It all started with an ad on Craigslist!
In September I decided to sell my 1956 Mercury Monterey on Craigslist. I have used Craigslist before. I bought both my bunny, Jimi, and my green 1970 VW Bug on Craigslist. I've never sold anything before though.
I wrote out the details, took a few photos and placed the ad. I started getting calls the next day. Most buyers wanted to haggle about the price, but I knew what I was asking was fair. The car had a few small rust spots and some dings, but after all it was over 50 years old and ran great. I'd taken her for a spin every few days and she started right up without fail. I always got curious looks. I figured there aren't many cars like her out there in such great shape, so I stuck to my asking price.
After two weeks I had about 30 'lookers' but no one made a serious offer, then I had an e-mail. The e-mail author asked me about a good time to ring me. Ring me? I thought that doesn't sound very local... I e-mailed back and that afternoon I received a call. I could tell right away this was no American I was speaking to. The caller said he was from New Zealand. I waivered between belief and a healthy dose of disbelief during that phone call. The caller asked for more photos, so right after work I took more photos and e-mailed them. Judging from the e-mail and the conversation, I realized I really was speaking to someone from New Zealand. He called me back the next day and made an offer which I accepted.
The rest of the selling experience was interesting and fun. Shane Harris was the buyer from New Zealand. Of course I searched for him on the Internet because I was curious about a person from so far away looking at ads on Craigslist/St. Louis. Shane and I e-mailed back and forth many times while he was setting up the logistics for getting the car from Bethalto to New Zealand. He sent me photos of his 'man-cave' garage. He told me that he loves all things from the United States of America, especially classic cars. He has a beautiful garage with a spot just waiting for the Mercury. She is going to a fine home and someone who I am assured will love her as much as we have. Finally the day came! A car carrier 18 wheeler arrived to load the Mercury. The driver was an interesting man who lives in Orlando, FL but drives for a company in New Jersey. The car then headed to NJ to be loaded onto a container ship for its trip to New Zealand. Shane sent me the name of the ship. It is called the Rio Eider. The Mercury is in a container on Voyage #UW446A estimated to arrive on December 23, 2014. If you would like to follow the Voyage of the Mercury, use the button link at the top for the Rio Eider voyage location.
I wrote out the details, took a few photos and placed the ad. I started getting calls the next day. Most buyers wanted to haggle about the price, but I knew what I was asking was fair. The car had a few small rust spots and some dings, but after all it was over 50 years old and ran great. I'd taken her for a spin every few days and she started right up without fail. I always got curious looks. I figured there aren't many cars like her out there in such great shape, so I stuck to my asking price.
After two weeks I had about 30 'lookers' but no one made a serious offer, then I had an e-mail. The e-mail author asked me about a good time to ring me. Ring me? I thought that doesn't sound very local... I e-mailed back and that afternoon I received a call. I could tell right away this was no American I was speaking to. The caller said he was from New Zealand. I waivered between belief and a healthy dose of disbelief during that phone call. The caller asked for more photos, so right after work I took more photos and e-mailed them. Judging from the e-mail and the conversation, I realized I really was speaking to someone from New Zealand. He called me back the next day and made an offer which I accepted.
The rest of the selling experience was interesting and fun. Shane Harris was the buyer from New Zealand. Of course I searched for him on the Internet because I was curious about a person from so far away looking at ads on Craigslist/St. Louis. Shane and I e-mailed back and forth many times while he was setting up the logistics for getting the car from Bethalto to New Zealand. He sent me photos of his 'man-cave' garage. He told me that he loves all things from the United States of America, especially classic cars. He has a beautiful garage with a spot just waiting for the Mercury. She is going to a fine home and someone who I am assured will love her as much as we have. Finally the day came! A car carrier 18 wheeler arrived to load the Mercury. The driver was an interesting man who lives in Orlando, FL but drives for a company in New Jersey. The car then headed to NJ to be loaded onto a container ship for its trip to New Zealand. Shane sent me the name of the ship. It is called the Rio Eider. The Mercury is in a container on Voyage #UW446A estimated to arrive on December 23, 2014. If you would like to follow the Voyage of the Mercury, use the button link at the top for the Rio Eider voyage location.
Update: January 27, 2015
I received an e-mail from Shane in New Zealand informing me that the car was finally released to him. The car actually had to change ships to go through the Panama Canal. It has been a long ocean voyage. After arrival in New Zealand, Customs steam cleans everything so that no foreign life enters the country that isn't wanted. That process also took awhile. I'm happy to say that although she was traveling by truck and ship for months, the Mercury started and was able to be driven for 4 hours to his home. Shane is very happy with the car, and I'm happy to know she has a new owner who loves her as much as we did. He plans to take her to a few car shows before refurbishing her. What and exciting adventure!
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