When did selling a car become such a ball ache?
Discussion
Just sold my parents' A-Class for £5k, the experience really wasn't that bad. Tried selling to trade first because of all the horror stories surrounding selling privately, but all the offers were so low I decided to give it a go. What was interesting was that I had no interest after 2 weeks of placing the eBay advert, so I was thinking of reducing the price - but then I had 3 enquires the same day, and it sold to the second person who came to view. Nice hassle-free transaction, elderly gent who was pleasant to deal with and seemed very happy with the car - so a nice deal all round. Just seems to be down to luck (so long as price is competitive) and you have to be prepared to wait it out and play the long game.
What I found funny was that I edited the advert to say that a deposit had been taken, so car was currently off the market but may be available again if the buyer doesn't proceed for any reason. I immediately got inundated with messages asking what price had been agreed, and that they would pay more if I sold it to them, etc - I just politely told them that I was a man of my word and had agreed a deal, but that I'd contact them if the original buyer didn't proceed. It just seems to be human nature that everybody wants the car after somebody else has agreed to buy - they probably wouldn't have been interested otherwise. Maybe next time I sell a car I'll put an ad up then edit it a day later to say 'deposit taken' and see if that generates more interest!
What I found funny was that I edited the advert to say that a deposit had been taken, so car was currently off the market but may be available again if the buyer doesn't proceed for any reason. I immediately got inundated with messages asking what price had been agreed, and that they would pay more if I sold it to them, etc - I just politely told them that I was a man of my word and had agreed a deal, but that I'd contact them if the original buyer didn't proceed. It just seems to be human nature that everybody wants the car after somebody else has agreed to buy - they probably wouldn't have been interested otherwise. Maybe next time I sell a car I'll put an ad up then edit it a day later to say 'deposit taken' and see if that generates more interest!
NickGRhodes said:
People asking if it had X, Y or Z feature that was stated in the advert.
This was the only thing that really, really irritated me when I was selling. I'd written a comprehensive and easy-to-read (bullet pointed) description of the car. Literally everything you would want to know was in the advert. The second person who rang me asked all the things that I'd already answered in detail in the ad - I ended up getting annoyed and told him to go and actually read the bloody ad as he was wasting my time. Luckily it sold to the first guy who called and came to see it.Edited by Funk on Wednesday 25th April 18:23
I’ve just bought this little low mileage 03 beauty for £250 on an eBay buy it now ad with a longish mot and the thing runs great.
The lovely couple I bought it from said they had calls offering £120 then £150 as apparently that’s all it worth for a nice car and I think the cheaper the car the worse the buyer.
My father a few years ago had a lovely late Volvo v40 sport which was a one owner car with a fantastic history and when he sold it it had 13 months ticket he just wanted it gone quick so was just asked £300 no offers as he was moving but in reality it was a £1300 car and he was asked if he could take instalments of £10 a week then he had driveway dealer trying to knock him down because it had an an advisory the year previously on the mot for a cracked tyre.
I give him due he just took the keys off the bloke and told him in no uncertain terms he wouldn’t sell it to him and locked it up and went indoors and just left the bloke standing there and then sold it the next day.
Edited by Vince70 on Wednesday 25th April 22:59
Edited by Vince70 on Wednesday 25th April 23:00
NickGRhodes said:
My car advert (2 weeks) on Gumtree seemed to attract a special group of people.
1. Haggling price because of stated damage body work damage (and car was more the generously reduced already).
2. 3 people stating a price, sorry 2 people stated a price, one was just a number, just ignored.
3. 2 People said they wanted to take a look and never responded.
4. 1 Person arranged to come and look and never turned up.
5. 1 Person wanted to travel 500 miles to collect at asking price, but only at 11pm on a Sunday night.
6. 3 People asking if it had X, Y or Z feature that was stated in the advert.
7. Someone decided to wait until after the date the car needed to go (due to date of insurance expiry) to offer me half asking price for a quick sale - was quite nice telling him he missed his chance as it sold (via Auto trader to first enquirer).
Welcome to my world, try doing this s1. Haggling price because of stated damage body work damage (and car was more the generously reduced already).
2. 3 people stating a price, sorry 2 people stated a price, one was just a number, just ignored.
3. 2 People said they wanted to take a look and never responded.
4. 1 Person arranged to come and look and never turned up.
5. 1 Person wanted to travel 500 miles to collect at asking price, but only at 11pm on a Sunday night.
6. 3 People asking if it had X, Y or Z feature that was stated in the advert.
7. Someone decided to wait until after the date the car needed to go (due to date of insurance expiry) to offer me half asking price for a quick sale - was quite nice telling him he missed his chance as it sold (via Auto trader to first enquirer).
t for a living and dealing with these dossheads all day, every day.It doesn't matter if you are selling privately or selling retail, these people are everywhere, it gets very tiring, very quickly.
Consider this the next time you are on a dealers forecourt trying to haggle and kick tyres.
andymc said:
agreed, the cheaper the car the bigger the nightmare, Golf and VW in general have their own place in hell
Ha ha, it's not just me then, must be a nationwide thing, everyone in the motor trade says the same.First stupid question that comes out of there mouth before they have even opened the bloody car door is.....
Altogether now....
'Has the cambelt and water pump been changed?'
Oh do f
k off you penniless wannabe.Edited by Mexman on Wednesday 25th April 19:26
You could always go down the pompous advert route. It might put off the imbeciles, but you might attract other tools.
Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
Wildcat45 said:
You could always go down the pompous advert route. It might put off the imbeciles, but you might attract other tools.
Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
Like it, you may be on to something there. Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
I think you need to pick where you advertise quite carefully.
In July 2014 I sold my 123d on Autotrader without too much grief, although the guy that bought it did try to get it uber-cheap by getting in his car to drive away - I just told him I could afford to wait for a better offer, and he got out and we did a deal!
December 2014 I sold a Mazda 323f for about £600 on Gumtree - no issues there! A cheapy with some MOT will always sell.
May 2016 I sold my Z4 Coupe via the Z4forum with no problems.
Then in February this year I posted on the 325ti appreciation thread on here that I was selling mine - it went in less than a week!
And the last 3 sold with no advert fees.
In July 2014 I sold my 123d on Autotrader without too much grief, although the guy that bought it did try to get it uber-cheap by getting in his car to drive away - I just told him I could afford to wait for a better offer, and he got out and we did a deal!
December 2014 I sold a Mazda 323f for about £600 on Gumtree - no issues there! A cheapy with some MOT will always sell.
May 2016 I sold my Z4 Coupe via the Z4forum with no problems.
Then in February this year I posted on the 325ti appreciation thread on here that I was selling mine - it went in less than a week!
And the last 3 sold with no advert fees.
Mexman said:
andymc said:
agreed, the cheaper the car the bigger the nightmare, Golf and VW in general have their own place in hell
Ha ha, it's not just me then, must be a nationwide thing, everyone in the motor trade says the same.First stupid question that comes out of there mouth before they have even opened the bloody car door is.....
Altogether now....
'Has the cambelt and water pump been changed?'
Oh do f
k off you penniless wannabe.Edited by Mexman on Wednesday 25th April 19:26
Wildcat45 said:
You could always go down the pompous advert route. It might put off the imbeciles, but you might attract other tools.
Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
wotz yo best price m8?Ordered from the craftsmen at Halewood by a Mr Smith in June 1995, this Ford Escort Finesse is finished in Rosso Red coachwork - accepted as the best colour choice. She passed through the hands of eight keepers before being acquired by a Mr J Jones who ordered a fastidious mechanical overhaul by (Insert name you've never heard of). Accepted in Escort circles as the expert on this model. Applications are now being sought from prospective custodians to continue the story of this remarkable vehicle....POA.
I've had the usual single word £XXXX texts, and even people giving offers with a time limit and saying if I didn't accept it then the offer will be reduced as time goes on as if they are running some sort of b*llsh*t teleshopping TV show. Had the nerve to tell me that I am crazy not to accept his low ball offer and time will tell me how wrong I was. Then you get others who tell you they can get another car of the same marque which is newer, lower mileage and better spec for the same price....no sh*t if that was the case why not go buy the other ones rather than wasting your time telling me all about it!
All this from people who haven't picked up the phone to find out more details, nor seen the car to make any sort of judgement. Rant over
)
All this from people who haven't picked up the phone to find out more details, nor seen the car to make any sort of judgement. Rant over
)I've just listed my Fiesta ST2 on both AutoTrader and eBay, been up around 24 hours and both websites have generated a similar amount of views so far. AutoTrader cost three times the amount compared to eBay!
Selling privately previously has been an ok experience, but one I never look forward too purely because of reasons mentioned in this thread.
Selling privately previously has been an ok experience, but one I never look forward too purely because of reasons mentioned in this thread.
TurboHatchback said:
Mexman said:
andymc said:
agreed, the cheaper the car the bigger the nightmare, Golf and VW in general have their own place in hell
Ha ha, it's not just me then, must be a nationwide thing, everyone in the motor trade says the same.First stupid question that comes out of there mouth before they have even opened the bloody car door is.....
Altogether now....
'Has the cambelt and water pump been changed?'
Oh do f
k off you penniless wannabe.Edited by Mexman on Wednesday 25th April 19:26
Like I said it's normally the first question that comes out of these idiots mouths before anything else.
It could have been changed within the last 2/3 years but these VW people will still want it changed again, thrown in for free of course.
I have just taken in a 2007 Golf with 119k miles on the clock which has never had a cambelt in its life.
It's all VAG b
ks, if Peugeot/Citroen can claim a cambelt interval change of 10 years/150k miles then why can't VW?Never had a cambelt go or know of one on a VW in 25 years of dealing.
Typical VAG money making/grabbing greed.
TurboHatchback said:
Mexman said:
andymc said:
agreed, the cheaper the car the bigger the nightmare, Golf and VW in general have their own place in hell
Ha ha, it's not just me then, must be a nationwide thing, everyone in the motor trade says the same.First stupid question that comes out of there mouth before they have even opened the bloody car door is.....
Altogether now....
'Has the cambelt and water pump been changed?'
Oh do f
k off you penniless wannabe.Edited by Mexman on Wednesday 25th April 19:26
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