One of the more common sales pitches in the car hobby is a seller who includes “I know what I’ve got” in his ad copy.
The term refers to the seller’s steadfast belief that his vehicle is worth as much (or more) than a similar year, make, and model vehicle that just sold at auction for a price driven by intoxication and limited production rarity.
The “I know what I’ve got” seller’s strategy is likely a way for the owner to fend off low ballers who may insult the seller with a bombardment of reasons why the vehicle in question is unworthy of the asking price.
Jim Sutherland
Some of the reasons for criticism may be legit because the vintage ride may lack enough saleable features (or body and mechanical parts for that matter) to drive up the price. Additionally, too many unwanted features may drive down the price, including extra doors.
Or the undesirable features include rust mixed with mouse waste at a molecular level that wreaks havoc on the beholder’s sense of smell. The kind of stench that will force car guys to their knees the minute they open a door and fight an instant battle with unconsciousness. One would naturally assume the seller “knows what he’s got” regarding the pungent rodent legacy, but it appears that it is not an important part of his sales pitch.
In fairness, the best defense may be a good offense for any “I know what I’ve got” sellers because it may get rid of a few annoying tire kickers who have no intention of buying the vehicle but have enough spare time and personality flaws to seriously irritate the sellers.
The flakey non-buyers can hide behind their electronic fortress of anonymity and take pot shots at the vehicle via texts and emails. Ads for old vehicles attract tire kickers like flies to an outhouse in summer, so a seller may attempt to thin the herd in the obnoxious non-buyer category by using the “I know what I got” strategy.
On the other hand, the “I know what I’ve got” seller has taken an aggressive stand in the eyes of a few legitimate buyers who may be intimidated by his approach and will pass on any attempt to negotiate with the seller. There are people who prefer to avoid confrontation at any cost, including negotiations for a retro ride purchase.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to any “I know what I’ve got” ads for vintage vehicles because the seller may be thrown into a world that he does not understand(sales), is seriously intimidated by the sales process, or is simply a jerk with zero social skills. Maybe all three in some cases.
We at MyStarCollectorCar do not make the rules on how to sell an old car or truck in today’s world, but we have been on both sides of the equation in terms of buying or selling retro rides.
We highly recommend that sellers not use “I know what I’ve got” in their ads because it picks a fight right from the get-go with potential buyers when all they want to do is ask questions about an old vehicle.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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