cjj
Part of things
Posts: 275
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Jul 26, 2020 10:08:35 GMT
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I took an offer on the Astra I’m selling on here And other places Accepted the offer ...no contact since Then this morning I took a call via car and classic Lot of questions ...then “I’ve got to speak to the wife”” Made me laugh out loud Yeah it's those types that were odd. Not sure if I put it in this thread, but I had al manner of weirdos when selling my Boxster a few years ago (a retro one, no less). Several middle-aged-crisis-qualifying gents were feverently interested, and I'd basically fully restored it (dreamer's dream) and had it for a great price (under £4k), so it was a carrot on a stick I guess. I had several who asked about every nut and bolt, over and over, queried all sorts of nonsense, then it would all end in a weird excuse. One of the excuses (I might have put it a few pages back) was from a guy who had measured his garage and 'realised there was a 1ft step' into his garage and so he clearly couldn't buy it. I have had smugness before from people who would low-ball you with offers, join whichever relevant forum the car related to, post a 'welcome' type post about how amazing the car is, and how they got it for an amazing price, only for the car to end up as a complete money pit and cost thousands - just because they didn't want to pay and extra £200 or so to buy one which had all the correct stuff checked and done. You'll get those people all the time though. Very similar to the types who will list their car for sale on a club as "reluctant sale", "drives spot on", "no problems", and either side of the for sale ad they will do nothing but ask for help on the numerous list of problems said car has and how much they hate it All of this is why I have a bit of respect for Mike Brewer. People say Edd did all the hard work and Mike had it easy, but I personally find selling a car to be far more uncomfortable and exhausting than replacing a gearbox
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Last Edit: Jul 26, 2020 10:09:04 GMT by cjj
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cjj
Part of things
Posts: 275
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Guess what? It's new anecdote time!
I've been trying to sell my 'toy' in order to be better prepared for the situation that has presented itself for all of this (needing to free up money to support a family illness). I decided to offer it out there in a closed, club arena. It's a pretty modified Smart, in terms of looks and performance, so a bit of a niche thing.
I wasn't quite ready for the reaction I got, which was a lot of immediate interest from far and wide. I hadn't even cleaned it when I offered it up, as I wasn't expecting to have immediate requests. Anyway, a lad was champing at the bit to buy it and was being quite forward with messages basically saying he was going to come up and buy it in the morning (it was past 1am by this point). A fair old distance away, too - halfway across the country from me.
So, got up early and sorted some bits out. He arrives and I take him on a good 10 mile test journey with a variety of roads (up hill, down hill, NSL, BUA, country roads, by pass etc.). He drove it for a good 20 mins to half hour. We get back, he's keen to buy it, points out the obvious in that it's all as described and drives spot on. Pays by bank transfer. I say my emotional goodbyes to the car and off they go in the direction of the nearest petrol station.
I get a phone call within the next half hour asking if he can bring it back and get his money back. Immediate buyer's remorse, and turns out he's not as keen on downsizing from a 2 year old car to a 17 year old one.
I was glad that he decided a couple of mile down the road instead of a week later, but no problems with the car etc so I transferred his money back and got the car back. Not a huge issue as I've had a fair amount of interest. I also, of course, have his details and cctv of the car leaving and coming back with the (temporarily) new owner, should anything naughty have happened in that time. Seemed like a genuine enough scenario - says he bought on impulse and it dawned on him driving off.
I know a lot of people would have said 'tough tatties', but I thought I'd be good about it all. Anyone else had that before - it's a new one on me, for the most.
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2020 19:12:50 GMT by cjj
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,940
Club RR Member Number: 58
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I recently had to sell my Jag S Type, being a thirsty petrol car with the post 2006 higher road tax rate, I was expecting it to be a bit of trouble to shift on. I went with a four pronged attack with ads on Car and Classic (modern section), Ebay Classified Ad, Auto Trader (cheapest of the options on there), and Facebook Marketplace. A few hours after I put all the ads up, I get a message on FB, started off with the standard pro forma "is this still available?", so I'm already expecting the usual FB marketplace sort of person who'll ask if something is available, then disappear when you confirm it is.. To my surprise, they did respond and asked for my number. Gave it over, and had a chat. Turns out they were nearby having just finished viewing another car and could they come to see mine (think it was about 7pm or so by this point). A bit of time passes and they turn up, very polite American guy and a British woman, take a good look around the car, I took them for a quick drive in it, came back, agreed a price, did the bank transfer and the paperwork and it was gone! I was genuinely in a state of mild shock, I've never had anything sell that quickly on FB, let alone sell a car to the first person to message me. I just felt a bit aggrieved that I'd wasted around 50 quid on the ebay and Auto trader ads Not that the above is of too much help, but I guess it goes to show that sometimes it comes down to a bit of luck and having the right buyer in the right place at the right time
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