Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-18
USED CARS ARE
GREAT PROBLEM
IN AUTO WORLD

iii HUIU UUIILH
The problem of the used car is con-
tnually harrassing the dealer in cars
The piano trade formerly had its
problem in the old squares Every
body wanted new upright and many
wished to turn in. as part payment, a
square which if the owner was to be
believed, like a violin, improved in
tonal quality during the years it had
been in the possession of the seller
The fact was, that nobody wanted
square piano and their worth to
the dealer was only the value of the
wood and other junkable parts
Thousands of these squares We're des-
troyed by fire merely to get them out
of the way
The motor car dealers that his
tory is repeating itself. More than
half the cars sold go to persons who
are already the owners of cars, and
these invariably find the intrinsic and
sentimental value of the old cars re-
markedly high when trade is sug-
gested. The dealer, no matter how
many new cars he can sell, cannot
show profits if he ioads up his garage
floor space with archaic junk for
which there is no market.
Dealers maintain that the depTecia-
ton on motor cars is rapid. A new
car. if driven but 500 miles and no
matter how good its conditions, Just
Tor the reason that it has been driven,
becomes a secondhand machine. As
one dealer has expressed il, the sue
cess of some owners of second cars
in unloading their junk on the dealers
in exchange for new demonstrates
that they are better salesman than
the dealers.
1t is questionable if this deprecia-
ton is real To many it appears to
be fictitious. The years 1909 to 1914
witnessed rapid and radical changes in
car construction. Marked body alter
ations and the addition of refinements
and accessories, were noted each year.
Finally, motor cars became largely
standardized and some well known
manufacturers are even boasting that
there should be no yearly changes OF
importance.
A few people will continue to buy
cars for a single season, bat mos
purchasers want machines that will
give them four to five years service.
With such machines. there is no rea-
son how many hundreds of dollars
should be marked off their value as
soon as the running gear becomes :.
little muddy.
On the other hand. ears that have
seen long service, and given their
owner his moneys worth. may be ex-
pected to so directly to the junk nile.
The motor car is no longer a play
thing or luxury. The industry has
become established and buying and
selling methods have changed for the
better 1t is up to the dealers to get
together for mutual protection, and
standardize the value of the used car
for their own protection While some
sales of new cars viii be lost, the
garages will not be Uttered up with
unsightly and unsaleable junk.
Dealers in Decatur. H., believe that
the most effective method of convinc
ing the owner of a used car of its ac-
tual value. is to induce him to attend
an auction sale OF this class. Finding
it difficult to satisfy patrons who
wish to purchase new cars and turn
in their old. and who place an unrea-
sonably high valuation on the latter.
the Decatur dealers determined to
get rid Of all of the second hand cars
on hand at d public sale, all to be
sold regardless OF the size OF the bids
The sale took place recently and
demonstrated to the owners of old
models just what their machines were
actually worth when placed upon the
UlITkGt. II Is freely conceded DN the
dealers throughout the country that
they are the loser in the long run,
because of too liberal allowances made
on second cars If trades for new
models, and some have reached the
point where they will rot take a used
car in exchange on the sale of u new
car.
At the Decatur sale, thirty six cars
were placed upon the block. There
was large crowd out and bidding
was active, yet the average price
realized was but $163 each. Most
OF the sales ranged from $107 to s175.
Many of them, although having the
semblance Of being serviceable, would
more properly be classed as junk. A
two-cylinder Buick truck. brought but
S45. A Waverly electric brougham,
which had seen six years service,
brought but $50. A 1908 WEIGH tour
ing car, brought sI05. A 1916 Regal
brought $500 and a 1914 Paige. $500.
A 1913 Ford touring ear brought $l75
Every sale represented heavy loss
for the dealer who entered it, but
they believe that the standard of
values demonstrated, will be helpful
during the coming year in handling
buyers who place an absurdly high
price upon their old car. 1t also will
be helpful in its lesson to those deal
ers who have been too generous in
their allowances and who have been
so eager to make the sale of a new
car, that they out-bid Il rival who
was more nearly correct in the valua-
ton.
The Decatur dealers are discussing
a proposition to open a clearing house
for second hand cars where they can
be stored and sold at a price to be
a a
distinguished agent will be in charge
who will be allowed a commission
for each car sold. This plan has
been found successful in Rockford and
other places in the west and may
soon be adopted in Decatur-Motor
Age.