AeroTrader - pros and cons?

[Reverse Canard]

Hey all,

First time poster, new member, and I'm looking for help from this incredibly supportive community. Is AeroTrader a good source to buy used aircraft? Has anyone gotten a raw deal (or a great deal) using that site? What's good/bad about buying and selling on there? Any alternatives?

I'd appreciate any words of advice. Thanks so much, all!

Cheers,
RC.

p.s. My sincere apologies if this is not a kosher question - forgive the noob.

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Seems pretty sparse.
Why not go w/ more mainstream like controller, Trade a plane or aso.com

That said, the site should have nothing to do with the experience. I think they are just independent sellers.
Probably can have a great experience or raw deal on any site.

Just get a good prebuy inspection.

 

[eman1200]

hooray! this is a great post! (just trying to be supportive)

but seriously I've never used that site. come to think of it, I've technically never used ANY site to purchase a plane cause, well, I've never purchased a plane.

 

[Reverse Canard]

Seems pretty sparse.
Why not go w/ more mainstream like controller, Trade a plane or aso.com

That said, the site should have nothing to do with the experience. I think they are just independent sellers.
Probably can have a great experience or raw deal on any site.

Just get a good prebuy inspection.

Thanks so much - those are good resources! I checked Controller, TradeAPlane, and aso out and while there's a lot of inventory, I'm finding it hard to navigate those sites - it's like they're from the 90's (no offence to anyone intended. ). I wonder if there's an opportunity for a more modern site...

 

[Reverse Canard]

hooray! this is a great post! (just trying to be supportive)

but seriously I've never used that site. come to think of it, I've technically never used ANY site to purchase a plane cause, well, I've never purchased a plane.

Haha, well, thanks for the support at least!

 

[SCCutler]

I looked at all of them, and often, when I was plane shopping. To be honest, I don't recall which service had mine (I think it was on both Controller and Trade-a-Plane), but the fact is, any site that hooks you up with the plane you're looking for is the perfect one.

But, as noted above, there is nothing inherently bad about AeroTrader- the ads are all content from the sellers, anyway.

 

[Reverse Canard]

I looked at all of them, and often, when I was plane shopping. To be honest, I don't recall which service had mine (I think it was on both Controller and Trade-a-Plane), but the fact is, any site that hooks you up with the plane you're looking for is the perfect one.

But, as noted above, there is nothing inherently bad about AeroTrader- the ads are all content from the sellers, anyway.

Thanks! Yes, I agree that the site that hooks you up with your perfect plane is the right one.

I was just having a terrible experience looking for what I want in terms of the site layouts - just wasn't clean. That got me thinking about whether or not they were legit. But hey, if they've been around for this long maybe they're doing something right. Being a Software Developer, this got me thinking as to whether there was an opportunity out there for something better!

 

[ircphoenix]

All of the websites to buy a plane don't have great UIs. Barnstormers is far and above the absolute worst. Just one of those things you get used to after a while.

 

[Unit74]

I just bought a turbo Lance off controller. Bought my first plane right from here in the classifieds!


Important to note........ A lot of planes on the usual suspects are NOT for sale. I called on a lot of birds only to find it he sold it " months ago". Also a shady broker tactic is to leave planes active, you call, they say, awe man....just sold. But let me help you find a good one like that as they hold their hand out for a fee.

If you find a plane, get a good prebuy and definitely use a title search company. Both planes I bought had liens the owners never knew about. The Lance had $26k hanging over its head. Took us about a week to clear it. I used Aerospace Title out of OKC and they were great to work with.

 

[ircphoenix]

1,000% do the prebuy. Doesn't matter. Call local airfield shops and find someone that sounds good over the phone. I just got saved from a wreck of a plane by an A&P two states away.

 

[Reverse Canard]

I just bought a turbo Lance off controller. Bought my first plane right from here in the classifieds!


Important to note........ A lot of planes on the usual suspects are NOT for sale. I called on a lot of birds only to find it he sold it " months ago". Also a shady broker tactic is to leave planes active, you call, they say, awe man....just sold. But let me help you find a good one like that as they hold their hand out for a fee.

If you find a plane, get a good prebuy and definitely use a title search company. Both planes I bought had liens the owners never knew about. The Lance had $26k hanging over its head. Took us about a week to clear it. I used Aerospace Title out of OKC and they were great to work with.

Fantastic advice - yeah all the sites have a terrible UI and the last thing I need is a lien on the plane. I checked the FAA with the N numbers of the planes I was interested in but no information about liens...would State DMV's have that information? I'm trying not to drop $500-$1000 on getting title checks on the planes I want.

 

[Reverse Canard]

1,000% do the prebuy. Doesn't matter. Call local airfield shops and find someone that sounds good over the phone. I just got saved from a wreck of a plane by an A&P two states away.

Excellent, I've got a guy lined up that I trust. I just need to narrow the list down without blowing $1000 on title checks lol.

 

[Unit74]

Fantastic advice - yeah all the sites have a terrible UI and the last thing I need is a lien on the plane. I checked the FAA with the N numbers of the planes I was interested in but no information about liens...would State DMV's have that information? I'm trying not to drop $500-$1000 on getting title checks on the planes I want.

 

[Unit74]

Excellent, I've got a guy lined up that I trust. I just need to narrow the list down without blowing $1000 on title checks lol.

You will need to order the FAA report on the plane. You can do it online and it's $5 for the CD. All liens registered will be on the report. Takes about a week to get the CD.

Using escrow will run about $600 and it's generally accepted that buyer and sellerr split the cost.

 

[James331]

Here are the sites

ASO
Trade a Plane
Controller
Barnstormers

Sometimes
eBay
Craigslist


As far as title goes, that's what the FAA CD is for, if you're even debating spending $1,000 on a "title check" then read below.

No matter what or where it all comes down to the prebuy, you're going to NEED a APIA with experience on type, and someone, maybe the APIA, maybe a fellow experienced pilot, maybe both, with the skill set to really hold your hand and walk you through this, from looking at the paperwork, to looking and flying in the plane, to helping you price it out.

 

[steingar]

What kind of aircraft is the OP seeking? Many type specific clubs and fora have their own classifieds.

 

[calberto]

Thanks! Yes, I agree that the site that hooks you up with your perfect plane is the right one.

I was just having a terrible experience looking for what I want in terms of the site layouts - just wasn't clean. That got me thinking about whether or not they were legit. But hey, if they've been around for this long maybe they're doing something right. Being a Software Developer, this got me thinking as to whether there was an opportunity out there for something better!

This is part of the reason I started AirplaneBuyersClub.com. Better UI and cleaner interface. I do like aerotrader, but I think that I can create a more engaging community. Fun experience so far.

 

[paflyer]

What kind of aircraft is the OP seeking? Many type specific clubs and fora have their own classifieds.

You would think this would be the first question.