I hate selling cars

[AlsoMike]

I put a Peugeot 205 up for sale in the local paper last year, it was in decent nick and I only wanted £225 for it. The first morning the advert was printed in the paper I got a text at 8am offering me £100 for it. I almost rang the number to shout at them. Then someone called asking if I'd take £125 for it, they could 'collect today' too. What a generous offer.... I think no matter how cheap you advertise it, some twerp will offer you a bucket of spuds for it. The worst selling experience I had was selling my last Mk1 Golf, the car was stored 10 miles from my house and 4 people in a row arranged to view it and didn't turn up. No phone call, no text, nothing. I called the last 2 because I was so pissed off and they ignored my calls, joy.

[Pete-M]

The public are on crack.A lad came down today to view the Golf, let him have a test drive etc, he loves the thing, so he's "Going to bring his dad to have a look". I reckon he'll buy it now he's driven it..Anyway, e-mail earlier from another chap. "Hi mate, interested in your Golf, I've got an N reg, Mauve Golf VR6. 79k miles, damaged repaired". So I replied "Ok, Give me £1800 and your Golf for mine".. just got an e-mail from him "Oh, I wanted a swap for a Mk1 GTi, I've not got any money".Fucking heroic.Mk1 GTi, no mods, mechanically blob on, very tidy indeed advertised at £2500 and he wants a straight swap for a bended'n'mended Mk3 VR6 worth £700 on a good day.

[Station]

I think no matter how cheap you advertise it, some twerp will offer you a bucket of spuds for it.

That's cheap in my eyes, I'd be too embaressed to try and knock you down. There's haggling over a 500 quid drop of 15,000 say, but people who try and get 50 quid off 200 quid, and then start doing the 150 ... 175 ... 167.5 ... etc.until they meet exactly in the middle. That's 1 minute of your life wasted over trying to save £20 which you'll probably piss up the wall on a Friday night anyway.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

A couple of things. When someone asks 'what's the least you'll take for it', you know you're dealing with an idiot who can't afford it. Fuck off Boys.

I think I know what you might be trying to say (that when you're offereing a genuine car at it's market value with no pressure to sell) but if not:I'm not an idiot, and have said this to some people. It doesnt mean I cant afford the car either - it more likely means that I know what the car is worth

It's also the line most likely to really, really piss people off. I wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculous question. If it's so overpriced you need to ask 'what's your best price Pal' or something equally insulting, I wouldn't bother anyway. I mean - how the fuck can you ask the seller how much they'll take for a car you haven't even seen?If I want something I will go and look at it. If I don't want it I will say so. If I do, I'll make a fair offer. It's then up to the seller if they accept or not.

[dollywobbler]

Ah, now that's a fair point. I don't say "what's your best price" until I've seen the thing. For a start, you're in a better position when you've actually seen it as you know what's wrong with it.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Ah, now that's a fair point. I don't say "what's your best price" until I've seen the thing. For a start, you're in a better position when you've actually seen it as you know what's wrong with it.

Fairy Muff. But there are still ways and means. If a car's up for £1000, I'd always say something like 'will £850 buy it?', making it clear you are there will dollars.

[Station]

If a price has ONO on it though, it's be stupid not to haggle. Whenever I've sold a car, I've always said offers or ono, as I'm usually desperate. Although, the odd occasion when I haven't, I still get people offering the obligatory 100 quid.I'm selling a starion on RR and it's started at over 1k, but now it's offers on 600 quid.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Bartering is all part of the fun innit, its obligatory to have a bit of a barter. But, just ringing up and simply asking for a chunk off the asking price without even looking at the car is not bartering, its just being a bone-idle twat who hopefully will get the clap eventually. I got this off some Irish bloke who kept ringing up about the Ital, 'how much will you take for it', I just telt him I would not haggle with anyone who'd not seen the car as how can someone possibly decide a fair price if they have not seen it? Then i got various ideas about sending his mate with a trailer, and cant get it on the boat for 3 weeks, if he had not sounded like he was 70 yeras old I'd have just told him to nob off. I reckon with buying cars, like most stuff I suppose, the more effort you put in the more you get out. So sitting at the computer bidding on eBay stuff is OK, but you almost certainly wont get a mega bargain that way, you;'ve gotta get off the puter/phone and go and look at stuff and pick holes in it and barter with the sella

[Gompo]

A couple of things. When someone asks 'what's the least you'll take for it', you know you're dealing with an idiot who can't afford it. Fuck off Boys.

I think I know what you might be trying to say (that when you're offereing a genuine car at it's market value with no pressure to sell) but if not:I'm not an idiot, and have said this to some people. It doesnt mean I cant afford the car either - it more likely means that I know what the car is worth

It's also the line most likely to really, really piss people off. I wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculous question. If it's so overpriced you need to ask 'what's your best price Pal' or something equally insulting, I wouldn't bother anyway. I mean - how the fuck can you ask the seller how much they'll take for a car you haven't even seen?If I want something I will go and look at it. If I don't want it I will say so. If I do, I'll make a fair offer. It's then up to the seller if they accept or not.

I didnt see you implying that it was people who hadnt seen the car in question doing this. I've not done that. I've not bought that many cars, but I've used a similar method a couple of times (and bought the car), you can tell if the seller is willing to do a deal or whatever. As Mr.B said, you have to get out there in person to do a proper deal, somebody talking on the phone or communicating via email or whatever doesnt mean a thing to most sellers. They'll want the person there, with cash in their hand.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

As Mr.B said, you have to get out there in person to do a proper deal, somebody talking on the phone or communicating via email or whatever doesnt mean a thing to most sellers. They'll want the person there, with cash in their hand.

Agreed 100% Brother.

[Cavcraft]

I have a theory that if I can get someone down say a hundred quid on the phone that I can get them down a bit more if I turn up with the reddies and it usually works. I do desest the 'I'll give you a hundred quid' for it merchants though when selling stuff and I usually reply 'You won't give me a hundred for it, you'll offer me a hundred quid for it. And the answer is no'.

 

Here's a recent one for you: advertised a cheap car, Captain Thick starts mithering and for about five days in a row he's 'coming up with cash this evening/tomorrow'. Now I'm stringing him along in case someone else doesn't turn up and meanwhile I get a buyer. Captain Thick then calls to tell me he's coming down for definate next day. I tell him it's sold and he goes ape saying we had a deal. I tell him we did have a deal but he didn't honour his part of the bargain to turn up when he's said, he's strung me along for days and I took the cash off the first person to show.

He then went even more mad so I put the phone down and threw the simcard away

[Mr Average]

Just to add some balance on Monday I sold my FSO pickup to Mr Bickle and it was a pleasure.

 

[michiel]

FAP! Yet another car... collection now runs into 3 figures surely?Sort of on topic: I have once swapped cars with a slightly unpleasant half-idiot and then sold that car on a few months later, that was a more pleasant deal, cost me a bit too much though... Might trade the Starlet in for something newer soon, and after that I'll never buy or sell a car again. Maybe.

[STUNO]

Just to add some balance on Monday I sold my FSO pickup to Mr Bickle and it was a pleasure

I had heard that poor Mr Bickle has been quite ill lately

[dollywobbler]

Gah. Thought I'd actually managed to get someone to come and look at the Subaru but no, struck down by a Twunt. Got his mobile, but that's off of course...To make things worse, I cancelled taking part in a charity silly game thing!Charity-shafting twunt!

[Negative Creep]

An original mk.2 Golf GTI 16v with tax and MOT. Now I don't know about you, but I'd think it would attract a little bit of interest. I've had mine up for a month now and nothing, not a fucking thing. To say it is pissing me off is an understatement as not only am I getting no interest, but on every forum I post on it gets ignored and soon drops off with no replies. Every time I've tired to sell a car has been, with one exception, painful. I really don't know why I waste my time getting proper photos and writing a literate description when no wants it. Even resorted to ebay but shock horror, nothing from the winner bidder so guess he doesn't want it.I can really see why people take advantage of the Scrappage Scheme and am seriously thinking about weighing a perfectly good, roadworthy car in. Doesn't matter how good a car is, if no one wants it then it's worthless.For the first time I'm actually hoping it gets stolen tonight. If any chavs are reading this then by all means help yourself. Actually bollocks to it. I'm going to go and paint it matt black, cut the springs then spray the bonnet neon pink. Then someone will buy it.

[dollywobbler]

That's arse. The chap at work keeps going on about wanting a Golf. Not really my cup of tea (people like them, so I don't - my general rule for things!) but crap that it's been so much bother. Tried advertising in CCW? It is free at least...

[Guest]

A couple of things. When someone asks 'what's the least you'll take for it', you know you're dealing with an idiot who can't afford it. Fuck off Boys.

I think I know what you might be trying to say (that when you're offereing a genuine car at it's market value with no pressure to sell) but if not:I'm not an idiot, and have said this to some people. It doesnt mean I cant afford the car either - it more likely means that I know what the car is worth

It's also the line most likely to really, really piss people off. I wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculous question. If it's so overpriced you need to ask 'what's your best price Pal' or something equally insulting, I wouldn't bother anyway. I mean - how the fuck can you ask the seller how much they'll take for a car you haven't even seen?If I want something I will go and look at it. If I don't want it I will say so. If I do, I'll make a fair offer. It's then up to the seller if they accept or not.

Spot on sir.The other chestnut that I've had when selling cars and parts was the issue of distance.In fact I had a massive pissy argument with someone on RR about this very point.Stuff like, 'Will you knock £50' off because I've got to get a van \ trailer \ feed my cat its blended entrails to come and get to you.HOW ABOUT FUCKING BUY ONE CLOSER THEN? If you have \ want something strange, travelling is part of the craic owning it. I would never, ever knock the price of something because of distance, because a: I'd have found another closer and b: I'd be too busy actually seeing the thing and finding faults to knock the price down.

[Burnside]

I've had 12 cars and i have had mixed results from no shows to a same day sale. I think it's just the luck of the draw really. I have only ever brought one car off ebay a 1990 g reg fiat tipo 1.4 dgt an i admit i royally screwed up by misunderstanding the post code and found out when i won it was in london not nottingham! But i still had it anyway as it only cost me £77 and it was a good experence really nice bloke drove back 140 miles no problems. Great car till i made the mistake of getting the local fastfit to put a new cambelt on it and they fucked it up leaving me with a knackered engine and then i was out of work so i sold it for a £100 but still lost £150 on the bill for the belt plus recovery. So my hate is with dumb ass garages. Bloody scum bags one day.....

[Spiny Norman]

My last car sale went as sweet as...Put the car in the local Gumtree website at 10:30pm one night, got a text within the hour from a woman less than half a mile away saying could I possibly bring it up to her house the next afternoon. She turned out be a totally decent sort, chipped a token amount off my asking price and by 2:00pm the next day I was back in the house counting a wad of spondulos!

[Gompo]

A couple of things. When someone asks 'what's the least you'll take for it', you know you're dealing with an idiot who can't afford it. Fuck off Boys.

I think I know what you might be trying to say (that when you're offereing a genuine car at it's market value with no pressure to sell) but if not:I'm not an idiot, and have said this to some people. It doesnt mean I cant afford the car either - it more likely means that I know what the car is worth

It's also the line most likely to really, really piss people off. I wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculous question. If it's so overpriced you need to ask 'what's your best price Pal' or something equally insulting, I wouldn't bother anyway. I mean - how the fuck can you ask the seller how much they'll take for a car you haven't even seen?If I want something I will go and look at it. If I don't want it I will say so. If I do, I'll make a fair offer. It's then up to the seller if they accept or not.

Spot on sir.

Well for what it's worth, I recently bought a car - Named the highest price I would offer and ended up getting it for £50 less than said offer - everyone happy..Cheers.

[Negative Creep]

Much as I didn't want to, and I know how it annoys people here, but I had to resort to the blackmail tactic on the Golf. I put another post up saying I'm fed up of the car and if no one wants it I will weight it in. Lo and behold, now have 3 people interested

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Much as I didn't want to, and I know how it annoys people here, but I had to resort to the blackmail tactic on the Golf. I put another post up saying I'm fed up of the car and if no one wants it I will weight it in. Lo and behold, now have 3 people interested

I sort of did that once with a Mark 3 Escort XR3i about 6 years ago now. After the usual run of knobs, I just put a breaking advert in, stressing how nice it was but it had to be broken up.Sold the thing the next day.

[AlsoMike]

Much as I didn't want to, and I know how it annoys people here, but I had to resort to the blackmail tactic on the Golf. I put another post up saying I'm fed up of the car and if no one wants it I will weight it in. Lo and behold, now have 3 people interested

You are a bad person and we are all judging you.

[garycox]

My dad's Rover has just 'sold' on ebay. About 10 mins from the end it had 2 bids but was still on the starting price of £350. There was a BIN of £695.'Sold' for £700 to a bloke with a feedback of 4, place your bets...

[nigel bickle]

Just noticed all your 'recent' previous comments.Mr Average-thanks for thepickup-its bloody splendid.Nowsittingon fat Alfa rims&sporting a truckmantop-awaiting an MOT experience.Sadly-its quite a long queue at pres. Aspot of illnessmakesdriving difficult-so its stored-awaiting betterness.Michiel- I've stopped counting- but its well well over 3 figures-esp if you includem/bikes etc.Doing my best guys- 3 off the boat on 25th-all being well: 57 Holden,63 Dattie 310 & 64 320.

[dollywobbler]

I think putting fuel in the car is the best way to sell it. Filled the tank on the Subaru after despairing that I'd never get rid of it. Sure enough, some bloke comes up from Kent and has it away with 3/4 of a tank.For weeks I've been running the Alfa low, betting that I'd sell it. I didn't. This week, I put £40 in and lo and behold, two phone calls and one promise to come tomorrow to look at it. May go and fill the tank, just to make sure he has it...

[michiel]

Michiel- I've stopped counting- but its well well over 3 figures-esp if you includem/bikes etc.Doing my best guys- 3 off the boat on 25th-all being well: 57 Holden,63 Dattie 310 & 64 320.

Excellent!

[Gompo]

Michiel- I've stopped counting- but its well well over 3 figures-esp if you includem/bikes etc.Doing my best guys- 3 off the boat on 25th-all being well: 57 Holden,63 Dattie 310 & 64 320.

Excellent!

My thoughts aswell. Are they going to be keepers Nigel or maybe sell 1-2 to pay for their trip?Cant wait to see the thread

[nigel bickle]

Prev 320 paid for the trip-so this earlier 320 is a 'keeper'.Holden is probably sold to France-condition dependant; & 2 interested parties in the 310-but wont commit till they see it.Need funds for a pair of 2 series....