Selling a RACE CAR
 

It just burns my butt when your selling a car, someone says yes they want it, you have another one on the way, and you don't here from them again. I should know better, yep, there will be another spare car in the shop for next year. Looks like I trust people to much!! Anyone have the same problem??

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

RJ,

I take no stock in people when they call and ask about my car. I have found that these jerk offs want you to give them your car for nothing. I have my car advertised on racing junk and had a few people contact me about it. I spelled out completely what I would accept yet people still insult you or promise to call back when they know they fully do not intend to. I had a man call me and come out to look the car over, he asks a few questions and I answer then comes the oh I gotta go home and do the math, I will get back with you. I didn't even act concerned, I simply told him the price was set and that was final so do what he had to do, I'm not gonna give the car away, I will sleep in it before I under sell so I can be talked about on the internet for giving away a race car. It will sell, it just takes the right car and right buyer, I think if I had Chevy for sale instead of a Ford I probably would have sold my car by now with way it is priced.

Smitty

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

There is alot of racers ?????? That seem to collect photo's....anyone else notice that....steve

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I sold the same car 3x times this year and willl be driving it again next year, Guess that answers that question.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I see that in my business too.They call and want a real AH car built and then when you do a quote,they end up just wanting a 10 second bracket car.I've been trying to sell my B/SR and some guy wanted to trade me a JR.dragster for it. Champagne tastes and beer money!

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I had the same issues with people collecting photos, er jpegs, I sent everything via email. I had detailed photos of the chassis and detailed notes of the motors, trans, rears, etc. The ole strokers who wanted something for nothing. One guy even had the balls to offer 10k for the complete SS car tk with spare motor and the other spare parts. Then my hopes went through the roof with one guy ( a Nordic) who told me he wanted everything. The Euro to dollar was good then , too. I asked him for some references and called them (noted S/SS racers) and received positive feedback and even had a SS racer unsolicited call me on the "buyers" behalf. While making arrangements to prepare to ship the vehicle the guy gives me a dear john story. Fortunately for me, I was not out any funds, just my time.

I felt the same as Smitty, I was not going to give the car away. Then, out of the blue, I receive a call from a gentleman in Canada who wants to come down and look at it. He shows up, looks it over and snatches it up.

Smitty, not sure that I agree on the Ford vs Chevy thing. The Camaro was for sale for nearly 2 years and there are plenty other Chevy and GM cars that have been and still are for sale now. It's just a sign of the times with the poor economy.

RJ, it is not only cars but parts too. I had one guy buy parts from me and "sent me the check" for two weeks before getting back to me. In the meantime, I could have sold the part in question twice. Since he drug his feet and did not buy it, I still have the part because the second guy found the part elsewhere. I had one stroker call me for 30 minutes talking about one of my driveline pieces that he wanted. The funny thing about it, it was the right piece for his combination and he ended up going elsewhere and getting the wrong piece. Go figure.

I've been moving the SS parts to concentrate on JR dragsters and still don't have all the pieces I need for them. With the economy the way it is, I am hesitant on the money I am spending on the junior program so as not to over-spend or buy unnecessary pieces.

For what its worth...

Ronnie, Jr.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

No deposit and I wont hold it a day. I had a problem with a JR Dragster I sold last year. One guy told me he wanted it no deposit, 2 weeks later another guy called me at 3pm, he was at the track at 7pm and in his truck at 9pm. The first guy cussed me out but I called him 3x that day and he didnt call me back. Cash talks. The other thing I do is after about 3 phone calls I tell them there is nothing else I can tell yo uabout the car, the only people making money here are phone companies, not to be rude but if you want it I need a deposit. That usually gets rid of them or they buy it.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

Ron:
you have a PM

Dean

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I got a 78 nova project car. The only plus is it has a 12 bolt chevy rear. I put it on here foe $600 bucks I think. I had people wanting pictures. LOL
I told one guy go to the junk yard and look at a 78 Nova that will be your picture.

I sold 2 stockers On the WWW. I did get tired of sending pictures but it's what you gotta do if you want to sell.
Chip

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

Racecars and muscle cars are pretty much the same transaction. I have done it as a side business for 15 years or so. I have had the same experiences. Picture collectors, idiots who don't know what they are looking at, my favorite, the scammers from abroad who want to OVERPAY with cash back....(I double the price for them, and never hear from them again)

A lot of guys(never sold a collectible car to a girl yet) are dreamers. The internet seems to bring out many more of these. Racing Junk will put you in contact with a lot of buyers, but some you would rather not do business with. Ebay, well I think it can be a good place to find a car, but its not an easy place to sell. Believe it or not, you may have some luck in Hemmings Motor News..not too many race cars listed, and if your car has some other appeal(collectible/restorable) it might be able to bring even more money than as a race car, you should in fact, your car is likely rust free, problem free compared to "restored" cars.

I try to give the potential buyer as much info as I can so they can make an informed decision, then its up to them to either come out and view, send someone to view and inspect. If they start to want to haggle without ever seeing the car, I take them as not serious.

I have made the mistake of sending video, photo copies of buildsheets, pictures on my fed ex dime, what a waste of my time.

When I investigate buying a car, I may send a email to start, then call and ask every question I can think of..I like to ask the seller, are there any others questions I should be asking? Often, yes.....if it seems like a fit, off for a visit, sizable deposit with agreed upon terms for the balance with performace requirements if a race car(proof of performance) and date to complete......I do throw in a deposit refundable if death or disability occurs, but only to me, if the seller dies, it may complicate the test portion, but its still a deal.

I am sure I am not alone in wishing people would not tire kick, etc. Parts I always get a credit card or money order before I ship.

I did sell a Lil Red Express sight unseen to a collector in Kansas, money order came, I was so happy I through in every spare part I could find in the attic for him.......car carrier came a few weeks later, but that is the exception, and I broke my cardinal rule for my Dakota stocker I found on Racing Junk last year......Not only did I buy it sight unseen, but I didn't have any performance contigencies, but I asked every question I could, trusted the guy, and am 150% happy. Intercity couldn't get their huge rig up my street, so I got the thrill of a late night stocker test run up the streets!

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

For the "strokers" I say the car is FOR SALE not ON SALE.

I also do my homework to sell as well as buy.

Make a list as to everything the vehicle has and get some pics. Save all of this in the computer for easy retrieval and send the same info to everyone that asks. You can even print out a copy and post locally or leave at businesses.

Good luck with the car.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

The Internet has certainly changed the way the process works. I always place the largest ad feasible
(ie buy the gallery ad and 2 weeks of frontpage duplication on racing junk) and post as many quality pictures as they allow-then when the inevitable request for more/different/better pics comes in, I just refer them back to the ad. I actually had a guy in Texas who said he wanted my Buick, called me half a dozen times, talked to several well know Buick guys accross the country who know my car, and still wasn't convinced it could be rust free. I offered to split the cost of a plane ticket to socal for him to inspect, and he still couldn't be convinced!! at the time that flight was about 90 bucks for each of us. OTOH, the Olyenik car hauler I had on here and racing junk went to a guy in Austrailia, full price, no issues, could not have been an easier transaction, and I was terrified to do an international deal but it was great. YOu jus thave to keep answering the emails and phone calls if you want to sell in this economy.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I want to thank everyone for not buying my car last year. But it is still for sale and like alot of other prople have said it can sit in the shop or in the trailer before I give it away.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I had a guy from the east coast made a deal on my car and I was going to deliver it and at the last minute the guy came up with some excuse about stocks and penalties.People should not make deals unles they have money.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

And don't forget the stroker seller's either. If you want to really sell your car, place an ad which might include trival items like a PRICE. That way Buyers know everybody is on a level playing field and there is no concern the seller may raise the price because he thinks you have a lot of money to spend. That or the seller is so embarrased about his asking price he doesn't want to post it!
And if your going to place an ad on an internet site, learn how to post more than a link to your favorite race car photographers site. Include real pictures, up close and showing details.
But no matter how detailed the ad is, 7 out of 10 will call and the first half-dozen questions could be answered if Billy-Bob had read the ad!

My friend Mark had his one family '70 Challenger for sale recently. It looks like it went to a good home. But there was one potential buyer that was "on his way to the airport" when his body shop friend told him not to buy it. The reason? This Arizona Challenger was full of rust on the underside, or so he thought. Guess the dim-wit from Rustysotta had never seen a car with factory Burnt Orange Metallic paint on the underside! Yes, it's definetly fun selling race cars!

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

ya know when i bought my car from the Morgans i don't think they knew what to think of me...i didn't ask for ANY PICS I ask for the time slip from the Div race @ indy...then I told Bert I wanted to send a deposit he said send it so I can tell all these other S.O.B.s it's sold! LOL you should have seen the look on the face of the women @ the U.S.Nationals that looked @ my "cooler" when I went in on Wed. morning to pay for the car...she said oh you have a couple Cokes....& I said yes & enough money to buy a race car! She just looked @ me & said have a good day! LOL ;)

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

I have had an East Texas Race Cars built Comp Roadster for sale for 8 years. It is new & never been down the track. It is sitting ready for wiring & plumbing. I have about 40,000 in it(priced @ $25,000) , yet the market for them run around $15,000 or less used.
When trying to sell it seems like it always comes up "There is another one just like it for $12,000." well, not so.. it's used, not new. Most likely used very much. Then you get the guys that say "What makes your car worth so much" Look at the pictures I sent you D.A.... It is call ETRC craftmanship & quality along with all the little extras. Like a $7500 paint job. Then there is the biker guys that have a well used Harley, or a custom that will be real hard to ride. I guess almost everyone has had one of those traders. I like Harley's ,but read the ad, "No Trades". Like most traders his is worth alot & yours is not. Eveyone wants to steal it. That's the internet mind set. Guys, I hate to say it, but the problem is we are selling something people don't have to have. We are selling something they dream of or strokes their ego. I've been in the Performance engine business almost 40 years & have a collection of various "Stuff" that people wanted. Started "special projects" & just normal Hot Rod projects that get started and never finished. No telling how many jobs I have sold that weren't picked up by the person that started it. It took me quite a while to get comfortable with the fact our industry is "EGO" driven and sometimes the size of the wallet is not as big as the ego.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

It is a "Garage Sale" mentality. My wife asked me to watch her Garage Sale once while she went to the store. I remember all that expensive stuff we paid for the twins that she was selling for $5.00 instead of $75.00.

Several people drove up in their Cadillacs and offered me like $2.00 each. My response? If it isnt worth $5.00 we are going to donate to a needy family and that isnt you.

If they drove up in an Acura or Toyota, I told them we made a mistake on the price and it is $10.00 not $5.00.

Next year if they have an Obama sticker I will charge state, federal, and local tax, and upcharge a "handling fee".

Needless to say my wife fired my ***.

I have two killer cars with huge money spent, and I cant give them away. I also have a 24 foot Baja cant give that away either.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

Hey Lynn,
I'm a needy person. I think I need that BaJa..... Care to donate it to me? :~) HA!
Woops, made it sound like Bob.. This is Adger on Bob's sign in... Sorry Bob.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

If anyone has good pictures of 15x12 Cragar super trick wheels,they are probably my pictures.Lord knows I've sent enough of 'em out.

Re: Selling a RACE CAR
 

Adger,

I know you are a boat lover like me. Explain this to me. How much to pull a BBC out of a 24 foot cigarette boat, completely rebuild it (had it done professionally cause I dont own a balancer puller) put mild hydraulic cam, hypo lifters, new killer pistons, 4 bolt main block(yes a $75,000 BAJA came with a 2-bolt block), total seal gapless rings(to help keep the oil clean and build some efficiency)?

These people would rather spend $5000 less and completely do it themselves even though I have all the receipts. In addition, I put all Stainless Steel Fasteners in the engine cover, rebuilt the Bravo One drive, new input shafts ($350), starter and all that BS.

This guy came out and offered me 1/2 what it cost me just to do the motor and upgrades. This boat goes 72 mph without breathing hard. I was asking $15,000 which is what I paid for the boat before I started working on it.