While it’s true that Dealer Auction does most of the hard work in finding buyers and connecting them to your stock, there are often things you can do to be even more successful. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or new to listing vehicles using Dealer Auction, these top tips will help you kickstart your selling activity in 2022.
1. Prep, prep, prep
There are lots you can do before even uploading your vehicle to Dealer Auction to ensure a speedy process and help towards a faster sale.
Firstly, make sure you have all the paperwork to hand before listing; that includes the MOT, V5, and service book. It also helps to know the ‘Stand in Value’ of the vehicle. All of this will speed up the listing process and get your vehicles on sale faster.
Make sure the vehicle is washed and valeted before any photographs are taken. Remove any merchandising or retail stickers so the car doesn’t look like a ‘retail sale’. This helps to build a professional reputation online.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words
To have the greatest chance at success, it’s vital that your vehicles stand out in the search results. Imagery is the first thing a potential buyer will see when viewing your stock, so make sure your vehicles stand out by spending some time getting your photography just right.
Always take pictures in the same place and think about what’s in the background. Can you position the car to have your dealership in the background? Are there any other vehicles in the way? All this goes a long way to building your brand and maintaining a professional image.
Click here: How the right imagery can help you sell your stock faster
3. Are you selling yourself enough?
You want your description to be detailed enough to help sell the vehicle, but not long enough to put off a potential buyer from reading it all.
Try structuring your description into three parts: a quick overview, exterior condition and interior condition, and keep the T&Cs to a minimum. At the same time, it’s vital to mention any damage, warning lights or missing equipment. While it’s true that this could put some buyers off, you wouldn’t want a sale to fall through because a buyer found out the vehicle was misrepresented. At the same time, if the vehicle has a clean advisory on its latest MOT, mention it!
4. Don’t forget the extras
Derivatives can help make your advert more eye-catching, so think about what can make sure your vehicle stand out. Does it have low mileage? One careful owner? From a non-pet or smoker home? Optional Sat-Nav? All of these can help differentiate your vehicle from other similar vehicles on the Dealer Auction platform.
5. Reconsider your reserve price
Did you know that by setting the reserve price at around 95-96% of CAP, you’ll attract more buyers and bidding activity? Our data shows this improves your chance to sell by 30% compared to listing at 102% of CAP*
6. Get more eyes on your stock
Why not promote your vehicles on social media? Share a link to your advert with some eye-catching images and encourage more dealers to look at your stock.
7. Maintain control of the sale
There’s nothing worse than waiting to be paid for your vehicle after the sales are secured. Dealer Auction is all about helping you retain control over how you sell your vehicles, so we recommend contacting the buyer, preferably by phone, immediately after the auction has finished to arrange payment and collection/delivery. This will ensure a smooth process and gives you the peace of mind to focus on selling your next vehicle.
8. Try listing everything
Have you got that one vehicle that just won’t sell because of a dent in the bumper? Or a part-ex motorbike you don’t know what to do with? Try listing everything you have on Dealer Auction. We accept any vehicles, regardless of the value or condition, and you never know there might be a buyer out there!
* assuming the vehicle is in a clean condition
