Selling a car and meeting a potential buyer 'half-way'
Discussion
My Sister is selling her car, and got a call tonight from someone in Cardiff who wants to view it. Now, he wants to meet her halfway and as soon as she said this to me I said 'No-way'. In hindsight I'm thinking that I could be being over careful? She would have gone with her OH I'm sure but it just doesn't feel right to me.
What does the collective think?
What does the collective think?
I've met people halfway before but only after having received a deposit. I would never drive halfway for someone to view the car.
If they really want it then they will come to you. Either that or ask them to pay your petrol.
ETA : in advance.
If they really want it then they will come to you. Either that or ask them to pay your petrol.
ETA : in advance.
Edited by Deluded on Tuesday 13th September 23:08
Stick to your guns, will probably be in one of two camps:
Sneaky f
ker who gets her there, recognises that as a measure of her desperation to sell, and tries to mess her around, panic her and get a cheap car.
OR
Idiot who wants a specific car but is too skint/tight to drive the full distance and will just end up being a test pilot because they'd never have the balls or the money to actually commit.
Sneaky f
ker who gets her there, recognises that as a measure of her desperation to sell, and tries to mess her around, panic her and get a cheap car.OR
Idiot who wants a specific car but is too skint/tight to drive the full distance and will just end up being a test pilot because they'd never have the balls or the money to actually commit.
I would err on the side of caution, depends how much other interest she has had.
However, I once met a seller half way when buying a Porsche 911 - he offered as he was in Nottingham and me in London. I agreed to buy the car and then took train to his house later that week and paid for it, so it could be genuine and no problem.
However, I once met a seller half way when buying a Porsche 911 - he offered as he was in Nottingham and me in London. I agreed to buy the car and then took train to his house later that week and paid for it, so it could be genuine and no problem.
Not to look at the car.
If the buyer was very interested and had paid a non-refundable deposit of a few hundred quid I might.
But, I'd be heading there with the intention of them taking the car away.
If they didn't buy the car or turn up I'd keep the deposit for my hassle.
I'd make a judgement call at the time based on how interested the buyer sounded, whether they had asked sensible questions, requested loads of extra photos and so forth.
I'd also only meet at a public area during daylight.
Something like meeting in a town centre carpark, letting them look over the car, then we both walk to their bank, they give me cash, I deposit it into my bank, then give them the car keys and V5 etc.
If the buyer was very interested and had paid a non-refundable deposit of a few hundred quid I might.
But, I'd be heading there with the intention of them taking the car away.
If they didn't buy the car or turn up I'd keep the deposit for my hassle.
I'd make a judgement call at the time based on how interested the buyer sounded, whether they had asked sensible questions, requested loads of extra photos and so forth.
I'd also only meet at a public area during daylight.
Something like meeting in a town centre carpark, letting them look over the car, then we both walk to their bank, they give me cash, I deposit it into my bank, then give them the car keys and V5 etc.
I had a Polo GTi 6n2 which had an Audi TT 20vt engine in it... most people who wanted it couldn't afford to insure it (engine declared) so most calls I had were to ask me if it was registered as a 1.6 GTI still... when I said it wasn't they quickly made excuses!
A guy contacted me who lived way up north, the only way he could get down was to get his dad to drive him but he suffered from DVT.
So I met him half way after numerous calls / emails etc.
They were there waiting for me at the agreed location, offered to pay for my train ticket but as they paid the full price, no problems, no haggling I didn't take it. I was on high alert on the train on the way home especially and St Pancras walking around with a bag with £6k cash in it!
A guy contacted me who lived way up north, the only way he could get down was to get his dad to drive him but he suffered from DVT.
So I met him half way after numerous calls / emails etc.
They were there waiting for me at the agreed location, offered to pay for my train ticket but as they paid the full price, no problems, no haggling I didn't take it. I was on high alert on the train on the way home especially and St Pancras walking around with a bag with £6k cash in it!
My friend sold a P reg Golf GTi a few weeks back with no problems
Buyer called up from top end of scotland and we live just north of Newcastle.
Arranged a meet at edinborugh train stataion with his dad following him up to bring him back after sale and everything went through perfectly fine.
Buyer called up from top end of scotland and we live just north of Newcastle.
Arranged a meet at edinborugh train stataion with his dad following him up to bring him back after sale and everything went through perfectly fine.
river_rat said:
I would err on the side of caution, depends how much other interest she has had.
However, I once met a seller half way when buying a Porsche 911 - he offered as he was in Nottingham and me in London. I agreed to buy the car and then took train to his house later that week and paid for it, so it could be genuine and no problem.
For a diesel Fiesta there's no way I would go halfway (maybe to edge of the city to allow a test drive at NSL speeds). However, I had a similar experience to the above as a seller of a sports car in London - I didn't mind meeting north of London so that a worthwhile test drive was possible. Met up at some services, agreed a deal, buyer came down a week later after having transferred cash and took the car away.However, I once met a seller half way when buying a Porsche 911 - he offered as he was in Nottingham and me in London. I agreed to buy the car and then took train to his house later that week and paid for it, so it could be genuine and no problem.
That said, it depends on the other party. If I had sensed my buyer was not serious I wouldn't have done it. And it was an excuse for a drive
Fun Bus said:
I should have said, she is in Birmingham and the car is a '57 plate Fiesta TDCi Zetec-S.
I said to her that if this guy wants it badly enough he'll come and view it.
Not only is it not a rare car, but it's also a car that should sell easily right now.I said to her that if this guy wants it badly enough he'll come and view it.
If this "buyer" wants it, let him come and get it. If he doesn't show up, someone else will buy it soon enough.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff