Sellers who don't want to...err, sell?

[Partridge]

What is it with sellers who don't seem to want to sell the thing they've listed?

 

Back last summer I made an appointment to view an early XJ40, listed on Autotrader for £599, from a private seller. The chap seemed OK on the phone and I arranged to view it two days later (in a very rough part of Pompy). When I arrived, at the agreed time, after taking a sodding train there and getting the cash out he wasn't there. I ended up with his misses who told me "he could be anywhere mate, didn't even know he was selling it...I've only just got up."

 

So I got the train back home before I was mugged, and never heard from him again.

 

Fast forward to January and spotted this:

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/jaguar/1995-jaguar-sovereign-grey-xj6-x300-4.0-auto/1099537565

 

I texted the number and swapped, sensible, semi-serious texts for a while. The next day I texted again, asking when I could come round and view it, when I got the message "Not this weekend." Yeah, helpful. Despite me sending two follow up texts, he never got back to me.

 

February now, again, a private seller. This time a Rover 820 Sli. I spoke on the phone, and he seemed like a decent old boy and told me everything I wanted to know. Again, I asked when I could view it. He said he'd phone me back after talking to his SWMBO. Again, I tried getting in contact twice, and never heard back from him.

 

In the end I bought my Sterling, which I love, but what an infuriating search for a car! If you don't want to sell something - why bother listing it in the first place? Are you hoping somebody will offer you a DB9 or a £100,000 for it? Have I been unlucky or is this common?

[Matt]

Because buying and seller stuff is a right pain in the arse no matter which you're doing. 

[HMC]

No doubt there are legitimate reasons behind it, but when people write " testing the water" It always raises a smile with me. It seems to read "I sort of might be selling but it depends" usually with a price tag which means they probably won't sell it it they hold out for that sort of money.

[willswitchengage]

Had this plenty of times on ebay. Once won an auction for a minifridge, got the train halfway across the Pennines before he was like 'CAR WONT START SOZ CANT SELL IT'. A lot can be reportable to ebay but obviously you won't get your time/money back.

[Junkman]

People are as stupid as a sailor's shit. Always were, ever will be.

There are only very few exceptions.

Also, most of them are pathetic nidderings.

[dome]

Had this with the Scorpio I posted up about a couple of months ago-phoned the boy selling it a couple of times after the viewing/resurrection but he never got back to me.

[HH-R]

"Testing the water" cars are usually overpriced shitheaps, and when the owner gets no interest or offered a more realistic value they take their ball home and say DIDN'T WANT TO SELL ANYWAY.

[Alanism]

Having purchased a rather magnificent* Volvo recently I had a nightmare finding people who actually wanted to sell.  Statements like "Its not for sale till next week" and "Testing the water" are growing increasingly popular.  I also went to see cars for sale only to find the owner "had just popped out in it" only to not return (different story but this happened twice).

 

Its odd.. i think it may just be because I was playing in the sub 300 pound market but its a strange "Im doing you a favour" mentality from a lot of sellers.  I also could not make sense of this new valuation system where a car with no mot is worth the same as one with.  Im sure in the real world these cars are considered "scrap" and valued accordlingly.

 

In the end I went to see a nice chap who had apparently been messed about massively trying to sell his car for a low price with an mot.  I paid him and drove away having signed the relevant paperwork, shaking his hand and saying thanks.

[strangeangel]

IME people who place 'testing the water' and 'thinking of selling' ads are invariably timewasting nobheads unworthy of your time.

[EssDeeWon]

The ones that piss me off are those who advertise their car, you phone them up to view and they are busy and not about until the weekend after next! Fuk sake, why advertise it now then?!?!?

[Bren]

I have just put a deposit down on another car.

 

The vectra is being thrown to the wolves on ebay.

 

Lets see how it goes......I need to sell.

[DVee8]

I may have found one not returning any calls texts or emails.

[richardmorris]

As someone who hangs on to cars long after they are financiallly viable I've never thought twice about selling, or reconsidered when the time comes. Needs must etc.

 

Some people are just flakes though.

[overrun]

Saw one I wanted on Gumtree, a few weeks back.  No contact number, only email.

I sent three emails and received SFA, in return.

 

BALLTICKLER.

[UltraWomble]

The ones that piss me off are those who advertise their car, you phone them up to view and they are busy and not about until the weekend after next! Fuk sake, why advertise it now then?!?!?

Because occasionally shit happens and the mother in law has a stroke, then maybe a suck....

[Lord Sterling]

You might find that a lot of these "non-sellers" are basically people who've got a little over themselves after watching one too many Wheeler Dealer/Money Saving Expert programmes to try to out the "latest/hottest tip" which in turn wastes a lot of potential buyers times and in turn makes the non-seller look like a right cock wangler.

 

It's all self self self these days, fuck others, that is simply what is being taught these days and a message that is being taken too seriously. People walk about armed with "it's my right" "I have a right to..." is all too apparent, on top of that, we are increasingly having to deal with self-appointed "experts" on everything from which cars are best to drive/buy to neo-classical art. Plus with these non-sellers, you might even find some cheeky enough to tell (not ask) you to work around thier "schedule".

 

Everyone wants to make a buck or to which is fair enough, but the arrogance that goes with it ain't gonna get a sale unless arrogance happens to be selling to the weak-minded. Unfortunately, that isn't a message that is heard loud enough. It is sadly something that is becoming the norm far too fast and easily.

[New POD]

Since pistonheads started charging for adverts it's got rid of the "testing the water" adverts which were 80% of them.  If you've invested £10 in an advert, there's probably more chance that you are serious, than if you went on retro rides or facebook and advertised for free.

 

When I was looking for a classic mini a few years back, I was on the Derbyshire Classic Mini Owners club forum and someone advertised a car about 8 miles out of Derby.  Due to circumstances I'd come down that week on the train, and the mini I was going to pick up had been written off, so I had £1800 cash in my pocket.  Exactly what this lad wanted for his.  I got a mate to give me a lift after work, and help inspect the car, and I decided it was good enough, so we could go into negotiation. I have cash. I'll take it now for £1600.

 

No. He needs the car until he finds a replacement as he won't be able to get to work.

 

Okay £1800, but I have to take it by Friday. That gives you the weekend to find a replacement.

 

No. Because he needs the car to go and look at other cars.

 

Okay £1600, £50 deposit now and £1550 as soon as you are ready, but has to be in the next 2 weeks.

 

No. I want £1800.

 

Right.  Here's my number. If I haven't found another and bought it, and when you are ready to sell, give me a call, and we'll discuss it then.

 

Never heard from him again. Fucking teenagers.

[Partridge]

You might find that a lot of these "non-sellers" are basically people who've got a little over themselves after watching one too many Wheeler Dealer/Money Saving Expert programmes to try to out the "latest/hottest tip" which in turn wastes a lot of potential buyers times and in turn makes the non-seller look like a right cock wangler.

 

It's all self self self these days, fuck others, that is simply what is being taught these days and a message that is being taken too seriously. People walk about armed with "it's my right" "I have a right to..." is all too apparent, on top of that, we are increasingly having to deal with self-appointed "experts" on everything from which cars are best to drive/buy to neo-classical art. Plus with these non-sellers, you might even find some cheeky enough to tell (not ask) you to work around thier "schedule".

 

Everyone wants to make a buck or to which is fair enough, but the arrogance that goes with it ain't gonna get a sale unless arrogance happens to be selling to the weak-minded. Unfortunately, that isn't a message that is heard loud enough. It is sadly something that is becoming the norm far too fast and easily.

You sound like my Granddad...I can hear him saying "self, self, self" right now! You're both right. It's a new attitude which has got quite prolific these last few years. And he had a name for the type of person you've described: "Swaggering Johnnies"...

[catsinthewelder]

I imagine there are plenty of folk who advertise the old car before picking up the new one.  When they find the new one is a heap/sold half an hour ago etc then they won't want to be without a car so mess you about.

 

These people should really just part ex at a dealer and save the rest of us the grief.

[Ghosty]

I'm worried this is about to happen to me on eBay.

 

Ad with 0 bids, 2 days left, says in description to message with any offers, okay I think, I don't usually do this but I'll have a go. I send a well worded message, and a while later, I get a reply:

Hi,

Yes I would!

Thanks, 

(name).

 

That's great, mate. Can I pay you?

I've messaged back to that effect but I'm not holding out - I bet I end up waiting for auction's end, bidding, and saving myself a tenner or something.

[Split_Pin]

As many will know, Facebook car groups are rife with these sorts of people. "For sale offers", "I no (sic) what it's worth", "1 week MOT", needs #Insert suspiciously minor repair# "In no rush to sell". Usually all gypo, self important twentysomethings whom I would never deal with. I also have to laugh at the sellers in the Corsa B page who say "mint shell, ideal for conversion" and it turns out to be badly rotten.

[Essex V6]

As many will know, Facebook car groups are rife with these sorts of people. "For sale offers", "I no (sic) what it's worth", "1 week MOT", needs #Insert suspiciously minor repair# "In no rush to sell". Usually all gypo, self important twentysomethings whom I would never deal with. I also have to laugh at the sellers in the Corsa B page who say "mint shell, ideal for conversion" and it turns out to be badly rotten.

Any time the word "mint" gets mentioned, I tend to run for cover!

[richardmorris]

"mint"

The car has a hole in the middle!

[sierraman]

Bought a greenhouse on ebay ages ago, seller just ignored my repeated attempts to call. Didn't have the decency to say they had decided not to sell it. Hope the fucker blew over in the wind!

[Junkman]

 

She's been in the family for umpteen years and I'm really sad to see her go, reluctant sale, regrettably must sell now because baby/housemove/getting a life/back tax/divorce/marriage is imminent, jada jada...

 

Usually followed by:

 

 

If it's not gone by Tuesday 11:46 it'll be scrapped.

 

What a pile of utterly pointless drivel. Makes me want Putin to deploy his nuclear arsenal.

What do people think they get out of writing such horseshit?

[sierraman]

The spelling is always a give away. If its badly worded I'm out straight away.

[Alan_Green]

The spelling is always a give away. If its badly worded I'm out straight away.

Think you mean "it's".

[D Spares & Tyres]

I went to look at an MG TF for my sister in law who was willing to pay right money for a good one

 

This one  was local and sounded good

 

Got there and it wouldn`t start. Mismatched panels from various bad repairs. No history to back up the mileage

 

I mentioned it may be a touch overpriced. He seemed mortally wounded by this.... `It can sit there til I get the right price`

 

3 years later and its still there covered in mould with flat tyres......

[Albert Ross]

eBay sales that finish at 03:20 on a Monday. This happened to me. Large/heavy used vehicle parts in a town 20 miles away, cash sale and collection only. The vendor gets titsy if you haven't sent an email within a nanosecond of winning, and when you get home from work at 7pm to see if you've won the auction, you find 11 emails "Here are my details, please blah blah blah" timed 30 minutes later.. "You haven't responded etc" An hour later, and regularly throughout the day "Are you ignoring me?" To which one responds with "None of the above, I was asleep when the auction ended, and woke up, went to work, and just returned. I responded at my earliest convenience with ideas about when to collect.." The response was "There's no need to be rude about it. I waited in all day and you never got back to me, you're a timewaster etc" I then complained to eBay about the seller, sending them copies of all the emails, and they cancelled my purchase!

[sierraman]

Think you mean "it's".

It's the autocorrect. I mean the 'runs mint sellin for a freind who bort it 4rm orctions' sort of typo.