Sellers remorce
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
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Sellers remorce
What is the thing(s) that potential buyers do that riles you up when you are selling a vehicle? A couple on my short list are when you are asking a fair price and someone wants to know if you will take less over the phone, maybe if they LOOK at the car they will see it's worth what you are asking! And then there is the guy that will be here in fifteen minutes that you are still looking for two hours later. My guess it you guys will have one or two to add to the list...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
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From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
My most hated purchaser was this guy. We agreed to a price (discounted from asking) on the car and he went to the bank to get the money. When he got back he had $500 less than the agreed price and said he could not get the rest. Trying to lever me out of another $500 at the deal close. Told him to take a hike and kept his $50 non refundable deposit. Sold car the next day at almost full asking price.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 11
From: Newport, RI
Asking if you'll take less is a reasonable question IMHO. Most callers (myself included) would want to get a general idea of the seller's mindset. Is the seller totally stuck on asking price or is there room to negotiate? Very fair to inquire prior to initial meeting, IMHO.
Other guys are 'no shows', but I usually get their cell phone number and call them. But still, it speaks volumes about someone when they tell you they will be there at a certain time and then don't show up (unless they have already called, that is).
I find a lot of 'lowballers' whenever I try to sell something. It's pretty amazing. So, if I am CONVINCED that my asking price is reasonable, then I simply state up front that the price is firm.
Selling (and buying) a car is typically an interesting experience for me.
Good luck with your sale!
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Other guys are 'no shows', but I usually get their cell phone number and call them. But still, it speaks volumes about someone when they tell you they will be there at a certain time and then don't show up (unless they have already called, that is).
I find a lot of 'lowballers' whenever I try to sell something. It's pretty amazing. So, if I am CONVINCED that my asking price is reasonable, then I simply state up front that the price is firm.
Selling (and buying) a car is typically an interesting experience for me.
Good luck with your sale!
-
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
What is the thing(s) that potential buyers do that riles you up when you are selling a vehicle? A couple on my short list are when you are asking a fair price and someone wants to know if you will take less over the phone, maybe if they LOOK at the car they will see it's worth what you are asking! And then there is the guy that will be here in fifteen minutes that you are still looking for two hours later. My guess it you guys will have one or two to add to the list...
Thanks,Matt
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I look at it as all part of the process. Folks are always going to want to get the best deal possible and they'll ask if they have your lowest.....wouldn't you? Showing up late for an appointment, being rude or a jerk are unfortunately what you're going to run into sometimes.
Good luck with the sale.
Good luck with the sale.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
I had a guy take an old car I was selling for a nice 15 minute cruise with the ebrake on.....it was a good thing the car was one of my first few beaters and wasn't really near and dear to my heart.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 612
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From: Winston-Salem nc
Asking if a seller is willing to negotiate on price is a very fair question. Saves both people time and effort. I had a seller get huffy with me when I asked if he was willing to move on the price. No need to drive the 2 hours to see the car because he was firm. Fair enough. He was above market, IMHO. Turns out he sold his car a year later for what I was willing to offer.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Mukilteo WA
Guy shows up. Lowers price by saying he'll take the old wheels on it instead of the new ones. Offers to swap the tires because I'm busy.
I'm out of line of sight and when I check on him again the car is on a jack, the front wheel is off sitting next to it, all four old wheels I hauled up from the basement are sitting there and he's gone.
I have to change my clothes and put the car back together and restore wheels after I can't get ahold of him on cell.
2 days later get an email that he found something that blew the deal for him and that if I wanted to know what it was that needed fixing he'd tell me for $50 or sell him the car as is for half.
Thinking back I should have said ya sure come on over I'll pay you. Then he'd only get the size 12.
I sold the car for asking price later that week.
Even worse than the guy that agreed on a price and left to get the money from the bank he needed directions to get to and never came back.
So what I've learned. Price it right and don't play games. No dickering because you've priced it right, no swapping parts, no waiting for you to come back with no deposit, nothing. This is what it is and this is how much it is. It may not sell today, but it will sell.
I'm out of line of sight and when I check on him again the car is on a jack, the front wheel is off sitting next to it, all four old wheels I hauled up from the basement are sitting there and he's gone.
I have to change my clothes and put the car back together and restore wheels after I can't get ahold of him on cell.
2 days later get an email that he found something that blew the deal for him and that if I wanted to know what it was that needed fixing he'd tell me for $50 or sell him the car as is for half.
Thinking back I should have said ya sure come on over I'll pay you. Then he'd only get the size 12.
I sold the car for asking price later that week.
Even worse than the guy that agreed on a price and left to get the money from the bank he needed directions to get to and never came back.
So what I've learned. Price it right and don't play games. No dickering because you've priced it right, no swapping parts, no waiting for you to come back with no deposit, nothing. This is what it is and this is how much it is. It may not sell today, but it will sell.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,139
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From: Granite Falls WA
i have a different slant on seller's remorse.
steve, a friend of mine, had a '98 FRC. it was mint. it had never been wet -never washed with water, never seen rain. something like 4500 miles on it. he polished it EVERY DAY, even if he didn't drive it. it slept in a heated/cooled garage built especially for it. the ultimate garage queen.
in 2002 he ran into hard times financially and decided he had to sell the FRC.
of course, he asked a premium price, semi-hoping no one would bite. but then a buyer became interested - so interested in fact, that he offered full price and set a date to pick the car up.
the day of the transaction it was, well, raining. you guessed it - the new owner drove it home in the rain.
steve was crushed.
steve, a friend of mine, had a '98 FRC. it was mint. it had never been wet -never washed with water, never seen rain. something like 4500 miles on it. he polished it EVERY DAY, even if he didn't drive it. it slept in a heated/cooled garage built especially for it. the ultimate garage queen.
in 2002 he ran into hard times financially and decided he had to sell the FRC.
of course, he asked a premium price, semi-hoping no one would bite. but then a buyer became interested - so interested in fact, that he offered full price and set a date to pick the car up.
the day of the transaction it was, well, raining. you guessed it - the new owner drove it home in the rain.
steve was crushed.
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Bugs me when someone comes over to look at a vehicle and starts listing things that he perceives as being wrong with the car when it is in excellent shape. I'll listen for a while, but if it gets too much I'll just tell him apparently this vehicle is not for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tucson Arizona
I would rather do that than drive over to look at the car and waste both the seller's and my time to then find out that there is no negotiation possible.
Why would you want to waste your time and effort with a buyer that isn't willing to pay what you want?
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With exception to my Corvette, I drive my other cars to the ground so when it's time for a new vehicle, I trade in knowing the value of my trade in is already pretty low. I would rather negotiate with a dealer and try to gain additional service discounts, etc. than haggle over $500 with a private party sale.
I learned my lesson after selling one of my Camaro's back in the 90s, after a personal, in-state check bounced after my bank initially cleared it. Guy had a check/mail-fraud scam going on.
As to other smaller house hold item sales, my canned response to a low ball price offer is "I think it's priced right because I've received a lot of calls on it (item). Call me back in 1 week if you're still interested and if it hasn't sold by then, I will sell it to you for $$$".
I learned my lesson after selling one of my Camaro's back in the 90s, after a personal, in-state check bounced after my bank initially cleared it. Guy had a check/mail-fraud scam going on.
As to other smaller house hold item sales, my canned response to a low ball price offer is "I think it's priced right because I've received a lot of calls on it (item). Call me back in 1 week if you're still interested and if it hasn't sold by then, I will sell it to you for $$$".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Here's one for ya...
I called on a 03 EB Z06 and made a sight unseen offer of $26k (as long as everything on the car was straight), which was accepted. I was out of state so a asked my dad (who has a ton of experience and knows cars) to go over and drive it, look it over and make sure the car was what he said it was.
Car turns out to be clean, strong running, straight car. Then the guy says he has another offer and needs $26,500. My dad calls me to tell me and while were on the phone his other buyer calls and he tells him the same story. That guy hangs up on him.
My dad offers to write him a $26k check on the spot to sell the car but he says "no, I'm gonna hold out for another 500..." I told my dad to walk away. That was really tough to do, I really wanted that car.
Anyway, it's totally the sellers deal to set the price but when you give a verbal on the price, stick to it. There was no way I was going to get on a plane and then have the guy jack up the price on me with no way to get home...
I love the car I eventually bought and got a fair price on it too, even though it was a dealership. Flew out and my wife and I had a great 3 day drive home. I'd still like to have a Z, but for now I am more thatn happy with the vert.
I called on a 03 EB Z06 and made a sight unseen offer of $26k (as long as everything on the car was straight), which was accepted. I was out of state so a asked my dad (who has a ton of experience and knows cars) to go over and drive it, look it over and make sure the car was what he said it was.
Car turns out to be clean, strong running, straight car. Then the guy says he has another offer and needs $26,500. My dad calls me to tell me and while were on the phone his other buyer calls and he tells him the same story. That guy hangs up on him.
My dad offers to write him a $26k check on the spot to sell the car but he says "no, I'm gonna hold out for another 500..." I told my dad to walk away. That was really tough to do, I really wanted that car.
Anyway, it's totally the sellers deal to set the price but when you give a verbal on the price, stick to it. There was no way I was going to get on a plane and then have the guy jack up the price on me with no way to get home...
I love the car I eventually bought and got a fair price on it too, even though it was a dealership. Flew out and my wife and I had a great 3 day drive home. I'd still like to have a Z, but for now I am more thatn happy with the vert.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
When I sell a car a set a fair price.
All my ads always say firm price.
I never deal when I sell only when I buy, I usualy sell all my cars within two weeks of listing.
When I sold my 78,I had a guy who said he was coming in the morning.I told him I had alot of intrest and had another coming in the afternoon.
He finaly showed up four hour late looked at the car and offer me 3k less than asking price.
Right about the time that i was ready to tell him to have a nice day. The guy the had the afternoon appoinment showed up. Thinking that the other guy who low ball me would have first chance he offer me $500 over asking price as he walked around it and in front of the other guy.He reached in his pocket and pull out cash. The other guy jaw just dropped. I accepted.
Then the first guy get mad because i didn't give him a chance to outbid the second guy.
It was the best selling experience I ever had.
All my ads always say firm price.
I never deal when I sell only when I buy, I usualy sell all my cars within two weeks of listing.
When I sold my 78,I had a guy who said he was coming in the morning.I told him I had alot of intrest and had another coming in the afternoon.
He finaly showed up four hour late looked at the car and offer me 3k less than asking price.
Right about the time that i was ready to tell him to have a nice day. The guy the had the afternoon appoinment showed up. Thinking that the other guy who low ball me would have first chance he offer me $500 over asking price as he walked around it and in front of the other guy.He reached in his pocket and pull out cash. The other guy jaw just dropped. I accepted.
Then the first guy get mad because i didn't give him a chance to outbid the second guy.
It was the best selling experience I ever had.
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When I sell a car a set a fair price.
All my ads always say firm price.
I never deal when I sell only when I buy, I usualy sell all my cars within two weeks of listing.
When I sold my 78,I had a guy who said he was coming in the morning.I told him I had alot of intrest and had another coming in the afternoon.
He finaly showed up four hour late looked at the car and offer me 3k less than asking price.
Right about the time that i was ready to tell him to have a nice day. The guy the had the afternoon appoinment showed up. Thinking that the other guy who low ball me would have first chance he offer me $500 over asking price as he walked around it and in front of the other guy.He reached in his pocket and pull out cash. The other guy jaw just dropped. I accepted.
Then the first guy get mad because i didn't give him a chance to outbid the second guy.
It was the best selling experience I ever had.
All my ads always say firm price.
I never deal when I sell only when I buy, I usualy sell all my cars within two weeks of listing.
When I sold my 78,I had a guy who said he was coming in the morning.I told him I had alot of intrest and had another coming in the afternoon.
He finaly showed up four hour late looked at the car and offer me 3k less than asking price.
Right about the time that i was ready to tell him to have a nice day. The guy the had the afternoon appoinment showed up. Thinking that the other guy who low ball me would have first chance he offer me $500 over asking price as he walked around it and in front of the other guy.He reached in his pocket and pull out cash. The other guy jaw just dropped. I accepted.
Then the first guy get mad because i didn't give him a chance to outbid the second guy.
It was the best selling experience I ever had.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Actually happened on this forum (!)
Guy post a black 2003 Z06; right price, right options. I post that I'll take it. I call the guy and work out a time to go get it, and I ask him if he wants earnest money. He says no, and I buy a plane ticket and sort out how to get him a check/wire transfer from my credit union as the loan was pre-approved.
Next day, guy won't return any of my calls. Posts on the forum that there is no deal as he "wasn't comfortable with my financing" - which was an outright lie. I get reviled by the seller and a guy that ultimately turns out to be the buyer...also on the forum. Turns out the guy cut a local deal and couldn't even honestly own it.
BUT...in the end, I got my MY 2003 Z06 locally...so screw him ;-)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-c...21-800-in.html
Guy post a black 2003 Z06; right price, right options. I post that I'll take it. I call the guy and work out a time to go get it, and I ask him if he wants earnest money. He says no, and I buy a plane ticket and sort out how to get him a check/wire transfer from my credit union as the loan was pre-approved.
Next day, guy won't return any of my calls. Posts on the forum that there is no deal as he "wasn't comfortable with my financing" - which was an outright lie. I get reviled by the seller and a guy that ultimately turns out to be the buyer...also on the forum. Turns out the guy cut a local deal and couldn't even honestly own it.
BUT...in the end, I got my MY 2003 Z06 locally...so screw him ;-)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-c...21-800-in.html
Last edited by billla; Aug 10, 2010 at 05:07 PM.