Would it be a good idea to have a column in the boats for sale to sort by advert date. I often look at the boats for sale and see the date of 2004 0r 2005 and my interest stops. If its still for sale there must be a reason. |
Maybe the right person for the boat hasn't turned up yet,that could be a reason.Maybe you've gotta look to find the right boat for you... |
Don't be put off by the dates - if they've been on that long without selling you may be able to knock the price down more. |
It should be apparent which adverts you have already looked at (link turn from blue to purple). Does that not help? Or are you looking for adverts that have been modified recently, as well as new adverts? |
I used to run the lark for sale list. Really old boats were just hanging around for ages. We made people repost each month and then they tended to drop the price each month getting the boat sold at a sensible price and back in circulation rather than unloved at the end of a drive way. If they didn't repost the advert got dropped off. It saved ringing around and checking which were still for sale which was a real ball ache. |
Mags, it does turn colour but only temporarily, sometimes changing back after a few days or when something else is added. Seems to be random with some staying purple for quite a while. |
I've noticed the random time colour change too!! |
Having had a boat on the list for a number of months last year, I would say that Mark's suggestion makes the most sense. We all have an opinion on what our pride and joy is worth and may even seek others opinion, but unfortunately the market drives the price. Once I started lowering the price aggresively then the interest grew. |
I would add to Jon's comment that presentation is as important as timing and price. Having not had a sniff at my sailboard from the local classified's, I sold it on eBay for more than I expected, having followed the hints and tips there, thus funding a large part of the price of a Merlin bought via the same medium. No-one in this age of IT and digital cameras can really expect much interest in any advertisement without the stimulation of pictures 'up front'. |
Hear hear. The advert on this site for the boat I bought from ebay had FOUR words and no pictures and was on for some months. On ebay it was much better described with half a dozen pictures. |
Certain age boats take ages to sell, notably the Ghast Rider/Phantom Kipper era boats which seem to be somewhat in limbo competition wise at the moment. |
Could you not have a similar system as the Solo. The vendor inputs and posts their own ad. As the page fills the last add falls off the bottom of the page forcing you to re-advertise should the boat still be available. Alternatively do as the OK web does and have a date with a big yellow note saying 'NEW'. |
Just added a 'classified' to my web site. Its free so why not add your boats, they will drop off after 60 days and they will drop off when my 'free' quota of adds (500 I think or might be 50) are used. www.sailfun.co.uk |
The vendor already inputs their own ad, i just approve it. This prevents the Merlin list promoting the sales of viagra and other dubious substances/activities and yes, we've had them all! |
I'd like to see the design have to be selected from a drop down list. That way we'd guarantee the link to the design guide would work as so many don't simply because someone can't spell "Canterbury Tales" or similar. Variations should then be described in the free format text. |