Anybody think this is a good idea?

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 11:13 AM

I've been thinking about making a web site where people could come to to find a particular classic car, or to let others know about classic cars that they know of that are in need of a new home.

The thinking behind it is that, while there are plenty of other places to advertise cars for sale, that is part of the problem, if you're looking for, say a 1970 Ford Escort Twin Cam, you currently have many places to look - trading post, the age, car yards, web sites, etc. and you still might not find exactly what you're after, because there is one for sale in the next suburb that is parked in a street (or being driven around) with a 'For Sale, phone 0405 xxx xxx' sticker on it that hasn't been advertisted anywhere.

I'm thinking of a searchable database that anybody that visits could add to, so if you saw a sweet looking XP Falcon for sale (or even one that looks like it's in need of a little, or even a lot of TLC) you could go to the site, and enter the details - where you saw it, any contact details, anything else you know about it.

The main reason is that I want to save as many classic cars as possible from going to be crushed because the owner no longer wants it and can't locate a buyer, so one more classic gets crushed, and somebody misses out on the car they've always wanted.

What does everybody think of this idea?

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 11:18 AM

EDITED. Internet Explorer was being a PITA.

PULLY6 · 31-05-2005, 11:45 AM

I think it could work mate, but the trouble would be getting exposure. The database would require constant attention, and there's a problem with data duplication also.
Having said that, it's a great idea.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PULLY6

I think it could work mate, but the trouble would be getting exposure. The database would require constant attention, and there's a problem with data duplication also.
Having said that, it's a great idea.

Thanks, I want to save as many classics from the scrap heap as possible, and I think this is one possible way of achieving this.

I'm aware there are a few issues I'll have to sort out, getting exposure for the site, data duplication, false data being added, amongst others, but I honestly think most, if not all of these issues could be sorted out, and even if it only saves a few classics from the scrapheap, it would be worth the effort IMO.

The other issue I need help and ideas with is how to get people to list cars they've seen for sale - how to reward someone for saving a classic from the scrapyard, and how to best prevent schemes such as one person listing something and a friend/family member "buying it" so the person who listed it gets the reward when there was no car looking for a home in the first place.

I was thinking of perhaps having a feedback system along the lines of EBay, where if someone posts a car and someone else checks it out, they can give a positive, negative or neutral for that particular listing, along with comments, eg. "+ Wasn't a Escort Twin Cam, only a Escort 1100xl, but worth it for the rust free shell" or "- Wrong phone number, lady had no idea what I was talking about"

If anyone has any suggestions, ideas, whatever, please post them up in this thread.

I think the idea has some real potential.

b2tf · 31-05-2005, 12:16 PM

I think its a great idea however the only issues I can see will be with people's privacy. Not all sellers may want their details listed on th Internet without their approval beforehand, however if you can get round that it'll work just fine.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

I think its a great idea however the only issues I can see will be with people's privacy. Not all sellers may want their details listed on th Internet without their approval beforehand, however if you can get round that it'll work just fine.

Ahh, good point, perhaps an approval system would be a good idea then, where when a listing is added to the database, it's not actually shown on the site until it's been approved by an admin on the site calling (or visiting, if there is no phone number and it can be arranged) and asking for permission to list the car on the site. The would also have the advantage of weeding out false listings, duplicate data and would give the seller a chance to add any information that was not included or might have been wrong by the original lister. A little more work (and expense) for the site and admins, but well worth it for avoiding potential problems.

And if someone is serious about selling/giving away their car, they'll most likey agree to having the car listed, but this way the seller could choose the method of contact that best suits them - phone, email, etc. Of course, any email addresses listed on the site would be listed in a way that makes it much more difficult for spammers to harvest.

Opinions?

Thornie · 31-05-2005, 05:27 PM

i rekon its a an exellent idea also

**Kingsley** · 31-05-2005, 07:04 PM

It's a great idea maddestman! Helps the people who genuinely chasing their dream. If your thinking of including cars that are rusting away slowly in paddocks or sheds there may be a problem. A lot of those people don't want to sell because the have plans to do it themselves even though it'll never happen. They don't like people asking about the car either and might want to know how they found out. Sadly, there are people all over the place that have classic relics or genuine parts that are useful to someone else but will never part with them even though they'll never use them.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingy351

It's a great idea maddestman! Helps the people who genuinely chasing their dream. If your thinking of including cars that are rusting away slowly in paddocks or sheds there may be a problem. A lot of those people don't want to sell because the have plans to do it themselves even though it'll never happen. They don't like people asking about the car either and might want to know how they found out. Sadly, there are people all over the place that have classic relics or genuine parts that are useful to someone else but will never part with them even though they'll never use them.

Nah, as much as I'd love to be able to include cars that should be rescued because they're slowly rusting away in paddocks or sheds, I think it would be best to limit it to cars that the owners actually want to get rid of, perhaps because they want to update to a newer car, they don't have room for it, can't afford to bring it back to it's former glory or whatever.

But yes, that is the plan, it helps people find the car they have been looking for, and it helps people who want to get rid of a car they may not otherwise find a new owner for and thus decide to sell it for scrap metal, destroying another classic that could have gone to a good home and become someones pride and joy.

I think that, asides from the obvious issues of setting up the site itself, the biggest issue would be the required exposure.

EDIT: I just remembered, I know exactly what you mean, my uncle for example who has a Datsun 1300 SSS (I think that's what it is anyway, LOL) out the back of his house, which he started restoring about 20 years ago. He got the body perfectly straight and resprayed, replaced all the rubbers, completely rebuilt the drivetrain and engine, then finally decided to work on the electrics. He pulled out all the wiring, then couldn't work out how to put it all back in, and so, ever since (for at least the last 15 years), it's been sitting in his backyard, complete asides from the wiring, slowly rusting, with him saying "One day I'll finish that car" - we all know he never will, but he won't part with it. :(

RSgerry · 31-05-2005, 08:55 PM

brilliant idea mate. one possible idea around the privacy issue is for some to post that they have seen this car, in whatever town / city and that anyone interested can PM the poster for details. might just work. like you, i hate seeing cars get scrapped. that is why i have 3 anglias hanging around my place (one has been started as a resto project).

The MaDDeSTMaN · 31-05-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSgerry

brilliant idea mate. one possible idea around the privacy issue is for some to post that they have seen this car, in whatever town / city and that anyone interested can PM the poster for details. might just work. like you, i hate seeing cars get scrapped. that is why i have 3 anglias hanging around my place (one has been started as a resto project).

That's not a bad idea mate, could possibly work quite well for anybody who chooses to sell their own car through the site, although one down side that came to my mind while reading your suggestion is that the poster might not come back to the site until the next day, or the day after, or perhaps ever. And any delay in getting the information to any interested person could potentially mean more chance of that car being sold for scrap metal and crushed.

But definitely a good idea to have as an option. Thanks for the idea. Besides, a PM could be sent as an email without revealing either persons email address.

If people seriously think this is a good idea, I could start working on implementing it, I have some understanding of PHP and MySQL, which seem to me like they'd be quite suitable for this purpose.

LuvinmyEB · 01-06-2005, 10:18 AM

You could set the database up like eautoparts.com, type in what your looking for and get an email sent to you. Vice versa for entering a car, you must provide a current email address and phone number that you can be contacted at.
That may deter spammers.
I think if someone has their phone number on the car in public, then they run the risk of getting prank calls anyway, they'd probably be happier if someone that actually wants to buy it calls. I doubt there would be much in the way of legal ramifications but if there is, set up a PM/email system for the number.

I'm sure you'll iron out the bugs as you go along.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 01-06-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvinmyEB

You could set the database up like eautoparts.com, type in what your looking for and get an email sent to you. Vice versa for entering a car, you must provide a current email address and phone number that you can be contacted at.
That may deter spammers.
I think if someone has their phone number on the car in public, then they run the risk of getting prank calls anyway, they'd probably be happier if someone that actually wants to buy it calls. I doubt there would be much in the way of legal ramifications but if there is, set up a PM/email system for the number.

I'm sure you'll iron out the bugs as you go along.

That's also a great idea.

Hmm, looks like I've got some planning to do.