Sellers that don’t seem to want to sell
Discussion
I seem to be having a particularly frustrating time trying to buy a car at the moment. We need to buy something around £5k or less and family (read wife) friendly. Current favourites are a BMW X5, Mercedes M, Volvo XC90, Mercedes B etc etc. Anyway, the type of car is by the by really.
Been looking for about a month now but not in any huge hurry. However, in that time I’ve probably contacted around 10 private sellers about their cars that I’ve seen on eBay or autotrader. This has either been by phone, text or email. Usually I just ask why they are selling, how long have they owned it, any problems or damage not shown and when would it be suitable to them for me to come and look at the car. If I’ve not had an answer on the phone I’ve left a message to call me back.
From that group of 10, I’ve only had 4 responses. Not a jot from the others. On a couple that I’ve been really keen on I’ve tried a couple of times.
I just can’t comprehend why you would pay money to advertise a car, and then not respond to interest in it? If it’s already sold, why not pull the advert (all but 1 are still on the sites) or at least respond to say it’s sold?
Is this some sort of nuisance scam or something? All the adverts seem genuine enough. None are too good to be true and the car details all seem square.
Been looking for about a month now but not in any huge hurry. However, in that time I’ve probably contacted around 10 private sellers about their cars that I’ve seen on eBay or autotrader. This has either been by phone, text or email. Usually I just ask why they are selling, how long have they owned it, any problems or damage not shown and when would it be suitable to them for me to come and look at the car. If I’ve not had an answer on the phone I’ve left a message to call me back.
From that group of 10, I’ve only had 4 responses. Not a jot from the others. On a couple that I’ve been really keen on I’ve tried a couple of times.
I just can’t comprehend why you would pay money to advertise a car, and then not respond to interest in it? If it’s already sold, why not pull the advert (all but 1 are still on the sites) or at least respond to say it’s sold?
Is this some sort of nuisance scam or something? All the adverts seem genuine enough. None are too good to be true and the car details all seem square.
Earthdweller said:
Johnnytheboy said:
You sound like a buyer who can spot a wrong un.
Probably this ^£5k’s worth of X5 ?
Good luck
I would imagine some of it is due to not wanting to answer your questions.
There can't be many £5k X5s that won't have had a tough life.
Even buying more expensive cars my reply rate on Autotrader to emails is really low. A lot of the questions I ask should really be included in the advert.
If a seller doesn't want to answer simple questions I think they know they have something to hide. However if you're buying a £5k X5 and are being really OTT they might think it's a waste of time even entering into discussion.
There can't be many £5k X5s that won't have had a tough life.
Even buying more expensive cars my reply rate on Autotrader to emails is really low. A lot of the questions I ask should really be included in the advert.
If a seller doesn't want to answer simple questions I think they know they have something to hide. However if you're buying a £5k X5 and are being really OTT they might think it's a waste of time even entering into discussion.
soad said:
Won’t want the hassle if seen as overly picky. Regardless of the price.
Not saying that applies to good yourself.
Oh I am overly picky. Just not sure how they are deducing that from the questions I mentioned above. Not saying that applies to good yourself.
I guess I’m doing it all wrong. Next one I’m going to text “£500 and an Xbox innit bruv”
Your questions have probably arrived after 600 other messages of "wots ur best price m8" and "£*insert figure a fraction of the advertised price here* cash pik up 2moro bruv".
Thanks to this, by the time you've tried to get in touch the seller has probably given up on humanity and is instead sat in the car with a hosepipe ducting exhaust gas into the cab, cursing modern emissions technology for thwarting his attempt at a quick painless end.
Or they just can't be arsed.
Thanks to this, by the time you've tried to get in touch the seller has probably given up on humanity and is instead sat in the car with a hosepipe ducting exhaust gas into the cab, cursing modern emissions technology for thwarting his attempt at a quick painless end.
Or they just can't be arsed.
And today I have another seller that won’t contact me back, and another whose adverts (on eBay and Facebook) were still live even though they took a deposit on Saturday. That buyer then disappeared so the seller told me he’d give them until midday today. The deposit leaver got back to him at 12:30 after I’d arranged going to see the car and everything so that has fallen through.
I’m giving up looking to buy privately. Before these last few weeks I’ve always preferred to buy from a private seller as it’s often easier to sniff out the good ones from the bad. However, these last few weeks have been such a waste of time.
I’m giving up looking to buy privately. Before these last few weeks I’ve always preferred to buy from a private seller as it’s often easier to sniff out the good ones from the bad. However, these last few weeks have been such a waste of time.
A £5k X5 or XC90 is likely to have been around the block a bit anyway so is going to be far from perfect, asking about extra damage not shown, why they are selling etc does sound to me that you are a bit picky, they will be thinking "its 15 yo 5 grand X5 what the hell is he expecting", you need to get off your arse and just go and see them.
You appear to be missing the point HTP99? EDIT - apologies, you do seem to have got the point. I misread.
I’m only ever at the stage of trying to make an appointment to view but not even getting that far! I’m honestly only ever asking; how long owned, why selling, any problems you know of. I don’t think that’s unreasonable before wasting anyone’s time. Would you travel 30-40 miles without checking a couple of basics seeing as there are so many bad ones out there?
Today’s waste of time was an e39 touring 525i. I’m casting my net far and wide, not just X5’s and XC90s. In fact they are not a hugely likely option unless an unicorn comes up.
I’m only ever at the stage of trying to make an appointment to view but not even getting that far! I’m honestly only ever asking; how long owned, why selling, any problems you know of. I don’t think that’s unreasonable before wasting anyone’s time. Would you travel 30-40 miles without checking a couple of basics seeing as there are so many bad ones out there?
Today’s waste of time was an e39 touring 525i. I’m casting my net far and wide, not just X5’s and XC90s. In fact they are not a hugely likely option unless an unicorn comes up.
Edited by JonnyO on Thursday 29th August 13:33
JonnyO said:
You appear to be missing the point HTP99?
I’m only ever at the stage of trying to make an appointment to view but not even getting that far! I’m honestly only ever asking; how long owned, why selling, any problems you know of. I don’t think that’s unreasonable before wasting anyone’s time.
Today’s waste of time was an e39 touring 525i. I’m casting my net far and wide, not just X5’s. In fact they are not a hugely likely option unless an unicorn comes up.
You are looking at older, well used BM's?I’m only ever at the stage of trying to make an appointment to view but not even getting that far! I’m honestly only ever asking; how long owned, why selling, any problems you know of. I don’t think that’s unreasonable before wasting anyone’s time.
Today’s waste of time was an e39 touring 525i. I’m casting my net far and wide, not just X5’s. In fact they are not a hugely likely option unless an unicorn comes up.
What is the average owner of 1 of them like? What do you expect ?
Not meant as insulting as it sounds, but hope you understand the point made.
There's obviously some kind of disconnect between you and the sellers. If you are getting the same result every time then it's either something to do with all of them, or something to do with you.
I obviously don't know enough to be certain but if what you are doing at the moment isn't working, then try just leaving the simplest possible message along the lines of "Hi, I'm ringing about your car. Can you call me back please"
You can ask them if the car has come from a happy home and if it likes its tummy tickled once they call you back. People respond better to text messages than voicemail I've found.
I obviously don't know enough to be certain but if what you are doing at the moment isn't working, then try just leaving the simplest possible message along the lines of "Hi, I'm ringing about your car. Can you call me back please"
You can ask them if the car has come from a happy home and if it likes its tummy tickled once they call you back. People respond better to text messages than voicemail I've found.
Wooda80 said:
There's obviously some kind of disconnect between you and the sellers. If you are getting the same result every time then it's either something to do with all of them, or something to do with you.
I obviously don't know enough to be certain but if what you are doing at the moment isn't working, then try just leaving the simplest possible message along the lines of "Hi, I'm ringing about your car. Can you call me back please"
You can ask them if the car has come from a happy home and if it likes its tummy tickled once they call you back. People respond better to text messages than voicemail I've found.
I swear to god that’s exactly the answerphone message that I’m leaving. I also believe that text is preferred so I’ve been doing that where possible. I obviously don't know enough to be certain but if what you are doing at the moment isn't working, then try just leaving the simplest possible message along the lines of "Hi, I'm ringing about your car. Can you call me back please"
You can ask them if the car has come from a happy home and if it likes its tummy tickled once they call you back. People respond better to text messages than voicemail I've found.
I had the displeasure of selling my 4 series a few months ago and it was by far, the most irritating thing I have ever done in my life. The amount of calls and texts from people asking me for videos of the car and asking questions that are on the advert. Let’s not forget the people ringing up from Bradford or Leeds saying they don’t want to travel that way for nothing and give you an offer nearly 10k below asking price.
If you’re looking at 5 grand X5’s, chances are that you’re looking at the cheapest and if you’re asking questions about the cars life etc, you’re not going to get entertained. You can’t be picky when you’re looking to buy a car at the bottom of the market.
5k for a Honda CR-V? Sure go ahead, you’ll find a lovely one with a well written advert from a good home. 5k for a decent X5/ML/XC90? Good luck!
I’m sure if you up your budget to something between the average price and the most expensive, you’ll find something decent and won’t have to ask questions.
If you’re looking at 5 grand X5’s, chances are that you’re looking at the cheapest and if you’re asking questions about the cars life etc, you’re not going to get entertained. You can’t be picky when you’re looking to buy a car at the bottom of the market.
5k for a Honda CR-V? Sure go ahead, you’ll find a lovely one with a well written advert from a good home. 5k for a decent X5/ML/XC90? Good luck!
I’m sure if you up your budget to something between the average price and the most expensive, you’ll find something decent and won’t have to ask questions.
Edited by Chestrockwell on Thursday 29th August 13:59
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