Web site selling used business planes takes off

Web posted June 25, 1999

By Laurie Mansfield
Morris News Service

SAVANNAH -- Savvy sellers have proven they can unload just about any secondhand item on the Internet.

Everything from used cars to Victoria's Secret underwear has been auctioned or sold on the Web. That's small potatoes to what Gulfstream is peddling.

The company launched a Web site earlier this month to sell its used multimillion-dollar business airplanes.

No one is expected to purchase the airplanes, many of which are trade-ins, through a simple e-mail. With both customers and the planes scattered all over the world, the Internet is simply a way to get the sale rolling.

Most customers will actually see the planes before they buy them, said Susan Miller, publication manager for Executive Controller, another online venue for used plane sales.

``But at least you can get a good look before you have to pick up the phone,'' Mr. Miller said.

Gulfstream's Web site provides customers with the planes' history, technical and special features, warranty information, and photos of the interior and exterior.

Anyone can shop the site and get an online tour of the luxury planes' buttery leather seats and wood interiors.

But only those with deep pockets will be sampling the merchandise. A test flight on one of Gulfstream's GIVs costs $2,000 to $3,000.

Although Gulfstream's Web site has more eye candy than similar sites, the company is still playing catch-up. Executive Controller has sold used airplanes -- including Gulfstreams -- online for almost four years.

Executive Controller lists about 4,000 planes online. Gulfstream has five for sale -- three of them GIVs.