Ever been scared or intimidated when selling a car?
Discussion
Ok Ok I know I should have pushed my powerfully built shoulders out and dominated the drive but....
I sold my Campervan this morning and had the buyer and four of his mates turn up to view and buy it.
They drove four and a half hours arrived here at 8.30 this morning.
I got my cash and a log book transferred on line, but all the same, hard work and quite overpowering.
Have you ever had buyers turn up who got you worried?
Always when selling small hatch backs.. Sold a cheap fiesta years back and pretty much every male member of the family of the buyer turned up.. The test drive was interesting as the rear of the car wanted to bottom out as they all wanted to come along! They bought it in the end without any hassle..
Last week I sold a fiat 500 an l200 double cab turns up with 4 occupants.. I instantly realised why people happily px cars or accept low ball offers from wbac... Luckily in this case the other 3 occupants stayed in the car and the buyer was a nice chap to deal with.. In fact the whole selling process took about 10mins from test drive to bank transfer.
But yes. Both times I felt a little outgunned..
Last week I sold a fiat 500 an l200 double cab turns up with 4 occupants.. I instantly realised why people happily px cars or accept low ball offers from wbac... Luckily in this case the other 3 occupants stayed in the car and the buyer was a nice chap to deal with.. In fact the whole selling process took about 10mins from test drive to bank transfer.
But yes. Both times I felt a little outgunned..
I sold an e61 5 series and the buyer didn’t have enough cash, so I reluctantly part ex’d his e39 touring to make up the shortfall (plus a bit).
When I sold on the e39, it was a £400 car, tops. Two Eastern European traders turned up, one took it up and down the hill, revving it’s tits off and jerking away, whilst the other told me the clutch was clearly gone and was slipping. The car was an auto.
I had driven it back from the others guys house about 100 miles or so, it was a shed but fine. I suspect he was slipping it from N to D.
When I stood firm for my asking price, he got quite shouty saying it was no more than £200. He was doing me a favour etc. His mate came back in and joined the game, raising the shouty stakes.
They decided to give me the £400 in the end because they came a long way.
When I counted it, it was £20 short. Twit and t
t got shouty again saying I was a liar and how dare I accuse them. I fked them off, £20 down in the end.
When I sold on the e39, it was a £400 car, tops. Two Eastern European traders turned up, one took it up and down the hill, revving it’s tits off and jerking away, whilst the other told me the clutch was clearly gone and was slipping. The car was an auto.
I had driven it back from the others guys house about 100 miles or so, it was a shed but fine. I suspect he was slipping it from N to D.
When I stood firm for my asking price, he got quite shouty saying it was no more than £200. He was doing me a favour etc. His mate came back in and joined the game, raising the shouty stakes.
They decided to give me the £400 in the end because they came a long way.
When I counted it, it was £20 short. Twit and t
t got shouty again saying I was a liar and how dare I accuse them. I fked them off, £20 down in the end. Sold an e39 BMW V8 via eBay.
Buyer was coming from a long way away. He texted to say he was stuck in traffic.
When he turned up it was dark and I was on my own to meet what turned out to be four lads in hoodies looking very shady.
They were actually no problem and just gave me the cash and drove away.
As they were ok and didn’t try to haggle I threw in a few spares I had.
Buyer was coming from a long way away. He texted to say he was stuck in traffic.
When he turned up it was dark and I was on my own to meet what turned out to be four lads in hoodies looking very shady.
They were actually no problem and just gave me the cash and drove away.
As they were ok and didn’t try to haggle I threw in a few spares I had.
A few years ago I advertised my pristine, one owner 2.7 Boxster on Autotrader and PH. It was immaculate but high miles so it garnered very little interest. I dropped the price a couple of time and eventually a guy called me up and said if it was as described he'd pay the full asking, quoting the original pre-reduced price from a few weeks earlier. I fessed up to the reduction for some reason, and this seemed to endear me to him even more, and he insisted on paying the higher price, saying he was on a shopping spree to stock up a used car business an associate of his was starting in Nigeria. Alarm bells going off all over the shop, I asked how he was going to pay if he liked it. He said, we can go to a bank of my choice and pay cash into the bank - doing this absolves you from any fraudulent transactions so what could go wrong?
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a fking huge diamond.
He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
I told my wife the story when I got home and she went beserk counting us both lucky that a police diver wasn't pulling me out of the Thames....
Anyway the next day, a dapper, well spoken Nigerian chap in a suit turns up at my house and asks to see the car. I show him the thick file of invoices and receipts, and then the car. He has no insurance so I drive him round the block but before we're even in second gear, he says its perfect and we shake on the original asking price. The guy couldn't be more charming and I drop him at the station.
The following day I am in Costa opposite the bank and he shows up with a mate. If BBC central casting needed a dodgy Nigerian gangsta! then his mate would be the guy. He's about 6'4", powerfully built, shiny suit, gold chains on the outside of this shirt and tie, gold tooth and a £25k diamond studded Rolex. I have all the paperwork, spare keys etc in my bag, and the car is parked across the road. We all sit for a coffee and are about to go to the bank when my guy says he needs to sort out some business, and actually taps the side of his nose and winks whilst saying so. He pulls from the inside pocket of his jacket, a white handkerchief, slowly opens it a crack in front of me to reveal what I assume is a fking huge diamond.
He then says that he is going to sell this to another associate, then give me the money for the car. Do I want to come with them to do that deal he asks. Er, no I say, so I wait in Costa whilst these 2 guys slip out. About an hour later I'm still there like a plum. Another half hour passes and he hasn't answered my calls or texts. I never hear from him again.
A few weeks later I chop the car in against the replacement at the dealer. Ten years later I'm still as mystified by it all.
I told my wife the story when I got home and she went beserk counting us both lucky that a police diver wasn't pulling me out of the Thames....
Always had a few buyers who have been odd, pushy or trying it on but the most interesting one was when I was selling an rx7 fc on ebay.
Received a message from a girl stating that her boyfriend was after one and she wanted to buy it. Suggested that they let the auction run and bid on it as per normal. Stupidly I gave them my number so they could phone me to ask for more info. What I didn't prepare myself for was to be inundated with text messages, phone calls and ebay messages begging me to sell it to them outside of eBay.
I agreed eventually and we agreed on a price and collection date. The car was not mot'd so it was to be recovered. Waited in all day to then be told they will be at my house at MIDNIGHT! They arrived at night and collected it. Was such a strange one tbh.
Received a message from a girl stating that her boyfriend was after one and she wanted to buy it. Suggested that they let the auction run and bid on it as per normal. Stupidly I gave them my number so they could phone me to ask for more info. What I didn't prepare myself for was to be inundated with text messages, phone calls and ebay messages begging me to sell it to them outside of eBay.
I agreed eventually and we agreed on a price and collection date. The car was not mot'd so it was to be recovered. Waited in all day to then be told they will be at my house at MIDNIGHT! They arrived at night and collected it. Was such a strange one tbh.
Yes two months ago. Selling horse trailer. Mrs advertising it on horsey type websites and Facebook groups. Conversations and messages with a woman. Left her too it and agreed to meet the woman at the stables yard. Two blokes turn up instead. Irish travellers, she phoned me in tears with the kids crying asking me to get there ASAP. They wouldn’t pay agreed price, wouldn’t transfer any money to my bank account but had a “man bag” full of Euros. I Refused to sell it to them. All got a big angry, they put it on their tow car even though we hadn’t agreed a price as they refused to accept my wanted price. He got £2500 in GBP out of his glove box and offered me this. At this point I wanted them gone, Mrs crying, They refused to leave the property. He counted out money in my hand, said something to his mate, spoke to me and lost count. He then started again at what ended up to be £280 higher. We gave him all paper work Which had my home address on it and they were gone.
I counted the money out and I was £280 short after they left. 2 days later he phoned me to say the rain had dripped on £10ks worth of clothes and electrical equipment and what was I going to do about it. He threatened me with “damage to the wife” if I didn’t put right the damage caused to the clothes in the back of the horse trailer. He wanted £500 to put it right. I met the prick and paid him to feck off.
I’m deeply embarrassed about it but had an Irish traveller threatening me on the phones, they knew where I lived and the police just gave me a crime reference number.
Kept me awake for days because I couldn’t protect my family, I got ripped off twice, including a well know distraction, met the guy, when everyone said I shouldn’t had done. Not a proud of this and embarrassed. Kept us awake for days and have only just started sleeping correctly.
I counted the money out and I was £280 short after they left. 2 days later he phoned me to say the rain had dripped on £10ks worth of clothes and electrical equipment and what was I going to do about it. He threatened me with “damage to the wife” if I didn’t put right the damage caused to the clothes in the back of the horse trailer. He wanted £500 to put it right. I met the prick and paid him to feck off.
I’m deeply embarrassed about it but had an Irish traveller threatening me on the phones, they knew where I lived and the police just gave me a crime reference number.
Kept me awake for days because I couldn’t protect my family, I got ripped off twice, including a well know distraction, met the guy, when everyone said I shouldn’t had done. Not a proud of this and embarrassed. Kept us awake for days and have only just started sleeping correctly.
Edited by oldaudi on Sunday 30th August 22:08
I had two cars worth of chaps turn up for a Nissan, we couldn't come to a deal so based on this impasse I told them I was concluding negotiations and would bid them goodnight. Not threatening but belligerent and slightly intimidating due to weight of numbers.
They knocked on and paid my asking price, which was low, so they got a bargain but not the third of what it was worth initial price. Happy to haggle but ffs start from somewhere credible and realistic.
They knocked on and paid my asking price, which was low, so they got a bargain but not the third of what it was worth initial price. Happy to haggle but ffs start from somewhere credible and realistic.
No. Buying and selling has always been relatively easy for me.
I read the stories on here, and heard from people I’ve talked to and realise I have been lucky in that respect.
I did know a guy who successfully sued a private seller, so I’m always careful and list any faults in the adverts I place.
I read the stories on here, and heard from people I’ve talked to and realise I have been lucky in that respect.
I did know a guy who successfully sued a private seller, so I’m always careful and list any faults in the adverts I place.
We sell around 200 cars a year but rarely have problems. My buisness partner and I are always polite and will bend over backwards to help but... at the same time we don't take any crap. I'm only 5'9 but 16stone and ripped, my buisness partner is an ex boxer, stands 6'3"" has the flattened nose and a cauliflower ear and although looks the part is the nicest guy you'll ever meet. We:re nice to punters until its time not to be nice then the exit is that way>>>>
We don't blame people for looking for the easy way with wbac, there's some pretty nasty pieces of work out there.
We don't blame people for looking for the easy way with wbac, there's some pretty nasty pieces of work out there.
oldaudi said:
Yes two months ago. Selling horse trailer. Mrs advertising it on horsey type websites and Facebook groups. Conversations and messages with a woman. Left her too it and agreed to meet the woman at the stables yard. Two blokes turn up instead. Irish travellers, she phoned me in tears with the kids crying asking me to get there ASAP. They wouldn’t pay agreed price, wouldn’t transfer any money to my bank account but had a “man bag” full of Euros. I Refused to sell it to them. All got a big angry, they put it on their tow car even though we hadn’t agreed a price as they refused to accept my wanted price. He got £2500 in GBP out of his glove box and offered me this. At this point I wanted them gone, Mrs crying, They refused to leave the property. He counted out money in my hand, said something to his mate, spoke to me and lost count. He then started again at what ended up to be £280 higher. We gave him all paper work Which had my home address on it and they were gone.
I counted the money out and I was £280 short after they left. 2 days later he phoned me to say the rain had dripped on £10ks worth of clothes and electrical equipment and what was I going to do about it. He threatened me with “damage to the wife” if I didn’t put right the damage caused to the clothes in the back of the horse trailer. He wanted £500 to put it right. I met the prick and paid him to feck off.
I’m deeply embarrassed about it but had an Irish traveller threatening me on the phones, they knew where I lived and the police just gave me a crime reference number.
Kept me awake for days because I couldn’t protect my family, I got ripped off twice, including a well know distraction, met the guy, when everyone said I shouldn’t had done. Not a proud of this and embarrassed. Kept us awake for days and have only just started sleeping correctly.
Fair play to you for sharing. Utter bI counted the money out and I was £280 short after they left. 2 days later he phoned me to say the rain had dripped on £10ks worth of clothes and electrical equipment and what was I going to do about it. He threatened me with “damage to the wife” if I didn’t put right the damage caused to the clothes in the back of the horse trailer. He wanted £500 to put it right. I met the prick and paid him to feck off.
I’m deeply embarrassed about it but had an Irish traveller threatening me on the phones, they knew where I lived and the police just gave me a crime reference number.
Kept me awake for days because I couldn’t protect my family, I got ripped off twice, including a well know distraction, met the guy, when everyone said I shouldn’t had done. Not a proud of this and embarrassed. Kept us awake for days and have only just started sleeping correctly.
Edited by oldaudi on Sunday 30th August 22:08
ds. Decent law abiding people need to know never to deal with them. Edited by troika on Sunday 30th August 23:33
oldaudi said:
Kept me awake for days because I couldn’t protect my family, I got ripped off twice, including a well know distraction, met the guy, when everyone said I shouldn’t had done. Not a proud of this and embarrassed. Kept us awake for days and have only just started sleeping
But but but...they’re just misunderstood!Yes!
Selling my WRX estate. I had a chap pay a deposit and agree asking price, then turn up with two mates And a 5 hour drive and attempt to haggle. I didn’t budge nor return their deposit so they got shouty and sweary. This was until my lovely neighbour (a lady, but quite terrifying) told them in no uncertain terms i was in the right and they better fk off or buy the car.
I kept the car and deposit.
Selling my WRX estate. I had a chap pay a deposit and agree asking price, then turn up with two mates And a 5 hour drive and attempt to haggle. I didn’t budge nor return their deposit so they got shouty and sweary. This was until my lovely neighbour (a lady, but quite terrifying) told them in no uncertain terms i was in the right and they better f
k off or buy the car.I kept the car and deposit.
This is why I cba with selling privately - time wasters, haggling to the point where they are taking the piss.
Not had any issues selling a car but selling my motorbike was a little uncomfortable seeing as I couldn’t exactly go on a test drive with the guy. His mate stayed with me to be fair but there was nothing stopping him from driving away either.
I would have had to give chase
Not had any issues selling a car but selling my motorbike was a little uncomfortable seeing as I couldn’t exactly go on a test drive with the guy. His mate stayed with me to be fair but there was nothing stopping him from driving away either.
I would have had to give chase
It's easy to see why people use WBAC or similar with all these dodgy experiences going on.
I did have a Volvo V60 up for sale maybe a month ago for £5500 listed on eBay, I got a message offering me £4300 which I politely rejected the seller then came back and said he was sorry for trying to low ball me and would pay 5k which I would have accepted if he offered that at the outset but then threw in that he was travelling to visit family in a nearby city and would bring them to look at the car, I wasn't overly impressed with the sellers low ball and then the thought of a buyer bringing his extended family to view a car put me off more so I ignored it. A few days later a buyer from "We Want Any Car" turned up at my house on a pre booked appointment and paid me £5300 with no hassle.
I did have a Volvo V60 up for sale maybe a month ago for £5500 listed on eBay, I got a message offering me £4300 which I politely rejected the seller then came back and said he was sorry for trying to low ball me and would pay 5k which I would have accepted if he offered that at the outset but then threw in that he was travelling to visit family in a nearby city and would bring them to look at the car, I wasn't overly impressed with the sellers low ball and then the thought of a buyer bringing his extended family to view a car put me off more so I ignored it. A few days later a buyer from "We Want Any Car" turned up at my house on a pre booked appointment and paid me £5300 with no hassle.
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