tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27986560.post4802148251401707784..comments2023-03-03T08:15:10.027-05:00Comments on Online Auto Dealers: Autotrader Producing Smaller Returns, Raising RatesJakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07985742448611749206noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27986560.post-24321181410334491552010-09-19T10:04:04.135-04:002010-09-19T10:04:04.135-04:00As a private seller selling just my one car, I cre...As a private seller selling just my one car, I created on-line listings with AUTOTRADER.COM, EBAY CLASSIFIEDS, LEMONFREE.COM and CRAIGSLIST. I got one response through ebay, one through lemonfree, three through craigslist, and ZERO through autotrader. And this was after 2 weeks on Autotrader. And Autotrader was the only service that was not free! I had even paid extra to Autotrader for some 'enhancements' to the ad. So, for the private seller I'd have to say just skip Autotrader all together. I sold my car yesterday, to a nice couple from Craigslist. I got a fair price and all parties are happy.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17760215183499242647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27986560.post-67465154485566721842008-11-07T11:39:00.000-05:002008-11-07T11:39:00.000-05:00I could be missing something (I'm definitely not a...I could be missing something (I'm definitely not a numbers guy) but it seems like the ratio of leads/car is relatively the same despite 300 or so fewer cars in the example you provided. Doesn't this seem to indicate that performance is relatively consistent and the drop in leads is as a result of fewer vehicles? I agree that a company should provide equitable value if they are going to institute a rate hike, but I'm not sure this example supports your argument. <BR/><BR/>This brings up an interesting question - who is responsible for generating the leads? The dealer? Autotrader.com/Cars.com/etc.? Seems to me, these sites are responsible for generating one thing - eyeballs. As a consumer, I have seen some downright ridiculous listings on these sites and I'm pretty sure the dealer is 100% responsible for marketing THEIR inventory. Incorrect prices, vehicle details, terrible pictures, misspellings, etc. I mean, are some of these guys really trying to sell the car?ApplesGrunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880453998252703767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27986560.post-50219578610412997492007-11-03T08:49:00.000-04:002007-11-03T08:49:00.000-04:00Having worked for AutoTrader since 2002 I remember...Having worked for AutoTrader since 2002 I remember when the primary focus was about phone calls...then maybe emails. At least in the market I covered it wasnt uncommon to experience 80-20 phone call to email ratios. Then as the activity changed, it wasnt about the numbers anymore...it was about advertising. Sure...its advertising...but it looks like it has slowed down drastically.Eric Gidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08411823749271734535noreply@blogger.com