Now that you have advertised you should soon start to get some calls as soon as your ad hits the media.
It’s not just a matter of making a time to see the car.
This is a turning point and where you start to locate your buyer.
A lot of the time I can tell that the person is going to buy my car even before he comes to see it.
Pre-selling
You can look at this step as pre-selling. If you do a good job here you sell your car will have buyers who are warmed to your car before they arrive.
Which leads me to the purpose of the appointment stage.
Purpose: The purpose of the appointment step is to pre-sell the customer on the car and yourself
Secondary Purpose: To make a time for him to see the car.
What do I mean by pre-sell? I mean giving the buyer his chance to pick you out of the bunch as someone he wants to deal with.
You only need to be slightly more friendly, on the ball and helpful to win him over. You can bet that the average person selling a car is completely unprepared.
I know because I have bought cars from them. If they are not rude they are certainly off-putting. You have to drag the information out of them even if they have a perfectly good vehicle for sale.
The little bit of thought you put into your presentation is time well spent.
Here is an example of one of my calls
My purpose is only to get the person to come and see my car.
I want him to be qualified – which means that my car is something he may want – not necessarily that he has enough money. If someone wants something – they usually find the money.
I don’t want to say anything on the phone that will reduce or minimize my final selling price.
I want to know his needs and wants and communicate to him that my car will satisfy them. If you can manage to do this you have virtually secured an offer (when he comes to see it.)
Here it is:
Ring Ring!
Me: Hi, Graeme speaking.
Inquirer (Bob): Hi, I’m calling about the Ford. Do you still have it?
Me: Hi Bob. Yes, I do. I’ve only just advertised it. I’ve been getting a lot of calls.
It’s a 98 Ford Falcon Auto. It’s done 40000 miles. The body is perfect. It’s got no rust and 12 months registration. Does that sound like what you are looking for?
Bob: It could be.
Me: Ok. Is there a particular reason you are looking for a Ford Falcon?
Bob: Well, yes. It’s big enough for my family. Plus I’ve heard parts are cheap.
Me: Ok. Yes, I’ve heard that parts are cheap, though I haven’t needed any, luckily enough. And there is plenty of room for my kids.
Bob: Sounds all right. When can I take a look at it?
Me: Gee, well – it will have to be 5pm or 7pm because I need to go out for a bit. Which one suits you best?
Bob: 7pm
Me: Ok, Bob see you then. I’m at (my address). Do you know how to get there?
Bob: Yes, I know it.
Me: OK Bob, see you then.
You have acted politely, identified yourself and also found out why he wants your particular car. You have also made a time and by choosing the time to suit you, you demonstrate that you are NOT desperate to sell it but that it is just a routine thing you are doing while getting on with your life. I have not discussed price at all. I definitely did not bring it up myself. I closed the conversation in a friendly manner but with an expectation that I would see him at a certain time. That is a complete job and the purpose has been achieved.
It is important to sound completely natural – so if you have to make a choice between sounding natural and including one of these techniques, choose being natural every time.