Giving your address when selling a car...
Discussion
I'm in the process of selling a car and just had a potential buyer call up to talk about the car and arrange a viewing.
Naturally, I have texted him my address after a 10-minute call, with him pencilled in to view the car next week.
I've only ever sold cars privately and have never part exchanged, so this is a pretty normal thing for me - and to the majority of people reading this thread...
The chap was friendly and nice on the phone and sounded genuine, asking the questions I would expect to be asked about the car and yet, for the first time ever, I did feel a little concerned when sending my address.
I know the car is sitting on my driveway every night and that anyone can drive by my house and see the car on the drive but I can't help but have a sense of vulnerability this time, knowing that a stranger knows my address and could have ill-intentions.
Of course, there's not really anything I can do about it - refuse to give out my address until we get to know each other
either that or don't sell the car!
Have any of you experienced any sudden feeling of dread in this scenario or had any bad experiences with people who've come to view the car with no actual intention of buying it.
Naturally, I have texted him my address after a 10-minute call, with him pencilled in to view the car next week.
I've only ever sold cars privately and have never part exchanged, so this is a pretty normal thing for me - and to the majority of people reading this thread...
The chap was friendly and nice on the phone and sounded genuine, asking the questions I would expect to be asked about the car and yet, for the first time ever, I did feel a little concerned when sending my address.
I know the car is sitting on my driveway every night and that anyone can drive by my house and see the car on the drive but I can't help but have a sense of vulnerability this time, knowing that a stranger knows my address and could have ill-intentions.
Of course, there's not really anything I can do about it - refuse to give out my address until we get to know each other
either that or don't sell the car!Have any of you experienced any sudden feeling of dread in this scenario or had any bad experiences with people who've come to view the car with no actual intention of buying it.
the-norseman said:
Yeh a convenient place would of been better idea these days. Saying that I sold my old run around Leon from my address and then purchased a run around SAAB from the sellers address.
The seller wanting to meet somewhere other than their home is red flag for lots of people.I always tell them to text me just prior to setting off for the full address. Prior to that I give the postcode or the village name or whatever. Not foolproof, but often weeds out the wasters and I haven't needlessly sent my address to somebody. If they text me on the morning of the arranged viewing then it's more than likely going to be okay.
Personally, If I bought a vehicle I'd prefer to view it at the owners property. Anywhere else just screams 'have a go trader'
Personally, If I bought a vehicle I'd prefer to view it at the owners property. Anywhere else just screams 'have a go trader'
Its the risk of selling privately as opposed to using a dealer. Just wait till you need to exchange funds.
I would never buy a car from a private individual that wasn't their home. Its an absolute Red Flag. Plus as a buyer visiting someone's home can tell you a great deal about the car and how its been looked after.
I would never buy a car from a private individual that wasn't their home. Its an absolute Red Flag. Plus as a buyer visiting someone's home can tell you a great deal about the car and how its been looked after.
I've never worried about giving my address for cars I've sold and never had any issues either.
However, selling one of my high end mountain bikes last year I received interest from someone and was a little suspicious so didn't give my address initially and continued chatting about the bike. Then a few days later I got a message saying they're in my town for something else and could be available in 30 mins to buy. I was in a meeting at the time so quickly gave my address and said see you in 30.
Immediately had a worried feeling that I'd done something stupid and tried to back track saying it was at a mates house so will have to collect it before they arrive.
Obviously they didn't turn up and later that night I said don't worry I've sold it to someone else. It didn't matter. 4 days later my garage and shed were broken into any some of my other bikes stolen.
Some real c&&*s out there.
Police did nothing but to be fair to them it was all circumstantial with no evidence to go on.
As an aside when I was buying another bike with the insurance I got chatting to the seller about it and he said hold on it wasn't this person was it, and showed me his phone. Sure enough the exact same person had been in touch with him with pretty much the same dialogue!
I'm far more weary now and simply DO NOT USE FB marketplace to sell stuff of value!
However, selling one of my high end mountain bikes last year I received interest from someone and was a little suspicious so didn't give my address initially and continued chatting about the bike. Then a few days later I got a message saying they're in my town for something else and could be available in 30 mins to buy. I was in a meeting at the time so quickly gave my address and said see you in 30.
Immediately had a worried feeling that I'd done something stupid and tried to back track saying it was at a mates house so will have to collect it before they arrive.
Obviously they didn't turn up and later that night I said don't worry I've sold it to someone else. It didn't matter. 4 days later my garage and shed were broken into any some of my other bikes stolen.
Some real c&&*s out there.
Police did nothing but to be fair to them it was all circumstantial with no evidence to go on.
As an aside when I was buying another bike with the insurance I got chatting to the seller about it and he said hold on it wasn't this person was it, and showed me his phone. Sure enough the exact same person had been in touch with him with pretty much the same dialogue!
I'm far more weary now and simply DO NOT USE FB marketplace to sell stuff of value!
Jimmy No Hands said:
I always tell them to text me just prior to setting off for the full address. Prior to that I give the postcode or the village name or whatever. Not foolproof, but often weeds out the wasters and I haven't needlessly sent my address to somebody. If they text me on the morning of the arranged viewing then it's more than likely going to be okay.
Personally, If I bought a vehicle I'd prefer to view it at the owners property. Anywhere else just screams 'have a go trader'
This ^^^^^^, but I have never felt insecure about having someone come to my home. I find most people are honest, and you get to know straight away when you talk to them, I find. Also I tend to be selling old sheds, so notm much money at risk!!Personally, If I bought a vehicle I'd prefer to view it at the owners property. Anywhere else just screams 'have a go trader'
One memorable occasion I went to the seller's house to find I was buying his late father's car. So not the address on the documents. All went well, until it came time for me to pay. I logged into my bank account on his computer, showed him that I had sufficient funds in the account, set up the payment with him watching, and.....it didn't arrive in his account. After half an hour of waiting, and me calling my bank and him calling his, he said "it's ok, I trust you, and I saw you make the payment. It will turn up, and anyway, I am a police sergeant it if doesn't!" It finally turned up the following day when my bank felt it had embarrassed me enough.
I used to know a guy that insisted on asking if he can use the loo to ensure the sellers are genuine and lived in the house. I think people in the past have sold cars at an address but they didn't live there, pretty sure that was a thing?
I've purchased a car from a guy that insisted I met him somewhere other than his house, but obviously when I purchased I went to his address. Was a big posh house so I sort of didn't blame him, but I did see it as a potential red flag.
I've purchased a car from a guy that insisted I met him somewhere other than his house, but obviously when I purchased I went to his address. Was a big posh house so I sort of didn't blame him, but I did see it as a potential red flag.
Edited by r1ch on Thursday 21st July 12:46
Adrian250 said:
Could you leave it at a friends house for a few days, or in the works car park?
It's been at work all week but will be on my drive at the weekend but I'll block it in with other cars just to be safe. r1ch said:
I used to know a guy that insisted on asking if he can use the loo to ensure the sellers are genuine and lived in the house. I think people in the past have sold cars at an address but they didn't live there, pretty sure that was a thing?
If the car is parked on the street then definitely a good thing to do. Presuming Ed said:
Its the risk of selling privately as opposed to using a dealer. Just wait till you need to exchange funds.
I would never buy a car from a private individual that wasn't their home. Its an absolute Red Flag. Plus as a buyer visiting someone's home can tell you a great deal about the car and how its been looked after.
This is my thought too, if I were buying, a public location would be a red flag. I would never buy a car from a private individual that wasn't their home. Its an absolute Red Flag. Plus as a buyer visiting someone's home can tell you a great deal about the car and how its been looked after.
It's strange, the car in question is under £10k and such a niche car, it would have to be a very specific 'theft'...
I've had no hesitations and bad feelings about handing out my address for cars 4-5 times the value.
This chap didn't reply to the text confirming the address... Could be meaningless, could be worrying.
I'm not normally a worrier... Regret giving the address out now.
Oh well.
andburg said:
I'm with others, anything I've sold I've only provided my address to the buyer when they are in the area.
Your garage suggest you have a selection of motors, make sure the one they want is at the back and blocked in
Make sure the one they want is out front and the others aren't visible!!Your garage suggest you have a selection of motors, make sure the one they want is at the back and blocked in
HPI offer a fraud guarantee provided you satisfy a number of conditions of which confirming that the address on the log book matches the address that the car is picked up from, the seller can show ID and the address is provided without fuss. If you don’t give your address the seller risks HPI guarantee, so some will just look elsewhere.
It’s the way of the world that we want to sell our cars privately but don’t really want to meet anyone to sell it to. Too many scare stories out there.
It’s the way of the world that we want to sell our cars privately but don’t really want to meet anyone to sell it to. Too many scare stories out there.
Almost all of the cars I have sold started off with a meeting which was not at my house.
If the seller was genuinely interested, then I would allow them to follow me home to fill out the paperwork.
Likewise, when buying second hand cars I would be happy to meet at an easy to find location initially.
If the seller was genuinely interested, then I would allow them to follow me home to fill out the paperwork.
Likewise, when buying second hand cars I would be happy to meet at an easy to find location initially.
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