Selling a car - those damn text message 'offers'
Discussion
So I have recently sold a car. It was advertised here on the PH classifieds section and also on AT.
The car in question was a BMW M3 - e90 variant and it was around the 20k mark, well priced and a good advert etc etc
What I found quite surprising is the amount of people willing to offer to 'buy the car right now' for a price that ranged from £14k - £18k and the amount of people who just text to ask the lowest price.
I might be a bit out of touch but wtf is going on? Is this how it is these days when selling a used car or is it just because it's a car that will appeal to the douschebags (as well as damn decent chaps like myself)?
At first my replies were polite then they tended to become a little abrupt.
What do you lot do? Reply or just ignore them
Has anyone else been hounded like this?
The cars gone and the world is still turning so no harm done but I'm not surprised why so many are willing to take a bath and just trade it in for less money to save the hassle
The car in question was a BMW M3 - e90 variant and it was around the 20k mark, well priced and a good advert etc etc
What I found quite surprising is the amount of people willing to offer to 'buy the car right now' for a price that ranged from £14k - £18k and the amount of people who just text to ask the lowest price.
I might be a bit out of touch but wtf is going on? Is this how it is these days when selling a used car or is it just because it's a car that will appeal to the douschebags (as well as damn decent chaps like myself)?
At first my replies were polite then they tended to become a little abrupt.
What do you lot do? Reply or just ignore them
Has anyone else been hounded like this?
The cars gone and the world is still turning so no harm done but I'm not surprised why so many are willing to take a bath and just trade it in for less money to save the hassle
It's not so much the text offers that irritate me, it's the time wasters who don't even bother to show up that are the worst.
Twice in the past, I've had cars for sale and been contacted by blokes who sound pretty reasonable. They don't type in 'txt spk', they ask the right questions and seem to know a little about the car they're asking about. A meeting is arranged, and I spend time cleaning and washing the car, getting it looking just right for a potential big send off, then on the day...nothing!
In one case, when I had my MR2 Turbo, the communication ceased on the Sunday that the bloke was supposed to arrive. I'd had the story; coming with wife via train, staying overnight in Yorkshire on the way back, could I collect him from the train station whilst his wife shops in town...? Of course, on the day itself he never got in touch. I sent a text and rang, asking if something had come up, and was he on the train? I didn't fancy going all that way for nothing.
I had more of the same when I sold my Impreza, though luckily on the day that a buyer was due to come, and ended up being a no-show, someone got in touch and it sold that night.
Is that their idea of fun, pretending to buy cars?
Twice in the past, I've had cars for sale and been contacted by blokes who sound pretty reasonable. They don't type in 'txt spk', they ask the right questions and seem to know a little about the car they're asking about. A meeting is arranged, and I spend time cleaning and washing the car, getting it looking just right for a potential big send off, then on the day...nothing!
In one case, when I had my MR2 Turbo, the communication ceased on the Sunday that the bloke was supposed to arrive. I'd had the story; coming with wife via train, staying overnight in Yorkshire on the way back, could I collect him from the train station whilst his wife shops in town...? Of course, on the day itself he never got in touch. I sent a text and rang, asking if something had come up, and was he on the train? I didn't fancy going all that way for nothing.
I had more of the same when I sold my Impreza, though luckily on the day that a buyer was due to come, and ended up being a no-show, someone got in touch and it sold that night.
Is that their idea of fun, pretending to buy cars?
I have two big qualms when it comes to this, the first being the horrendously low offers on a car, say my vehicle is priced at 4k for example I tend to get offers of around 2.5k for it! Winds me up no end, and the second being a no show. As mentioned above I hate doing the little odd jobs to it, getting the paperwork out etc only for someone to never turn up!
Rj
Rj
I must admit, Ive made arrangements to view a car then for whatever reason had a change of heart - I always at the very least send a text to explain.
I just don't know how people can happily dick people around and then not even bother to answer the phone and say sorry but they have had a change of mind
I just don't know how people can happily dick people around and then not even bother to answer the phone and say sorry but they have had a change of mind
Baryonyx said:
It's not so much the text offers that irritate me, it's the time wasters who don't even bother to show up that are the worst.
Twice in the past, I've had cars for sale and been contacted by blokes who sound pretty reasonable. They don't type in 'txt spk', they ask the right questions and seem to know a little about the car they're asking about. A meeting is arranged, and I spend time cleaning and washing the car, getting it looking just right for a potential big send off, then on the day...nothing!
In one case, when I had my MR2 Turbo, the communication ceased on the Sunday that the bloke was supposed to arrive. I'd had the story; coming with wife via train, staying overnight in Yorkshire on the way back, could I collect him from the train station whilst his wife shops in town...? Of course, on the day itself he never got in touch. I sent a text and rang, asking if something had come up, and was he on the train? I didn't fancy going all that way for nothing.
I had more of the same when I sold my Impreza, though luckily on the day that a buyer was due to come, and ended up being a no-show, someone got in touch and it sold that night.
Is that their idea of fun, pretending to buy cars?
The key is to never, ever take time off or go out of your way to arrange a viewing. Always tell them to come down when you'd otherwise be having a lazy day off. Just assume they'll be a no show until the moment they knock on the door and you won't be too disappointed.Twice in the past, I've had cars for sale and been contacted by blokes who sound pretty reasonable. They don't type in 'txt spk', they ask the right questions and seem to know a little about the car they're asking about. A meeting is arranged, and I spend time cleaning and washing the car, getting it looking just right for a potential big send off, then on the day...nothing!
In one case, when I had my MR2 Turbo, the communication ceased on the Sunday that the bloke was supposed to arrive. I'd had the story; coming with wife via train, staying overnight in Yorkshire on the way back, could I collect him from the train station whilst his wife shops in town...? Of course, on the day itself he never got in touch. I sent a text and rang, asking if something had come up, and was he on the train? I didn't fancy going all that way for nothing.
I had more of the same when I sold my Impreza, though luckily on the day that a buyer was due to come, and ended up being a no-show, someone got in touch and it sold that night.
Is that their idea of fun, pretending to buy cars?
Negative Creep said:
The key is to never, ever take time off or go out of your way to arrange a viewing. Always tell them to come down when you'd otherwise be having a lazy day off. Just assume they'll be a no show until the moment they knock on the door and you won't be too disappointed.
That's it. Only on the MR2 Turbo did I make the mistake of taking half a day off work. Otherwise, whenever suits me is fine.Had the same last week while selling my C124, asking a list of detailed questions which would've taken an age to text back in response to, then asking for my 'lowest price'. Needless to say, no response was given.
If they can't make the effort to at least make a phone call then I would be surprised if they made the effort to actually turn up.
If they can't make the effort to at least make a phone call then I would be surprised if they made the effort to actually turn up.
I have a range of responses, depending on my mood and the contents of the offer text.
Often I text back that their offer is a suitable deposit and when they come round to see the car we can discuss the buying price face to face like grown ups normally do.
Sometimes, if the offer is stupid low I text back saying I'll accept and asking when they will come round to collect it; if they ever do get back to me I give them an address many many miles away.
I have also been know to text that if they will arrange a bank-transfer I will have the car delivered to them within 24 hours.
Most times I never hear from stupid offer person ever again...!
Often I text back that their offer is a suitable deposit and when they come round to see the car we can discuss the buying price face to face like grown ups normally do.
Sometimes, if the offer is stupid low I text back saying I'll accept and asking when they will come round to collect it; if they ever do get back to me I give them an address many many miles away.
I have also been know to text that if they will arrange a bank-transfer I will have the car delivered to them within 24 hours.
Most times I never hear from stupid offer person ever again...!
I'm Rick james said:
I have two big qualms when it comes to this, the first being the horrendously low offers on a car, say my vehicle is priced at 4k for example I tend to get offers of around 2.5k for it!
I normally reply that i am getting £3500 as a trade in so i suggest they p
s offUnfortunately a lot of sellers use trader prices as comparables, and seriously overprice their car. I certainly wouldn't text an offer, especially without even seeing the car, but perhaps "what's your best price bruv innit?" is easier than saying "before I travel X miles, how much are you willing to knock off for all the consumables you don't see the point of replacing for someone else's benefit eg bald tyres, overdue service, brakes etc. and the 'easy fix' mentioned in the advert (so easy it's beneath you, perhaps?), and the numerous other faults that you forgot/suddenly appeared between call and viewing, and is there a more realistic figure that you would find acceptable?". And probably less offensive than "HOW MUCH?? What's that in earth money ya space cadet?".
I listed my 540i for sale yesterday and added this to the bottom of the advert:
"To set the record straight, as much as I'd love a used xbox/dog I won't swap the car for one as the girlfriend wouldn't be amused. If anybody texts along the lines of 'whats your best offer mate' without discussing/seeing the car (happy to work a deal out) the asking price doubles."
Not had a single timewaster text yet
"To set the record straight, as much as I'd love a used xbox/dog I won't swap the car for one as the girlfriend wouldn't be amused. If anybody texts along the lines of 'whats your best offer mate' without discussing/seeing the car (happy to work a deal out) the asking price doubles."
Not had a single timewaster text yet
Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 8th April 21:53
kiethton said:
I listed my 540i for sale yesterday and added this to the bottom of the advert:
"To set the record straight, as much as I'd love a used xbox/dog I won't swap the car for one as the girlfriend wouldn't be amused. If anybody texts along the lines of 'whats your best offer mate' without discussing/seeing the car (happy to work a deal out) the asking price doubles."
Not had a single timewaster text yet
HI M8 LUV UR CAR BUT CAN ONLY GIVE U A GRAND NOW AND ANOVER GRAND WHEN MI GIRO COMES THRU. THAT OK WIV YOU? TB"To set the record straight, as much as I'd love a used xbox/dog I won't swap the car for one as the girlfriend wouldn't be amused. If anybody texts along the lines of 'whats your best offer mate' without discussing/seeing the car (happy to work a deal out) the asking price doubles."
Not had a single timewaster text yet
Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 8th April 21:53
I've just sold my MX5 via PH (thanks guys), the first inquiry asked some weird questions like how many revs does it do at 60MPH in 6th and can I video myself doing it to prove it? A quick delete sorted out that one... The next guy was really sound and it's now at it's new happy home with him!
Just hang in there and hopefully someone genuine turns up.
Just hang in there and hopefully someone genuine turns up.
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