Seriously. I understand why people trade in.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have sold all my cars privately yes you get the idiots but my attitude to those people is the same, come & view it then we can talk money until then there will be no negotiation, it seems to work for me.

[Northernchimp]

Toaster Pilot said:

I always wonder how successful the low ballers are - it only takes one or two and they're making good money selling those cars on they've bought for a pittance

Not at all surely. If you accepted their pathetic offers they wouldn't have the cash, I think that's the point. Making out like they're in the market for stuff they can't afford because it makes the feel important.

Most car auctions have a snaggle toothed, vest wearing, muscle bound knuckle head who puts the first bid in then bails out when the price approaches somewhere like what it might sell for.

I'm sure people go into jewellers stinking of st asking about watches they can't afford as well, they probably offer them half the ticket price as well because "golds abit cheaper than that now innit" or "my cousin can get that for half price bruv innit tho"

[NotReallyBored]

Such a shame. I'm in the market for a used car soon, seems though the private market has all but dried up. I've never bought from a dealer and sold privately myself, I can sympathise with those who chop in due to the enormous amount of 'tards that have called me in the past.

'What's your best price?'

[Major Fallout]

Best I have ever had was one nut job that came down took the car out for a drive, then decided he didn't want it because the seat belts weren't original!

fkING SEATBELTS!
It was a 1965 Mgb gt Sebring full bright blue harnesses, rally seats, stripped out, the lot. You could see that on the advert.
I'm surprised he didn't blame it on it being a car and not 10 sweaty otters.

[Chrisoldskool]

As previously stated i find it easy to distinguish the general time wasters from the serious buyers, most genuine buyers ask about the condition or service history type questions and dont even mention price until they have the answers to the questions us "normal" people ask, usually then followed by when can i view it.

One of the worst people I ever encountered was a local guy, came to view within a few of the ad being placed online had a look round the car, I did the test drive, got back home and he said "yeh everythings fine im happy with it ill pay the asking price"... I thought that was easy enough, told him id go and get the paperwork and exchannge funds only to be told.... "Ive just started a new job two days ago and dont get paid until 6 weeks time is that ok"...... Well ermm NO... Couldnt beleive it, I stated if its still for sale then yes but I wouldnt expect it to be

[750turbo]

budgie smuggler said:

bigkeeko said:

One total balloon (and I hope you`re reading this) rang up, then hung up. Then with held his number and rang again.

Nice rant, I've also never heard the word 'balloon' used as an insult before

Never been North of the border then, I give you, "Ya Tube"

(Balloon is mostly prefixed by fkin FYI)

[Pyrolysis]

I think I've been lucky really, I've sold all my cars privately and have never encountered a time waster or problem buyer! I advertise them, usually the first person to view has bought it there and then.
I did sell a car to my boss recently tho, which I wouldn't do again. Walked into work a few times with the old "mate, guess what's gone wrong with the car" ! So as I know the car inside out I tend to end up having to explain things about it etc.
A clean break is always better, this goes for both women and cars!!

[Mound Dawg]

In my previous job we advertised a couple of cars in one of the classic car mags with pictures.

First call on the Alfa Giulia Spider we had, I spent half an hour talking him through the history, what had been done to it etc. only for him to say "the problem is, it's white. I want a red one". Right.

Then on the Merc 108 we had up for 7995. "Will you take an offer?" May do, what figure do you have in mind "Five grand". That won't buy it. We sold it the week after into the trade for 7500.

These were apparently sensible, well spoken people too, not innits.

I blame "Old out yer and" Brewer for the way some people behave when they're buying things these days.

[dave_s13]

BaronVonV8 said:

If I was a serial killer then I would probably select my prey by advertising on Autotrader. Anyone calling me bruv or offering half the asking price will be invited to view the car, lured into the garage and bludgeoned to death with a copy of Parkers.

That right there is a fantastic premise for a slasher flick!

I actually enjoy selling my cars privately, the idiots are mostly amusing. You just have to bask in the knowledge that you are actually a superior being.

[Claudia Skies]

conkerman said:

Be willing and prepared to hang up mid stream of idiocy.

We currently have a spare car and i have no enthusiasm at all for selling it.

With that attitude, I'm not surprised!

Remember, the customer is always right.

One of my major rules of business is: "Even if the person you are negotiating with is an idiot, he will never thank you for pointing it out". And when you're selling, it really doesn't matter if the buyer is an idiot so long as he pays...

[Claudia Skies]

Chrisoldskool said:

As previously stated i find it easy to distinguish the general time wasters from the serious buyers, most genuine buyers ask about the condition or service history type questions and dont even mention price until they have the answers to the questions us "normal" people ask, usually then followed by when can i view it.

Totally agree. The potential time wasters don't usually get as far as my front door.

Over the years I have always sold cars privately and have always managed to get it done swiftly and efficiently. I might not get "top price" but I don't care - it's always well ahead of trade-in and well ahead of the WBAC bunch.

[Fartgalen]

It's a shame noone (hardly) is selling private these days. I've just spent a couple of weeks or so browsing on-line ads. (PH, AT, the bay). Ringing some. Emailing others. Some email gets answered. Some don't even answer the phone. But of the god knows how many cars I've checked out on-line - maybe 2 or 3 % were private sellers. I was looking for a car for my daughter. Along the lines of Punto, Fiesta. Max 3k ish. My god there is some st out there as well ! In the end got something we were both happy with at a small dealer. Good nick. Low miles. Good price.

[TankRizzo]

My old man put his old car up for sale on PH at 9pm on a Sunday. I did warn him what would happen. By 9:20 he had had three "what's your best price innit mate" strap-ons ring up, each offering 2-3k below asking (7k) "and I'll collect tomorrow yeah?".

I had the same with my VX220T, along with a chap who looked the car over thoroughly then produced all these printouts from Autotrader of cars with 20-30k more miles and lower specs in an attempt to get money off. Nutty.

[CraigJ]

Going through the same crap now with mine.

Advertised on here and Ebay. Getting the usual best price bud and silly low offers, 15k for a 20k car etc. Cant even be bothered to reply to them. just hitting delete.

Had 2 serious offers but confident I will get closer to my asking price if I wait a bit longer. Just have to sift through the morons and dreamers.

[kuro]

Its not just cars, no matter what you sell these days you can guarantee there will be a procession of shysters looking for 50% off your asking price!

[anonymous-user]

kuro said:

Its not just cars, no matter what you sell these days you can guarantee there will be a procession of shysters looking for 50% off your asking price!

Yup. Selling some forks I used to have on my mountain bike. Got one guy saying "what's your best price?" and another saying he wants them but can't pay until Saturday. The response to best price man was "make me an offer". I've not heard a thing since. Only worth about £70, so it's nothing compared to a car thankfully!

[Sump]

I filter out the bad people by telling them that someone is coming to view tonight or tomorrow and I will call them back. Never had any issues with my sales.

[BlackLabel]

That TT ad was fantastic!

SuperPav said:

Write an overly honest ad, and no problems.

All the cars I've sold have pretty much gone for full (or near) asking price to the first buyer to view. I only list them on a number of forums usually, although when I put one up on ebay it was similar!

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/176009/1995...

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/175891/1999...



Mind you, for something higher value, 2 weeks ago I sold my 2010 Prius to WeWantAnyCar.com - delightful transaction and they gave me the same amount I'd paid for it 1.5 years previously at a dealer (when it was 20k miles fresher!). I could've got more out of a Private Sale (still don't know how that car has appreciated in 18 months?!) but it was such a hassle-free transaction, it was worth it. Plus it meant I didn't have to get any small dents sorted etc.


As for phones.. I spend most of my day in meetings in an office - PM's and texts/emails are far more preferable for me. Also a good way to screen, if people start being ridiculous that early on...

[Turkish91]

I reckon the next one to really offend me with a ridiculous offer is getting "Yeah mate sure, I'll take that for the car... Here's my address" and then promptly send them roaming around Wood End in Coventry or another delightful area that the Midlands has to offer us.

[Tuvra]

Serious amount of car for the cash there