Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Selling an airplane

I am hoping that this topic will help club members, who have come to the point that they need or want to sell their airplane.

We all debate over price and value of one aircraft vs another, and each person has valid points, but this is not where I am going with this.

What I would like to know, is if you were going to sell your airplane, what would you do to...

1. Maximize the price you will actually sell it for. For example, does listing it on Barnstormers bring a higher return than say Trade-A-Plane?

2. Decrease the time it takes for you to sell it? I know that lowering the price will do that, but what other options are there?

3. How do you keep from getting inquiries that are a waste of your time?

4. What about using a broker?

What I am looking for is usable and usefull tips on how a member could sell his or her airplane for the most money, in the least amount of time, and with as little hassle as possible. Basically, what are some ideas, resources, avenues, or whatever, that a member could take to help make selling their plane easier

I understand the principle of Quality vs Price vs Time, and hope this topic doesn't fixate on that discussion (although it is important to realize when selling or buying). What I do hope, is that people will be able to use this discussion as a resource if the time ever comes that they need to sell.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I helped my uncle sell his airplane (Twin Comanche) and I hate to say it...it all came down to presentation. At first we had tried very simple pictures of the airplane (standard exterior, panel, seats etc) on the regular outlets such as Controller and Barnstormers. There were some responses but no serious buyers. In looking at ads that I found more attractive - they tended to be the ones that had the most pictures. We didn't want to pay for the additional photos (we were already paying for the 5 we had posted).

Instead I made a web page with more artful photos (cool head on shots and other photo angles you would see in a brochure). Wish I still had a copy of the page - you'd think we were selling a corporate jet. I would direct all inquiries from Barnstormers and Controller to the web site for additional photos and information. It sold within a month of setting up the site. (Had been over a year on Controller and Barnstormers)

Of course by that point my uncle had it priced pretty reasonably too, but I think the professional presentation gave the impression the airplane was worth more.

Maybe a career in marketing if the project management thing doesn't pan out?

Wayne, I have often wondered what works best. How many sellers would give a warranty of sorts, Guarranty it is airworthy, stand behind it for 30 days if not abused etc. The ones I looked at had the most information and detail and things like logbooks in PDF that are viewable etc. Now having said all that I got mine by word of mouth and working with someone who just wanted to move the plane.

Exposure is Key, just like selling autos.

Trade a Plane, Barnstormers, Controller, Aerotrader, sites are the way to go. PAY FOR LOTS OF PHOTOS.

I think paying for more, GOOD, Hi res photos is worth the money. When I was looking for aircraft I did not consider one which did not have DECENT Hi res photos.

It always sends a message to the buyer when you do not attach or pay for GOOD pics of your bird. If it isn't "pic worthy" your going to have a lot of trouble selling it IMHO.

When I browse ASO, I completely skip the planes without pictures.

Right or wrong, me too......I just bypass them.

Maybe I would change my habits if I was actually in the market and not just browsing.



Jim

I always wonder if I might have missed an even better bird than the one I finally bought by not pursuing more leads without pictures, but I saw it as a time issue. It always seemed that when I asked for pics I either never got them from the seller, or it took a long time to get.

At some point you just have to move along, it becomes wasted time.

Without pictures it is kind of like getting married and not seeing the bride before hand.

How much do you think it is worth to make up a brochure, and place it on the bulletin boards at airports in the area? How far do you travel from your home airport base to place these?

I agree, good pictures help.

What other ideas does anyone have in selling a plane?