Excellent visual presentation of automobiles directly influences results. The highest-performing listings feature professional photography
While using a smartphone’s camera is convenient, it can’t make a vehicle look its best. Paintwork loses its lustre and the severity of reflections across body panels is distracting to viewers. The interior photos are often a mix of over exposed and too dark. In contrast, professionally captured automotive images by Tim Salix, create clarity and desirability. He knows what type of photos are the most effective.
In today’s competitive marketplace, a compelling online listing will make all the difference to generate interest from genuine purchasers and increase the likelihood of receiving that decisive enquiry: “I would like to test drive your car.” Given that the photography package accounts for only a tiny fraction of the sale price, the return on investment is substantial.
TradeMe & AutoTrader Executive Photography Package
Includes:
Up to 20 photos supplied as jpegs to TradeMe specifications
Images will include a strong combination of the exterior, interior views, desirable options and features
A hero photo is also provided to showcase the vehicle from its best angle against the selected location backdrop. This image serves as the listing’s lead header in search results and is the primary impact photo
24 hour turnaround for a quick online listing upload
Each vehicle is photographed with a considered approach. Having the correct blend of different exterior angles, interior details and defining design elements. Ensuring an online listing stands out from the competition.
What automotive sales platform is the most effective?
TradeMe offers significantly the largest vehicle buyers audience reach in New Zealand. Delivering strong visibility to a highly targeted purchasing market wanting top automobiles. Especially for premium European marques, classic, sports, enthusiast, GT or performance cars and prestige luxury vehicles. The reach also extends to Australia, were there are purchasers on the platform for collectable motorcars. TradeMe’s listing price to non-trade sellers for both auctions and classifieds has been substantially reduced for more expensive vehicles and most recently there is no longer a sales success fee or withdrawal fee for private sellers. Importantly, TradeMe does not charge purchasers of vehicles a buyer’s sales fee or commission. Purchasers also have build in safe-guards on the platform, such as a vehicle background check, which builds confidence when buying from a private seller.
Although AutoTrader has considerably lower online traffic volume than TradeMe, it does offer free or low-cost classified listing options. By leveraging both platforms the above Executive Photography Package maximises exposure while optimising return on investment. Ensuring a vehicle is presented at its best to the widest and most relevant audience.
Turners Cars charge sellers an upfront entry fee, in addition to a selling fee and where a vehicle is sold by auction or tender, a 6% commission on the final GST-inclusive sale price. A purchaser pays a buyer’s fee. At any given time, searches on their site, whether for ‘BuyNow’ vehicles or auction listings, turn up far fewer expensive automobiles than TradeMe. Buyers are more likely to search on platforms with a wider selection of options. When Turners Cars does have a specific Classic & Prestige auction, the above seller costs still apply and the purchaser is charged a 6.6% buyer’s fee on the final GST-inclusive sale price.
While Facebook Marketplace is free to use, it comes with several caveats. Firstly, there is a protocol that everything listed should be available at a bargain price, so sellers should expect to receive many extremely low-ball offers. Part of this behaviour stems from the perception that there are problems with many of the vehicles for sale on the platform. Another common issue raised is receiving endless messages asking much the same questions, only to be ghosted after responding. Vendors should also be cautious of accounts that do not appear genuine, especially around not giving out home addresses and taking care when meeting for test drives.
