Oh the joys of selling a car ! whats the best replies ?

[Gallen]

Ive sold lots of cars and have encountered plenty of pricks.

This is one of the things that sticks in my memory:

I advertised my 911 RS Lightweight replica (reg HLH875T) circa 1999. I purposely stuck it in Autotrader for the Easter weekend (days before eBay or me being on Pistonheads)- great Easter was a time to sell such a car.

A guy comes from a place called Lavenheath, near Colchester Essex.
He views the car, test drives it and we make a deal. He places a deposit on it and arranges to collect the following weekend. He also says that as he's now bought it, he doesn't want it used. I have another car so agree.

Of course I now tell people who enquire that its sold.

A week goes by. He delays on collecting (Sign 1) but promises to come during the week. Doesnt turn up (sign 2). Next thing, he phones and says he's found one cheaper and wants his deposit back. Needless to say he didnt get it. .

If you are reading this, you did cost me a hell of a lot of money and yes I still think you are an absolute wker.

[steve_bmw]

sold lots of cars in the past ane met some real D I C K H E A D S!

the usual favorite is:

him: i have seen others that are £1000 cheaper
me: why didnt you buy that one then? if its as good as mine its a bargain.
him: it was very rough.
me: so you want me to drop the price of my good car to the same price as a stter?
him: yes
me: jog on pal, then i walk off, bloke follows me, and says he will pay full asking price, cheeky git!

[Darren156]

Touch wood, I've always got on okay with selling cars, although one viewing did make me chuckle.

A woman called up about a Ford Probe V6 I was selling and said she wanted to view the car and make an offer. I had already promised another chap he could have it for £800 at the end of the month, but thought I might as well let her view it anyway, just incase this chap never showed.

So the bird travels 200 miles to view it, takes one look at it, turns to her husband and says 'No', then gets back into their car! Hahaha! He turns to me and I go 'No?' and he goes 'No.' Then he gets into their car and they drive off.

Then a week later the chap I'd promised it to showed up with the cash, got in it and drove off with a big grin on his face.

Some peoples expectations of old cars is just too much I reckon.

[Lordbenny]

I sold my mad 400bhp WRC replica Ford Focus to a guy who flew over from Denmark after seeing it in PH classifieds. (I was trying to sell it for 8 months!) I picked him up from Gatwick and he handed me £10,500 of brand new £20 notes. He had never driven a right hooker before so didnt get a test drive! Needless to say he hit a kerb on the way home, had 2 hours in customs getting in into Denmark and then couldn't register it in Denmark because it was too modified. I think its back in the UK now! A bit off topic but my best selling story!

[pilotea]

Fox- said:

Then you'd hang up on me - because why would I travel 300 miles to see your car only for you to turn out to be one of those chaps who wont budge on price?

With certain cars people are prepared to travel a long way - its only right they'd try to make certain they'd buy the car before they embark on the considerable expense of travel.

Thats why I always sell cars way below actual value, then I dont need haggling with people and usually they move pretty fast. Time is valuable so why spend 5 days with numerous people haggling to gain 2-300 pound more.

have a look at my advert for the C230K at 999, you cant even buy the engine with kompressor on ebay for that, and the car is in a perfect working order and priced way below value, anyone?

[S3000]

i was selling my VW passat few years ago, to make room for my new car.

He: "Saw your car, i will buy for 12000."
Me: "No, because for that money i could trade in,12500 and not below."
He: "Ok 12500,i will call you tomorrow."

Next day:
He: "Ok 12500 im coming with my father to get the car.We have to organize the plates.

• sounded very serious.*

We have a deal."

Never heard from that idiot again.

[ensignia]

Right this is a long rant as I'm getting massively pissed off now with fking timewasters.

Some ponce just came to see my RX-8 ( http://pistonheads.com/sales/2675992.htm) and we kind of agreed a price of £4,000 on the phone. As soon as he got here with his mates he was squealing and screeching that the car had scratches and damage "ON EVERY SINGLE PANEL DUDE". This is a massive exaggeration, but that's not to say the car is in perfect condition. He was prancng about huffing and puffing about the most minor scratches he could find. I told him it was a seven year old car, and if he's looking for a mint, low mileage RX-8 why is he looking at the bottom end of the market? His reply was: "£4k is my max budget dude". I simply told him that if he was to find an immaculate Strato Blue RX-8 with less than 45k he'd need to up his budget. He then spouted the usual ste most buyers do, I've seen one for £3,500. Why don't you fking buy it then instead of wasting my time you massive, unmitigated stgibbon?!

I said to him my RX-8 may not be cosmetically 100% but it was mechanically perfect. His astonishing reply: "I'd much rather it looked 100% than drove 100%". His mate then tried starting it with his foot on the accelerator and then wondered why it didn't start. The rotary engine will cut the fuel pump if the accelerator is pressed. His fking mate was a codpiece too, claiming that the damage would cost £1,000 to repair and that the RX-8 will be worth £1,500 next year. This magnificent pair of s then scrutinised every document and asked a variety of spasticated questions.

He then proceeded to drive it badly, swerving all over the bd place and complaining that the brakes were "hollow". At this point I was ready to tt him and his two mates. All the time he kept saying "I'm so disappointed with the condition of the car blah blah" and then made me an offer of £3,500 which he later retracted anyway. I tried to re-iterate that mechanically it was perfect and that he didn't need to worry about low engine compression and this fking tart said he was more concerned with how it looked.

I honestly hope this prick buys a mint looking RX-8 with low compression so he has to fork out £3k for a rebuild. Oh well, at least it'll look lovely and nice won't it you fking alien raper.

fking massive has pissed me right off, I know the Mazda RX-8 is a stty car to sell, but fk me it's proving impossible at the moment. Mazda RX-8 fk off.

Edited by ensignia on Friday 1st April 19:17

Edited by ensignia on Friday 1st April 19:23

[MoonMonkey]

S3000 said:

Never heard from that idiot again.

Maybe the bloke and his Dad were killed in a horrific fireball of an accident on their way to buy your car..

[SLacKer]

Two recent experiences

Had a C32 AMG up for sale late last year. Got a call within a day of the PH ad going live lad came from London with his brother and loved the car and haggled it a bit and I came down a bit but he wanted it for less so I said fairwell and got a call a few hours later agreeing the price I settled on. He picked it up a few days later and we went to the bank with the cash and all was well. Guy drove the car off with a smile on his face and I had the best selling experience ever.

Tried it just before XMAS with the SLK32 AMG and got a guy interested who viewed the car and tried to get me to drop a fair amount but I stood my ground. Anyhow after spending weeks phoning me on and off he finally decided it was worth the money and said he would be round to pay the deposit but he never showed (I think he called on that one). Then said he would be round to pay and collect for which I rearranged a few things and spent most of the day waiting around for him but he never showed and never answered his mobile. About 6 days later rings me as if nothing has happened and I told him I wasn't interested in having my time wasted again and for him not to call back. He did call back a few times and I got a little annoyed and said he should not ring back - or words to that effect . I had also put the car through an MOT 3 months early as he wanted the assurance of an MOT (hoping I guess to find something to haggle on).

A few hours later I get a call from another chap who was looking for a third car to play around in and he came over with his mate and checked the car over and he liked it and I drove the car on a test drive and all was well. He haggled and I dropped the price a bit he then started ringing someone and walked away although I could hear him talking as if he was explaining to someone that if they wanted it it would cost them £xxxxx. So in the end after more fruitless haggling he left with a promise to call me within the hour which of course he didn't. Then he calls 2 days later saying he had seen a few others (there are only about 3 others for sale) and he didn't like them and they weren't as nice as mine etc. so can we have a deal and I said yes for £xxxxx he would not go to that so after a while I ended the call and he called back and left a mildly abusive message with some vague threat. I never take threats lightly so I pulled the CCTV footage of him and his mate and also informed the local security people and have fast response and finally reported it to the police (I don't really expect them to send the flying squad round as I am sure they have better things to do). Never heard anything from it or him since.

Having given it a few months I have decided to try 1 more time to sell it. If it doesn't go I will keep it for good.

[Morningside]

I hate buying and selling cars.


TVR - Some chap came to look at it and then took a test drive and I in his. Looked at it, drove it and he then said that he would go and think about it. A day later he told me he did not like the colour. Fair enough I thought, but..he also let slip that in the last 6 months that he had driven a Lotus, Porsche, Subaru and other 'exotic' machines. I come to the conclusion that he was really using his own car to get free test drives.
Would I like to swap it for a Nova was the best one. Its worth £25K I was told.
Finally it turns out according to one company that the cars mileage was incorrect but another said it was fine

Pajero - Bloke turns up, revs the guts out of it on startup. He paid me but did not even really look at it.
Two weeks later the Police turn up. 1) It was dumped on the A12. 2) It may have been used in a ram raid.
the address he had scribbled onto the form was false hence checking up on me.
A few weeks after that I get a fine from the DVLA about not changing it over.

Espace - Even that was painful. First chap that phoned up was drunk and kept knocking the price down and down and even TELLING me what I should sell it for.


Buying is also a pain.

Ambulance - Attempting to buy this was the biggest balls up ever! Chap was moving back to NZ and this was at a shipping company. Yes, yes I know! But it was infact very TRUE. So I was asked to meet his friend at the shipping agency (North London) and pay off what was owing and they will then release the van. I checked with the company and yes, it was true.
Anyhow, the time and date were arranged and I turn up and wait out the front for the other chap. For some reason (and glad I did) we drove round the back to have quick peek.
There is stood. 2 flat tyres. Massive body rippling down both flanks. Both side alleyway lights smashed.
It turned out that the pictures on eBay were from when he PURCHASED it, not selling it.
Glad I walked away from that, otherwise it would have been £2000 down the drain.
And he even threatened to sue me due to breach of contract.

[Marcus R]

A fairly large chap drove 130miles to view my Z4 only to attempt to sit in it and find he couldn't fit!

It didn't bother me as i eventually sold the car for £100 more than the asking price. But why not sit in a local one before travelling that distance!? Beggars belief.

[otherman]

MoonMonkey said:

Maybe the bloke and his Dad were killed in a horrific fireball of an accident on their way to buy your car..

That happens a lot you know

[texasjohn]

ensignia said:

Right this is a long rant as I'm getting massively pissed off now with fking timewasters.

That was a good rant, the terms alien raper and codpiece resulted a wry chuckle.

[carreauchompeur]

I'm starting to get real rage selling my A8. I know it's not the most desirable car in an era of high petrol prices but it's reasonably priced and clearly mint, with a major service 4000 miles ago.

It's been on eBay twice now- The first time with a couple of half-arsed and derisory offers, the second time for a reasonable price but the buyer had to pull out.

I've now had a further enquiry from PistonHeads asking why it's been on eBay unsold.

Any idea how to deal with the whole re-listing malarkey? After a couple of "goes" it starts to look a bit dodgy, or "left on the shelf"...

[texasjohn]

carreauchompeur said:

I'm starting to get real rage selling my A8. I know it's not the most desirable car in an era of high petrol prices but it's reasonably priced and clearly mint, with a major service 4000 miles ago.

It's been on eBay twice now- The first time with a couple of half-arsed and derisory offers, the second time for a reasonable price but the buyer had to pull out.

I've now had a further enquiry from PistonHeads asking why it's been on eBay unsold.

Any idea how to deal with the whole re-listing malarkey? After a couple of "goes" it starts to look a bit dodgy, or "left on the shelf"...

I'd reply totally honestly, i.e.

"It's been on eBay twice now- The first time with a couple of half-arsed and derisory offers, the second time for a reasonable price but the buyer had to pull out."

The above comment sounded genuine to me!

[carreauchompeur]

texasjohn said:

I'd reply totally honestly, i.e.

"It's been on eBay twice now- The first time with a couple of half-arsed and derisory offers, the second time for a reasonable price but the buyer had to pull out."

The above comment sounded genuine to me!

Thanks- It does sound the way to go. Will probably re-list at the weekend.

[oldcynic]

ensignia said:

A serious rant

Sounds like your week is going as badly as mine! I'd buy your car if I had any money - the wife wants one - but I'm broke and have just been hit with a £1600 bill to get our MPV going again.

Exactly why she wants an RX-8 when she drives 5 children to school & back I'm not sure - I think she's dreaming of another life. I can see where she's coming from.

[MrLou]

texasjohn said:

That was a good rant, the terms alien raper and codpiece resulted a wry chuckle.

stgibbon.

Excellent work sir.

[R60EST]

Some very amusing stories on here and lots ring true from my own experiences. As a family we have always had two cars at any one time and my business requires I own a van too, I also have a passing interest in motorbikes. I like to swap either of the cars / bikes every 6 months or so and the van as and when required.

What I'm eluding to is that in my 26 years of vehicle ownership , typically having 4 or more vehicles per year pass through my hands I've been involved in well over 100 private and trade transactions and seen ( and occasionally tried ) every trick in the book.

On the whole I've found the process very entertaining and it has taught me a great deal on how to deal with the full spectrum of our society and the lessons learned have been carried forward to other aspects of my personal and business life.

I also see a lot of stereotypes being banded about and some certainly ring true , but in my recent experience I have been very pleasantly surprised by what some refer to as the "innit bruv" crowd.

I had my daughter's used and abused Polo for sale recently , I'd happily have taken £400 for it but had an offer of £550 unseen from a gentlemen on ebay called Azim. He lived over 200 miles away and knew the car had a faulty gearbox . I picked him up from my local train station , took him to the car , he had a quick look over it , handed over the full amount and after taking care of the paperwork drove it away . He was a very polite individual and there was never any mention of haggling . He left me with a grin on my face when he said " The Poles back home will fix it for peanuts " , proof stereotypes are alive and well right across the board.

My recent bargain barge was purchased via Pistonheads . I noted the seller's name and it was clear he was also Asian , or IC? or whatever the full PC terminology is these days. I emailed a firm offer 10% below the already reasonable asking price citing relatively short MOT / Tax as my reason for the low blow. The offer was accepted on the condition I didn't expect it for any less on viewing / collection.

I went to see the car and it was not at the sellers address but 200 yds away at a local hand wash / valeting place having a once over. The seller invited me into his home and his family made me most welcome with a Coffee and cakes. I read through the service history / document file and went back to the car when the valet was finished.

I was in no doubt the car was worth every penny , a short test drive confirmed this , the agreed amount changed hands and the seller even followed me home to deliver the car.

With a bit of common sense and courtesy buying and selling can be as hard or as easy as you want to make it

[MrLou]

R60EST said:

With a bit of common sense and courtesy buying and selling can be as hard or as easy as you want to make it

Two things that are sadly in decline.