When life hands you a lemon, put it online

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  For Service members, moving from one place to another is a way of life, sometimes on short notice. Unfortunately, that can require leaving some personal possessions behind.

For years, the auto resale lot, more commonly known as the lemon lot, has helped Airmen sell their motor vehicles, such as: cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats and vehicle accessories.

However, simply having one method of selling a vehicle isn't always the most effective way to get it sold, according to Candace Marriner, 4th Force Support Squadron marketing director.

To further assist Airmen in selling their items, the 4th FSS is now making the listings available online.

"The idea of the virtual lemon lot is to make the vehicles listed available to a broader audience," said Kimberly Hood, 4th FSS outdoor recreation coordinator. "The website will allow those who are not on the base every day to see what is available."

According to Tammy Amon, 4th FSS visual information specialist, the 4th FSS website receives approximately 11,000 hits daily, which increases exposure by making listings available to Service members at other locations and streamlines the selling process.

"By giving the seller more options, it will hopefully allow them to sell their vehicle faster," said Marriner. "It will also allow our customers the chance to check out our inventory without ever having to leave their computer."

Displaying a vehicle in the lot costs $10 per month and for an additional $5 it will be added to the online listings. The 4th FSS also suggests providing detailed photos for those planning to use the virtual lot to give potential customers more visual information about the vehicle.

"Having photos available will give a better idea of the condition of the vehicles and any added features to those looking at online car listings," Hood said.

For more information about the virtual lemon lot, contact outdoor recreation at (919) 722-1104 or visit http://www.sjfss.com/outdoorrec/vehicleresalelot.htm.