Seriously?

[Othen]

I noticed this late 80s middling car didn't get an opening bid (the SP was £3,000):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240...rdt=true&rt=nc

... it looked quite a nice car, and the chap had done some recommissioning work on it (new fuel tank, main fuel pump, fuel tank pump, referbed brake callipers, new discs n pads, front lower bottom ball joints, brake pipes, prop shaft, cambelt and water pump, engine service, new electric Ariel (sic), new rear springs, front brake disc guards, nice stereo) during the lockdown - but still no takers.

I think this is another indicator of the market and rather supports my view that many sellers think their later 240s are worth much more than they really are. I've revised my price guide down a bit in view of the Bude car and the one with the broken fuel gauge. Middling 1980s cars sell for £1,000 to £2,300.

It looks (to me) like the seller of this red car has spent a bit on the car recently and expects to recoup all of this costs on the sale. That hardly ever happens - it is still just a 30 year old car that is competing with Vauxhalls and Fords. I suppose we will see it again on eBay soon :-)

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

It might even be a genuine bid!

I notice the car with the broken fuel gauge now has 9 bids and the price is up to about £1,500. All the bidders are marked: 'private listing - bidder identity protected'. In a weak moment I couldn't help thinking the seller might have discovered the art of shill bidding :-)

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

I notice the car with the broken fuel gauge now has 9 bids and the price is up to about £1,500. All the bidders are marked: 'private listing - bidder identity protected'. In a weak moment I couldn't help thinking the seller might have discovered the art of shill bidding :-)

You can set the bidders identities to be private when you list something Alan, if you do that's the result.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

You can set the bidders identities to be private when you list something Alan, if you do that's the result.

I'd suspected as much Dave. In the same weak moment I wondered whether someone would do that in advance as a cover for shill bidding. I know, I should trust in human nature... :-)

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

I'd suspected as much Dave. In the same weak moment I wondered whether someone would do that in advance as a cover for shill bidding. I know, I should trust in human nature... :-)

Usually it's because they don't want anyone official to find out their identity Alan. Often their listings will say something like "No Paypal" as well.

[Thekilt]

The red one is back up now at a Starting price of £2,800. Also stating he won’t drop it down to £2,500. Again seems to be dreaming...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240....m46890.l49286

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Thekilt

The red one is back up now at a Starting price of £2,800. Also stating he won’t drop it down to £2,500. Again seems to be dreaming...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240....m46890.l49286

Thank you.

I’m a bit confused by the seller, if this is the last time it will be re-listed, what happens when it fails to get a bid at the opening price (which seems very likely indeed to me at £2800)? He also says somewhere he has to get rid of this car - so I suppose he is bluffing?

PS. Ive just read the ad again and can see the chap says it will put the car away in his garage if he doesn’t sell it. I don’t believe his wife will let him do that - so I think he is bluffing :-)

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

Ive just read the ad again and can see the chap says it will put the car away in his garage if he doesn’t sell it. I don’t believe his wife will let him do that - so I think he is bluffing :-)

Keep the Volvo and get rid of the wife!

[Thekilt]

This one will be good to watch. Shame it’s not a saloon as I would be interested. No reserve and no but it now so no expectation from the seller. This will surely end at a reasonable price and put the others to shame.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240....m46890.l49286

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Thekilt

This one will be good to watch. Shame it’s not a saloon as I would be interested. No reserve and no but it now so no expectation from the seller. This will surely end at a reasonable price and put the others to shame.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-240....m46890.l49286

It's a high starting price for a car that's been sat a minimum of 6 months and has no MoT though.

Will be surprised if it gets any bids, if it does it's likely to be from a dealer who is hoping to turn a fast buck - watch out for this one reappearing in a different location in the future at a higher price, all polished up, new wheel trims and a years MoT on it!