Give us your tale of your delightful seller/buyer
Discussion
Well, someone had to do it given the other thread...
Mine - my current TVR Chimaera.
When I went to view the car, he just gave me the keys and said enjoy. I asked him to take it to for an inspection, and he did. He knew I was selling the Lotus to pay for it, but the people who wanted it couldn't pay the full amount, so I spoke to the owner of my Chimaera who said he would drop the price on his car by 1k which I then passed straight onto the buyer of my Lotus so the deal could proceeed. Went I came to collect the car, he picked me up from the station, and had washed the car and even filled her up for me, and taken the roof off so she was ready for my drive home.
Mine - my current TVR Chimaera.
When I went to view the car, he just gave me the keys and said enjoy. I asked him to take it to for an inspection, and he did. He knew I was selling the Lotus to pay for it, but the people who wanted it couldn't pay the full amount, so I spoke to the owner of my Chimaera who said he would drop the price on his car by 1k which I then passed straight onto the buyer of my Lotus so the deal could proceeed. Went I came to collect the car, he picked me up from the station, and had washed the car and even filled her up for me, and taken the roof off so she was ready for my drive home.
Pretty much every car I've bought. I refuse to buy a car from a d
head! An ideal seller to me is someone who doesn't bullst you, tells you everything you need to know before going and is fair. When I bought the MR2 the guy told me it had 3 problems that he was aware of. This would normally set alarm bells ringing as it's quite common for sellers to give you 3 little problems to mask the larger issues! However after close inspection he was right, one of the problems I wouldn't have even noticed!
head! An ideal seller to me is someone who doesn't bullst you, tells you everything you need to know before going and is fair. When I bought the MR2 the guy told me it had 3 problems that he was aware of. This would normally set alarm bells ringing as it's quite common for sellers to give you 3 little problems to mask the larger issues! However after close inspection he was right, one of the problems I wouldn't have even noticed!Looking for an SLK for a while as wanted a particular spec. Spotted one in Autotrader about 150 miles from home. Contacted owner, spent nearly an hour on the phone with him telling me every detail he could think of. He then sent me probably 50 high res images including every nick and chip. Spoke a couple more times and agreed a deal over the phone subject to seeing it. Went to his house that weekend (he offered to bring the car halfway but I wanted to make sure the V5 tied up with his address), had insured the car and got Bank Draft. Car was just as described, took it for drive, all good. Went inside, his partner had baked some muffins for us and they had every receipt and invoice for the car all neatly filed. Went through it all, all good, swapped for draft and took car.
And we're still in occasional chatty email contact over a month later! Nice people.
Put MX5 up for sale. Couple of enquiries, didn't come to much. Then chap phones midday on a Sunday, turns out he's in the next town. Came straight over, I was at my girlfriends house. Took him for a drive in the car and went via my house where I showed him my file of paperwork, FMSH etc, V5, spare key, all that. Back to girlfriends house, sat down, had a chat, agreed a price, slightly less than I wanted but good enough. I'd agreed to MOT the car but he paid for it. Next morning I got the car MOT'd, phoned him to tell him all good, he had the afternoon free so drove over later with docs, went to his bank with him, he did a direct transfer into my account, gave him paperwork, he drove me home in his new MX5, job done in 24 hours! Nice chap.
A lot is luck with buying or selling, doesn't matter how straight you are if you get a "wrongun" you've got a problem. But if you are completely straight and honest and polite with people then most of the time you get the same back and it's easy and pleasurable.
And we're still in occasional chatty email contact over a month later! Nice people.
Put MX5 up for sale. Couple of enquiries, didn't come to much. Then chap phones midday on a Sunday, turns out he's in the next town. Came straight over, I was at my girlfriends house. Took him for a drive in the car and went via my house where I showed him my file of paperwork, FMSH etc, V5, spare key, all that. Back to girlfriends house, sat down, had a chat, agreed a price, slightly less than I wanted but good enough. I'd agreed to MOT the car but he paid for it. Next morning I got the car MOT'd, phoned him to tell him all good, he had the afternoon free so drove over later with docs, went to his bank with him, he did a direct transfer into my account, gave him paperwork, he drove me home in his new MX5, job done in 24 hours! Nice chap.
A lot is luck with buying or selling, doesn't matter how straight you are if you get a "wrongun" you've got a problem. But if you are completely straight and honest and polite with people then most of the time you get the same back and it's easy and pleasurable.
Went to see an Octavia vRS up north, drove 200 miles to see it. It was described as 'immaculate', pictures looked good, call confirming everything proved worthwhile so went up to see it.
Arrived to find 3 barely legal wheels, badly torn rear bench, butchered dash where someone had basically dragged the handsfree kit out and a dealer who got all difficulty when I asked to take it for a drive because it was in the middle of his lot and would require moving 3-4 cars out of the way first. I was furious as I drove away, absolutely furious. News was it was still up for sale several weeks after I walked away from it!
Few weeks later drove down to a private buyer couple 100 miles south of me. He sent me dozens of pictures of every aspect of the car, including problems & issues I might have. Arrived at his work to see the car...all as described. He left me too it and just stood back whilst I checked everything, he drove me back to his where he had every document opened on the table, every detail on full view. He let me take it for a good test drive, showed me different roads to test different aspect of cars (solid acceleration, poor road surface, brakes etc). Went back to his, haggled a bit over some drinks and both walked away pleased men!
Arrived to find 3 barely legal wheels, badly torn rear bench, butchered dash where someone had basically dragged the handsfree kit out and a dealer who got all difficulty when I asked to take it for a drive because it was in the middle of his lot and would require moving 3-4 cars out of the way first. I was furious as I drove away, absolutely furious. News was it was still up for sale several weeks after I walked away from it!
Few weeks later drove down to a private buyer couple 100 miles south of me. He sent me dozens of pictures of every aspect of the car, including problems & issues I might have. Arrived at his work to see the car...all as described. He left me too it and just stood back whilst I checked everything, he drove me back to his where he had every document opened on the table, every detail on full view. He let me take it for a good test drive, showed me different roads to test different aspect of cars (solid acceleration, poor road surface, brakes etc). Went back to his, haggled a bit over some drinks and both walked away pleased men!
Buying my Leon Cupra R225: Phoned the bloke on the friday of the Royal Wedding, agreed a decent price and said i'd pick it up the next day and pay cash if it was described. Drove the 180 mile trip there, Got there early afternoon, looked around the car, barely a mark on it, not even a carpark dent! Brembos were mint! He's even stuck 6 months tax on that morning! Tyres are virtually new, Pirelli Pzero's all round even the spare. 36k miles, 6 months tax, 12 months mot, FSH and had just been serviced! Went in the house to sign the documents, couldnt have been more hospitable! Offered me a drink and everything! All round nice bloke, a real enthusiast who looked after his cars! Pleasure to deal with, much better than most dealers ive dealt with!
When my son sold his 106 GTI, he was asking a lot more than most, as it was immaculate and low mileage.
It was purchased over the phone and a deposit cheque was sent. Then the new owner flew from Scotland to London and after a brief check, handed over the balance of the full asking price.
They then drove it back to Scotland, an 1100 mile round-trip. It was a great experience to see that level of trust.
Tim
It was purchased over the phone and a deposit cheque was sent. Then the new owner flew from Scotland to London and after a brief check, handed over the balance of the full asking price.
They then drove it back to Scotland, an 1100 mile round-trip. It was a great experience to see that level of trust.
Tim
When I bought my current car the owner chucked me and my mate the keys and told us to drive it as far as we liked. When we returned, he took me round the car and pointed out every fault he could think of, including minor bits I wouldn't have noticed.
His extreme honesty might have been down to the fact he didn't really want to sell it (his girlfriend didn't like it and thought it was too big). I was very impressed with his approach to selling and paid him the asking price.
His extreme honesty might have been down to the fact he didn't really want to sell it (his girlfriend didn't like it and thought it was too big). I was very impressed with his approach to selling and paid him the asking price.
Forgot my MR2 one.
Put MR2 up for sale, had a chap call up, I sent him a couple of photos and told him the marks on the car etc. He said he'd come over Saturday at 10am. 10am the door knocks, and he is standing there, I get the keys and he says here is the cash - quite literally is standing there with the asking price. I offered him a test drive but he said no thanks - he'd already looked the car over (he hadn't even got inside!!).. His missus was sat in their other car all this time, he just came in, got the V5 and docs, and drove away in his new T-Bar..... Strange, but delightful.
Put MR2 up for sale, had a chap call up, I sent him a couple of photos and told him the marks on the car etc. He said he'd come over Saturday at 10am. 10am the door knocks, and he is standing there, I get the keys and he says here is the cash - quite literally is standing there with the asking price. I offered him a test drive but he said no thanks - he'd already looked the car over (he hadn't even got inside!!).. His missus was sat in their other car all this time, he just came in, got the V5 and docs, and drove away in his new T-Bar..... Strange, but delightful.
When selling my mini I got a 1000 cash offer on eBay, no questions asked if we delivered it about 100miles. Luckily a car I wanted to view was nearby so we went with it. Got to they guys business, phoned him, he said come in, gave the cash, signed the docs and left! He didn't even look at the car!
I mean I was honest fully with the description but its a mini... you would at least check it with your own eyes!!
Bought my mx5 same day from a top guy who did not want to sell it and had taken amazing care of the car, let me use his phone to swap my insurance, drink and cookies and a nice chat with the fam for a half hour.
Perfect days trading!
I mean I was honest fully with the description but its a mini... you would at least check it with your own eyes!!
Bought my mx5 same day from a top guy who did not want to sell it and had taken amazing care of the car, let me use his phone to swap my insurance, drink and cookies and a nice chat with the fam for a half hour.
Perfect days trading!
The first car I ever bought. It was my 18th birthday. I called the chap letting him know I was interested in the car, went to look at it and the car was perfect. Through the conversation I let slip it was my 18th and after returning with the cash he'd thrown in a crate of Fosters as a present.
Great guy.
Great guy.
I can't recall a single problem buying or selling over 25 years.
Last 2 cars I didn't even need to advertise:
Fiat Coupe, I replied to a wanted ad on fccuk, met fellow enthusiast who bought without haggling, both happy.
S124 Merc, out of MoT, about to weigh it in (next in line), bloke behind says 'you're not selling that are you?' Met outside, cash handed over (twice what I would have got), got wife to pick me up as already planned
Last 2 cars I didn't even need to advertise:
Fiat Coupe, I replied to a wanted ad on fccuk, met fellow enthusiast who bought without haggling, both happy.
S124 Merc, out of MoT, about to weigh it in (next in line), bloke behind says 'you're not selling that are you?' Met outside, cash handed over (twice what I would have got), got wife to pick me up as already planned
Most recent purchase has been a breathe of fresh air.
Went to see a few cars from other dealers before, who felt like it was an effort having to even talk to me. Trying to negotiate they just weren't interested unless I was about to whip out the cash. One dealer with a poor attitude thought he was doing me a favour knocking £90-100 off the asking price.
Car I saw the next day was in better condition, better service history, gave me a fair part/ex offer, offered to put 6 months tax on, 12 months MOT and buying me a brand new key so that I have a spare, as it only came with one. Top man.
Went to see a few cars from other dealers before, who felt like it was an effort having to even talk to me. Trying to negotiate they just weren't interested unless I was about to whip out the cash. One dealer with a poor attitude thought he was doing me a favour knocking £90-100 off the asking price.
Car I saw the next day was in better condition, better service history, gave me a fair part/ex offer, offered to put 6 months tax on, 12 months MOT and buying me a brand new key so that I have a spare, as it only came with one. Top man.
A couple of weeks ago buying a Leon FR for the Mrs.
Saw a few that were a bit rough locally and quite highly priced. One came up at a small independent dealer local to a place we were staying at for the weekend. It was the right spec, colour and a year newer than others but very keenly priced so wouldn't hang around for long.
A quick call and we popped in on our way past and the car was spot on - really genuine. A decent test drive later and she'd pretty much decided she wanted it. The vendor offered to service it at Seat as it was due in a few thousand miles, tax it, 12 mths MOT and 12 mths platinum warranty plus knocked a few hundred quid off to boot. Deposit paid and on our way within the hour.
All in all a really pleasant experience and the reason if we buy from the trade I only tend to use small independents.
Plus we had a great weekend away too
Saw a few that were a bit rough locally and quite highly priced. One came up at a small independent dealer local to a place we were staying at for the weekend. It was the right spec, colour and a year newer than others but very keenly priced so wouldn't hang around for long.
A quick call and we popped in on our way past and the car was spot on - really genuine. A decent test drive later and she'd pretty much decided she wanted it. The vendor offered to service it at Seat as it was due in a few thousand miles, tax it, 12 mths MOT and 12 mths platinum warranty plus knocked a few hundred quid off to boot. Deposit paid and on our way within the hour.
All in all a really pleasant experience and the reason if we buy from the trade I only tend to use small independents.
Plus we had a great weekend away too
Edited by MoonMonkey on Thursday 5th May 13:58
I had a guy email me about my Hypermotard asking if I wanted to Part/ex (which I didn't), he accepted that and said he would try and sell his bike and get back to me.
Sure enough he sold his bike within a week, came to view mine and paid a nice cash deposit, then came the week after to collect. Was all nice and easy and he was a top bloke.
the bike was immaculate, pretty much as new and in perfect condition but I still had fools coming around and offering silly money.
Sure enough he sold his bike within a week, came to view mine and paid a nice cash deposit, then came the week after to collect. Was all nice and easy and he was a top bloke.
the bike was immaculate, pretty much as new and in perfect condition but I still had fools coming around and offering silly money.
In order to sell my Corrado I had to put a lot of money into getting it to a good standard. Not obscene ammounts, but to say it would be lost when I sold it, it hurt a little. However, all my hard work and suspension set ups had produced a good buyer. She enquired about the car and came to view it, upon arriving shown up with her family, well spoken, quite open and friendly. Test drive time, the exhaust heat shield decided now was a great time to come a little loose at the back and rattle on the exhuast, scaring me silly. Stopped the car (Took the keys out, seen too many bad threads on here) got under the car fearing the worst. The brother of the lady interested had come with her, he had raced mk2 golfs from what I can remember. Anyhow he spots at the same time as me said fallen heat shield. He shrugs it off saying its a small job and we carry on. Futher down the road the most all mighty wheel wobble beings (at this point im almost losing hair). Stop the car again, get out, find that one of the wheels had been left loose after its suspension setup, it required new strut/hub bolts as the old ones had stripped their threads. I quickly tightened them up and we decided to forget the previous 2 stupid occurences and as soon as he opened it up and drove it when it wanted to behave they loved it.
I sold it for 50 under my asking price as the front ABS sensor lead was left un-coupled by said suspension place and had been ripped off, a replacement was about 35-40, but took into account that they were interested and it's a painful job. When emptying the glove box of my junk I found one of those keyring cameras that was all the rage for a time, the 10 pound ones from hong kong, I happily let him have it as I had a spare in the house, told him to upload some of his track fun to youtube.
Quick edit: Yes she was pretty. No I didn't see her out for drinks later and stalk her. Not that kind of member.
I sold it for 50 under my asking price as the front ABS sensor lead was left un-coupled by said suspension place and had been ripped off, a replacement was about 35-40, but took into account that they were interested and it's a painful job. When emptying the glove box of my junk I found one of those keyring cameras that was all the rage for a time, the 10 pound ones from hong kong, I happily let him have it as I had a spare in the house, told him to upload some of his track fun to youtube.
Quick edit: Yes she was pretty. No I didn't see her out for drinks later and stalk her. Not that kind of member.
Edited by MrBrightSi on Thursday 5th May 14:59
Bought my c63 off a forum member....
The advert was quite brief on pistonheads but since it was a very new car and super low mileage whilst being a few miles from me, it would have been daft to not enquire.
Spoke to the chap and agreed a viewing.
Car was absolutely immaculate - the only mark was a scuff on a rear wheel - very hard to negotiate when you have no bad points - but he was open to an offer.
I went away and then did the HPI check and then duly paid a deposit over the phone.
A week later, he picked me up from the station, checked the car again and then did the deal at the bank and he handed me the keys.
A few days later, I received a call from him as his daughter has left her nintendo DS in the rear compartment - i hadn't even opened that cubby hole and I was only happy to make sure it got back to him and his daughter.
The advert was quite brief on pistonheads but since it was a very new car and super low mileage whilst being a few miles from me, it would have been daft to not enquire.
Spoke to the chap and agreed a viewing.
Car was absolutely immaculate - the only mark was a scuff on a rear wheel - very hard to negotiate when you have no bad points - but he was open to an offer.
I went away and then did the HPI check and then duly paid a deposit over the phone.
A week later, he picked me up from the station, checked the car again and then did the deal at the bank and he handed me the keys.
A few days later, I received a call from him as his daughter has left her nintendo DS in the rear compartment - i hadn't even opened that cubby hole and I was only happy to make sure it got back to him and his daughter.
I went in 2006 to try and buy a Golf Mk4 Anniversary, it was on ebay and had high demand and I was willing to pay 12k for it. The guy selling lived on a farm and had it in one of the barns, he got me from the main road and as soon as he showed me the car someone phoned him as they had just clicked 'buy it now' on ebay.
His price was more than mine so fair enough, but the farm guy then filled up my tank with diesel (not red!) to apologise for my wasted trip - which was only an hour anyway. Proper gentleman.
His price was more than mine so fair enough, but the farm guy then filled up my tank with diesel (not red!) to apologise for my wasted trip - which was only an hour anyway. Proper gentleman.
Buying my 530 sport from an advert i found on here. Spoke several times over the course of the week to the seller checking details and specs and history etc. Agreed the price if all was as described when i arrived. Arranged my lift and for the 100 odd mile journey and set off. Car was perfect seller was very friendly and helpful, guiding me through the gadgets and the tiptronic (my first auto). I paid the agreed cash sum filled in the paperwork and enjoyed the journey home
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