We try not to beat our own chest here at The Common Gear, but in reviewing a recent Bring A Trailer listing for a car that previously belonged to yours truly, we see our value proposition in vibrant, living color.
The car in question was my 1995 Audi S6 Avant. I didn't realize the gentleman who bought it promptly sold it three weeks later, but I'm not surprised. He was hot to trot when I posted it for sale and barely haggled. I figured he had plans for the car, but didn't realize it included attempting a quick flip. He wasn't successful, ultimately, with the S6 selling for $500 less than he paid me. But what's significant is the comments in the BaT listing wherein a commenter (oh, those dreaded commenters!) posted a link to the digital portfolio I had created for the S6 over the years I owned it.
First, a quick tutorial: when you enter a vehicle into the TCG portal, and then begin to post updates (repairs, upgrades, general anecdotes), all of that data is catalogued "behind" that VIN number. Then, when you decide to sell the car, you can create a for sale listing that pulls all of that data into one convenient URL - and when I go to sell a car, I always drop that link into my craigslist, Marketplace, and any forum ads that I post. Well, that link was shared for my S6 in the auction comments section, with the original poster and a potential bidder commenting that the URL was a wealth of information for anyone considering buying the car from afar.
Really, folks, this is exactly the point of TCG. We wanted to create an extension of your auction listing, or simply offer a robust way to sell a car on your own, knowing what it lacks in professional photos (though you can absolutely add those) or the concierge-grade experience of an auction service (though for a fee, we'll give you the white-glove treatment and build your car's portfolio from start to finish), you get back in total control over providing an exploded view of the value you've added to a car over the months or years of your ownership.
For all my railing against BAT, it is encouraging to see listings like these that demonstrate the incredible value TCG provides as a means of extending the value of an auction, or any for sale listing - so create a free account today and begin tracking your vehicle's progress and history.