Is this guy genuine, or trying it on..... (Buyer)
Discussion
Morning all, firstly please excuse the essay but I want to give you a clear picture of what's happened!
Hoping you can help with this but I've been selling my Parents Boxster 'S' for them and had a viewing on Saturday from a guy who lives about 3 hours away.
We spoke on the phone before and covered all the spec, details, history, condition etc and all was good - He did always say the price was high but I explained my reasons and why I believe it was justified so he was still happy to come and take a look.
Saturday came and he arrived around 1:30pm, had a good chat and this was the 12th Boxster S he'd seen, we went over the car and then I took him out and showed him everything working and he also then had a fairly long drive (around 10 miles in total) but a proper mixed drive of A roads, country lanes, quite roads etc so gave it a good work out. Also tried it with the roof up and down so he could hear any noises etc - Very thorough test.
We got back and he was really impressed with the car, even admitted out of the 12 others it really stood out so I explained another chap from around 1.5 hours away had asked me to call him if it didn't sell as he wanted to come down on Sunday.
The guy then left mine to go and view one more car before heading home, he then emailed me at midnight to say he would like to offer a price (£2k under the advertised price). In his mail he included details of all the other cars he'd seen and explained why he wanted ours cheaper etc so I just politely replied rejecting the offer and explained why (New tyres, brakes, MOT, Service, Detailed) etc and why I believe the car was worth the price.
Anyway, he eventually came back to me around 1am and agreed a price that was £995 off the Advertised price so said I'd just need to confirm with my Dad and would call him in the AM. Anyway, Dad agreed for a hassle free sale and I let the guy know. He was chuffed and said he just wanted an inspection done (which he would pay for) and we were more then happy with this. He said he would do a Paypal payment of £250 as a deposit so I called the guy from 1.5 hours away to tell him it was sold so not to come down.
Anyway, here I am Monday morning still with no deposit... I heard from the guy yesterday around 4pm and he said he would get it sorted there and then, he'd even called the local porsche place to start arranging the inspection so as far as I know he's still wanting it.
I've text him this morning (9am during work) to ask what's happening but no reply yet....
I have told my Dad I've just got a gut feeling that maybe he's trying to play us off with another car/trader that he wants, maybe trying to get them to come down on price to match what we've agreed to?
Very clever of him if that's what he's doing but I really hope not as I've put another buyer off coming to see it for him, and given up 2 hours of my Saturday to show him around the car, let him drive it and what not.
What do you reckon? Think he'll sort the money or is he stringing me along while he decides which one to go for?
He said he's saved for years and really wants the right car (having looked at 12) so obviously it's a big decision for him to make and I understand him taking his time but it's a bit off if he's stopping me letting other people see it just so he can hold off a bit longer......
Hoping you can help with this but I've been selling my Parents Boxster 'S' for them and had a viewing on Saturday from a guy who lives about 3 hours away.
We spoke on the phone before and covered all the spec, details, history, condition etc and all was good - He did always say the price was high but I explained my reasons and why I believe it was justified so he was still happy to come and take a look.
Saturday came and he arrived around 1:30pm, had a good chat and this was the 12th Boxster S he'd seen, we went over the car and then I took him out and showed him everything working and he also then had a fairly long drive (around 10 miles in total) but a proper mixed drive of A roads, country lanes, quite roads etc so gave it a good work out. Also tried it with the roof up and down so he could hear any noises etc - Very thorough test.
We got back and he was really impressed with the car, even admitted out of the 12 others it really stood out so I explained another chap from around 1.5 hours away had asked me to call him if it didn't sell as he wanted to come down on Sunday.
The guy then left mine to go and view one more car before heading home, he then emailed me at midnight to say he would like to offer a price (£2k under the advertised price). In his mail he included details of all the other cars he'd seen and explained why he wanted ours cheaper etc so I just politely replied rejecting the offer and explained why (New tyres, brakes, MOT, Service, Detailed) etc and why I believe the car was worth the price.
Anyway, he eventually came back to me around 1am and agreed a price that was £995 off the Advertised price so said I'd just need to confirm with my Dad and would call him in the AM. Anyway, Dad agreed for a hassle free sale and I let the guy know. He was chuffed and said he just wanted an inspection done (which he would pay for) and we were more then happy with this. He said he would do a Paypal payment of £250 as a deposit so I called the guy from 1.5 hours away to tell him it was sold so not to come down.
Anyway, here I am Monday morning still with no deposit... I heard from the guy yesterday around 4pm and he said he would get it sorted there and then, he'd even called the local porsche place to start arranging the inspection so as far as I know he's still wanting it.
I've text him this morning (9am during work) to ask what's happening but no reply yet....
I have told my Dad I've just got a gut feeling that maybe he's trying to play us off with another car/trader that he wants, maybe trying to get them to come down on price to match what we've agreed to?
Very clever of him if that's what he's doing but I really hope not as I've put another buyer off coming to see it for him, and given up 2 hours of my Saturday to show him around the car, let him drive it and what not.
What do you reckon? Think he'll sort the money or is he stringing me along while he decides which one to go for?
He said he's saved for years and really wants the right car (having looked at 12) so obviously it's a big decision for him to make and I understand him taking his time but it's a bit off if he's stopping me letting other people see it just so he can hold off a bit longer......
Paul Dishman said:
Do you mind me asking how much you're selling the car for? A £250 paypal deposit doesn't seem a lot to hold a Boxster S for (not that you've even got that yet). I'd want a deposit that a buyer wouldn't want to lose before taking the car off the market.
We've agreed a price just over £16k but £250 is enough in my mind to prove someone doesn't want to throw the money away for no reason... It's just that he's 3 hours away so not easy to get straight back down to get it so I was happy with that amount to assume he's definitely taking it....
Can't understand why he'd start making the arrangements for the inspection etc and then just not pay the deposit.... He did say it had been about 2 years since he'd used Paypal so may take a bit of time but he could do a transfer just as easily.
I'm going to call him at lunch, if he doesn't answer or sort the deposit I'm going to ring the other chap.
Thanks for the advice, he seems like a really genuine guy and absolutely loved the car hence staying up so late to discuss the final details of it all.
I'm really disappointed if he's just messing us about.....
Just had a Text from him:
"Hiya, just got Paypal sorted so check it after dinner, I'll transfer the deposit when I get home. Just spoke to Northway (That's the Porsche specialist) - They have limited availability but can do the inspection this week so probably best for you to check that. They are doing a full inspection and Valuation so I will transfer the rest of the money. If anything comes back I am not happy with, do you agree to return my Deposit? It's £125 for the check, i will pay over the phone".
I've replied saying I'd appreciate him getting the deposit sorted sooner as I don't really want to take it off sale without having some form of money in hand for it, sure you understand.
"Hiya, just got Paypal sorted so check it after dinner, I'll transfer the deposit when I get home. Just spoke to Northway (That's the Porsche specialist) - They have limited availability but can do the inspection this week so probably best for you to check that. They are doing a full inspection and Valuation so I will transfer the rest of the money. If anything comes back I am not happy with, do you agree to return my Deposit? It's £125 for the check, i will pay over the phone".
I've replied saying I'd appreciate him getting the deposit sorted sooner as I don't really want to take it off sale without having some form of money in hand for it, sure you understand.
Snowboy said:
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know.
But, I do know that there have been quite a few occasions where paypal have refunded money to a person who has made a complaint.
As I said, I wouldn’t accept paypal.
It’s £250.
If I was buying a Porshe I’d have at least that in cash in my pocket with a pre-drawn receipt to put down a deposit.
I know what you mean, but he did say all along he wouldn't want to leave a deposit on the day as he was looking at so many he wanted to get home and then do his sums, and work out which car was the right one so I can understand that to a point....But, I do know that there have been quite a few occasions where paypal have refunded money to a person who has made a complaint.
As I said, I wouldn’t accept paypal.
It’s £250.
If I was buying a Porshe I’d have at least that in cash in my pocket with a pre-drawn receipt to put down a deposit.
He's replied saying he's out and about but will try and get something sent over ASAP as he understands so hopefully it's just me being paranoid and he isn't actually just stringing me along.
Thanks guys, cautious is one word! Fair play to him but I've never looked at that many.....
I think I'll amend the advert to include the new pics I took before he came to see it, condition is hard to explain over text as so many people bull*hit their way through!
Thanks though, I am in two minds - The bit that also confused me was when he said he's asked Northway to do an Inspection and Valuation???????
Why would their valuation mean anything to him? Surely he knows what it's worth if he's prepared to pay it, does that mean if they value it at £18k I can ask for more money?? They're not likely to look at the detailing, tyres, brakes etc as part of the value so not sure how they can really do it - Surely they would just give a trade value on it?
I think I'll amend the advert to include the new pics I took before he came to see it, condition is hard to explain over text as so many people bull*hit their way through!
Thanks though, I am in two minds - The bit that also confused me was when he said he's asked Northway to do an Inspection and Valuation???????
Why would their valuation mean anything to him? Surely he knows what it's worth if he's prepared to pay it, does that mean if they value it at £18k I can ask for more money?? They're not likely to look at the detailing, tyres, brakes etc as part of the value so not sure how they can really do it - Surely they would just give a trade value on it?
jonnydrama said:
He wanted to pay 2k less originally, my guess is that he is hoping they find some minor problems with the car and he can still achieve that...
Maybe that's what it is, thing is Ray Northway has looked after it since it was 2 years old (out of Porsche Warranty) so he should know it really well, it's only done 3k miles since he serviced it anyway so I'd be shocked if he finds anything...It's just had 1 year MOT, new tyres, new discs and pads so really shouldn't need anything!
Ean218 said:
How can you agree a price if the vehicle is also subject to an inspection, which will always throw up a fault you were unaawre of?
My view has always been, yes sure you can arrange an inspection, but the car is currently for sale and if someone else buys it before you get around to inspecting it and agreeing a final sale price, tough luck.
A refundable deposit is also a contradiction in terms when it comes to car sales.
I think you leave a deposit to make sure you don't lose it, then if anything bad comes up or that you're not happy with on the inspection (That you've paid for) then the deposit can be refunded.My view has always been, yes sure you can arrange an inspection, but the car is currently for sale and if someone else buys it before you get around to inspecting it and agreeing a final sale price, tough luck.
A refundable deposit is also a contradiction in terms when it comes to car sales.
I honestly don't believe anything will come up, it's only just had the MOT, Tyres, Brakes, 39k accident free miles, serviced and maintained by Ray Northway who is doing the inspection so if he finds anything I will be very surprised!!
- **********UPDATE**************
"Hi mate, I write this with my heart in my mouth but please don't take the car for the inspection, I am having to pull out. I genuinely cannot get insurance below £1k per year - That's Manchester for you. With the loan to borrow, garage rental costss, proper maintenance costs, road tax I can't afford to run. I thought Insurance would be way lower and garage rental fell through so it's £80 a month within city centre and I couldn't leave it outside as it would be a target here. I have just had a break from work and done all the maths but I don't want to mess you about any further. I am gutted and so so so sorry to mess you about, i am 100% genuine and just need to be honest. This isn't me trying to move the price down, in reality i just need to save more - I really want the car but can't take it if I can't look after it properly."
Davel said:
And he had to look at thirteen cars to find this out?
Don't even bother responding.
I take it the £250 didn't materialise then.....
Nope!!!Don't even bother responding.
I take it the £250 didn't materialise then.....
Just glad we didn't make the trip over to Northway tonight now as that was the plan,
You try and do the right thing but people always let you down - Seriously annoyed that he hadn't checked out all this stuff before looking at 13 different cars!!!!!!!!!!
Wasted his own time as much as anything but not to worry, I've already Emailed the other chap so we'll see what comes of it.
Thanks for all the advice, at least my instints were right that something wasn't right.
Thanks again guys, I've adjusted the advert and put a few more pics and stuff up as I'd taken loads on the day before he came to see it.
As said the fact he looked at 13 in total and wanted this one badly gives me hope someone else will be the same but it's just disappointing when someone can seem so genuine, honest and take up SO much of my time only for them to have been completely naive about the ownership costs on such a car....
I can't help but think maybe he couldn't get the money he needed, initially he told me he'd been saving for years so it was one thing he needed to get out of his system before selling but then he said with loans etc to pay.... I think he may have started out with a £10k budget and quickly realised he wouldn't get what he wanted so started stretching himself.
As said the fact he looked at 13 in total and wanted this one badly gives me hope someone else will be the same but it's just disappointing when someone can seem so genuine, honest and take up SO much of my time only for them to have been completely naive about the ownership costs on such a car....
I can't help but think maybe he couldn't get the money he needed, initially he told me he'd been saving for years so it was one thing he needed to get out of his system before selling but then he said with loans etc to pay.... I think he may have started out with a £10k budget and quickly realised he wouldn't get what he wanted so started stretching himself.
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