I really HATE selling cars privately.

[Mr Ree]

I placed an advert for my Suzuki Jimny on another forum earlier this week, that specialises in off roading.

Got an email from a guy from a farm in Dartmoor that was just browsing the site, to ask if it was still for sale.

Kept battering me with emails, going completely ott, telling me that both he and his wife had "fallen in love with the car" :no:

He'd been looking for one of these for over 12 months now apparently.

Hadn't looked very hard imo.

Anyway, he said he definately wanted it, and after brief bargaining, we agreed a price.

I'll be up on Saturday to collect he tells me.

I advised him of a few faults on the car, and that it wasn't quite ready, but would endevour to have it so by Saturday.

Asked him was he sure and showed concern that he hadn't seen or driven it, and didn't want him driving all the way up here and being disappointed.

He wrote back thanking me for my concern and honesty but insisted he was quite happy to proceed..

Wrote back on Wednesday night asking him would he like me to tax it for him as it's on a SORN and don't want him getting nicked on his journey back.

No replies.

Spent mosf yesterday getting it ready for him and wrote him an e mail yesterday evening repeating my request for some definative answers as to wheather or not he was still coming up for it.

He finally wrote back claiming he was planning on setting out today at 06:00am , BUT was concerned about the roads being in a dangerous state, and what was the weather like up here?

I' wrote back saying that it was just fine, but advised he should make his own mind up on the matter,but to let me know asap so I know what's going on.

I've heard absolutely diddly squat since.

I've written to him yet again this morning asking him is it really the weather or has he simply lost interest?

I've advised him that if he really does want it, then fine, and I'll hold it for him. Otherwise I've requested he answers me with a straight and simple NO so I can move on.

Still no reply.

i BLOODY HATE selling cars privately. Tyre kickers and flamin' time wasting dreamboats.

[Lew_VRS]

The pain I got whilst selling my old saxo VTR was unbelievable. No doubt you could imagine what high class Clientèle a modified luke-warm french hatchback bought along with it..

Alwite m8 wud u take 3 rats n my metro?

I no itz up 4 9 undrud but c'mon take 2 4 it.

etc etc.

Anyway, good luck with your sale! Sounds as if you are being taken for a ride.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Lew_VRS

[Mr Ree]

The pain I got whilst selling my old saxo VTR was unbelievable. No doubt you could imagine what high class Clientèle a modified luke-warm french hatchback bought along with it..

Alwite m8 wud u take 3 rats n my metro?

I no itz up 4 9 undrud but c'mon take 2 4 it.

etc etc.

Anyway, good luck with your sale! Sounds as if you are being taken for a ride.

Class post matey!

I needed a laf as I'm currently feeling wicked righrt off.

Yes. My gut instinct is that I AM in fact being stringged/ strung along here

[M12MKD]

I've never held a car for a person.

When I was selling my Rover 220 coupe had dozens of calls all wanting to buy it, none ever gave a name nor number just said I'm coming today........someone turned up and took the car paid full asking price (though £100 was paid by cheque) an hour later someone else turned up for the car and was most upset that it had gone. I did tell all that phoned up that I had a few people coming to see it and I would not hold it for anyone.

Though I felt I made the right choice as the guy said like it was the best thing in the world that he was going to offer me £300 for it...............over guy paid the £580 I was asking.

On the other hand like yourself I've had people say I'll be there on XXX day to collect it and have never turned up. I'm always very wary of this incase its someone trying to find out where the car is to obtain it free of charge.

Ive sold alot of cars in the past privately and 90% have been without problems, I've found the flasher the car the more time wasters you get and the cheap and cheerful cars (fiesta, micra, polo's) always have sold for the asking price with no problems.

[Mr Ree]

I've never held a car for a person.

When I was selling my Rover 220 coupe had dozens of calls all wanting to buy it, none ever gave a name nor number just said I'm coming today........someone turned up and took the car paid full asking price (though £100 was paid by cheque) an hour later someone else turned up for the car and was most upset that it had gone. I did tell all that phoned up that I had a few people coming to see it and I would not hold it for anyone.

Though I felt I made the right choice as the guy said like it was the best thing in the world that he was going to offer me £300 for it...............over guy paid the £580 I was asking.

On the other hand like yourself I've had people say I'll be there on XXX day to collect it and have never turned up. I'm always very wary of this incase its someone trying to find out where the car is to obtain it free of charge..

Very wary of that scenario myself.

I haven't given my address out and would rather do the deal in a pub car park tbh, as dubious as that may sound

[cookdn]

Back at Easter this year we sold my wifes 2003 Focus estate privately as we were not immediately replacing it. Car was advertised on-line with Autotrader so post code location of the vehicle (Nottingham, East Midlands) was obvious.

We got a phone call at 1900 one weekday evening from a chap interested in coming to look at it that night, he had already left two voicemail messages while we were out at work. The guy was clearly Liverpudlian from his accent and wanted to know how far we were from Birkenhead and how long it would take him to get here. I persuaded him that viewing a car @ 2200 after a minimum 2.5 hour drive wasn't the best idea. He then called back the following day to say he would be with us at 1800 but didn't show, no great surprise there What are people on?

Needless to say all car keys in the house were properly hidden for a few days after that little episode.

Best regards

David

Edited 27 November, 2010 by cookdn

[Brimma]

Just tell him first come first served - if he's serious it's his loss :yes:

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Brimma

[devonutopia]

People from Dartmoor.... Dodgy bunch of folk - usually have webbed feet and 6 fingers on each hand.

[octaviaconvert]

People from Dartmoor.... Dodgy bunch of folk - usually have webbed feet and 6 fingers on each hand.

i thought that was them folk from west of the tamar

[devonutopia]

Dartmoor is often a little bit of Cornwall, in Devon.....

[Mr Ree]

People from Dartmoor.... Dodgy bunch of folk - usually have webbed feet and 6 fingers on each hand.

I think you must be rught.

Finally had a reply of sorts:

I still want the Jimny. ..... (that's a YES then p'raps?)......The road outside our house was really bad this morning. I did have a few doubts about getting the Jimny. It is a long way to travel to buy the Jimny without seeing it first like you said..... (bit of wavering and dithering going on here now....will he, won't he? Answers on a postcard please)

Ive always brought cars from local dealers so if anything goes wrong I can get them to take a look.

£********* is alot of money to part with and I am worried once I get the Jimny home something will go wrong,....(possibly a no then, who knows? ) .....really it could happen to any vehicle you buy. You're Jimny Is the best i've seen in a long time and it's got everything I need in a little 4x4.....possibly a MAYBE then...p'raps, possibly, yes, maybe not, grrrrrrrr

I've replied YET AGAIN, stating that I'm actually still in the dark as to whether he still really wants it or not, and could he simply send me an email with a simple YES or NO so I can move on.

Don't think I'm asking too much of him,or being rude, do you?

Not exactly snowed under with enquiries btw, so I'd rather hang on to this guy if he really wants it..

Pistonheads beckons I think if I haven't had a definate response by next week.

Hate all this stuff I do.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Mr Ree

[Tech1e]

I can sympathize, selling the Ibiza is proving a little testing.

[Chris_Focus]

I think you must be rught.

Finally had a reply of sorts:

I still want the Jimny. ..... (that's a YES then p'raps?)......The road outside our house was really bad this morning. I did have a few doubts about getting the Jimny. It is a long way to travel to buy the Jimny without seeing it first like you said..... (bit of wavering and dithering going on here now....will he, won't he? Answers on a postcard please)

Ive always brought cars from local dealers so if anything goes wrong I can get them to take a look.

£********* is alot of money to part with and I am worried once I get the Jimny home something will go wrong,....(possibly a no then, who knows? ) .....really it could happen to any vehicle you buy. You're Jimny Is the best i've seen in a long time and it's got everything I need in a little 4x4.....possibly a MAYBE then...p'raps, possibly, yes, maybe not, grrrrrrrr

I've replied YET AGAIN, stating that I'm actually still in the dark as to whether he still really wants it or not, and could he simply send me an email with a simple YES or NO so I can move on.

Don't think I'm asking too much of him,or being rude, do you?

Not exactly snowed under with enquiries btw, so I'd rather hang on to this guy if he really wants it..

Pistonheads beckons I think if I haven't had a definate response by next week.

Hate all this stuff I do.

To be frank..bo$$ocks to that..send him a message asking for his number to discuss in person, then ring with your number withheld...that's if he actually responds to your message with his number!

Play the game & tell him that you've had other interested parties 'phone'..if he's serious he'll move things along & actually arrange something.

As for 'It's a long way to travel' - it's not like he didn't know the location of your car before contacting you!

Private car selling is a complete minefield but keep at it, you'll know when you have a genuinely interested buyer

[Mr Ree]

To be frank..bo$$ocks to that..send him a message asking for his number to discuss in person, then ring with your number withheld...that's if he actually responds to your message with his number!

Play the game & tell him that you've had other interested parties 'phone'..if he's serious he'll move things along & actually arrange something.

As for 'It's a long way to travel' - it's not like he didn't know the location of your car before contacting you!

Private car selling is a complete minefield but keep at it, you'll know when you have a genuinely interested buyer

He's already got my number Chris. Thought he'd have rung me tbh, but he hasn't.

I suspect he simply hasn't got the bottle to simply say, "sorry, but I've changed my mind"

I'd be hacked off obviously, but would show some respect for at least being frank and straightforward.

Can't stand being strung along like this.

Don't know for sure, but my gut instinct is that he's been doing some 'pub talking' to his 'mates in the trade or in the know', and they've put him off beacuse it's cat c registered, a point I made VERY VERY clear twice in my advertisement so as to avoid any misunderstandings right from start.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Mr Ree

[Chris_Focus]

In which case I'd say he's wasting your time.

I'm sure it being a CatC would put alot of potential buyers off but providing it's priced correctly, i.e undercutting other similar age/mileage cars for sale & having it advertised in the right places then you should find a buyer...someone from the farming community who would use/abuse it would probably be the ideal target audience.

Have you tried www.carandclassic.co.uk ?

Alternatively a forum for the farming community near where your located may be worth a try.

[Mr Ree]

In which case I'd say he's wasting your time.

I'm sure it being a CatC would put alot of potential buyers off but providing it's priced correctly, i.e undercutting other similar age/mileage cars for sale & having it advertised in the right places then you should find a buyer...someone from the farming community who would use/abuse it would probably be the ideal target audience.

Have you tried www.carandclassic.co.uk ?

Alternatively a forum for the farming community near where your located may be worth a try.

Can't say too much about it as it'll look like I'm trying to sell it to one of you lot (as if) via the back door so to speak, but a big yes to that suggestion.

Can honestly say though that it's catergorically the worst car 'ON ROAD' that I've ever driven, not because it's a cat c, but just beacuse it is, not helped by the Back Diamond aggresive off roading tyres though probably.

Still no word from my six fingered friend from swampy country anyway.

[madfaz]

We once sold a ML270 and was asking £5000 for it. Some private buyers turned up and started hagging for half hour, they only wanted to give £4500 and we wanted £4800 minimum.

Whilst they were still haggling, some trader turned up from London who exports the cars to another european country, he checked the car and gave us £5000 there and then. now the other buyers were angry with us for letting the trader buy it because "we came to see the car first". But the fact was they didn't want to pay the asking price. In a final twist, they offered £5100 but the hand had been shook and the deal was done They had to travel back 200 miles with no car bought.

edit: btw, looks like you do have a timewaster on your hands. there are people who simply can't say "NO sorry, i don't want the car anymore."

Edited 27 November, 2010 by madfaz

[Mr Ree]

We once sold a ML270 and was asking £5000 for it. Some private buyers turned up and started hagging for half hour, they only wanted to give £4500 and we wanted £4800 minimum.

Whilst they were still haggling, some trader turned up from London who exports the cars to another european country, he checked the car and gave us £5000 there and then. now the other buyers were angry with us for letting the trader buy it because "we came to see the car first". But the fact was they didn't want to pay the asking price. In a final twist, they offered £5100 but the hand had been shook and the deal was done They had to travel back 200 miles with no car bought.

edit: btw, looks like you do have a timewaster on your hands. there are people who simply can't say "NO sorry, i don't want the car anymore."

Sweet story that Mad'.

I'm not too proud to say that my eldest son messed someone around over in Sheffield a couple of weeks ago, regarding a VW Caddy van.

The bloke had it up for £7500, but my son offered him £6500.

The bloke initially said no but my son kept badgering him, using sweeteners, suggesting he'd be able to go and do all his crimbo shopping with all the cash he had burning in his pocket.

The mileage was quite high at 98k, but it had main dealer fsh and I told him not to worry. Nice looking piece of kit it was with loads of desirable extras carefully fitted. Even had a fold up bed in the back to use for camping.

The bloke finally caved in and said, ok, you can have it. When you coming for it?

My son then started getting cold feet and had second thoughts.

The seller reminded him several times over 10 days.

I told my son to write to him, apologise profusely and tell him no thanks.

He eventually did, but the bloke absolutely blew a gasket at him apparently, claiming he'd turned away other potential purchasers.

[Lady Elanore]

Sounds like the Cat C might have put him off :( Personally, even if he does turn up, I wouldn’t release the car till the money was in the bank. If he is paying you cash, I would want it paid into a bank to check it’s OK and if he wants to pay by anything else, I would wait till it cleared. That includes a bankers draft.

Good luck

[Mr Ree]

Sounds like the Cat C might have put him off:( Personally, even if he does turn up, I wouldn’t release the car till the money was in the bank. If he is paying you cash, I would want it paid into a bank to check it’s OK and if he wants to pay by anything else, I would wait till it cleared. That includes a bankers draft.[/color]

Good luck[/color]

Well it obviously didn't initially, cus I t was in the advert in bold letters.

I even reminded him before we settled and agreed on a price and he seemed perfectly relaxed about it. The price...as aforementioned...was very generously reflected in the ad. anyway.

Over 1k cheaper than anything else for its age, and all ready for some serious playing off road too.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Mr Ree

[Lady Elanore]

Well it obviously didn't initially, cus I t was in the advert in bold letters.

I even reminded him before we settled and agreed on a price and he seemed perfectly relaxed about it. The price...as aforementioned...was very generously reflected in the ad. anyway.

Over 1k cheaper than anything else for its age, and all ready for some serious playing off road too.

What I meant was I agreed with your comment that he may have had a discussion with his mates, 'but my gut instinct is that he's been doing some 'pub talking' to his 'mates in the trade or in the know', and they've put him off beacuse it's cat c registered' or possibly done a bit of on-line reading and formed the opinion that the car was a risk, hence he was put off by the 'Cat C' against the car. He doesn’t sound too bright from the way you describe him.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Lady Elanore

[Mr Ree]

What I meant was I agreed with your comment that he may have had a discussion with his mates, 'but my gut instinct is that he's been doing some 'pub talking' to his 'mates in the trade or in the know', and they've put him off beacuse it's cat c registered' or possibly done a bit of on-line reading and formed the opinion that the car was a risk, hence he was put off by the 'Cat C' against the car. He doesn’t sound too bright from the way you describe him.

He's from Dartmoor.

Any'ow. This bad good weather is rumoured to be continuing for some considerable time yet apparently, so p'raps I'll decide to keep it a bit longer.

Absolutely awesome in the deep snows of N. Wales last winter. :love:

[Jules59]

Most of the time selling privately is a pain but occassionally not ...

Years ago I sold my Opel Manta GTE.

A guy came midweek, asked me to hold it for him till the weekend and offered £50 to do it. I took the cash and held it till the weekend, bu i never heard from him again and sold the car on sunday for the £3K I originally put it up for. This was in 1985 when you could buy something nice with £50

[Mr Ree]

Mate of mine 10 years ago was going bto take his old Metro to the scrappy, but I foolishly suggested it was too good to be scrapped.

Saw an opportunity to make a few quid just before Christmas.

He gave it to me to sell and told me I could keep anything over £150.

Advertised it and this bloke came around, haggled me down from £295 to £250.

3 days after Crimbo, he rang me to tell me the gearbox had blown up on the motorway, and would I be in a position to make a 'goodwill gesture"?

I suggested that he'd have been struggling to buy a decent mountain bike for that price.

He informed me that he was going to trading standards to complain.

I beat him to it and they told me that he hadn't got a leg to stand on ...or a car to drive....providing I hadn't decribed the gearbox as being in tip top condition.

Felt a bit sorry for the guy, but that's the chance you take in banger city.

[Chris_Focus]

Can honestly say though that it's catergorically the worst car 'ON ROAD' that I've ever driven

Yes I completely agree, I got a job at a local Suzuki dealer a few years back & taking a Jimny to another dealer nearby was why I left the job after 3 days horrendous to drive on road in every way.