We've had our Clio up for sale for a little while now and had very little response. First time round in the Autotrader (just before Xmas), I had a few calls with cheeky offers etc, but that was about it. I put it down to the wrong time of year, what a stupid time to sell a car, 2 weeks before Xmas? (dumbass > me).

I re-ran the advert recently, infact its now on its 2nd week of 3 and I haven't even had one call. Nothing, nill, zip. Consequently, I've looked around and am still convinced that the car is about the right money. There are lots of lower spec'd Clio's than ours for about the same price, ours falls in the right place, of that I'm sure. But not even one call, even with a silly offer. It's a nice ad, the car is well-specced, with lots of boxes ticked (more than most), you'd think someone would want it?

I spent some time thinking about it last night and can only put it down to the Telesafe numbers I opted for this time. OK, so if you look at it, it is clear that they don't cost any more to call, but are people just too nervous to call them? It's the only thing I can think of? Particularly Norfolk people that are sceptical at the best of times!!

I have the option to revert to normal numbers, which I know opens the floodgates for canvassing calls, but I think I have to take that or not get any calls atall!!

What do you think? Do you genuinely think that Telesafe puts people off calling? I know if you really want a car, you'll take the time/trouble to look into it, but with so many Clio's for sale, it only takes one little off-putting thing and the person will move onto the next one.

 

If its a number starting "070..." then they ARE more expensive to call, much much more.

They wont be included in any free minutes packages, and charge something like 55p a minute.

 

I've never heard of telesafe - so the chances of me ringing one are pretty slim!

 

OK, I've looked and it does seem that there is an additional cost to it. Fuckers.

The position I am in now is that I have missed the deadline for this weeks mag, so if I pull it now, although it will take effect on the web immediately, the mag will come out with the Telesafe numbers that then won't work.

Grrrrrrrr.

 

speaking from experience, i've advertise alot on Pistonheads and that has the phonesafe thing

virtually all people email me and ask for a direct number, so i think you might be right with regards to the phonesafe. i also advertise on gumtree and i put my direct number on there.

i dont think autotrader has the option to email does it?

people might think phone safe is some sort of premium rate, which of course it isnt, it might cost more tho

secondly if you do put your direct number on adverts, add a line in capital that says STRICLY NO CANVASSERS

 

I don't bother calling Telesafe numbers... not prepared to pay porno phoneline rates to find out if there are any dings on a cars bodywork or if the cambelt has been changed.


Cheers,
Grant

 

Waste of time IMO. We tried them here, as it would make us money, but in practice it just doesn't work. We had a drop-off in people sending ads in, and it doesn't stop canvassers, or dick-heads, it just means they stop calling you a month or so after publication, but that happens anyway with a your regular number.

 

Personally, those phonesafe numbers put me off, cost a fortune to call, even more so from a mobile.

 

have you tried using classifed advert on ebay? 13quid for the listing, lasts 1 month and there are no other fee's to pay, just the 13quid, have sold 4 cars using classifed ads this weekend alone

 

Got my 330d Sport for sale using the telesafe number and i'm in the same boat. havent had a single call either.

Looks like i'll be removing that then. didnt realise it cost the caller more..

 

I never ring those numbers unless i have too, and if i do i ask for a direct number first off, and if they dont give it me, its their loss. There not included in free minutes or anything, so i just email them first for a proper number.

 

anyone know what the price is per minute to call "phonesafe" numbers?

 

i never ring the numbers because i like to see the area code to have a idea where the car is to,and it costs a fortune.

 

I think its more about auto trader protecting its self against canvassers as I have advertised cars in the past and the auto trader had a team of telesales people just scanning all other publications for just that purpose and this way they charge potential customers and tell the vendor the are doing them a favor when in reality the are costing sales

 

Thanks for the info Mick, I've been wondering what the reasoning behind Autotrader using telesafe numbers was for the last 18 months.

I can sleep easy now, rep coming your way partner.


Cheers,
Grant

 

Yep generally avoid them, due to cost, and like to have a proper number to call land line our mobile, as a google search of the number can bring up valuable info on the seller.