Private buyer - odd way to pay

[podwin]

I'm selling my car at the moment and had a potential buyer wishing to discuss price before seeing the car.

I asked why and his reason was that he was 250 miles away and wasn't going to mess about.

We agreed a price and then said the next call I'd get would be from someone else, a garage owner (where his girlfriend works) who would collect the car the next day, and his finance will be through (sorted by the garage I think) and they'd transfer the money into my account.

I got nervous about this and backed out of the deal stating I expected someone to view and leave a deposit etc, leaving me a little time to find a new car.

Have a lost a sale unnecessarily? Can transfers be reversed?

[dave_s13]

What's the cars value? Has a bearing on things.

If you are selling privately then you have to be prepared for someone to turn up and drive off there and then. I certainly wouldn't make a long trip just to leave a deposit and come back.

[Planter]

Does sound a bit dodgy, there are a few scams around at present, but trouble is,there is always a new type of scam.

Seems a tad weird he doesnt even want to view it, or get his misses, garage mates to view it etc

[Andehh]

Could be garage will inspect it on pick up? They have a vested interest in it as well. if he seemed legit on the phone, car was very accurately described with pics etc one can assume the buyer naturally hopes you are being honest.

I would definitely be onto the bank, confirming they record the calls and asking what payments can and cannot be reversed etc.

[podwin]

I understand him not coming 250 miles just to view it and take it away they and then, it was the fact someone else was involved, a garage and his finance etc.

The car is a £6000 Golf.

Also, as we discussed its service history etc, he said he'd be straight back down if it broke in anyway! I said I wasn't a trader, it would be a private sale and sold as seen, he didn't respond to that and just moved the conversation on.

This has been the worst private sale I have ever had, people saying they'd be with me in 2 hours, then not arriving, people changing their mind and people asking me to video the car, which I have accommodated but it's beginning to get tiresome. No wonder dealers act as is they don't want to sell a car sometimes.

[mwstewart]

podwin said:

Also, as we discussed its service history etc, he said he'd be straight back down if it broke in anyway!

That would be enough for me - he's trouble of the highest order!

[Vaud]

podwin said:

I understand him not coming 250 miles just to view it and take it away they and then, it was the fact someone else was involved, a garage and his finance etc.

The car is a £6000 Golf.

Also, as we discussed its service history etc, he said he'd be straight back down if it broke in anyway! I said I wasn't a trader, it would be a private sale and sold as seen, he didn't respond to that and just moved the conversation on.

This has been the worst private sale I have ever had, people saying they'd be with me in 2 hours, then not arriving, people changing their mind and people asking me to video the car, which I have accommodated but it's beginning to get tiresome. No wonder dealers act as is they don't want to sell a car sometimes.

Personally, I'd turn down the sale. Sounds like he could be very demanding post sale, regardless of your status as a private sale.

[LuS1fer]

Sounds iffy. I also tend to be supicious of a 250 mile trip for a non-specialist car - surely he could find one nearer?

[SuperHangOn]

Trust your instincts, if you felt uneasy you did the right thing.

I've sold a few cars to buyers a very long distance away (even Scotland from the SE) but they were all rare, specialist cars (635CSi etc). Seems odd for a humdrum car.

Golfs are generally easy cars to sell anyway.

[podwin]

We've just sold the wife's Mazda 5.

Buyer viewed when he said he would, made a sensible offer, paid a cash deposit, went away to sort his insurance, we took the plate off, came a collected it on time and paid cash. Brilliant.

Different cars attract different buyers.

[podwin]

SuperHangOn said:

Trust your instincts, if you felt uneasy you did the right thing.

I've sold a few cars to buyers a very long distance away (even Scotland from the SE) but they were all rare, specialist cars (635CSi etc). Seems odd for a humdrum car.

Golfs are generally easy cars to sell anyway.

You're right, it is a humdrum car, it must be the spec. It's a 170 TDI DSG. When I was looking, if I found a 170 it was manual, if I found a DSG it was a 140, if I found the two it was either the other and of the country, or in poo beige or with a galactic mileage. Loads of manual TDIs about though.

[Vaud]

I think there are two points.

1) It's an odd way to pay and collect
2) The buyers tone around "if it breaks" etc

Either would put me off, the 2 together are a big no.

[tobinen]

Go with your gut instinct - it's usually correct

[steveo3002]

yeah sounds like agro

why not buy one closer , and threats of coming striaght back would put me right me off

[BL Fanboy]

Also, as we discussed its service history etc, he said he'd be straight back down if it broke in anyway! I said I wasn't a trader, it would be a private sale and sold as seen, he didn't respond to that and just moved the conversation on.


Run a mile. Seriously.

Tell the buyer to grow a pair if he cant buy a car privately without veiled threats. Doe he want nannying?

[LeoSayer]

I don't see a problem, provided the funds are cleared in your account before you hand anything over.

[Sargeant Orange]

To answer the finance question - yes a bank transfer can/will be reversed if found to be fraudulent

[conkerman]

Tell him to take a flying one.

Sounds uber suspicious. Tell him to come view the car, with the asking price as a deposit if he wants to test drive the car, or you will be delighted to take him for a drive. Cances are he'll not contact you again.

[Vaud]

conkerman said:

Tell him to take a flying one.

Sounds uber suspicious. Tell him to come view the car, with the asking price as a deposit if he wants to test drive the car, or you will be delighted to take him for a drive. Cances are he'll not contact you again.

I'll take a wild guess that when it comes to finance, the garage turns up with a bankers draft and words like "its a as good as cash" and even offering to take you to the bank, etc.

[jc84]

The bit about being straight back down is enough to tell him to jog on. Who does he think you are, a VW main dealer?!

Cash is still king at that price.

Hope you get it sold to a decent buyer soon.

Edited by jc84 on Wednesday 26th March 13:53