The catastrophic car-buying time-waster rant thread
Discussion
Car goes up on a few sites/forums (shed price bracket)
Unfortunately, have to leave the country for a couple of weeks for work so the first few bites lose interest and/or buy something else in the mean time, except one guy who is happy to wait and stays in touch by text while I'm away asking various questions about the car and seems keen to buy.
He's even prepared to travel by train the 300 odd miles across the country!
We eventually agree a price (subject to test drive and as described etc) and a time and place to meet.
I offer to drive to the next big town towards him 45mins out of my way to save time for him (public transport where I am is not as frequent).
Two days off the meet day, I start to feel a little pestered with texts and calls. He keeps trying to get me to meet him earlier and earlier, he's now rented a car for the journey instead of the train and is bringing girlfriend and dog.
The rental car has to be back by 12 otherwise he gets charged an extra day etc. this was our original meet up time, and the reason he wants to meet earlier so he can have more time to decide in the car.
None of this I give a damn about but the bombardment of reasoning and information continues.
From an early stage, I said that I couldn't possibly meet him any earlier than 12 due to genuine family commitments but I would do my best to get there as early as possible.
As expected from 9.18am the texts start coming....where are you, what time will you be here etc.
When I arrived at 11.38 he wasn't even there! A few minutes later he casually shows up and starts poking around.
At 12.09 he says that he's not going to take the car because he hasn't had proper time to look around it.!
Now at this stage my (very pregnant) wife has turned up to pick me up but it looks like a completely wasted trip for her and me. Petrol and a hour thirty round trip for two cars.
So I went for bust... I came down in price and we shook hands on the measly £630.
Then he asked to see the mot. He seems surprised to read that it would be due in June next year even though it was in the ad, and he had asked me about it before, but on that basis he then backed out!
This is a guy that had rented a car and done a 600 odd mile round trip after waiting two weeks to see a car for small money!
Unfortunately, it's me who feels like the biggest dcikhead.
So what changers have you?
Unfortunately, have to leave the country for a couple of weeks for work so the first few bites lose interest and/or buy something else in the mean time, except one guy who is happy to wait and stays in touch by text while I'm away asking various questions about the car and seems keen to buy.
He's even prepared to travel by train the 300 odd miles across the country!
We eventually agree a price (subject to test drive and as described etc) and a time and place to meet.
I offer to drive to the next big town towards him 45mins out of my way to save time for him (public transport where I am is not as frequent).
Two days off the meet day, I start to feel a little pestered with texts and calls. He keeps trying to get me to meet him earlier and earlier, he's now rented a car for the journey instead of the train and is bringing girlfriend and dog.
The rental car has to be back by 12 otherwise he gets charged an extra day etc. this was our original meet up time, and the reason he wants to meet earlier so he can have more time to decide in the car.
None of this I give a damn about but the bombardment of reasoning and information continues.
From an early stage, I said that I couldn't possibly meet him any earlier than 12 due to genuine family commitments but I would do my best to get there as early as possible.
As expected from 9.18am the texts start coming....where are you, what time will you be here etc.
When I arrived at 11.38 he wasn't even there! A few minutes later he casually shows up and starts poking around.
At 12.09 he says that he's not going to take the car because he hasn't had proper time to look around it.!
Now at this stage my (very pregnant) wife has turned up to pick me up but it looks like a completely wasted trip for her and me. Petrol and a hour thirty round trip for two cars.
So I went for bust... I came down in price and we shook hands on the measly £630.
Then he asked to see the mot. He seems surprised to read that it would be due in June next year even though it was in the ad, and he had asked me about it before, but on that basis he then backed out!
This is a guy that had rented a car and done a 600 odd mile round trip after waiting two weeks to see a car for small money!
Unfortunately, it's me who feels like the biggest dcikhead.
So what changers have you?
Sorry OP, I don't get what makes him a time-waster at all, unless you use that lame definition of time-waster as "anyone who doesn't buy my old shed".
He asked questions, he stayed in touch, he turned up, he didn't like it and said no. He's invested way more than you in the deal and it's not for him to justify his decision not to buy.
He asked questions, he stayed in touch, he turned up, he didn't like it and said no. He's invested way more than you in the deal and it's not for him to justify his decision not to buy.
Please don't get me wrong, if he didn't like the car, or there was something wrong with the car then I would have accepted it, fair enough. It doesn't make him a time waster.
His only reasoning for not buying the car in his own words after I asked him 'why aren't you taking the car? Is there something wrong?" Was , I just haven't had time to look at it properly.
I said that I was happy to wait until he was satisfied one way or the other, but he didn't want to wait in case he got stranded, or whatever.
Obviously this is all my opinion etc. but HE was the one who made the time of 12. If he had said a later time it actually would have been easier for all concerned. When he left early that morning, he knew that time was going to be tight! He knew that I couldn't get there till 12.
This lack of time, seemed to be the only factor of his decision, he could have taken it for a drive but didn't, he could have had a proper chat about the history but didn't. Throughout the whole thing he was most concerned with was the deposit on his rental car. Even when we parted ways he said" sorry for messing you about".
But you're right, I did waste his time, because he did come all that way and didn't buy the car. Like I said, bigger fool me
His only reasoning for not buying the car in his own words after I asked him 'why aren't you taking the car? Is there something wrong?" Was , I just haven't had time to look at it properly.
I said that I was happy to wait until he was satisfied one way or the other, but he didn't want to wait in case he got stranded, or whatever.
Obviously this is all my opinion etc. but HE was the one who made the time of 12. If he had said a later time it actually would have been easier for all concerned. When he left early that morning, he knew that time was going to be tight! He knew that I couldn't get there till 12.
This lack of time, seemed to be the only factor of his decision, he could have taken it for a drive but didn't, he could have had a proper chat about the history but didn't. Throughout the whole thing he was most concerned with was the deposit on his rental car. Even when we parted ways he said" sorry for messing you about".
But you're right, I did waste his time, because he did come all that way and didn't buy the car. Like I said, bigger fool me
Edited by Mcbeth on Tuesday 5th November 11:03
sc0tt said:
He doesn't seem like a time waster to be honest.
He just obviously didn't like the car. A time waster wouldn't have shown up.
He probably thinks you are a timewaster.
@Sc0tt...Explain that last sentence to me please? He just obviously didn't like the car. A time waster wouldn't have shown up.
He probably thinks you are a timewaster.
OP I have a friend just like the guy who came to see your car, he is really weird and particular with how he does things and no amount of reasoning or sense can persuade him to change how he does things.
It's very frustrating for the rest of us who are friends with him, but we have just come to accept that's just him.
I would just count to ten and chalk it up to experience.....whilst the guy definitely strikes me as odd, he could have had a gut feeling about the car and unlike you he doesn't know how good the car is so probably just decided to back out.
It will sell.....just be patient
OP you are too nice, if someone is interested in the car, tell them where suits you to view and arrange a time, job done, I'd never drive 45 mins to suit them
If they are 30 mins late I ring them, if they are a bit longer I get on with what I was doing as I am at home.
Don't get me wrong there are genuine buyers out there, but too many time wasters hence, I try and be firm but polite.
If they are 30 mins late I ring them, if they are a bit longer I get on with what I was doing as I am at home.
Don't get me wrong there are genuine buyers out there, but too many time wasters hence, I try and be firm but polite.
backwoodsman said:
doogz said:
Really?
The guy reads the ad, speaks to the seller for weeks, views the car, shakes on a deal, the backs out because there's only 8 months on the MOT, which he already knew, and the seller is the time waster?!
This.The guy reads the ad, speaks to the seller for weeks, views the car, shakes on a deal, the backs out because there's only 8 months on the MOT, which he already knew, and the seller is the time waster?!
The buyer was a first rate tard.
Emeritus said:
@Sc0tt...Explain that last sentence to me please?
OP I have a friend just like the guy who came to see your car, he is really weird and particular with how he does things and no amount of reasoning or sense can persuade him to change how he does things.
It's very frustrating for the rest of us who are friends with him, but we have just come to accept that's just him.
I would just count to ten and chalk it up to experience.....whilst the guy definitely strikes me as odd, he could have had a gut feeling about the car and unlike you he doesn't know how good the car is so probably just decided to back out.
It will sell.....just be patient
100% what I'm aiming for OP I have a friend just like the guy who came to see your car, he is really weird and particular with how he does things and no amount of reasoning or sense can persuade him to change how he does things.
It's very frustrating for the rest of us who are friends with him, but we have just come to accept that's just him.
I would just count to ten and chalk it up to experience.....whilst the guy definitely strikes me as odd, he could have had a gut feeling about the car and unlike you he doesn't know how good the car is so probably just decided to back out.
It will sell.....just be patient
Mcbeth said:
as we parted ways he mumbled " sorry for messing you around."
Didn't mention that originally ?Unfortunately the frustrations of selling a car privately.
I simply won't go out of my way to let someone view.
Only at a time that I'm going to be home anyway. I've NEVER take a car to anyone.
If it takes longer to sell then fine by me. The annoyance felt when people don't turn up really gets to me.
What a numpty.
I don't get all this business of pandering to the buyers every need, yes I am aware that will likely see a million quotes of "its a buyers market the seller must bend over backward".
For me agreeing to meet the potential buyer at a local train station or bus stop is a very nice gesture and I don't by any means expect that sort of treatment from any seller.
Perhaps I'm too out of touch but I would feel a complete dick if I behaved like the buyer did toward the OP and would have at least offered to cover some travel expenses.
I don't get all this business of pandering to the buyers every need, yes I am aware that will likely see a million quotes of "its a buyers market the seller must bend over backward".
For me agreeing to meet the potential buyer at a local train station or bus stop is a very nice gesture and I don't by any means expect that sort of treatment from any seller.
Perhaps I'm too out of touch but I would feel a complete dick if I behaved like the buyer did toward the OP and would have at least offered to cover some travel expenses.
TwistingMyMelon said:
OP you are too nice, if someone is interested in the car, tell them where suits you to view and arrange a time, job done, I'd never drive 45 mins to suit them
If they are 30 mins late I ring them, if they are a bit longer I get on with what I was doing as I am at home.
Don't get me wrong there are genuine buyers out there, but too many time wasters hence, I try and be firm but polite.
This. No way would I waste the time the OP has. If they are 30 mins late I ring them, if they are a bit longer I get on with what I was doing as I am at home.
Don't get me wrong there are genuine buyers out there, but too many time wasters hence, I try and be firm but polite.
^ What they said.
I won't travel to meet a potential buyer, too many no show-ers and tyre kickers out there.
If they are interested, they will find a way to get to you.
If the buyer is on public transport, then I'd have no problems picking them up from the local station. They can ring me when they arrive. Other than that, no travelling.
I won't travel to meet a potential buyer, too many no show-ers and tyre kickers out there.
If they are interested, they will find a way to get to you.
If the buyer is on public transport, then I'd have no problems picking them up from the local station. They can ring me when they arrive. Other than that, no travelling.
Vee said:
Mcbeth said:
as we parted ways he mumbled " sorry for messing you around."
Didn't mention that originally ?Unfortunately the frustrations of selling a car privately.
I simply won't go out of my way to let someone view.
Only at a time that I'm going to be home anyway. I've NEVER take a car to anyone.
If it takes longer to sell then fine by me. The annoyance felt when people don't turn up really gets to me.
By putting yourself out and travelling part way to meet has reduced your bargaining power and psychologically made the potential purchaser think you are more desperate to sell.
People will always travel if they are genuinely interested in buying.
First lesson, don't put something up for sale and then bugger off abroad for weeks regardless of the reasons. Buyers can actualy be impulsive and having to wait weeks will dull that and most lose interest. Or those that wait for it to became available seem to have a habit of over inflating what they think they are going to see.
Second, let the buyers come to you and don't change any pre planned events to suit them. If they want it they will travel and there's also the well we've come all this way mentality.
Second, let the buyers come to you and don't change any pre planned events to suit them. If they want it they will travel and there's also the well we've come all this way mentality.
Vocal Minority said:
Last time I sold the car privately, everytime I waited for someone at home they didn;t show.
Picked up eventual purcahser from station, they testdrove back to my place, did the papaer work there, took car home.
Job jobbed.
I done the same meeting buyers at airports who had flown over from England.Picked up eventual purcahser from station, they testdrove back to my place, did the papaer work there, took car home.
Job jobbed.
I did laugh at one chap buying my M3 complaining about stone chips which were detailed on the advert and tried to knock down our already agreed price. He quickly changed his tune when I told him to run back into Dublin airport and speak to easyjet as I'm going home.
I really don't think either of them did anything wrong.
Thing is, when people decide not to buy a car, they don't always tell the truth about why not. He may well have said it was the MOT, but the real reason might be quite different.
Most of us by a car on the basis of a bit of knowledge and a lot of instinct. I've walked away from cars because there's just something about it that doesn't smell right - about the car, or the deal, or the vendor. I can't always find a concrete reason for my doubt, but that doesn't mean I don't walk away. But I'm damned if I'm going to tell a vendor I'm walking away because I don't trust him, or that I think it's a duffer. I'll say something else, like....."the MOT's too short," or "I want an automatic after all." Or something bland like that which he can't argue about when my minds made up. Or get offended about.
So OP, you may feel pissed off because the buyer walked away for a reason you don't think stacks up. But he may have walked away for an entirely different reason, including that he just didn't like the car. Which is his prerogative, even though it's a massive PITA. He wasn't a time waster, and neither were you. You both treated eachother with respect, courtesy and goodwill, but on this occasion you couldn't do a deal.
And you were right to travel to meet him. It showed goodwill and flexibility. All of which will help you the next time you sell a car.
Thing is, when people decide not to buy a car, they don't always tell the truth about why not. He may well have said it was the MOT, but the real reason might be quite different.
Most of us by a car on the basis of a bit of knowledge and a lot of instinct. I've walked away from cars because there's just something about it that doesn't smell right - about the car, or the deal, or the vendor. I can't always find a concrete reason for my doubt, but that doesn't mean I don't walk away. But I'm damned if I'm going to tell a vendor I'm walking away because I don't trust him, or that I think it's a duffer. I'll say something else, like....."the MOT's too short," or "I want an automatic after all." Or something bland like that which he can't argue about when my minds made up. Or get offended about.
So OP, you may feel pissed off because the buyer walked away for a reason you don't think stacks up. But he may have walked away for an entirely different reason, including that he just didn't like the car. Which is his prerogative, even though it's a massive PITA. He wasn't a time waster, and neither were you. You both treated eachother with respect, courtesy and goodwill, but on this occasion you couldn't do a deal.
And you were right to travel to meet him. It showed goodwill and flexibility. All of which will help you the next time you sell a car.
Some people just can't communicate what they are feeling or want. Sounds like your guy didn't want the car for some reason and gave you a excuse that was rubbish.
I had a guy come and look at my 60k subaru legacy estate, tons of paper work, full mot, just serviced and brakes renewed, with his grown daughter, really aggressive, kept asking me questions then saying "well you could be lying for all I know" to every answer.
I offered him a cup of tea, gave him the keys and told him he could look over it for as long as he needs, take it for a drive etc just knock on the door if he wanted anything, was ready to check out the wad of paper work or wanted a drink etc.
Cue me watching him waving a torch over the car (daytime) down the front window gap, on the windscreen wipers. Start the car, drive it a couple of feet slam on the brakes, couple of feet slam the brakes. Then after all that ( no test drive, car moved 6ft in 30 mins) he said he had to get 2 large dogs in the back regularly and didn't think the suspension would be up to it ( a legacy estate! couldn't get more of a dog friendly car). I had replaced the suspension recently and tried to explain that I had receipts inside for the units and the fitting, as well as the old suspension as I replaced all of it not just one section, also it regularly has 5 rugby players in it with their kit, and that it was fine he should take it for a drive to test it, even put my dogs and me and the wife in the back to see.
He just got angry and said it wouldn't take it, I said if he didn't want the car that was fine no need to make a excuse, no issues and I bid him a fair well, offered him a tea before he left and gave him directions. His daughter apologized about his behavior, i told her not to worry no harm.
I rang his lovely wife who had made the appointment and asked me to hang on to it for her once he had left to "apologize" to her husband for me as I must of offended him as he seem to be very angry from the beginning. She said that he can be funny when buying cars as he feel stressed as he doesn't know what he is doing but feels it is his responsibility as the man and doesn't want to ask other people for help.
Sold it a week later to a PH'er who loved it. Shame she was lovely and the car was perfect.
Some people are just odd.
I had a guy come and look at my 60k subaru legacy estate, tons of paper work, full mot, just serviced and brakes renewed, with his grown daughter, really aggressive, kept asking me questions then saying "well you could be lying for all I know" to every answer.
I offered him a cup of tea, gave him the keys and told him he could look over it for as long as he needs, take it for a drive etc just knock on the door if he wanted anything, was ready to check out the wad of paper work or wanted a drink etc.
Cue me watching him waving a torch over the car (daytime) down the front window gap, on the windscreen wipers. Start the car, drive it a couple of feet slam on the brakes, couple of feet slam the brakes. Then after all that ( no test drive, car moved 6ft in 30 mins) he said he had to get 2 large dogs in the back regularly and didn't think the suspension would be up to it ( a legacy estate! couldn't get more of a dog friendly car). I had replaced the suspension recently and tried to explain that I had receipts inside for the units and the fitting, as well as the old suspension as I replaced all of it not just one section, also it regularly has 5 rugby players in it with their kit, and that it was fine he should take it for a drive to test it, even put my dogs and me and the wife in the back to see.
He just got angry and said it wouldn't take it, I said if he didn't want the car that was fine no need to make a excuse, no issues and I bid him a fair well, offered him a tea before he left and gave him directions. His daughter apologized about his behavior, i told her not to worry no harm.
I rang his lovely wife who had made the appointment and asked me to hang on to it for her once he had left to "apologize" to her husband for me as I must of offended him as he seem to be very angry from the beginning. She said that he can be funny when buying cars as he feel stressed as he doesn't know what he is doing but feels it is his responsibility as the man and doesn't want to ask other people for help.
Sold it a week later to a PH'er who loved it. Shame she was lovely and the car was perfect.
Some people are just odd.
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