Secret To Cars & Bids Sky High Sell-Through Rate

PLUS: Why $1,650,000 wasn't enough to buy this Porsche

The Daily Vroom


Hey there Vroomers, happy Thursday! ๐ŸŽ‰

Hey there! I'm Sam, the voice and passion behind The Daily Vroom.

While I had plans to discuss the Land Rover Defender today, the ever-shifting market had other ideas. So, as always, I've adapted to bring you the latest and greatest.

Dive into today's edition:

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Leaderboard - Delving into the stats from top auction platforms.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Top 5 Daily Sales - Zoom in on today's showstoppers.

๐Ÿš— 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort - Why it didnโ€™t sell for $1,650,000.

๐Ÿš™ Cars & Bids - The secret sauce behind their enviable sell-through rate.

๐Ÿฅณ Sale Of The Day - All eyes on the 2016 Porsche 991 GT3 RS.

๐Ÿ’ช Community Corner - The verdict is in! Discover the latest poll results and your shared thoughts.

MARKET LEADERBOARD

๐Ÿ’ฐ The figures shared below donโ€™t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc..

I only include websites that have sold 5+ cars in the chart below.

PCarMarket rang up sales of $655K in cars yesterday. While this might seem modest next to Bring A Trailer's hefty $3.7M, consider this: they achieved that figure with just 6 cars, averaging an impressive $109K each. In the list of the top 6 priciest cars sold, they claimed 3 spots. So, it's fair to say they had a stellar day.

Now, if you're curious about why I haven't touched on Cars & Bids' remarkable 97% sell-through rate, hang tight! I've carved out an entire section below just for that! ๐ŸŒŸ

TOP 5 SALES OF THE DAY

๐Ÿ 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort: An Auction Enigma ๐Ÿ

Having recently witnessed the auction of a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort on Bring A Trailer, I've been pondering why this icon of automobile history didn't find a new home despite a bid of $1,650,000.

๐Ÿš— A Glimpse into the Car's Legacy ๐Ÿš—

This Porsche, one of only 292 produced between 1986 and 1988, boasts a rich tapestry of ownership spanning continents. From its maiden journey in Germany to its ventures in Ohio and California, its journey is as captivating as its features. With its original Guards Red hue, a 2,849cc flat-six engine equipped with sequential twin turbochargers, this vehicle stands as a testament to Porsche's legacy.

๐Ÿ” Mileage: A Collector's Dilemma? ๐Ÿ”

With 32k kilometers (~20k miles) on the clock, one might speculate that for some collectors, this might be a tad on the higher side. Though its specs and history justify a steep price, the market perhaps doesn't resonate with this sentiment, especially when similar models with fewer miles have been auctioned in the same ballpark.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Seller's Perspective vs. Market Reality ๐Ÿ’ฌ

The seller's stance, as voiced in the auction's comments, believed the car to be undervalued. But is it? Actions speak louder than words. Despite the car's significant exposure on a renowned platform like Bring A Trailer, the bids echoed a different sentiment. It raises the question of whether BaT, despite its massive sales, is adapting its strategies to ensure deals conclude.

If this was on any other platform you know theyโ€™d be on the phone trying to negotiate the sale. But because BaT are so big, they move on to the next one. Itโ€™s very easy for me, the outsider to say what they could be doing when they sell over $1.4BN of cars a year, BUT I still feel they could do a better job with after sales.

In conclusion, the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort is an automotive masterpiece. Yet, its value, as with all prized possessions, is dictated by what enthusiasts are willing to pay. For now, that price seems firmly pegged at $1,650,000.

Do you believe the 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort is worth more than the $1,650,000 highest bid?

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Cars & Bids: The Secret Behind Their Sky-High Sell-Through Rate

As someone who's been closely watching the car auction scene, I've got to say that Cars & Bids is absolutely crushing it! ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ’ฅ Their sell-through rate is astounding, and I'm here to break down why I believe they're a step above the rest.

1. Diverse Car Selection ๐ŸŒ

They've truly mastered the art of curating a diverse range of cars. Instead of narrowing down to a few makes, they ensure there's something for everyone. By catering to a broad audience, they're driving bigger traffic to their site. (see stats below)

2. Massive Member Base ๐Ÿš€

With a whopping 435K+ registered members, it's evident that they have a strong foundation. More members equal more potential buyers, and this massive database surely plays a pivotal role in their success.

3. The Power of Community ๐Ÿค

Community is everything, and Doug Demuro has hit the nail on the head with this. His massive YouTube following translates to a loyal base for Cars & Bids. It's not just about selling cars; it's about building relationships and trust.

4. Stellar Management Team ๐ŸŒŸ

Ever since that investment last January, there's been a significant transformation in their management. They've been working in the shadows, ensuring that they have a top-notch team. The focus? Customer satisfaction. And as we all know, nothing screams satisfaction like a successful car sale.

5. The Hustle Game ๐Ÿ’ผ

I've always believed in the power of hustle. And Cars & Bids embodies this spirit. From getting listings, securing no-reserve deals, to finalizing transactions, they're always on their toes. While 'hustle' might have its critics, in this context, it's a massive strength.

6. On-Point Marketing ๐ŸŽฏ

Have you seen their social media ads? Clean, engaging, and always fresh. Their marketing game is strong, ensuring they remain relevant and top-of-mind for potential buyers.

7. The 'Stickiness' Factor โณ

Stickiness? You might be puzzled. But it's simple. The average time (see below) a visitor spends on their site is double that of their competitors. This isn't just a fluke; it's a testament to their platform's appeal. They're definitely doing something right!

In conclusion, Cars & Bids is not just riding a wave of luck. Their success is the result of a well-thought-out strategy, relentless hustle, and a genuine commitment to their community. Hats off to them! ๐ŸŽฉ๐Ÿ‘

The above chart is a (monthly) comparison of 5 of the biggest online car auction platforms. Some key takeaways:

  1. To my astonishment, Hemmings pulls in 7.5m visitors a month, surpassing BaT. Yet, with such massive traffic, their approach to listing and selling cars leaves much to be desired. With their potential, they ought to be leading the pack. If you're curious, you can check out some of my critiques on Hemmings here and here. Their position at the bottom when it comes to user engagement time on their platform isn't really a shocker.

  2. On the other hand, Collecting Cars, despite its modest 610K visits, performs commendably given their traffic in comparison to the competition. I genuinely believe that with a strategic boost in marketing, they could truly skyrocket.

  3. Traffic as you can see from Hemmings, isnโ€™t everything. But if you couple that with a great website and lots of interesting cars, youโ€™re on to a winner and that is exactly what Cars & Bids have done so well.

Amidst Cars & Bids' stellar performance, I felt it's high time we have a chat with them directly & theyโ€™ve agreed!๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Your input is crucial. What do you want to know from them?

Drop me an email or simply click on the poll link below to share your questions.

What questions would you like to ask Cars & Bids?

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SALE OF THE DAY

๐Ÿš— Overview:
A pristine 2K-Mile 2016 Porsche 991 GT3 RS has just been snapped up for a cool $200,000 on PCarMarket. The seller, with keen market insight, decided to let go of the reserve at $198,000. Given that bidding only inched up by another $2k, I genuinely believe this was a win-win for both the seller and the buyer.

Standout Attributes:

  • Performance Beast: Launched at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, this RS variant is a track-focused beast, boasting a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine delivering a whopping 500 HP ๐Ÿš€.

  • Stunning Exterior: Dressed in a crisp white with contrasting black GT3 RS graphics, this beauty also features the optional ceramic brake system with eye-catching yellow-painted calipers. Plus, there's the front axle lift system, 20โ€/21โ€ center-lock alloy wheels, and a larger rear wing for added aesthetics and aerodynamics โœจ.

  • Luxurious Interior: The cabin is a blend of luxury and sportiness, featuring carbon fiber full bucket seats, Alcantara centers, GT Silver stitching, and a dashboard adorned with carbon fiber trim. Not to forget the Alcantara-wrapped handles and armrests, and the โ€œGT3 RSโ€ embroideries that crown the headrests ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ.

  • Tech & More: Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation, Sound Package Plus, Sport Chrono Package, and an Innotech titanium exhaust system upgrade for that extra roar ๐ŸŽถ.

    Final Thoughts:
    This GT3 RS isn't just a car; it's an experience, an embodiment of power, luxury, and elegance. And for the lucky buyer, it's a gem added to their collection ๐ŸŒ .

COMMUNITY CORNER

Yesterday I asked the following poll below. Below are some of the comments. Apologies if your comment is not here, I couldnโ€™t post them all!

I think the combo of both A and B is a tough mix. When you're the new platform with a new model looking to get new eyeballs, it's VERY hard to get traction and sales when you're also charging more than everyone else in the space. Best of luck to 'em!

Frank

The MC20 is in the toughest marketplace. List price is almost $300k. You can buy a lot of exotic cars at that price, why buy a Maser? Historically, the Masers have the worst re-sale in the exotic market. Look at Granturismo prices. I suspect they are having a very difficult time selling the coupes, and now the Spyders are available. At some point the dealers have to start dumping cars.

Trying to bring outdated practices (buyer and seller commissions) to a new platform with no justification for them. Sellerโ€™s commission yes, buyerโ€™s commission noโ€ฆโ€ฆ

Tony

Do you have a question youโ€™d like an answer to?

Do you have a car story you want to share?

Do you have a picture of your first car?

I would love to hear from you on any of the above and more. Just reply to this email and you can be featured right here in The Daily Vroom!


Yesterday, I reached out with a poll asking if you'd like this section regularly. As it stands, a whopping 83.3% of you gave a thumbs up. So, brace yourselves for more community-driven content! ๐ŸŽ‰

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