He who Dares... EV Purchase

[Greenmantle]

Following on from the "EV - nobody wants em" thread
I'm looking for real world examples of people who have made a steal by putting in a ridiculous offer.
What is the approach?
Short sharp offer or a long drawn out conversation?
Got my eye on an EV purchase and I'm thinking of offering £9k lower. High £30k rather than high £40k.
Thanks.

[samoht]

1) Is it realistic? check how long it's been on sale if possible (AT includes the ad start date in the URL). A seller who just listed their car yesterday isn't going to entertain a big discount, whereas if they've had it listed for three months at this price with no interest, they're more likely to be tempted to let it go for a chunk less.

2) Is it 'fair'? Look at what else is on the market, can you make an argument by comparison to other cars on sale which are comparable, or much better for a little more or vice-versa.

3) Are you serious? Show by investing time/money/effort that you would genuinely buy this car if they give you a big discount. Make the offer to buy real and tempting.

[J1990]

If it's a private sale, I reckon you'd be laughed out of the door (Rightly or wrongly).
Trade sale I'd expect to be rejected but they may reach out if it sits there for another month or so.

Long conversation and then bargaining is one of my biggest pet hates when it comes to private sales.

[bencollins4]

Is it £9k over-priced compared to others? Either way, I wouldn’t expect anyone to even engage with you if you are that far away from the asking price.

[Jamescrs]

Honestly it seems completely unrealistic, you are asking for an almost 20% discount, unless the car is actually overpriced by 9k i'd say no chance and even then I don't see a seller coming don that much

[DaveyBoyWonder]

If you look up the word "optimism" in the dictionary, there is link to OP's post.

[Greenmantle]

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

[iphonedyou]

Greenmantle said:

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

It'd be more straightforward for you to make the offer and let us know how it turns out.

Although, we know how that's going to turn out.

[Andy665]

Greenmantle said:

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

There is a world of difference between "incorrect" and "unrealistic".

A seller can advertise anything for whatever they want, no obligation on them to advertise it at anything other than what they want to - whether that price will result in a sale is another thing entirely

[NAAHD]

If you do manage to get a “steal” there’s likely to be a reason for it, even more so if it’s a private sale.

But then if it is a private sale, I’d be more concerned about the abuse I’d be getting for lowballing that much.

Good luck on your hunt

[Merry]

Greenmantle said:

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

What is it? Would probably inform a few answers.

[Mark-C]

Merry said:

Greenmantle said:

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

What is it? Would probably inform a few answers.

This ... and is the one you're looking at an outlier by way of price compared to the average or an odd spec or similar to give you a basis for the low offer?

[J1990]

Greenmantle said:

For those that have taken the time to reply. Can you comment on the fact that if the number of vehicles of this type on AT has risen from 180 to 260 in 3 months as an indication that maybe the sellers are incorrectly pricing? To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a new advert or a 4 month old advert an incorrect price is an incorrect price.
Thanks

If it's a car that's coming up to the 2/3/4 year mark from launch then it's common to get rises in numbers for sale as PCP and lease agreements come to an end. I really wouldn't be reading in to the total number on AT, there are 366 BMW iX for sale on AT right now, however it appears around 238 of those are dealer ads for you to place a factory order rather than an in stock vehicle.

A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay... However the seller isn't obligated to sell.

[Theoldguard]

No doubt there are many private buyers who's expectations of achievable prices needs reality checking when compared to what dealerships are selling for.

However that does not mean they will sell at any price, there is a floor.

When it comes to private sales that are offered without any of the typical stuff you get with a dealership like part ex, finance and more protection from the sales of goods act etc, then the price in my view should be somewhere between what dealers are asking and what WBAC are offering, this is a good ballpark.

How much are WBAC, motorway etc offering for the EV you have your eye on, because the seller for alot less hassle could just sell it at that price, that is certainly the lowest they would ever go plus say £2k on a £40k plus vehicle.

[anonymous-user]

Theoldguard said:

No doubt there are many private buyers who's expectations of achievable prices needs reality checking when compared to what dealerships are selling for.

However that does not mean they will sell at any price, there is a floor.

When it comes to private sales that are offered without any of the typical stuff you get with a dealership like part ex, finance and more protection from the sales of goods act etc, then the price in my view should be somewhere between what dealers are asking and what WBAC are offering, this is a good ballpark.

How much are WBAC, motorway etc offering for the EV you have your eye on, because the seller for alot less hassle could just sell it at that price, that is certainly the lowest they would ever go plus say £2k on a £40k plus vehicle.

This.

[TikTak]

Greenmantle said:

Got my eye on an EV purchase and I'm thinking of offering £9k lower. High £30k rather than high £40k.

Just go for it. Everyone else is making crazy offers you may as well.

I've been trying to sell an 18 month old fridge/freezer on FB marketplace and of the 30 odd offers I've had the vast majority of them have offered 20% or less of the asking price.

[krisdelta]

My personal view is that much of the premium seen on electic cars has fallen away, iPace, Enyak etc were massively overpriced 12 months ago, that's mostly corrected now.

Getting 20% off (or less than it's worth on Motorway / WBAC) is just not going to happen.

[LayZ]

Yes maybe this would work in 2008 when the arse was falling out of the market but now there is an easily findable floor from WBAC and the like. They've spent so much on advertising that private punters know they can get at least what they offer.

EVs are hardly in crisis like big SUV metal was in 2008/9, people still want them but the whole period of 'overs' and non-standard residuals is gone.

[hunt123]

Greenmantle said:

Following on from the "EV - nobody wants em" thread
I'm looking for real world examples of people who have made a steal by putting in a ridiculous offer.
What is the approach?
Short sharp offer or a long drawn out conversation?
Got my eye on an EV purchase and I'm thinking of offering £9k lower. High £30k rather than high £40k.
Thanks.

Very little chance a private seller will entertain that imo. If i was the seller i wouldn't be rude though, i'd just make a counter offer of a grand off or something. I'll usually always keep it polite and will negotiate.

[Audimercorbm]

Tbf I've put a couple of I pace Regs in wbac the last 2 days and they don't give a price.
Don't know if its all electric cars or just certain ones they aren't pricing