Why aren't OUR trucks selling on E-Bay???!!!

[arkracing]

How come every time I look a the "C-10" category on Evil-Bay our trucks have either no bidders or the bids are very low $0-2500 on trucks that should bring $5-7k @ least.

Most of them look pretty decent and like they are a pretty good deal.

Even here on the Forum the trucks aren't selling. what gives?

Are these trucks just not desirable? or is it that noone has $$$ anymore?

I'm going to have to sell my truck as soon as i put it back together and this is kinda depressing me. I even put it over in the trucks for sale to see if i would get any kid of response - but nothing. It is a restored truck....all rot/rust cut out and replaced with new (does this make no differance in the value of these trucks?)

[jtminton]

My theory is that people who are into our trucks are more excited about the prospect of fixing them up themselves than buying somebody else's baby.

[68haywagon]

with jtminton. Thats why I bought mine. I wanted something I could call my own when I'm done. Everything will be the way I want it and not someone else's ideas. I love some of the finished trucks out there...they are beautiful, I just wanted something to look back at someday and say I did that. I didn't buy my truck with the intent of selling it when I'm done...so this is just my opinion.

With how much time and money these trucks absorb, an owner will probably never see that money back if they sold.

Mike

[arkracing]

I never intended on selling mine either. I'm just looking to get back the $$ that I have into it that's all. You will never get back your labor or someone elses labor. Working on cars and trucks is a hobby to me.... so i don't even care if i don't get back my time into the truck.

Something came up and now i'll need to sell. but I would like to try to get @ least as much as i have into the truck as far as parts go. Just seeing that nothing is really selling on E-Bay or here on the site kinda got me depressed.

[cdowns]

i think it's because they are very common vehicles to find locally that it makes not much sence to get something that has to be shipped and you haven't seen in person

[jtminton]

Well, you could price it real high in the secret hopes that it won't ever sell, then you can tell yourself you tried AND get to keep the truck.

[HuggerCST]

I've noticed it lately on ebay too. Back in february and march they were bringing decent money, but lately have fallen off considerably. My guess is that they were up for tax season & now people don't have the extra cash. All of the low interest rates on new cars and flooded market of used cars probably has an effect on it too.

[Classic Heartbeat]

My theory is, people saw how much these trucks were selling for so they decided to sell theirs for for a high price for some quick cash. Then they figure they can find another one cheaper to work on. I have noticed a glut of these trucks on the market. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

[gangforward]

I think there's another reason - when gas is 2.50+ a gallon, and our rigs drink 92 octane, and get 10-14 mpg.....

[Russell]

I've found the market to be really slow recently. I haven't been able to sell anything truck related recently...

[cdowns]

when i lived up in the frozen northeast i had good luck selling stuff in the weekly "special interest autos" newspaper www.specialinterest.com and you might check the events listing to go to shows near you, there's nothing like seeing a vehicle in person

[Brewski*]

I would say gas prices #1 and the fact there are more on the market now that everyone needs to or wants to get rid of them due to the price of gas. I really need to sell one of mine but can not allow myself to part with them. The RED ROCKET will goe for $8,500 if anyone (ON THE BOARD) wants one hell of a nice3/4 ton 4 speed 4x4 GMC Custom Camper with almost all NOS, rebuilt or new parts. Needs only the body work refinished but someone would have to be willing to spend a few more bucks to make the body extremely nice. Then it would be the $20k truck I invested in it over the past 5 years. I have a list of everything that has been done. It is amazing how much you can spend over a short period of time.

[pjmoreland]

I tried selling a truck on eBay recently and it didn't get anywhere near what I thought was a low reserve. I listed the truck in a local paper and it sold the first day it was listed.

[LUV2XCLR8]

1.) Gas Prices - Trucks aren't economical for Daily drivers

2.) Shipping - It's getting even more expensive (Gas Prices)

3.) Money - Economy is off, and alot of people are holding
on to there spare $$$, if they have any, and if they have
a job, another reason the market could be a little off

[blazerparts]

I think it's the lull before the storm. Camaro's, GTO's, Mustangs, etc have all pretty much been snapped up in the last 8 years or so. Now there are very few "barn finds" or muscle cars requiring refurbishing available. So........finite supply means higher prices. It is just a matter of time before trucks and first generation SUV's will gain the same popularity as muscle cars.

[smitty62]

Hard to sell the little wife on buying a truck that only gets 10 MPG on a good day and with a tailwind. Of course they won't have a problem with making payments for five years on a KIA that gets 30 MPG. WOW!

[Pilgrim]

There have been several ads of note in the local newspaper.

A 65 for sale for $6,000 which inlcuded all the parts to restore it. When asked about the condition and location of rust, the owner said that it was old and had rust, of course, and if I showed up I better be serious. This was after the ad had been in the newspaper for 5 weeks. A smart mouth causes me to hang up immediatly. Apparently someone had told her what it was REALLY worth and she was pissed!!

A 67 for $8000, restored and garaged and a 72 with a 2 year old restoration for $9800.
One had a wierd paint color and newer seats. The resto needed a resto.

A 1969 for $2,500 in good condition. Had an Olds engine, grass for floor boards, frame rotted, and body weighed about 30 pounds. Worth 0.

A 67 long bed for $2,000. Owner had it a long time and wanted $2,500. Worth $800 for parts, mostly drivetrain.

A board member had a good long fleet side bed in primer with trim and could't sell if at a very reasonable price.

NADA says my truck dropped $3,000 in average value since January 2005.

I see decent trucks for sale on this board for $1,200 to $2,500.

We are seeing a slowdown in our market.

[4x4Poet]

Good thread question.

I think the gas is the big one. But I still expect (without surety) that great trucks still sell. Remember the lifted 70/71 4x4 pickup with 36" tires, 427 BBC, and great paint and interior that sold for $22,500 on e-bay? At least, I'd say rich people will always be around to buy the trophy trucks. The lesser trucks seem to be a problem sell.

I've also noticed that complete, rust-free burbs sell well. I'd guess because they appeal to family hauler needs. IOW, the truck can be a classic and a useful family vehicle, vice a toy that some pickups can be.

I've also noticed some major mistakes made by sellers:
1. Clean, complete, painted truck with a rusty booster and master cyl that ruins the appearance of the engine compartment.
2. Original A/C truck with the A/C non-functional and even the compressor missing.
3. Poor sell: Undetailed write up, lack of a good word picture, no link to more pics, even mistakes on model designation that raise suspicions, perhaps unwarranted.

When I sell my K10 burb I'm restofying (I'm working towards having only the K20), I'll deliver it anywhere in the Lower 48. Hopefully that will bring in da bling bids.

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

...NADA says my truck dropped $3,000 in average value since January 2005....

Could you delineate this, exactly. What exact truck and what values (trade in, retail, etc.) The slippage in NADA value concerns me more than an perceived trend on e-bay.

[GMC AMI]

IMO NADA is geared more for the seller and CC is more for the buyer! What a difference!

http://www.vmrintl.com/cctm/coll_frame.htm

[arkracing]

I think gas may have a little to do with it, but i don't think that is the deciding factor. If that was the case nobody would be driving these @ daily drivers and nobody would be driving bigblock. It seems to me that people always find a way to feed thier toys. Look @ our friends up north who pay significantly more for gas than we do here in the states. Look @ the guys over in Europe - who are paying dearly for petro. And they still have their toys.

I think the E-bay trend is probably due to the "scare" that you can't really see what your buying - can't hear it run - etc.

And I agree that selling locally is better for both the buyer and seller. But I just noticed that these trucks aren't really selling here on the board or on E-bay. but i guess it is mostly a distance/trust issue.

when I get ready to sell it will be in local advertisments and Will probably end up taking it to Carlisle Truck Nationals the first weekend in August.

I'm surprised @ all the replies on the thread guys. Thanks for the input


Just a note on NADA and KellyBB or RedBook or whatever else you guys like to use. None of these truly reflect what the market is bringing for any vehicle (including New vehicles). I work for an insurance company as an AutoDamageAppraiser and use this stuff everyday and almost NEVER does a "real world market value" of a vehicle come close to a NADA or similar value

[dtlilly]

Originally Posted by arkracing

... I work for an insurance company as an AutoDamageAppraiser and use this stuff everyday and almost NEVER does a "real world market value" of a vehicle come close to a NADA or similar value

I think you lost all credibility for your argument with the above statement. Insurance companies DO NOT live in the real world, they hover in a created reality to increase their bottom dollar and fragment actual losses.

I'll tell you the answer to the question of why arn't the 67-72 trucks selling for as much any more?

It's simple supply side economics. The interest in these trucks began peaking 5 years ago. The supply of these old trucks is pleanty to withstand the market demand. Initially prices spiked because of the movement in interest toward the right. Then people started dragging every rusted/dented up beater out of salvage yards, and aftermarket parts are as easy to get as a 12 pack of bud. People now realize the supply, and the prices have equalized. The only high dollar trucks you will see are those that are highly optioned, all original or highly unique.

[jamis]

Lets face facts......our trucks lack mass appeal....for the average middle age guy with some $ to spend (mid life crisis) are looking at muscle cars, tri-fives cars and trucks, and 40's or earlier rods. That wont stop me from buiding one, but I wouldnt pay the $10,000 + prices some are asking.
These trucks can be fun and be built with reasonable resources, repo and used parts are easy to get.
Will these models ever reach a highly desirable status for the regular Dick and Jane to cruise the suburbs? History tells me it wont. Why did me 53 belair sell for so much less then a 55? It wasnt that the 55 was a so much better year, its just more popular.
Remember 15 years back nobody want a full size convertible like impalas, caddies and lincolns, then a little movie called Thelma and Louise came out and every body wanted one.....what wasnt selling all of a sudden be came the "in" thing and they sold like gold.
What we need is a new version of American Graffiti where the hero drives a 71 C-10

[86swb]

I would say right now it would be best to sell local and not on e-Bay.

[raggedjim]

I would say it's a good time to BUY!

SWB trucks will come back around...

Rg

[see ten]

I think trucks are selling. I read an article a while back that stated the 72 Chevy was the most popular truck out there among restorers except for the 56 Ford. Look at how the aftermarket has taken off in the last few years. When I put my K10 together you couldn't buy complete doors, bedsides and several other items and now you can. I do agree that the economy is slow and gas is high and this could have something to do with what you seem to be seeing. Another thing to consider is are these trucks you are seeing with no bids as nice as they look? I drove many miles looking at trucks that looked good on the net before I bought my C10. I feel a really good truck sells itself and will only bring what it is worth. I spoke with Jerry Rogers at Pigeon Forge this month and asked him if he had brought his trucks. The previous year was the first time I had not seen him at the show. He told me due to health reasons he had sold both his BB SWB cheyenne super and his SWB cheyenne super K10. I asked what they had brought and he said 33 or 34K for the C10 and 30K for the K10. I have no idea about what he had in them but they were both beautiful magazine quality trucks. You can say what you want about trucks not selling but 60K is nothing to sneeze at. Selling a truck is like a lot of things. Right place, right time. If something is for sale you have to SELL it. Most of us want a bargain and we know it when we see it. nobody really wants to pay us 10K for a truck we have spent that much on. They want it for 4K or less because they know we are bored with it, frustrated, broke, at a dead end or whatever. If you put 10K in one and you want 15K for it, great! But you are going to have to make an effort aside from putting a for sale sign in the window and running an ad in the local shopper. Long story short. Don't let a few no sales bum you out. There is always someone somewhere with some cash they want to spend. The trick is talking them into giving it to you!