Why Do Sellers Lie?
Discussion
I don't understand their logic at all. My Son is looking for a car and we found exactly what he wanted in a private ad.
It's advertised as mint condition, but I still asked all of the relevant questions before travelling 20 odd miles through London on a Saturday.
The fact that he's asking even more than a Dealer gave me hope that it may well be faultless as described.
If only he had mentioned the need for all four discs being replaced, all four alloys needing a serious refurb, the missing paint and the headlamps that were completely opaque, it would have saved us four wasted hours!
Do they really believe that you would buy the pile of over-priced crap, just because you've travelled to see it? He just thought that we were using these faults as a bargaining ploy!
Tim
It's advertised as mint condition, but I still asked all of the relevant questions before travelling 20 odd miles through London on a Saturday.
The fact that he's asking even more than a Dealer gave me hope that it may well be faultless as described.
If only he had mentioned the need for all four discs being replaced, all four alloys needing a serious refurb, the missing paint and the headlamps that were completely opaque, it would have saved us four wasted hours!
Do they really believe that you would buy the pile of over-priced crap, just because you've travelled to see it? He just thought that we were using these faults as a bargaining ploy!
Tim
And OTOH, why do some buyers travel miles to see your car, only to decide its too old, not in good enough condition, even after you gave them dozens of close up photos and the registration plate and description blatantly show how old and in what condition it is in?
Lesson: Most people are weird.
Lesson: Most people are weird.
Reminds me of something I heard recently.
A car up in the dealers ad described as mint condition showroom new. So they travelled the 20-30 miles to see it. When they did the two front wings were off and the two sides had been sanded and filled (badly keyed).
So they challenged advert says it's showroom new that is nothing like that.
They expected him to say it had been damaged overnight but would still be pissed off at travelling. Instead dealer said well it cane in like that so were respraying the wings and the repaired doors, once it's done it will be showroom condition. Ok um that's not what we take as showroom condition after repairs.
A car up in the dealers ad described as mint condition showroom new. So they travelled the 20-30 miles to see it. When they did the two front wings were off and the two sides had been sanded and filled (badly keyed).
So they challenged advert says it's showroom new that is nothing like that.
They expected him to say it had been damaged overnight but would still be pissed off at travelling. Instead dealer said well it cane in like that so were respraying the wings and the repaired doors, once it's done it will be showroom condition. Ok um that's not what we take as showroom condition after repairs.
I appreciate what you're saying, but, in my view, mint condition isn't really open to that much interpretation!
My Son has just sold his 05 plate Fiesta ST, which he described as "mint."
It was utterly immaculate. The first buyer spent around an hour looking over it, trying to find a reason to find fault.
He went away very happy, paying virtually the asking price.
Tim
My Son has just sold his 05 plate Fiesta ST, which he described as "mint."
It was utterly immaculate. The first buyer spent around an hour looking over it, trying to find a reason to find fault.
He went away very happy, paying virtually the asking price.
Tim
20 miles each way in London traffic on a Saturday is plenty, thanks. I wouldn't have cared if it was 50 miles each way if the car was anywhere near the description.
In any case, the owner was expecting close to the asking price and my Son doesn't buy cars that clearly haven't been looked after.
All of the previous cars that he's bought have been exactly as described and he's usually sold them for more than he paid.
Tim
In any case, the owner was expecting close to the asking price and my Son doesn't buy cars that clearly haven't been looked after.
All of the previous cars that he's bought have been exactly as described and he's usually sold them for more than he paid.
Tim
Went up to Perrys Luton about 4 years back, and spoke to the "salesman" about a Mini they had. Salesman did a walkaround appraisal on the phone to me and described it as immaculate. When we'd driven the 90 miles there to see it, it was a pile of s
t,scratched, dinked,scuffs,bald tyres,miles overdue on service etc.
The then admitted he'd never actually looked at it.
I had an interesting conversation with his manager while the fat bd ate his lunch.
t,scratched, dinked,scuffs,bald tyres,miles overdue on service etc.The
then admitted he'd never actually looked at it.I had an interesting conversation with his manager while the fat b
d ate his lunch.An unbelievably annoying pain in the arse, I agree. And if I was travelling to a car dealers, I would have a complete sense of humour failure.
But, with regard to private sales, it may just be that the average joe Bloggs selling a car might think it's a mint vehicle, purely because the bodywork is shiny, and in his head it's great.
And if they have had the car serviced, would have no reason to think otherwise.
The average Joe would probably not know knackered discs or recognise any other faults on a car at all - don't forget, most ordinary people are not PH'er type car enthusiasts who would recognise worn parts? Do you not think?
But, with regard to private sales, it may just be that the average joe Bloggs selling a car might think it's a mint vehicle, purely because the bodywork is shiny, and in his head it's great.
And if they have had the car serviced, would have no reason to think otherwise.
The average Joe would probably not know knackered discs or recognise any other faults on a car at all - don't forget, most ordinary people are not PH'er type car enthusiasts who would recognise worn parts? Do you not think?
mint condition should mean mint no dents scratches wheel scuffs interior damage etc very very few cars can be described this way in my opinion , i like to keep a nice car but would never say mint condition when selling because invariably the buyers going to end up disappointed when his expectations aren't reached imho of course :-)
A few years ago I arranged purchase of a £16k TVR 500 Chimera. Agreed a price site unseen, but lots of pictures, & assured by the 'main dealer' that the car was as new, mint, not a mark.
Delivery duly arranged. It arrived on a low loader, cue one excited me!
Looked over it thoroughly, checked & felt the chassis underneath. Whereupon large pieces of powder coat & rust came away. The outriggers were st!
To say I was annoyed was an understatement!
Sent the car back.
It's stupid, had the dealer been completely honest, we may have come up with a deal, but he tried his luck. Maybe hoping I wouldn't check...I don't know.
Delivery duly arranged. It arrived on a low loader, cue one excited me!
Looked over it thoroughly, checked & felt the chassis underneath. Whereupon large pieces of powder coat & rust came away. The outriggers were s
t! To say I was annoyed was an understatement!
Sent the car back.
It's stupid, had the dealer been completely honest, we may have come up with a deal, but he tried his luck. Maybe hoping I wouldn't check...I don't know.
Ozzie Osmond said:
veevee said:
20 miles. Jesus, that far?
Have you been to London?...Service history - one dealer service! Trader says well it's a history. One black parking sensor among others on the bumper that are silver. 4 odd tyres - one of which is a winter tyre. One wheel missing a stud altogether. Inside well worn, much more than mileage would suggest.
Well I was disappointed!
I went from Newcastle the Preston once to buy a BMW 728i. My plan was to collect the car and drive it home. Didn't seem like a big deal, I used to live in Preston and I know the area pretty well. Paid my train ticket, spent three hours on the train getting down.
Sadly, the 728i was a piece of tat. It was described by the dealer over the phone as being in great condition other than needing one piece of external plastic trim replaced and possibly a new front wheel bearing as one was making a slight rumble at speed. It looked good in the photographs. When I got there, I realised it had been photographed with great care. It was pissing with rain when I got there and even then I could see the car was a heap.
Cracked rear lights, brake light and rear numberplate light not working, interior filthy (and purple, not black as I was told on the phone), sat nav/dash computer not work, oil leak in the engine bay (the car was literally smoking when I parked it up), corroded alloy wheels, overspray from crash damage, water in the front light surrounds...etc etc. The 'slight rumble' of the wheel bearing was more of a screeching, grinding noise.
I suspected the car wouldn't make it back to Newcastle because of the oil leak, that's if the police didn't take it off the road first for the numerous faults it had! I flatly rejected the car and went to get the train home. I suspect because the dealer knew I was travelling he thought I'd just take any old st. Cost me the price of a train ticket home and a completely wasted day (missed my work Christmas party too) but learned not to travel too far when looking for a car, and also saved myself £1500.
How anyone could think it is acceptable to sell a car in that condition is beyond me.
Sadly, the 728i was a piece of tat. It was described by the dealer over the phone as being in great condition other than needing one piece of external plastic trim replaced and possibly a new front wheel bearing as one was making a slight rumble at speed. It looked good in the photographs. When I got there, I realised it had been photographed with great care. It was pissing with rain when I got there and even then I could see the car was a heap.
Cracked rear lights, brake light and rear numberplate light not working, interior filthy (and purple, not black as I was told on the phone), sat nav/dash computer not work, oil leak in the engine bay (the car was literally smoking when I parked it up), corroded alloy wheels, overspray from crash damage, water in the front light surrounds...etc etc. The 'slight rumble' of the wheel bearing was more of a screeching, grinding noise.
I suspected the car wouldn't make it back to Newcastle because of the oil leak, that's if the police didn't take it off the road first for the numerous faults it had! I flatly rejected the car and went to get the train home. I suspect because the dealer knew I was travelling he thought I'd just take any old s
t. Cost me the price of a train ticket home and a completely wasted day (missed my work Christmas party too) but learned not to travel too far when looking for a car, and also saved myself £1500.How anyone could think it is acceptable to sell a car in that condition is beyond me.
Its not just cars either, it pisses me off when people describe stuff as great on ebay then it turns out to be a crock of crap. I always make sure to be honest about even the slightest flaw in things I sell, with a well worded description, and they usually sell and sell well. I sold an Iphone on ebay the other day that was literally mint apart from a tiny scuff mark across the back where 2 halves of the hard case joined together. Because of this I said "good condition" and pointed out the flaw with good, high res photos, yet it still sold within 45 minutes of listing over all the ones advertised as mint but with pisspoor photos and a 1-line description. Buyers appreciate honesty!
Other half sold his PT Cruiser (dont laugh!) a few months back, guy called me on the Tuesday and said he'd be coming up to see it from Southampton the next day, we are in Stoke. Told the other half who then called the guy back and described every dink and stonechip on the car! We knew we had described the car accurately and honestly but we were still filled with fear at this man travelling all that way to see it.
As it turned out he fell in love with her and drove her back with him but we were both worried we'd missed something in the description.
I dont know why sellers choose to lie, just wastes their own time as much as anyone elses.
As it turned out he fell in love with her and drove her back with him but we were both worried we'd missed something in the description.
I dont know why sellers choose to lie, just wastes their own time as much as anyone elses.
The word "mint" can mean anything.
The best way as a seller or buyer is to get a 3rd party to inspect the vehicle if it isnt close enough to pop down. As a seller it can be a good way to pick up easy things before you sell and also shows that you stand by what you're selling.
OTOH
People ares.
The best way as a seller or buyer is to get a 3rd party to inspect the vehicle if it isnt close enough to pop down. As a seller it can be a good way to pick up easy things before you sell and also shows that you stand by what you're selling.
OTOH
People are
s. I bought a car on ebay. the seller described it as in good condition. I spoke to him and went through all three small issues.
upon arrival the car was concourse, it is absolutely mint and has literally had no expense spared. the heater blower motor has been replaced three times over 27 years. Full service history and every receipt from new. Serviced every few months!
I have now done 2000 miles in just over 2 weeks and it is still perfect. It was the most undersold car I have ever seen and I would have paid double the asking price.
gotta love ebay!
upon arrival the car was concourse, it is absolutely mint and has literally had no expense spared. the heater blower motor has been replaced three times over 27 years. Full service history and every receipt from new. Serviced every few months!
I have now done 2000 miles in just over 2 weeks and it is still perfect. It was the most undersold car I have ever seen and I would have paid double the asking price.
gotta love ebay!
james280779 said:
I bought a car on ebay. the seller described it as in good condition. I spoke to him and went through all three small issues.
upon arrival the car was concourse, it is absolutely mint and has literally had no expense spared. the heater blower motor has been replaced three times over 27 years. Full service history and every receipt from new. Serviced every few months!
I have now done 2000 miles in just over 2 weeks and it is still perfect. It was the most undersold car I have ever seen and I would have paid double the asking price.
gotta love ebay!
Pictures please upon arrival the car was concourse, it is absolutely mint and has literally had no expense spared. the heater blower motor has been replaced three times over 27 years. Full service history and every receipt from new. Serviced every few months!
I have now done 2000 miles in just over 2 weeks and it is still perfect. It was the most undersold car I have ever seen and I would have paid double the asking price.
gotta love ebay!
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