests get is vanilla ice cream. I was privy to this going in so it was no surprise; one reason why I decided to do the kick as video. Gotta create buzz somehow. (Candidly when I was doing the 73S video and rowing through the gears at full song I thought how entertaining it would be if I was pulled over an issued an award for my exemplary driving skills... if you know what I mean.)

    Fortunately the comments feature allows a seller to blossom and express the true spirit of the car, its history/pedigree, and perhaps most importantly... his or her reputation and character. I think this is an amazing opportunity that's missed by short-sighted sellers.

    Oh, and as far as me disappointing people by not causing a ruckus over there? I may be a provocateur and armchair demolitions expert but I'm not going to wage a battle in a foreign land without first gaining support from the locals.

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