24 replies to this topic

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

If people are stupid enough to pay that then it works. The minis on there are always pathetically overpriced anyways

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 29 December 2009 - 02:51 PM.

[mab01uk]

Many others have tried to copy Autotrader and failed so whatever they offer for the price works for most car buyers and sellers.............as always market forces decide in the end. Exchange & Mart which once dominated used car ads has now given up on printed copies and its website has never really challenged Autotraders hold on the market in recent times.

Quote:
"While on holiday in Florida in the mid 1970s Madejski saw a car sales magazine that included pictures of the vehicles on sale. He immediately realised the potential of the idea, and founded Thames Valley Trader in 1976. Initially the magazine sold anything and everything, from houses to cars and even aircraft, but it soon concentrated solely on vehicles, and was renamed Auto Trader. Madejski partnered with the Guardian Media Group in 1982 to give the title national exposure. By 1998, 52 titles were being published with a combined circulation of more than 700,000. In 1998 he sold his company Hurst Publishing for £174 million."

Edited by mab01uk, 29 December 2009 - 03:17 PM.

[Juju]

I've just spent the last 12 months looking for a new car for my partner.

Autotrader is by far the best site for people looking for specific vehicles. Their search engine & the parameters with which you can narrow your search are so much easier & quicker to use & filter than any of the others (I include Ebay, Exchange & Mart and Pistonheads in that). For a buyer, it's brilliant.

[rosco454]

If the average person is looking for an everyday vehicle and not something from an enthusiasts market such as minis/modified cars etc where is the first place that will spring into their mind to look?Same goes for if they are selling.95% of people see cars as just transport they will advertise in what is most accessible and best known to them as a place to sell cars.

In short you are paying for autotraders widespread customer base,that and with ebay you tend to get a lot more *melons* contact you - worth the extra £16 to not have to deal with them for me.

[ministe]

Most of those cars aren't private traders though. I'm sure the companies that use autotrader would get a discounted price for bulk adverts.

[wainesworld]

Most of those cars aren't private traders though. I'm sure the companies that use autotrader would get a discounted price for bulk adverts.

As a trader it works out at about £5 per car per week, if I remember correctly for about 5 cars, this does go down if you sign up for more vehicles to be advertised. Plus they do all your web site work included in the price. Have a look at the dealers that advertise and you will see most are set up and run by autotrader. They have approx 200 styles of web sites so not to many will look the same as you can then edit coloures text etc etc.

Plus you get the paper copy advertising free.


Waine

Edited by wainesworld, 29 December 2009 - 08:28 PM.

[62S]

you can do all that on ebay, so i still cant see what autotrader does for that extra £16 ?????

If you sell your car eBay charge a minimum of £20 and up to £35 - and is VAT payable on top of that?

Normal eBay listings are a maximum of 10 days whereas you get 14 days on Autotrader.

As mentioned previously, you get the very special delights of dealing with all the donkey brained idiots that proliferate on eBay.

[daddycool]

A few years back I wanted to sell my cooper spi, I refused to pay the amount Auto Trader were wanting t advertise it. I found a website called car and classic

CarANDclassic

Its free to advertise your car! I sold my car within 2 days of it being on there!

[slyoldfox2001]

you can do all that on ebay, so i still cant see what autotrader does for that extra £16 ?????

If you sell your car eBay charge a minimum of £20 and up to £35 - and is VAT payable on top of that?

Normal eBay listings are a maximum of 10 days whereas you get 14 days on Autotrader.

As mentioned previously, you get the very special delights of dealing with all the donkey brained idiots that proliferate on eBay.

if you read my posts i was referring to a classified advert on ebay where it costs £13 for 30 days.
i never made any mention of auctions and the fees related to them.

autotrader £29 for 2 weeks
ebay classified advert £13 for 30 days

what does autotrader do extra to ebay that warrants an extra £16 ?????

[mister bridger]

A few years back I wanted to sell my cooper spi, I refused to pay the amount Auto Trader were wanting t advertise it. I found a website called car and classic

CarANDclassic

Its free to advertise your car! I sold my car within 2 days of it being on there!

I have both bought and sold through that site and its great and yes free! Obviously no use to Joe Average looking for a used Mondeo though.