A new platform is here that could make buying classic cars much easier, for both sides of the dealer’s desk.
Classic Trade, which launches today (17 June), has been devised by Robert Wittridge and hopes to bring the UK’s best dealers under one virtual roof as an alternative to listing unsold cars for auction. Currently, if a dealer wants to make space in their showroom they will often resort to consigning it, which can be costly and risks not selling.
By listing on Classic Trade, dealers from all over the country will make their cars available to other dealers to source for their customers, giving buyers effectively the chance to purchase from anywhere but still through their usual dealer.
“We’re not in the business of retailing cars and never will be,” explains Wittridge. “We are a trade portal. The dealer can dual-list the vehicle because it will be on our platform, using the existing images and text on their website if they want, while it stays on retail sale in their showroom.
“There’s no risk, no cost. They’ll never miss a retail sale. You could have the perfect car, with everything going for it, the right colour, but for whatever reason it doesn’t get any interest. Perhaps it’s better suited elsewhere. They’ll take it off sale and list it for auction, and lo and behold get a bit of interest. That’s what tends to happen. That problem is solved and gives dealers more control of their stock.”
