The cheek of some people when selling your car
Discussion
Sold the Kougar a couple of months ago to a gent from Germany. Price was agreed over the 'phone. Collected him from Gatwick, he paid in €. Agreed to make up for any shorfall in the exchange rate and also pay the cost og sending the weather gear.
Good to his word paid the extra, especially as it cost me a small fortune to exchange €500 notes. Great guy.
If only all sales were so easy.
Bought a Lotus Excel from Alun White, Morgan and Lotus specialists nr Milton Keynes. Treated me so well. Which, considering it was an MoT failure/trade sale was amazing. Made for a really enjoyable day.
Good stuff happens once in a while.
Good to his word paid the extra, especially as it cost me a small fortune to exchange €500 notes. Great guy.
If only all sales were so easy.
Bought a Lotus Excel from Alun White, Morgan and Lotus specialists nr Milton Keynes. Treated me so well. Which, considering it was an MoT failure/trade sale was amazing. Made for a really enjoyable day.
Good stuff happens once in a while.
I've had similar when selling a car a few years ago. Dealer chap phones up, we agree price etc over the phone, he says his brother will fly up to collect car. I agree to meet brother at the airport and take him to the bank to perform the bank transfer of the cash.
While we wait at the bank for it to open, his brother and his mate who had accompanied him start trying to haggle me down and get a full tank of fuel out of me. After a couple firm "no the price is agreed with your brother", I kindly remind him how much a taxi to the airport and flight home will cost because if he doesn't stop his crap that's what he'll be needing.
The remainder of the transaction went ahead smoothly if with a chillier atmosphere. I got dropped off at the car rental place and guided them to the nearest fuel station 200yds up the road.
Not sure if they thought 2 lads would intimidate me into dropping their price a bit more, but they had never met a scotsman before 😂
While we wait at the bank for it to open, his brother and his mate who had accompanied him start trying to haggle me down and get a full tank of fuel out of me. After a couple firm "no the price is agreed with your brother", I kindly remind him how much a taxi to the airport and flight home will cost because if he doesn't stop his crap that's what he'll be needing.
The remainder of the transaction went ahead smoothly if with a chillier atmosphere. I got dropped off at the car rental place and guided them to the nearest fuel station 200yds up the road.
Not sure if they thought 2 lads would intimidate me into dropping their price a bit more, but they had never met a scotsman before 😂
had a couple of Brothers innit from Birmingham turn up one night to buy an MR2 turbo I had that a local lad had wrapped around a lamp post whilst under the influence... no insurance claim made...
I had given up on repairing it as it was just too much - it was pulled sort of straight but still required jigging so wasnt anywhere near roadworthy.
They turned up with the intention of driving the car back.
After doing several lines of coke off the dashboard of their car at the end of my street in full view of the neighbours they then proceeded to beg the price down from what had been agreed.
This is probably the only time in my life that I have actually given in just to get rid of somebody.
The f
kers stole a set of jump leads and a petrol can from outside my garage too..
Saw them with an AA truck 5 miles down the road about an hour or so later....
was pleasantly surprised that i never heard from them again.
I had given up on repairing it as it was just too much - it was pulled sort of straight but still required jigging so wasnt anywhere near roadworthy.
They turned up with the intention of driving the car back.
After doing several lines of coke off the dashboard of their car at the end of my street in full view of the neighbours they then proceeded to beg the price down from what had been agreed.
This is probably the only time in my life that I have actually given in just to get rid of somebody.
The f
kers stole a set of jump leads and a petrol can from outside my garage too..Saw them with an AA truck 5 miles down the road about an hour or so later....
was pleasantly surprised that i never heard from them again.
I once got the job of selling a company car, an Audi convertible (old-style). It was very clean, low mileage and we'd had a cash offer from the local main dealer as they were in big demand at the time. First time-waster was actually an employee who'd been offered the car at that offer price, and came back with a letter from his wife saying she'd take it at that price as long as we paid for a full dealer service, valet and had a CD changer fitted. I've got a better idea, we can just get that price today with no hassle by selling to the dealer.
Went on Autotrader at the end, sold to someone who looked like they might be a timewaster but weren't. Deal fell through and it went to someone else who was disappointed they'd missed it the first time. And had a white quattro, too.
Went on Autotrader at the end, sold to someone who looked like they might be a timewaster but weren't. Deal fell through and it went to someone else who was disappointed they'd missed it the first time. And had a white quattro, too.
On this site last year I was selling a E36 328i, a bloke rang from Ireland ( Belfast )very interested in the car, I live Nr Burnley Lancs, Manchester A/Port is 50miles from here, he said would you pick me up, I said no due to the mileage & time, there was no offer of fuel money, needless to say he never bought the car.
Sold a 25th Anni Golf GTi a few years back as was starting a new job with a company car (no allowance at the time).
She was mint, not a mark on her and I had spent alot of time effort and ££ on keeping her as clean as possible. Even the wheels which BBS had screwed up on manufacturing with a massive issue with corrosion looked brand new.
had the usual text messages as soon as the advert hit "whats the best youd take"/"will you hold it till I get paid"/"is it as mint as you describe" etc etc.
It got to the point I started playing hard ball with all enquiries - I wasnt in a rush to sell her, she owed me nothing and looked much nicer than the Wifes ST170 which was her daily driver so could flip that if needed.
Got a phone call on a Sat afternoon, nice lad asked all the right questions and said he had seen a couple of others which werent as described. I said mine was as straight and as clean as the advert and pictures so he drove up from Essex the next morning.
Quick test drive with both him and I driving we did the deal on my driveway - I could see he was a car guy, said it was by far the cleanest he had seen and I accepted a little lower than it had been advertised for.
I very nearly cried when I heard him drive off up the road. Miss that car still!! :-)
I sold an Alfa 156 2.0 JTD Sports Wagen about 5 years ago, nice colour, pretty good condition for its age and I'd sorted out a few minor faults.
I Had it listed on Autotrader for £3500 I wanted to achive about £3000 for it and had no end of st email offers and scams, offering me £2000- £2500 for it.
I had at that point had it SORN'd because I'd picked up a replacement, and this was pre tax change rules where you could sell the car with tax on it. I had one woman arrange to come view it in a few days time liked my ad etc etc.
She calls the day before to say she'd noticed in the ad its SORNED, what does that mean? I explained its not taxed due to the other car, But I live in a very quiet rural area, I'll take her around the block for a test drive then down to the post office 1/2 a mile down the road if she wants to buy etc. She says yes that's ok not a problem see you tomorrow.
Viewing day arrives, set for 6.30pm that lovely summers evening after I finish work. I get a voicemail alert about 11am, I don't get the best reception indoors at work, so assume its the buyer wanting to cancel. I had guessed correctly but listening to the voicemail I've never heard such a weird excuse for not being able to come and view the car...
'Hi its Beth, Sorry I cant come view the car this evening any more. I went to put the lunch on for my kids and the oven doesn't appear to be working, my friend is a plumber and said the thermostat has gone (didn't know plumbers repaired ovens), so I've got someone coming tonight to fix that for £90 so I can make sure I've got dinner on for the kids'
That was it, no can we re-arrange for another night or do it later after I've been to the chipshop. The strangest excuse I've ever heard in my life for anything. She clearly had been spooked by the no tax thing but made up some bizarre story to get out of it, probably the sort that would come up with every story under the sun to explain why she is 5 mins late for work.
In the end I listed it on Pistonheads, a guy emailed me said it was exactly what he was looking for would I take £2800 for it sight unseen. Same spec, colour, age millage as one he currently runs, but had unfortunately been rear ended and insurance had written his off and would only pay out an agreed value of £2000 which at that price point gets some very ropey ones, and he simply loved his and wanted a direct replacement.
Said he was from Southampton, I grew up there but live in Derby now, but I felt some compassion for him and he seemed genuine so I agreed to a sale. He traveled up on the train, I picked him up from the station, and he walked around the car at my house a quick inspection and paid the agreed price, took him to the post office to tax it and he was off with a tenners worth of diesel in it.
A year later I went to a reunion / 20 year anniversary party for a small business I worked at as a student and he turns up in the car I'd sold him. Turns out the following month after buying my car he started working there also, very surreal. He said he'd not spent a penny on the car other than fuel since buying it and bought me a couple of pints for selling him a looked after car.
I Had it listed on Autotrader for £3500 I wanted to achive about £3000 for it and had no end of s
t email offers and scams, offering me £2000- £2500 for it. I had at that point had it SORN'd because I'd picked up a replacement, and this was pre tax change rules where you could sell the car with tax on it. I had one woman arrange to come view it in a few days time liked my ad etc etc.
She calls the day before to say she'd noticed in the ad its SORNED, what does that mean? I explained its not taxed due to the other car, But I live in a very quiet rural area, I'll take her around the block for a test drive then down to the post office 1/2 a mile down the road if she wants to buy etc. She says yes that's ok not a problem see you tomorrow.
Viewing day arrives, set for 6.30pm that lovely summers evening after I finish work. I get a voicemail alert about 11am, I don't get the best reception indoors at work, so assume its the buyer wanting to cancel. I had guessed correctly but listening to the voicemail I've never heard such a weird excuse for not being able to come and view the car...
'Hi its Beth, Sorry I cant come view the car this evening any more. I went to put the lunch on for my kids and the oven doesn't appear to be working, my friend is a plumber and said the thermostat has gone (didn't know plumbers repaired ovens), so I've got someone coming tonight to fix that for £90 so I can make sure I've got dinner on for the kids'
That was it, no can we re-arrange for another night or do it later after I've been to the chipshop. The strangest excuse I've ever heard in my life for anything. She clearly had been spooked by the no tax thing but made up some bizarre story to get out of it, probably the sort that would come up with every story under the sun to explain why she is 5 mins late for work.
In the end I listed it on Pistonheads, a guy emailed me said it was exactly what he was looking for would I take £2800 for it sight unseen. Same spec, colour, age millage as one he currently runs, but had unfortunately been rear ended and insurance had written his off and would only pay out an agreed value of £2000 which at that price point gets some very ropey ones, and he simply loved his and wanted a direct replacement.
Said he was from Southampton, I grew up there but live in Derby now, but I felt some compassion for him and he seemed genuine so I agreed to a sale. He traveled up on the train, I picked him up from the station, and he walked around the car at my house a quick inspection and paid the agreed price, took him to the post office to tax it and he was off with a tenners worth of diesel in it.
A year later I went to a reunion / 20 year anniversary party for a small business I worked at as a student and he turns up in the car I'd sold him. Turns out the following month after buying my car he started working there also, very surreal. He said he'd not spent a penny on the car other than fuel since buying it and bought me a couple of pints for selling him a looked after car.
Few spectacular ones over the years. outside of the best price bruv brigade.
- Honda CBR 125. For sale at £800. Cheapest one out there as it was very high mileage. battered and had been down the road on its side. Still road very well though.
Large lad and his larger dad turned up in a Vauxhall Zafiera complete with ropy wooden box trailer. With no ramp and high sides. Both looked inbred and i don't think they had a brain cell between them.
After paying up with a fistful of the filthiest notes you had ever seen, and then struggling to complete the paperwork... The lad and his dad descided that the only way to get the bike in the trailer was to lift it in. the attempted lift resulted in the bike getting to about 5ft in the air and was then dropped. hitting the trailer on the way down. Bent pegs and decidedly worse bodywork than 5 minuets prior.
They tried again, this time getting further but dropping the bike in the trailer. The high side of the trailer wedging between the front wheel and radiator. Putting a rather large hole through the rad.
A Mc Donalds ensued rage flowed. Flinging the bike from the side of the trailer it landed perfectly square in the middle of the trailer. On its side. Cracking the engine casing.
I was glad when they left, and even happier no to hear from them again.
- Honda CBR 125. For sale at £800. Cheapest one out there as it was very high mileage. battered and had been down the road on its side. Still road very well though.
Large lad and his larger dad turned up in a Vauxhall Zafiera complete with ropy wooden box trailer. With no ramp and high sides. Both looked inbred and i don't think they had a brain cell between them.
After paying up with a fistful of the filthiest notes you had ever seen, and then struggling to complete the paperwork... The lad and his dad descided that the only way to get the bike in the trailer was to lift it in. the attempted lift resulted in the bike getting to about 5ft in the air and was then dropped. hitting the trailer on the way down. Bent pegs and decidedly worse bodywork than 5 minuets prior.
They tried again, this time getting further but dropping the bike in the trailer. The high side of the trailer wedging between the front wheel and radiator. Putting a rather large hole through the rad.
A Mc Donalds ensued rage flowed. Flinging the bike from the side of the trailer it landed perfectly square in the middle of the trailer. On its side. Cracking the engine casing.
I was glad when they left, and even happier no to hear from them again.
Ah yes, the couple with a baby who turned up. She rode the clutch on a 3mile test drive saying 'I'm not used to a manual'. I gritted my teeth but in conversation it turns out they love their Citroen but their main dealer couldn't diagnose a niggling issue. I explained my mate is a main dealer master mechanic trouble shooter who works in his own time after work who could sort it.
Anyway back outside my house he jumped in and did the 3rd gear clutch test.
I was appalled. He then said 'look we are seeing an older/higher mileage model we'll get back to you'.
I made my mind up NOT to let them come back. Fullstop. I actually liked the car.
Anyway next day I had repeated calls and messages, one said 'we aren't buying either but could we have your mates number'.
I ignored the calls.
It's the one car that I really regret selling. A 07 Citroen Xsara Picasso (I've owned 3 Subaru's too..)
Anyway back outside my house he jumped in and did the 3rd gear clutch test.
I was appalled. He then said 'look we are seeing an older/higher mileage model we'll get back to you'.
I made my mind up NOT to let them come back. Fullstop. I actually liked the car.
Anyway next day I had repeated calls and messages, one said 'we aren't buying either but could we have your mates number'.
I ignored the calls.
It's the one car that I really regret selling. A 07 Citroen Xsara Picasso (I've owned 3 Subaru's too..)
mikecassie said:
I've had similar when selling a car a few years ago. Dealer chap phones up, we agree price etc over the phone, he says his brother will fly up to collect car. I agree to meet brother at the airport and take him to the bank to perform the bank transfer of the cash.
While we wait at the bank for it to open, his brother and his mate who had accompanied him start trying to haggle me down and get a full tank of fuel out of me. After a couple firm "no the price is agreed with your brother", I kindly remind him how much a taxi to the airport and flight home will cost because if he doesn't stop his crap that's what he'll be needing.
The remainder of the transaction went ahead smoothly if with a chillier atmosphere. I got dropped off at the car rental place and guided them to the nearest fuel station 200yds up the road.
Not sure if they thought 2 lads would intimidate me into dropping their price a bit more, but they had never met a scotsman before ??
If they get £50 for fuel then that is effectively and extra £50 beer money for them just to do their job.While we wait at the bank for it to open, his brother and his mate who had accompanied him start trying to haggle me down and get a full tank of fuel out of me. After a couple firm "no the price is agreed with your brother", I kindly remind him how much a taxi to the airport and flight home will cost because if he doesn't stop his crap that's what he'll be needing.
The remainder of the transaction went ahead smoothly if with a chillier atmosphere. I got dropped off at the car rental place and guided them to the nearest fuel station 200yds up the road.
Not sure if they thought 2 lads would intimidate me into dropping their price a bit more, but they had never met a scotsman before ??
V8 FOU said:
Bought a Lotus Excel from Alun White, Morgan and Lotus specialists nr Milton Keynes. Treated me so well. Which, considering it was an MoT failure/trade sale was amazing. Made for a really enjoyable day.
.
Can quite agree about Allon White, the whole setup there is top notch..
Very entertaining thread by the way-spent an amused ten minutes reading through all the stories! I've nothing much to offer unfortunately apart from a girl I sold my mint Puma to some years ago-phoned me up four days later demanding I give her some money back because "Kwik-Fit" had told her it needed a new catalyst...
I politely declined her offer-never did hear from her again.
Edited by itcaptainslow on Monday 21st November 19:22
A couple of years back I was selling my daily K11 Micra which was in really nice condition for £1000 priced good so it would move, I got a phone call the chap seemed very nice so he appeared with his Dad, looks over the car asks some questions and then it comes...I'd like to pay less than £1000 for it I instantly say no, we then spend about 5mins looking at the car he clearly wants it so I just wait saying nothing and neither does he, by this time his Dad is looking a bit bored so I say to him tell him its a £1000 and I'll throw in an air filter and a set of plugs for it for free...that sealed the deal for £1000.
I liked this one the best...another daily I had was a 1.9D Skoda Felicia which had a big dent in the driver's door it probably needed a new one, anyway I put it up for sale for £1500 and quickly got a call from a guy wanting it for his wife, he arrived with her and she was not impressed when she saw it but the guy was keen so off we go for a test drive and he's telling me I'am not bothered what it looks like I won't be driving it, we get back and he goes over to speak to her and you can tell the conversation was not going well he comes back over to me with a grin on his face and hands over £1500 for the car, she is standing with a face like thunder...she'll get used to it he says.
Selling cars privately is brilliant it's really entertaining.
I liked this one the best...another daily I had was a 1.9D Skoda Felicia which had a big dent in the driver's door it probably needed a new one, anyway I put it up for sale for £1500 and quickly got a call from a guy wanting it for his wife, he arrived with her and she was not impressed when she saw it but the guy was keen so off we go for a test drive and he's telling me I'am not bothered what it looks like I won't be driving it, we get back and he goes over to speak to her and you can tell the conversation was not going well he comes back over to me with a grin on his face and hands over £1500 for the car, she is standing with a face like thunder...she'll get used to it he says.
Selling cars privately is brilliant it's really entertaining.
hora said:
Anyway back outside my house he jumped in and did the 3rd gear clutch test.
I was appalled.
Isn't it great how some people think its OK to treat someone else's property like that ? ... its right up there with revving the absolute nuts off the engine when stone cold .. and taking the oil filler cap off with the engine running and letting oil splash about everywhere.I was appalled.
Had a girl look at one car I had for sale .. she absolutely smashed it into reverse - twice, causing it to stall instantly .. she was about to do it a third time when I asked her whether her foot was actually on the clutch or brake ....
Any others like that anyone has had ?
Lozrington said:
hora said:
I turned up with £30 short. The buyer said NO. We ended up driving to the nearest cashpoint for the £30. I'd bloody spent it on to way that day.
...and that was a surprise to you?
Just to prove it's not all bad.
I once rescued an old xjs cab from a ladies drive where it had sat for many years.
I spent the winter tinkering with it and having the bodywork fixed. It looked lovely when it was done. (This is before they were stupid money)
I had a lovely summer crusing about in it then in September time I listed for sale for a reasonable price.
After a few weeks of the usual time wasters and stupid offers I got an email form a guy asking if I would take 500 less unseen. I said no but we agreed on a 200 discount. Then he says send me your bank details and I'll transfer the cash I'll have the car collected by my agent next week as I live in Oz.
No the alarm bells were ringing but there were lots of emails and he seems genuine so I gave him some details that he could not no wrong with and waited.
Next day as promised cash is in the account.
The next week the agent comes with a big transporter he picked over the car detailing every little thing on his note pad. Then just as I was getting concerned that he might start asking for some cash back he said "fine mate" jumped in and drove off.
Turns out he was a dealer and sold it for 10x what he paid hear. Even said if I find any more let him no.
I once rescued an old xjs cab from a ladies drive where it had sat for many years.
I spent the winter tinkering with it and having the bodywork fixed. It looked lovely when it was done. (This is before they were stupid money)
I had a lovely summer crusing about in it then in September time I listed for sale for a reasonable price.
After a few weeks of the usual time wasters and stupid offers I got an email form a guy asking if I would take 500 less unseen. I said no but we agreed on a 200 discount. Then he says send me your bank details and I'll transfer the cash I'll have the car collected by my agent next week as I live in Oz.
No the alarm bells were ringing but there were lots of emails and he seems genuine so I gave him some details that he could not no wrong with and waited.
Next day as promised cash is in the account.
The next week the agent comes with a big transporter he picked over the car detailing every little thing on his note pad. Then just as I was getting concerned that he might start asking for some cash back he said "fine mate" jumped in and drove off.
Turns out he was a dealer and sold it for 10x what he paid hear. Even said if I find any more let him no.
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