Good or bad time to sell?

Given the current state of the world, is this a good or a bad time to try and sell my Avalanche? 

On one hand unemployment is at historically high levels,  on the other hand with no places to go or anything to do I find that even with the missus unemployed we are doing pretty alright and have heard similar stories from other folks. 

I have a truck I hate, that sits for months at a time which isn't doing it any favors and for as little as I use it a uhaul rental is still cheaper than the insurance i am paying on it. 

I hate the haggling part of selling cars and I think I will particularly dislike selling this one to the type of folks who would be interested in it, but it has to go. Last thing I want to deal with is someone sucking their teeth at the price when I will list it well under average.

Gas is cheap, pockets are flush from stimulus checks. Unemployment is paying well for the people that manage to file. 

However you could not pay me enough to sell to that particular crowd right now, or ever. Anyone buying cheap trucks right now is an opportunity at best. 

My thoughts are that the high priced vehicles are getting cheaper but the low end of vehicles are getting more expensive since there are fewer good choices in the low priced market. 

How old and what price range is the Avalanche? 

$500 delivered to Cleveland 

It's an 03. They tend to sell for around 5k around here. Hoping to get 3500 for it. 

I miss mine but it was a pile of scheiße

Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:

I miss mine but it was a pile of scheiße

Well, yeah! I mean these things represent the worst of bailout era GM. 

Trent (Generally supportive dude) said:

It's an 03. They tend to sell for around 5k around here. Hoping to get 3500 for it. 

 

Then I would place an add listing its high points and best features sprinkled with some honesty to its low points and then finish with... asking $5,500.

What's the worst that happens? You answer some texts and emails.  If it doesn't sell then you still have the same truck. 

Or, go right to the point and list an ad of $3500 firm.  Maybe even go as far as to say, "I was going to keep this truck a long time but theyre giving killer deals on new trucks and my credit is good." 

On second thought, state $4k, firm because the word firm means nothing and everyone will want $500 off

4 door trucks are hot sellers. In your ad be sure to include the words Silverado Crew Cab as well as Tahoe and Suburban. Your cross shoppers will really be looking for those when they stumble on your Avalanche 

Quick shopping near you brings up 

$9,990 or $4,995 or $4,650

How do you compare to these? 

Bad idea - you're meaning you sell me that Mini Cooper for $3500.  Simple mistake - it happens.  

John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:

Quick shopping near you brings up 

$9,990 or $4,995 or $4,650

How do you compare to these? 

About the same as the two lower priced ones but my drivers seat is a bit worse for wear. 

I don't think it's a bad time to sell a cheapish truck right now. It'll probably be worse in a few months. OTOH you might be able to get more serious people if repos increase (which I suspect they will)

OTOH, I'm with you on the general issues with selling cheapish trucks:

Selling my cheapo F150 brought out some interesting, err, characters, which is why I'm sooooo keen on thinking about selling my F250.

In reply to Trent (Generally supportive dude) :

car-part.com for your area implies that $75 to $125 per seat could solve that issue.  

I'd list itcat $4500 and I bet you can get $4k quick.  I you want to replace the seat, start at $5k.

Is this a 1500 with the 5.3, or does it have the beefier engine/transmission combo?

1500 5.3 

If it's not doing anything for you, it's a liability, not an asset. Ditch it like a bad habit.

I've sold 4 cars in the past 2 months. It has been a GREAT time to sell in this area, and I'd recommend listing a fair bit higher than you'll take. It has worked out well. If I were selling that truck, it would get cleaned and photographed well inside and out and listed for $5500-6000.  John Welsh is spot on with the pricing IMO.

If you want to fix the seat first, hit up this place. https://www.theseatshop.com/

A seat repair is probably worth $1000 on the selling price and they aren't that hard or expensive to do.

In reply to Trent (Generally supportive dude) :

OK, I am curious. Why do you hate the Avalanche?  I thought everyone loved them. I have a friend who loved his so much that he bought another for his wife.

In reply to Danny Shields (Forum Supporter) :

I will quote my response from BoxheadTim's thread

I am a fickle beast with some odd preconceived notions. Don't  use my opinions as a basis.

I really don't like full size pickups. I can't stand climbing up into a vehicle and once inside being surrounded by Chevys low rent version of leather and plastic.  A dozen cubbies for the front seat passengers alone that are a constant reminder to do your duty and consume. The cup holders will not securely hold a beverage under 32oz, but if you bought an Avalanche that probably isn't a risk. I hate that I cannot reach something in the bed when I am standing beside it. I refuse to drop the tailgate and crawl into the bed like a toddler to grab a fuel jug at the gas station.  

The Avalanche with the unibody on frame construction actually rides and drives so much better than the same era Silverados I have driven. 

As a truck? For me it was technically perfect. I haul engines and transmissions and tow. I don't ever haul sheet goods so I have never folded down the rear seat and opened the port.  It does all that with a degree of excellence.  It has been reliable.  If it was 2wd or I installed the lowering springs I bought for it I am sure I would hate it far less.

The view out the rear window is appallingly bad. 

I honestly do not know how so many people can live with a  full size pickup every day. The handling, the gas mileage,  the being too big for the average parking spot.

But then I am also a guy with a classic mini, a tiny Fiat and an R56 Clubman S who thinks a fwd VW rabbit pickup would suit him better. 

Seriously,  don't listen to my opinions on the Avalanche.

 I just don't get on with it. It will not fit into my 1946 built garage, too tall even stock. I daily drove it for almost 18 months and not only never bonded with it, I grew to loathe it more every day. There is a backup camera in the back seat that I never installed because I resented the fact that I should even need one. I can not wash it in my driveway without digging out a step ladder. 

I am an irrational, contrarian person. I know this. I have strong hipster type leanings (I'm just a middle aged punk rocker at my core).The slice of American life this vehicle represents does not mesh with my lifestyle.

There's never a bad time to sell a vehicle you hate.  My vote is replace the seat and list that mofo.  Pay someone else to clean it up -- detailing a dirty vehicle you loathe is the absolute worst way to spend your spare time.

Other interesting things about selling a car now...

You have never had more eyes on the computer.  Working from home and no social life has put people on the screen.  Add then to this the lack of side activities and people have the time to seek and see a vehicle.  

That truck at that price should sell within the day that you post it therefore minimizing your hassles.