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Original poster

Tyre kickers? I totally see why. Need to rant and need advice!!

29 replies

Forgetmenot82 · 21/05/2021 22:02

I have never sold a car privately before and omg I've had it after a week. Last weekend someone says they will be with me at 11 am, they're travelling 50 miles, great wait in for them, end up waiting until 12pm, message them to ask if they're lost. They reply "sorry, can't come now as couldn't get a lift" wtf why not message me at 11am when I was expecting you and you were sat at home? All week I've had messages from people making stupid offers etc. Finally spoke to someone on the phone who wanted to come up tomorrow with cash, this was arranged Wed. He seemed legit, said he would msg today to arrange times and nothing, radio silence. I have about another 3 or 4 interested. Please tell me how to work this now. Shall I say please ring before you are leaving to see if the car is still available, I'm reluctant to arrange specific days and times as I'll miss out again.

OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 21/05/2021 22:04

Could you just suggest times when you are going to be in anyway? And then it doesn't matter so much of they don't turn up? Really annoying though, it's very rude.

Original poster
Forgetmenot82 · 21/05/2021 22:11

@SouthOfFrance

Could you just suggest times when you are going to be in anyway? And then it doesn't matter so much of they don't turn up? Really annoying though, it's very rude.
I'm shocked at some people I really am. This last bloke has upset me as he said he hadn't got much money, he has a young family and he really wants it and will definitely be up tomorrow and will confirm today and now nothing. I've msg him and no reply. I've had 3 people over last couple days interested and I've put them off for him.

That's a good idea, thanks 😊

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SkankingMopoke · 21/05/2021 22:15

I agree with SouthOfFrance. I sell a lot on FB marketplace and initially would rearrange plans and wait in for people etc. I soon learnt! I now give them windows when I'll be home any way, so I am no way inconvenienced. For something like a car I would also be requesting they confirm that morning/an hr before due (depending on distance travelling) that they are still coming. And yes to being clear the car will still be available for others until a (socially distanced) handshake takes place and money changes hands. I'd put something to this effect on the advert.

SkankingMopoke · 21/05/2021 22:20

Don't put anyone off. I would be actively mentioning eg "yes, you are welcome to view it on Sunday although please be aware I have someone else coming on Saturday to take a look. I'll of course let you know if they buy it so you don't waste a journey".

Original poster
Forgetmenot82 · 21/05/2021 22:20

@SkankingMopoke

I agree with SouthOfFrance. I sell a lot on FB marketplace and initially would rearrange plans and wait in for people etc. I soon learnt! I now give them windows when I'll be home any way, so I am no way inconvenienced. For something like a car I would also be requesting they confirm that morning/an hr before due (depending on distance travelling) that they are still coming. And yes to being clear the car will still be available for others until a (socially distanced) handshake takes place and money changes hands. I'd put something to this effect on the advert.
Thank you!! Its very frustrating. I see a lot of people saying 'no time wasters' and I see why now. That's a very good idea, I shall do that tomorrow.
OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 21/05/2021 22:29

Good luck, hopefully you'll sell it tomorrow! Wine

Original poster
Forgetmenot82 · 22/05/2021 08:59

@SouthOfFrance

Good luck, hopefully you'll sell it tomorrow! Wine
I've messaged the others interested to ring me! I don't think people ring unless they're being serious. I find it's too easy to message and not mean what you're writing if that makes sense.
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Mincepiesallyearround · 22/05/2021 09:01

I misread the title and came on to see what tyre knickers were all about Grin

Pumpkyumpkyumpkin · 22/05/2021 09:04

This is why we took ours to webuyanycar. Possibly got a bit less for it than selling privately but I really could not be arsed with the fuckaboutery. People are so annoying!

CommanderBurnham · 22/05/2021 09:15

Can you suggest that you video call them and show them the car beforehand. So if they're serious about it they can then come for a test drive??

Gilead · 22/05/2021 09:27

Bloke with young children is a con, he will guilt you into dropping the price and it will be on autotrader in two days at twice the price. If your car is average price for car/condition/area, drop no more than fifty quid.

idontlikealdi · 22/05/2021 09:29

Bloke with young children my arse. You need to toughen up a bit or just sell direct to a dealer.

SwanShaped · 22/05/2021 09:32

I also read tyre knickers! It’s so annoying when people are unreliable. Just say you have other people interested and you will sell to the first genuine buyer.

Definately · 22/05/2021 09:45

First person to turn up and offers a decent price gets it. I've turned away people offering too low a price before (told someone I wouldn't accept their offer once and they tried to call my bluff, left and then rang me ten minutes later offering more!)

torquewench · 22/05/2021 09:55

Thats just his attempt to tug on your heartstrings and keep more of his cash in his own pocket. Presumably he's seen the price its for sale at? Why's he even contacting you unless he can afford it?

DogInATent · 22/05/2021 09:58

First person to turn-up and make an offer, that's pretty much standard for selling a vehicle privately. No 'holding', 'bagsies', or 'reservations' for people that phone up.

The last vehicle I bought was our motorhome, and when I rang the seller told me that there was a prospective buyer coming down by train to view it and that there was a chance they'd get there first and it'd be sold by the time we got there (it was 2-3 hours drive away). I got there first, did a deal, drove it home. No idea whether the other interested buyer ever did show up.

There are so many no-shows and time-wasters when you try and sell a vehicle privately that you need to go with whoever does turn up.

thecatwithnoeyes · 22/05/2021 10:04

@Pumpkyumpkyumpkin

This is why we took ours to webuyanycar. Possibly got a bit less for it than selling privately but I really could not be arsed with the fuckaboutery. People are so annoying!

Yep. I recently had to get shot of my Nannas car and instead of going through that hassle I just sold it to the dealership. Filled in a form online, took the car over, they dropped the price a wee bit for a couple of dents and that was that. Money in the bank next day. So we got a lower price than a probate sale but it was worth it for no hassle.

Laughingravy · 22/05/2021 10:05

@Pumpkyumpkyumpkin

This is why we took ours to webuyanycar. Possibly got a bit less for it than selling privately but I really could not be arsed with the fuckaboutery. People are so annoying!
Beware... Friend just sold their car. Webuyanycar offered £3400 And Motorway £6000! Webuyanycar is part of BCA and they just shove the car straight into the appropriate auction, so the price you get is the starting bid price.
Original poster
Forgetmenot82 · 22/05/2021 10:10

This is all very interesting, thank you. I've been far too soft. Im surprised how many people don't have proper morals.

OP posts:
cocoloco987 · 22/05/2021 10:27

Just sell the car to the first person that turns up and hands over the money. If that happens to be before a previously arranged viewing has happened then so be it. They should have come quicker if they really wanted it. First come first serve ovens wise you'll be stuck with it and a load of time wasters

FlatteredFool · 22/05/2021 10:28

I read your title as Tyre Knickers. Really must go to the opticians Grin

DogInATent · 22/05/2021 10:38

@Forgetmenot82

This is all very interesting, thank you. I've been far too soft. Im surprised how many people don't have proper morals.
What do you mean by 'proper morals'?

Even if someone does turn up, it doesn't mean they will buy it. At least you haven't had to deal with any actual tyre kickers yet. You're just trying to sell a car, not win friends. Don't take it personally, it's a business transaction. With any luck you'll never see the car or the buyer ever again.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 22/05/2021 10:42

Never be surprised by people when you’re buying or selling something. You only need to look at the house buying/ selling threads to realise that greed takes over.

SylHellais · 22/05/2021 10:55

This last bloke has upset me as he said he hadn't got much money, he has a young family and he really wants it and will definitely be up tomorrow and will confirm today and now nothing.

Bullshit. Anyone coming out with this sort of nonsense while looking at cars is trying to soften you up for an outrageous offer. I’ve had the same thing - ‘I can only get £500 off my credit card and I lost my job’ then proceed to offer you hundreds less than your asking price.

Selling cars privately is a huge ballache.

‘What’s your lowest price?’
‘Why would I tell you that before you’ve even seen the car?’

Original poster
Forgetmenot82 · 22/05/2021 12:53

What I mean by proper morals is if someone actually says they are coming at an actual time, for example this morning and then they don't turn up of even let you know they're not coming. Its rude. It doesn't take much to tell someone they have changed their mind, a few seconds!

OP posts: