Setting up a business - shipping / selling cars to qatar

[kiwigtx]

Back in the 80's, I was in Saudi Arabia and had the opportunity to try monkey brains. I passed as I had to fly 24 hours later and didn't want to chance any bad juju from trying something new & different, otherwise I would have!

 

[GetX'd]

Yeah - I’m not going to knock the OP for his plan/thinking. From all accounts mentioned he’s a solid FBBO guy. But on the other hand I’m pretty much in camp with the guys that say “ Keep American Muscle in America”. I have zero doubt that the foreign guys that want and buy these cars likely worship them, take the best of care and appreciate every nut and bolt. However we’ve lost so much of Americana to foreign shores over the last many decades that I say keep these treasures here in North America where they were born, raised and a huge part of a cultural phenomenon that we’ll likely never witness again. How many of these countries chafe at sending their cultural treasures to America or elsewhere? I say many. I have to admit during a brief brain fart I considered selling the X overseas for the money. But the fog was momentary and quickly passed - I actually did a complete about face and sold the car to one of my life long buddies who could never afford a car like mine - but had worshipped it for the 48 years I owned it. I sold it to him for 35/40% under market because I wanted him to have it and pass it on to his son. No regrets.
So that’s my 50 cents worth on this subject.

 

[khryslerkid]

I'll pass.

 

[josephqatarcarguy]

Really? Not even for the sheep's eyes on toast for breakfast ?

The place has changed dramatically over the past 20 years mate , I have been all around the world , life in Qatar now is bloody great !!

 

[josephqatarcarguy]

Back in the 80's, I was in Saudi Arabia and had the opportunity to try monkey brains. I passed as I had to fly 24 hours later and didn't want to chance any bad juju from trying something new & different, otherwise I would have!

Hsha Qatar is complete opposite to Saudi Arabia mate, more relaxed and modern, if you ever cone down we'll get a pint together!

 

[josephqatarcarguy]

I get that part of it. But who solicits complete strangers to "start a business" out of the blue. Good luck to them. My apologies for being unfair and assuming things...

I completely agree with you, just getting feedback mate , would have to have a few calls / maybe even a visit before any business venture mate but aye

 

[SSmoothie]

For Sale.

 

[1STMP]

Not true. I know a '70 Challenger R/T that has been to Kuwait, then the US, then the UK, then Bahrain, then Kuwait once more. It all depends on timing, the strength/weakness of the USD compared to the currency of the country it's going to/coming from, and how bad the buyer wants to buy it. Cars go back and forth across the oceans every day!

I've exported perhaps six American cars to Germany and one to the UK. You seem to think the overseas buyers are ignorant noobs to the hobby and unknowlegable. So what if they stay overseas for two years, twenty, or forever? I know a lot of German and British cars that got shipped back across the pond to European buyers. Why? Because our weather tends to be a saving grace in preserving cars! They want those rust-free examples of all makes. And they don't whine about "their cars" going either direction.

People internationally dig American iron. You should be happy that our machines have an appreciative owner base overseas. Considering shipping costs, insurance, Customs, and taxes; an overseas buyer is paying in some cases DOUBLE what he bought the car for initially. They're not going to destroy the car. They're not derby people. Be thankful, instead, that these appreciative buyers exist. Either that, or start ponying up the cash on your own to buy said car, so that some "evil overseas flipper" doesn't get it!

I spent three years in Europe, and nearly that same amount of time spent TDY in various locations in the Middle East, so I am very aware of how much they like and value American vintage iron.

Agreed.
Swedes have importing older Cadillacs for
years. It's a status symbol.

 

[Hey-O]

Send new Toyota corolla's, something I won't miss. Once there gone, there gone. Just my opinion.

 

[patrick66]

Send new Toyota corolla's, something I won't miss. Once there gone, there gone. Just my opinion.

People aren't nostalgic here or anywhere else for Toyota Corollas of any vintage...except perhaps 1968-1980 models, which are actually pretty cool. Besides, Japanese cars aren't American cars.

 

[SteveSS]

Going into business is the scary part. Now if he was asking us to scout cars and then paying us a commission that's one thing but I suspect it involves buying the car ourselves and then letting him sell it there. Once it leaves our hands and lands in a country we know very little about is entirely too risky. The car could disappear at any number of places and then what? We as American citizens try to go there and throw our weight around.? I don't think so.

The big auctions have internet bidding. I'm sure there are plenty of rich Arabs on the net bidding on these cars. It's not like they have no access to them!

 

[69a100]

View attachment 1312220

I have too, and have no desire to ever return!

Hsha Qatar is complete opposite to Saudi Arabia mate, more relaxed and modern, if you ever cone down we'll get a pint together!

I guess you missed that I have NO desire to ever go back to that polluted, desolate, sandbox shithole side of the world ever again?

 

[Hey-O]

People aren't nostalgic here or anywhere else for Toyota Corollas of any vintage.

Now you see my point. I don't need the money. No thanks.

 

[patrick66]

Now you see my point. I don't need the money. No thanks.

What was your "point"??? So you don't want to sell to an overseas buyer? No one is twisting your arm to do so. I don't care if my car ends up in Brisbane, or Moscow, or Kosciesko, Michigan. If I get the $$$ I want, that is all that matters to me. It's not like every single American car has suddenly vanished from the USA, right? There are plenty more. Some even end up BACK IN THE USA! Imagine that?

Right now, if you are so inclined, you can repatriate a car back from Europe far more cheaply than two years ago, as the Euro is at parity with the US dollar (1 Euro = 1 USD as of today). Bring one home! Put your money where your mouth is! Free one today from the shackles of those eeeeevil foreign owners! It is very expensive for Europeans to bring one over there at this time.

 

[Hey-O]

I have more family in Europe than you do here!! If I wanted to sell cars over seas I could have done that 30 years ago. I have family members in Germany that fly to Las Vegas, gamble and fill a suit case full of Levi jeans and fly home. I get it, not for me. The fewer there are, the higher the price here. The hobby is hard enough for some to get into.

 

[Ron H]

Interesting. My views have changed since I’m a geezer. Spent years restoring my ride I bought in ’94, the car is like a family member to me. My daughters have zero interest in the car so I know if I don’t sell it before I croak it’s going to whoever offers the best price, likely not near what I put into it and glad it’s out of the garage getting rid of all my other ****.

Have had people asking if I’d sell it and I say everything is for sale at the right price. Then it’s ‘How much you want for it?” I reply “How much you want to pay for it?” Then they say “Tell me your price?” Then I say, I’m at a car show; I don’t have a for sale sign on it. Ya want to make an offer though, I’m all ears.” Two dudes made offers that were hilarious. Can’t say I blame them; but I don’t have any free lunch tickets.

As said, my views have changed as my future isn’t as long as it was. Someone, from wherever they reside, wants to make me an offer I like, have at it and will hand them the keys upon full payment. It reminds me of all the hoopla with the LIV golf circuit ****, MONEY speaks. I've been around long enough to learn loyalty means jack squat.

 

[XS22J8R]

Vintage cars do go back and forth across the seas. A few years ago someone set up an auction in Saudi Arabia and shipped a variety of cars from the US over there. The auction turned out to be a flop though. From what I heard the folks there didn’t understand the concept of an auction, and also maybe partly a culture thing, someone would bid and then no one else would bid as that would be rude or insulting or something? So most of the cars came right back to the US afterwards.
I get sad seeing cars leave the country though. I have an idea though, why not take up the OPs offer but just find Chevys for him to import?

 

[gdrill]

There is another way to look at this scenario. “Our” generation is dying. Yes we are old. The next isn’t so much as interested in our desired models of automobiles. They are changing their tastes much like we did on Model A’s. I would guess that within the not too distant future our cars will decrease significantly in value. Sad, but I’m not a dreamer. I’m a realist. Our cars are big, heavy and hard on gas. Kids won’t even be able to afford fuel let alone the insurance. Overseas has a different outlook and lifestyle. Perhaps the market will last longer there and these cars will be kept alive and enjoyed for a longer period.
Take it how you want. I’m just not that worried about steel living longer than me. Just like our fathers whose 32’s have outlived the majority of their lovers.

 

[Photon440]

Nobody wants their favourite cars to leave the country, but it's probably like that everywhere in the world. I'm sure it's likely that there are people in Germany who lament the rare Porsches and Mercedes that have been shipped to the US.

 

[MIKESPOLARA]

I've sold maybe a dozen cars that went overseas, Australia, Sweden, Japan, UK and Kuwait. The different scenarios I have seen are 1) small investor, comes here for a couple weeks buys a few cars with his money and sends them over and sells when her gets home and makes a considerable profit. 2) Larger investor, stays home and hires someone here he trusts to do the leg work and get it to the container for shipping. Usually paying his "worker" here a couple thousand for his time. I would guess most people here would not mind doing the leg work and getting paid a commission. To have a partner that splits the cost and profits is a bit riskier and takes a greater amount of trust, hard to do with two strangers.
By far the majority I have encountered spot the cars they want to buy on the for sale ads on the internet then usually show up to inspect the car and pay for it
I also have an issue with our cars leaving but in the end the almighty dollar spoke the loudest.