A little help here with selling?

[phoebeusfenix]

Hey guys - it's come time to part with my beloved 13 S4 and I'm having a bit of difficulty finding a buyer. One challenge is I am located in central Kansas so the market is slim for it here, but I also have it listed on eBay and while I believe I have it priced reasonably I'd be interested in some opinions on how I could improve the ad.

If it's ok I'd like to post a link here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161940251258...84.m1555.l2649

I've also got it listed about 15 different groups local on facebook and no interest.

Thank you for the constructive criticism guys!

[chet]

put the s4 badge back on the front grill! little touch, but I think it would help.


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[LordMagnet]

This might not matter but the one picture I see of the back seats has the front seats pushed all the way back. If I wasn't familiar with the platform I might think: "no room in the back!". And back seat / back room might be an important feature for someone looking at a sedan.

[yeuchau]

since it's CPO, you might to state the fact that it has warranty up until 100k miles (or the date which ever comes first).

[phoebeusfenix]

Thank you for the feedback guys!! I'll implement the changes shortly. Do you believe the pricing is acceptable?

[torinalth]

personally i think several of your pictures need to be redone. there are a few, like the back shot, that are very shadowy and are NOT flattering. try to get pictures at noon so you have good coverage and no sun in the lens. also since you have the alcantara, some may not know its like suede or velvet and can look different depending on how the "fur" is directionally pointing. so i'd take a stiff brush and brush all the fibers into one direction and then take a picture. it can look like wear or stains depending on the person seeing it. Also I think you are slightly high on price. your car is low miles and REALLY well kept but a 13 with 20k miles was commanding 35k a year and a half ago when I started looking. while the DSGs cost more, they are less rare and tend to command a lower price than a manual. If you need to get it gone sooner, then drop the price. I think you are not far off and if it was me i'd stay at that price, but it may take a while to go.

alternately find a carmax and see what they offer. I was really surprised what I got for my old TSX only 200 off what I was wiling to sell to private party.

[14S4GWM]

Audi care is 15,25,35,45.
Audi care plus is 55, 65,75

[Thurston]

Thank you for the feedback guys!! I'll implement the changes shortly. Do you believe the pricing is acceptable?

Yes.

For what it is worth I have had success every time selling my vehicles on Autotrader.

[MrFunk]

Pictures are what sells vehicles online. People will decide immediately if they are interested based on pics... the pics will also tell a story about who's selling it and people will make up their minds on how the car was kept/maintained based on the pics... whatever you write about the car is insignificant... you can say it was the best maintained car in the world but if the pictures don't represent that then it's meaningless...

I'm not a fan of your pics for many reasons and if I was in the market I'd probably dismiss your car based on the pics. The car is dirty in many pics. They are not detailed. The car is cut off in many pics. You have cell phone pics that are length wise so they are narrow... I can see brake dust in one. The passenger seat is all the way back in one... etc... it just doesn't seem like you care...

This is what your pics should look like if you want to sell:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-RS4-4dr...m=111864008744

Give the car a good wash and take it someplace well lit and get a good couple dozen proper quality detailed pics just like the ones in that RS4 add... (make sure front seats are symmetrical,get pics of wheels, tire tread, engine bay, trunk...

[mmm def]

+1 on autotrader. The ~$60 is worth it. GLWS and yes put the S4 badge back on.

[Transcend]

Pictures are what sells vehicles online. People will decide immediately if they are interested based on pics... the pics will also tell a story about who's selling it and people will make up their minds on how the car was kept/maintained based on the pics... whatever you write about the car is insignificant... you can say it was the best maintained car in the world but if the pictures don't represent that then it's meaningless...

I'm not a fan of your pics for many reasons and if I was in the market I'd probably dismiss your car based on the pics. The car is dirty in many pics. They are not detailed. The car is cut off in many pics. You have cell phone pics that are length wise so they are narrow... I can see brake dust in one. The passenger seat is all the way back in one... etc... it just doesn't seem like you care...

This is what your pics should look like if you want to sell:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-RS4-4dr...m=111864008744

Give the car a good wash and take it someplace well lit and get a good couple dozen proper quality detailed pics just like the ones in that RS4 add... (make sure front seats are symmetrical,get pics of wheels, tire tread, engine bay, trunk...

+1 This.

Also, try carsgurus too.

[GTItoS4]

If you have the stock grill, I'd put it back on. And if the silver sides are vinyl, I'd remove them.

The best feature of your car is the transferrable (for $85?) CPO warranty. And the Audi Care. You should be pushing those and have all of the details accurately outlined.

Price seems about right, but it's red and non-nav, which will immediately eliminate a lot of casual buyers, so you may need to discount it a bit.

[phoebeusfenix]

I'm going to agree with everyones opinion on the photos. My photos of everything have always looked very...flat. I don't know if this makes a difference, but I am missing an eye, so my depth perception is completely fucked. I always feel like my photos just look, blah.

My cousin does photography for his career so I will get some new ones up asap. Thank you all!

[LordMagnet]

And if the silver sides are vinyl, I'd remove them.

Alu-optic trim package! Though I don't see that listed on the options list. The supercharger badges come with it.

[S4LI]

Does that car have a drop? What mods other than the grill? Ever tuned? You should call out anything aftermarket.

It says it's a black optics car but the window trim is chrome, you sure it's a Black Optics car?

[phoebeusfenix]

Never tuned, yes dropped on H&R's. I'll note that, wasn't sure if it would deter anyone. The different packages confuse the hell out of me lol. The aluminum siding is stock.

[S4LI]

Never tuned, yes dropped on H&R's. I'll note that, wasn't sure if it would deter anyone. The different packages confuse the hell out of me lol. The aluminum siding is stock.

Since you are selling a used performance car online in the $35K range, you have to assume you're dealing with an educated (if not enthusiast) buyer, and the focus should be on full transparency. An Audi dealer can tell you exactly what the car came with. I am pretty sure your car is not a factory black-optics car and the listing says it is. Also if a car is advertised as CPO and it has mods that may affect the warranty coverage, you should disclose this info. Disclose the aftermarket grill, the springs, disclose everything. You need to show that you're an Audi enthusiast yourself and you know everything about your car.

Any paint work? Any warranty work performed? What condition are the brakes in? It says it has new tires but not what brand etc.

You're competing with the dealerships and it's generally more of a hassle to deal with a private buyer/shipping etc. Can you find a similar condition CPO car for the same or less $ from a dealership?

You're likely going to be dealing with buyers who are specifically seeking out a red B8.5 S4 and if you have undisclosed mods (suspension etc.) it's going to raise concerns as to what else was done to the car that you're not disclosing.

[Dr GP]

I didn't see that it was listed as a DSG or Automatic trans??? Pictures do show that it is.

[14S4GWM]

I didn't see that it was listed as a DSG or Automatic trans??? Pictures do show that it is.

It says automatic, I see the listing has ended though. Maybe he pulled it.

[phoebeusfenix]

Ended with no offers :( revising ad & getting good photos this weekend. Thanks a lot for the input everyone, very appreciated

[LordMagnet]

Ended with no offers :( revising ad & getting good photos this weekend. Thanks a lot for the input everyone, very appreciated

Good luck with the sale.

[VenturiRS]

Sheesh, seeing these prices makes me wish I waited 6-12 months on buying my car. Could have saved $6 or 7k+. To OP, apart from lighting, if you don't have a fancy bay like that RS4 listing, find a really good outdoor location to serve as a nice background, it certainly helped when selling my other cars. I used a storage place as my background on my last two cars, and the contrast in colors made the pictures pop. I second the using a real camera bit as well. All in all, this looks like a good package. I didn't really read the posting, but if you have Sport Differential, definitely highlight that along with the CPO and AudiCare. GLWS!

Are you also abandoning us for an M3/M4?

[MrFunk]

Does that car have a drop? What mods other than the grill? Ever tuned? You should call out anything aftermarket.

I am going to disagree here from experience.
Listing each modification is going to scare away a lot of people. I'd simply get great pics up and list all the OEM options the car came with.
The purpose of the add is to gain interest and have people communicating with you so that you can sell the thing... you can disclose mods in person or over the phone...
When I was trying to sell my A4 (which had a K04 turbo set up) I had 0 interest when I listed all the upgrades. As soon as I removed all the mods I got a lot of interest. The 1st person who came to see the car loved it, I told him about all the upgrades (he was not into modding) and he was very impressed and said it probably made the car better... he bought it.

Don't call out mods -

[s14roller]

Car looks great. To be honest, I didn't notice any of the small issues that others pointed out...to me, I think the color is just very polarizing. I do appreciate the color, but personally would not be in the market for it. I think that might have to do with it more than anything else.

Try autotrader, etc., but if all else fails, maybe try a local dealership.

[Thurston]

It sounds to me that between local facebook groups and ebay you just don't want to spend even the smallest amount of money but if you would fork up 40$ to autotrader or car gurus she will sell. I don't know about ebay i'm sure people sell a lot but i never even check that website when i'm looking for cars perhaps i should start. I promise you though, you spend a little money on autotrader and put the right pics up you will be receiving calls.

[Thurston]

I am going to disagree here from experience.
Listing each modification is going to scare away a lot of people. I'd simply get great pics up and list all the OEM options the car came with.
The purpose of the add is to gain interest and have people communicating with you so that you can sell the thing... you can disclose mods in person or over the phone...

Don't call out mods -

yeah totally agree.

[torinalth]

also agree with funk on not disclosing mods (unless super heavy or show car) and agree on doing autotrader as opposed to ebay. Doesn't ebay take a percentage or something now? autotrader comes out to be about $90 or so for the higher quality ads I use. always get interest, and always sells quick. I only use autotrader and cars.com when I am looking to buy. ebay is for cheap parts and last resort to me.

[phoebeusfenix]

Sheesh, seeing these prices makes me wish I waited 6-12 months on buying my car. Could have saved $6 or 7k+. To OP, apart from lighting, if you don't have a fancy bay like that RS4 listing, find a really good outdoor location to serve as a nice background, it certainly helped when selling my other cars. I used a storage place as my background on my last two cars, and the contrast in colors made the pictures pop. I second the using a real camera bit as well. All in all, this looks like a good package. I didn't really read the posting, but if you have Sport Differential, definitely highlight that along with the CPO and AudiCare. GLWS!

Are you also abandoning us for an M3/M4?

Snatched up a E55 AMG I couldn't resist!!

The feedback about the mods is encouraging. I was worried that it may 'scare' some away so I will make sure I do not deny mods, but won't list them with the original ad.

I think the paid option on autotrader.com sounds good. I had shied away from paid advertisements but seeing as all of you have recommended it I will bite the bullet & go for it.

Photos this weekend then I'll list monday.

[phoebeusfenix]

For the wording:

"Up for sale is my gorgeous 2013 Audi S4. Currently the car has: 20,500 miles on it, and will stay close to that number.

Features:
Audi Care until 45,000 miles(Scheduled maintenance is covered at 25, 35, and 45,000 miles)
Certified Pre-Owned(Warranty can be transferred to you easily!)
Audi Connect
Audi Advanced Key
Alu-Optic Package
19 Inch 5 Segment Spoke Wheels - $800
Carbon Atlas Inlays - $500
"Supercharged" Badges - $145
New tires ~1000 miles ago (Dunlop Signature HP 255/35R-19)

Visually & mechanically the car is perfect, I've taken very good care of every aspect from interior to exterior as well as the motor. All service has been performed at my Audi dealership in Wichita KS.

VIN: WAUBGAFL2DA098800

I would be happy to answer any and all questions as well as provide any other additional information & photos. Thank you! Please feel free to call me/text at 620-282-1607."

Thoughts?

[Thurston]

I put my car on a.t. about a month ago because I was seriously considering selling w/ a baby on the way (have since changed my mind) went w/ the 40$ basic option and received two emails from interested buyers within three days and also sold my lexus sc 430 on there a year ago before purchasing my S4. it works for me.

I think your list is perfect especially w the highlighted warranty and audicare as well as the newish tires.

[PCHS4]

Terrible pics. Try taking them in a flattering location like in a park with trees and please do some cropping.

[Lamprey]

<snip>
19 Inch 5 Segment Spoke Wheels - $800
Carbon Atlas Inlays - $500
"Supercharged" Badges - $145
<snip>

What are those prices? Is that what you want on top of the sales price or what you paid? If it is what you paid, as a buyer, I couldn't care less that you paid for an extra option, either they are included or not. If they are extra, then say you also have "19 Inch 5 Segment Spoke Wheels" that you will sell for $800, but I'm guessing it is the former.


GLWTS!

[LordMagnet]

The supercharged badges come with the Alu-Optic package, FYI.

"S4 Alu-optic Trim Package
Set your mighty S4 apart from the others with select Audi Genuine Accessories. The S4 Alu-Optic Trim Package includes two carbon fiber/stainless steel SUPERCHARGED fender badges, plus Alu-Optic stone guards that match the side mirrors and mount between the wheel wells."

[RudyH]

It's not a problem with the sale, but I would be careful with posting your license plate + VIN number on the internet.
I think one or the other is ok, but not both together just to cover yourself from any fraud

[phoebeusfenix]

Very good points all! I'll get the S4 badge tossed back on this evening! AutoTrader it is!

[torinalth]

"Up for sale is my Certified Preowned 2013 Audi S4 Premium Plus with the Twin Clutch DSG transmission.

Features:
Certified Pre-Owned warranty from Audi which is fully transferable to the buyer and is valid till (insert date here) or 100,000 miles whichever comes first
Audi Care prepaid maintenance until 45,000 miles(Scheduled maintenance is covered at 25, 35, and 45,000 miles)
Audi Connect wireless hot spot (requires Tmobile subscription)
Audi Advanced Key with push button start
Alu-Optic Package
19 Inch 5 Segment Spoke Wheels
Carbon Atlas Inlays
"Supercharged" Badges instead of the V6T badges
New tires ~1000 miles ago (Dunlop Signature HP 255/35R-19)

Visually & mechanically the car is perfect, I've taken very good care of every aspect from interior to exterior. All service has been performed at my Audi dealership in Wichita KS.

I would be happy to answer any and all questions as well as provide any other additional information & photos upon request. Thank you! Please feel free to call me/text at 620-282-1607."

Redid some items, most of them I put in BOLD for your easy reference. it makes more sense this way in my opinion. don't bother including "including the motor" (i removed) because that draws attention to things needlessly. don't bother with stating miles because that will be filled in by the autotrader ad. don't bother showing the VIN, but instead spring for the carfax report built into autotrader which is all they'll use the vin for anyhow. Also do you have the sport differential or Bang and Olaf sound system or nav? those are essential to list if you have them. hope it helps.

[jamesj2k]

I would take out the "Supercharged" Badges instead of the V6T badges". I think that may confused some buyers (non-Audizine patrons) as to why that was done.

[phoebeusfenix]

Holy crap what a difference a quality slr makes! got photos taken today & its stunning(imo). Thanks a ton guys..seriously everytime I look at this car I debate whether I should sell it or not, it's going to be hard to part with

[torinalth]

honestly your car was clean and nice. why were you selling it anyhow? if you are not just needing a change then hold on to her. it really is a nice platform

[phoebeusfenix]

I snatched up a 2005 e55 amg wagon so was wanting to sell this to get out of all my loans. Just paid off my house too so aiming for debt free. I really am contemplating keeping both lol..