Private buyer only offering 10% of what I advertised the car
Discussion
funkyrobot said:
Is that their final offer? Or will they barter it down upon seeing the vehicle?
Have you thought about a .99p no reserve ebay job with all faults listed? Could get more that way.
This is just from their online valuation.Have you thought about a .99p no reserve ebay job with all faults listed? Could get more that way.
The nearest EH is 15 miles from me and I would have to get the train back. Do you think they would likely drop LOTS of money off of their initial offer after seeing it?
Alternatively I have a WBAC 5 minutes walk from my house. But they offer only £100 initial offer.
funkyrobot said:
I don't know how EH work. However, WBAC want to see the car and will then haggle down the price based on condition.
What about the Ebay cheap auction route? You could even put a reserve on if you like. However, this seems to put people off.
My only concern with eBay is the high price of advertising (£17 when I just checked) and the fact that the auctions seem to be non-binding for motors. So they could win an auction but eBay will not enforce they actually pay up. However I lose out on the £17 either way.What about the Ebay cheap auction route? You could even put a reserve on if you like. However, this seems to put people off.
s3fella said:
Not just me that was laughing at that then!
OP, that is class, great thread, really cheered me up!! lol!
I'd be inclined to stick it on ebay, no reserve, 99p start, just take decent photos, say 5m MOT left, if the exhaust IS blowing, mention that, the rest, i'd just leave to the buyers to ask about / see for themselves. But a blowy exhaust can give issues with fumes in cabin, so need to mention that as would be a priority to fix immediately IMO. A rust hole, no one would car until MOT time IMO and that is 5months away.
I'm going to sound like an idiot to you guys here. But how do I check for exhaust blow myself?OP, that is class, great thread, really cheered me up!! lol!
I'd be inclined to stick it on ebay, no reserve, 99p start, just take decent photos, say 5m MOT left, if the exhaust IS blowing, mention that, the rest, i'd just leave to the buyers to ask about / see for themselves. But a blowy exhaust can give issues with fumes in cabin, so need to mention that as would be a priority to fix immediately IMO. A rust hole, no one would car until MOT time IMO and that is 5months away.
Edited by s3fella on Thursday 1st December 12:22
I had never even heard of the term before he mentioned it. As I understand it, it means there is a hole in the exhaust system somewhere?
johnnyBv8 said:
Exhaust blow: if you can't recognise the sound of a blowing exhaust, then move your hands round the exhaust box and any exhaust joints with the engine running - you should feel air if it's blowing.
Rust: will fail an MOT but it would be fairly straightforward and not too expensive for a garage to clean it back and then weld a patch.
Clutch: if the revs rise as you describe then the clutch is probably on its way out.
Tyres: the one in the pic looks ok!
If I were you I'd either list on eBay, or just be patient via Gumtree. You could re-list at a lower price, but don't accept £150 - judging by the text he's trying to build rapport to coerce you into selling.
It's probably easily worth £400-£500. The things mentioned (if they exist) are a hassle, but all fixable without massive expense.
Thank you for taking the time to explain this for me. I really appreciate it.Rust: will fail an MOT but it would be fairly straightforward and not too expensive for a garage to clean it back and then weld a patch.
Clutch: if the revs rise as you describe then the clutch is probably on its way out.
Tyres: the one in the pic looks ok!
If I were you I'd either list on eBay, or just be patient via Gumtree. You could re-list at a lower price, but don't accept £150 - judging by the text he's trying to build rapport to coerce you into selling.
It's probably easily worth £400-£500. The things mentioned (if they exist) are a hassle, but all fixable without massive expense.
Should I perhaps list at £400?
And all of the tyres look the same as the one in the picture to my eye.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
OK - so it's an LX (base model) and the wrong colour - it's never going to be worth £800.
Gumtree £500 - be happy with £400 cash.
You'll sell it, you just have to be patient.
Don't mention the hole or other faults - that's for a potential buyer to find. Anyone paying ~£500 for a car should know what they're looking for! Tough luck for anyone who doesn't (may sound harsh - but this is the bargain basement second hand car game - some win, some lose). If this bothers you (it really shouldn't) - then scrap it and get aprox £50 back (ASM in Thame are currently paying £78)
The hole is perfectly normal in that location for a Focus. It can be 'fixed' with a bit of body repair mesh, filler and a healthy blob of black underseal to cover it all up...Should see it out for a couple of years. I know this because my last Focus was repaired in such a way, and yes, it did pass the MOT no problem.
Is the hole something I can DIY myself then?Gumtree £500 - be happy with £400 cash.
You'll sell it, you just have to be patient.
Don't mention the hole or other faults - that's for a potential buyer to find. Anyone paying ~£500 for a car should know what they're looking for! Tough luck for anyone who doesn't (may sound harsh - but this is the bargain basement second hand car game - some win, some lose). If this bothers you (it really shouldn't) - then scrap it and get aprox £50 back (ASM in Thame are currently paying £78)
The hole is perfectly normal in that location for a Focus. It can be 'fixed' with a bit of body repair mesh, filler and a healthy blob of black underseal to cover it all up...Should see it out for a couple of years. I know this because my last Focus was repaired in such a way, and yes, it did pass the MOT no problem.
It would be quite fun to do if it's something I can do. Or does it require tools? (I have none).
jamieduff1981 said:
It will need a piece of steel, a pair of tinsnips / Gilbows to cut steel. It'll also need a wire brush in an electric drill, an angle grinder with a cutting and a grinding disc, plus a MIG welder and its consumables. Probably not the sort of tools you'd want to buy unless you make a habit of buying old cars to do up.
So that's a no to DIY then :PCaptainSlow said:
99p no reserve on eBay. I've done similar with cars I wanted gone. Treat it like any other car auction so put 6-8 photos on and list details like colour, MOT expiry and mileage, don't put anything else. You'll get more than £150 but nowhere near £1,000.
Isn't there a risk that it will go for like £5 if the price is set to 99p originally?Even then, even if they win the auction can't they claim that it wasn't as described if they find rust or they don't like the clutch? I've never used eBay to sell, especially for motors, sorry.
CaptainSlow said:
There is a risk, you just need to rely on it finding it's own value.
eBay rules for car auctions state that winning bids aren't binding so you can have a non-payer issue with a perfect car regardless. I even remind my buyers of this and give them the option to walk away with a handshake, none have. Just take honest photos and no optimistic descriptions...just the basics. A car with 7 months MOT will be useful for someone, and any savvy buyer will do an MOT history check.
Why not start the bid at something like £100?eBay rules for car auctions state that winning bids aren't binding so you can have a non-payer issue with a perfect car regardless. I even remind my buyers of this and give them the option to walk away with a handshake, none have. Just take honest photos and no optimistic descriptions...just the basics. A car with 7 months MOT will be useful for someone, and any savvy buyer will do an MOT history check.
So, can I just clarify everything now?
The general consensus is to not sell the car to somebody for this low. This is good, because I have just told him that I will not be taking him up on his offer.
Instead, I should place on eBay as an auction with no reserve and a starting bid of £0.99.
Am I right so far?
What do I disclose in the description of the car with regards to repairs that may be required (I only know of what this guy told me)?
Do I mention the rust hole? Do I mention anything about the high biting point of the clutch (and the possibility that it is on its way out)? Do I say about engine blow (which the guy told me it has)?
Thanks everyone for your input, you have all been really helpful in all cases where you were not jealous of my artistic ability
The general consensus is to not sell the car to somebody for this low. This is good, because I have just told him that I will not be taking him up on his offer.
Instead, I should place on eBay as an auction with no reserve and a starting bid of £0.99.
Am I right so far?
What do I disclose in the description of the car with regards to repairs that may be required (I only know of what this guy told me)?
Do I mention the rust hole? Do I mention anything about the high biting point of the clutch (and the possibility that it is on its way out)? Do I say about engine blow (which the guy told me it has)?
Thanks everyone for your input, you have all been really helpful in all cases where you were not jealous of my artistic ability
UPDATE:
I put it on eBay with a starting auction price of £0.99 and no reserve.
It's been on for about 12 hours and had had about 7 bids worth double what the guy who came to see it offered me.
I mentioned that the car has wear and tear and that the buyer should expect it to be in the condition of a 16 year old car.
I've had somebody ask to come view it. I've already had somebody offer me instant cash for £400 (Although I have no idea how I can do this because if I end the auction doesn't it go to the current highest bidder?)
Thanks for your suggestions everyone!
I put it on eBay with a starting auction price of £0.99 and no reserve.
It's been on for about 12 hours and had had about 7 bids worth double what the guy who came to see it offered me.
I mentioned that the car has wear and tear and that the buyer should expect it to be in the condition of a 16 year old car.
I've had somebody ask to come view it. I've already had somebody offer me instant cash for £400 (Although I have no idea how I can do this because if I end the auction doesn't it go to the current highest bidder?)
Thanks for your suggestions everyone!
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