Online trailer sales and buying have greatly increased. When purchasing and selling trailers over the Internet, one should always proceed cautiously, with an eye out for red flags and of course relying on one’s own intuition.
Chrispin Kenney
Waste management, including recycling, has drastically increased since opening its first recycling mill in 1972 (Wikipedia Contributors). For example, the first recorded can recycling rate was only 15 percent, last year the rate was 87 percent (Mortensen). Since 1988 there has been more than 1 billion tons of steel recycled in North America (Dryden). In addition, since the age of electronics, the need for e-waste trailers has also increased. The awareness of ecological issues has increased, increasing the recycling rate. With the increasing population there is a greater need for managing waste removal and recycling. The need for these types of trailers has grown exponentially. Not only are commercial waste management and recycling trailers needed, but everyday consumers are also recycling materials as a means of making a living and require dump and other type of trailers to do so.
Online Trailer Advertising Features
A recent trend in the trailer world is online advertising resulting in soaring online trailer sales. Millions of targeted trailer buyers and sellers are online each month and sites have consistently between 3,000 to 4,000 users online at any given time. Online trailer sites host dealers, manufacturers and individuals online looking to sell and buy trailers. They assist dealers and manufacturers looking to sell their trailers. Sometimes, dealers are selling more trailers online then they are in their retail space. Web site features can include an app to post ads lightening fast and a linked inventory allowing the dealer or manufacturer to post an ad one time on the trailer site as well as their own. Other features include an online magazine, rotating banners and videos featured on YouTube.
Some suggestions for the manufacturer and dealer include describing the features in the
description area as in depth as possible—the more features described the better. Also, use a unique title; for example, a “7 x 14 Trailer” is not as eye catching as “2014 7 x 14 Tandem Axle Two Toned Cargo Trailer with Rear Ramp”. Always include at least one photo of the trailer; trailer ads without pictures do not sell as well as those with them. A site’s goal should be to increase the dealers’ exposure, thus selling more trailers.
The site should also be able to assist buyers in the purchasing process, performing most of the legwork. By filling out a quote request, calling or e-mailing, the site can find a trailer as close to what you need at a fair price. Searching by category, latest ads, and finding a dealer by state are also helpful features. Buyers can also use the advanced search feature which this allows them to enter in whatever information they would like—whether its specific details or a generalized search. For example, searching by trailer category and state.
Buyers Beware
Buyers and sellers beware. There are numerous red flags when purchasing and selling trailers that consumers and sellers should be aware of. This of course does not include every scenario there is out there, new ones seem to pop up every day, but is a good solid list to go by:
- If the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
- If the seller does not have a phone number and they just want to communicate via email, be wary.
- If they are overseas and selling a trailer in the U.S., even if they say they are in the military (sounds feasible) be cautious.
- If the seller is in one place and the trailer is in another. Occasionally this scenario is legitimate, but not usually, so be careful.
- If the seller asks you to provide personal information such as your bank account number, an account password, credit card number, PIN, mother’s maiden name, Social Security number or any pertinent personal information-do not provide it. Never give out your address.
- If written communication has numerous spelling and grammatical errors, be wary.
- If you call about a trailer that a business is selling, search the Internet to see if the business appears, go to their website and verify the information through an online directory. The site should be assessing every dealer registered with them, in part by the steps given above.
- Listen to your instincts they are usually correct.
Sellers Beware
One would think that fraud mostly occurs in buying trailers, this is far from the actuality. There are numerous red flags when selling a trailer that sellers should be aware of and they include the following:
- Be careful, very careful, when taking a check, money order or cashiers check. If at all possible go to the issuing bank and outright cash the check, money order or cashiers check. If this is not possible, call the bank and verify the funds, even if verified do not give the buyer the trailer and wait until the check, money order or cashiers check clears. Verify this through the issuing bank.
- If someone emails or calls about the trailer and wants to purchase it without even looking at the trailer—beware.
- If a buyer wants to purchase the trailer and it seems too easy of a sale, be cautious.
- Again, listen to your instincts they are usually correct.
Chrispin Kenney is Marketing Coordinator for TrailerShopper.com (Sun Prairie, WI).
She copywrites and works on the Web site content for TrailerShopper.com, dealers and sister companies. TrailerShopper.com’s motto “Bringing Buyers and Sellers Together” sums up their commitment to buyers and sellers. They offer many advantages to the individual looking to sell their trailer and to the dealer looking to sell many trailers.
TrailerShopper.com also assists those looking to purchase a trailer. For more information, call (608)237-7033.
References
- Mortensen, Carroll. State of California. CalRecycle. Biannual Report of Beverage Container Sales, Returns, Redemption and Recycling Rates. 2013. Web.www.calrecycle.ca.gov/bevcontainer/Rates/BiannualRpt/default.htm.
- Wikipedia contributors. “Recycling in the United States.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 Sep. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.
- Dryden, Richard. “North America recycles 1 billion tons of steel.” Machine Design. N.p., 26 Sep 2013. Web. 14 Oct 2013. http://machinedesign.com/metals/northamerica-recycles-1-billion-tons-steel.