Sellers And Their Attitudes
Discussion
Having been a car seller many times and been mucked about by tyre kicking dreamers when selling my last Chimaera I have some sympathy for vendors however some really do not help themselves.
Not so long ago I considered switching to another model of TVR. On the whole most people were polite and co-operative in dealing with my enquiries. I'm pleased to see though that one car in particular still has not sold after a couple of months.
That would be the one belonging to the person who sent me a snotty reply to my email because he "....prefers phone calls...". Well sorry mate, I'm not a mind reader and seeing as I was 11 time zones away at the time I'm sure you wouldn't have appreciated the 4am phone call.
I've happily accepted vendors conditions in the past (test drives only with them at the wheel etc) but they were always put in reasonable terms and agreed in advance. On the other hand if one is going to be ignorant might I suggest giving prospective purchasers some warning in your ad?
And breeeeeeeathe
There are those who believe that Gentlemen don't use Computers. Strangely those that are are car dealers, aren't selling many cars except for those who only sell blue chip stuff to Gentlemen that don't use Computers.
Had dinner with one last Sunday, specialises in Frazer-Nash and pre 1939 race cars - nuff said.
Had dinner with one last Sunday, specialises in Frazer-Nash and pre 1939 race cars - nuff said.
If a seller does not want to receive enquiries by e-mail they should either not quote their e-mail address or say in the ad "telephone enquiries preferred".
I've had some strange experiences too, one chap said I couldn't road test the car as I wasn't insured fully comp. This was while I was viewiong it but I politely pointed out that I wasn't prepared to buy a car I hadn't driven. Another car I viewed and I asked for a test drive, the owner said we couldn't go far and had to stick to side roads as the car was on SORN.
I've had some strange experiences too, one chap said I couldn't road test the car as I wasn't insured fully comp. This was while I was viewiong it but I politely pointed out that I wasn't prepared to buy a car I hadn't driven. Another car I viewed and I asked for a test drive, the owner said we couldn't go far and had to stick to side roads as the car was on SORN.
I like the people where they think the car can sell itself and they have to do f*ck all preperation to sell it. You drive a couple of hours with 2/3 days notice only to see a car that hasn't been polished/hoovered/glass cleaned/'don't know where that bit is' sort of stuff. 'Service history ?' - Yeah i've got that somewhere.........
If you haven't prepared it for sale then don't put it up for sale until you have !!
If you haven't prepared it for sale then don't put it up for sale until you have !!
simonb9 said:
I like the people where they think the car can sell itself and they have to do f*ck all preperation to sell it. You drive a couple of hours with 2/3 days notice only to see a car that hasn't been polished/hoovered/glass cleaned/'don't know where that bit is' sort of stuff. 'Service history ?' - Yeah i've got that somewhere.........
If you haven't prepared it for sale then don't put it up for sale until you have !!
If you haven't prepared it for sale then don't put it up for sale until you have !!
Spot on
Uncle Bulgaria said:
profstoff said:
I've had some strange experiences too, one chap said I couldn't road test the car as I wasn't insured fully comp.
don't blame him, would you
aaaah you r taking the piss, I get it now.
Typically your insurance covers you to drive other cars but the cover is only 3rd party. The car you are road testing is probably only insured for the owner and named drivers so how can you get fully comp insurance for a road test, it's not practical.
profstoff said:
Uncle Bulgaria said:
profstoff said:
I've had some strange experiences too, one chap said I couldn't road test the car as I wasn't insured fully comp.
don't blame him, would you
aaaah you r taking the piss, I get it now.
Typically your insurance covers you to drive other cars but the cover is only 3rd party. The car you are road testing is probably only insured for the owner and named drivers so how can you get fully comp insurance for a road test, it's not practical.
well if you can't be arsed looking at getting fully comp insured for the day (about £25,) am I going to hand my keys over to you.
Trick Question.
I must admit to having a system of buying cars..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
when I bought my SEAC the last owner was very surprised when I wanted to test drive it hood up on a very hot sunny day. Well how else would you hear a noisy gearbox / axle..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
when I bought my SEAC the last owner was very surprised when I wanted to test drive it hood up on a very hot sunny day. Well how else would you hear a noisy gearbox / axle..
Uncle Bulgaria said:
profstoff said:
Uncle Bulgaria said:
profstoff said:
I've had some strange experiences too, one chap said I couldn't road test the car as I wasn't insured fully comp.
don't blame him, would you
aaaah you r taking the piss, I get it now.
Typically your insurance covers you to drive other cars but the cover is only 3rd party. The car you are road testing is probably only insured for the owner and named drivers so how can you get fully comp insurance for a road test, it's not practical.
well if you can't be arsed looking at getting fully comp insured for the day (about £25,) am I going to hand my keys over to you.
Trick Question.
Have to agree with Bulgaria here, lets say you smashed up the sellers car and it was your thought, I bet you would be reluctant to part with with 25k for a smashed up motor.....
It's a tricky one, I think I would let someone test drive but only in an empty car park, at least that eliminates the risk of other drivers....
scotty1 said:
Have to agree with Bulgaria here, lets say you smashed up the sellers car and it was your thought........
I'm not sure if the owner thought too much about who's fault it would be prior to the test drive. Thinking about it, it would be a bit thoughtless of the test driver not to get insurance cover in case he was at fault during the test drive. Then again if the owner thought it through he must be at fault for not getting thorough fault free cover
. Sorry, couldn't resist, I'm not normally one to put the spooling police hat on but it made me smile....
scotty1 said:
HarryW said:
[quote=scotty1]
Have to agree with Bulgaria here, lets say you smashed up the sellers car and it was your thought........
I'm not sure if the owner thought too much about who's fault it would be prior to the test drive. Thinking about it, it would be a bit thoughtless of the test driver not to get insurance cover in case he was at fault during the test drive. Then again if the owner thought it through he must be at fault for not getting thorough fault free cover
. Sorry, couldn't resist, I'm not normally one to put the spooling police hat on but it made me smile....
Yes very well worded and thought out...seems I was not thinking and was clearly at fault, smart arse
Edited by scotty1 on Wednesday 11th April 10:57
rev-erend said:
I must admit to having a system of buying cars..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
If the seller has all the right answers on the phone and iffurther inspection reveals the car being largely as described and if the paperwork backs up the 'oral history' and if I have a good feeling about both car and seller and after I've let him drive the car with me in the passenger seat and I found nothing untoward yet, I'll ask to take it for a short drive - not to test the outer limits of its performance and handling but simply to see if it goes, shifts, steers and stops alright, coolant and oil temps and oil pressure stay within reasonable limits and if the car generally feels solid.
If I'm unsure about whether I'd like the particular make and model at all with there being a very considerable chance that I won't, I am not going to find out at a provate seller's inconvenience.
Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 11th April 10:59
900T-R said:
rev-erend said:
I must admit to having a system of buying cars..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
and the test drive is right at the end..
so if it does not ring my bell then I dont waist their or
my time..
If the seller has all the right answers on the phone and iffurther inspection reveals the car being largely as described and if the paperwork backs up the 'oral history' and if I have a good feeling about both car and seller and after I've let him drive the car with me in the passenger seat and I found nothing untoward yet, I'll ask to take it for a short drive - not to test the outer limits of its performance and handling but simply to see if it goes, shifts, steers and stops alright, coolant and oil temps and oil pressure stay within reasonable limits and if the car generally feels solid.
If I'm unsure about whether I'd like the particular make and model at all with there being a very considerable chance that I won't, I am not going to find out at a provate seller's inconvenience.
Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 11th April 10:59
Completely agree..
I let the owner rag it and show me what it can do .. I just want a short slow drive to check it feel right, does not crab, pop out of gear etc..
The last four cars that I bought - Griff - Ferrari - 911 - Griff ... I made sure I had fully comp insurance before I got behind the wheel.
I don't want to spend the next 5-10 years paying off an uninsured bill, or worse, the next 5-10 years in jail if I killed or injured someone and was uninsured.
I don't want to spend the next 5-10 years paying off an uninsured bill, or worse, the next 5-10 years in jail if I killed or injured someone and was uninsured.
Get a test drive only if it is the last thing you need to check- car alright, like the spec, have driven in the passenger seat (not only to see what the car does but what the vendor does to it...)
Then aske for a test drive (ideally on second visit when you are very sure)
For peace of mind take out insurance for the car (if it "passes" the drive you tking it home anyway , if not cancel the insurance one day later (was offerd that by TVR car club's approved insurance broker)
Safe and fair for everybody
Then aske for a test drive (ideally on second visit when you are very sure)
For peace of mind take out insurance for the car (if it "passes" the drive you tking it home anyway , if not cancel the insurance one day later (was offerd that by TVR car club's approved insurance broker)
Safe and fair for everybody
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