to pop a note through dead neighbours door to ask if the car is for sale

[VeraZera]

The occupant of a house a few doors down from me has died. Family were there last week clearing stuff out etc. Curtains have been closed since then. I didn't know the person who lived there, but know he drove a car which is now parked on the drive. I need another car as mine won't last much longer and this would seem a decent low vehicle.

WIBU to pop a note through the door to the family expressing condolences and asking if the car is for sale?

I think there's just something not quite right about it and I wouldn't do it.

I wouldn't do it by note. I'd try to catch somebody in person to express your condolences, then broach the subject of the car.

Personally I wouldn't / couldn't however it could be seen as helping them out, I honestly don't know

Sorry no help!

I wouldn't.

How long ago did the occupant die? A similar(ish) thing happened to me after my mum died - although it was the house that someone was interested in buying!

They did wait for a couple of months before approaching me to ask if it would be going on the market at all, which it was (we were in the process of getting it ready for sale) - and they moved in 4 months later.

We didn't mind at all - but I do think it matters how you ask.

Nope, I wouldn't. It's insensitive, and not what they need right now.

Thing is that it may well help them out. However, my eyebrows just about hit the ceiling when I read the thread title.

So, no - I wouldn't.

It's in bad taste and it is possible that the car has been left to another family member in a will.

Keep an eye out in the local paper/internet over the next few weeks see if it turns up for sale on there.

No way! it's far too insensitive.

No. Very insenstive.

For real?

We had to sell my Dads car, which went to a friend of a friend and was easier for us than having advertise etc. So I would say that you could ask, but think it would be best to do it in person.

That would be incredibly crass. Not to mention insensitive, selfish and ill mannered.

Yeah right

Only do this if you are an alien

I think it is bad taste to pop a note through the door. Maybe if you see them you could strike up a conversation asking how they are getting on with sorting things (in a "is there anything I could help with" way). If they then mention the car, that would be an appropriate time to ask.
I would not put a note through, it seems a bit grabby (yes I know you wish to buy it, it just seems that you are grabbing from their relative).

And the alternative is world domination by your People

hell no!

when my grandpa died we had people leaving us notes or 'conveniently catching' jumping on us in the street asking if we were selling his house or his garage as they wanted it for storage or because they didn't want their car getting scratched! This went on for 6 months and each time it was equally as irritating. It even got to the point they were "topping" the offer of the neighbour or so and so down the street safe to say none of them have the garage or had the house.

Ridiculously insensitive and if anything like us the car was left to me so i'd move on

I wouldn't consider doing this - sorry.

that would be another no from me.

I can see it makes sense, I can see it might help both parties out but somehow it feels the wrong thing to do.

This reminds me of when Billy Crystal (I think? In When Harry Met Sally? or is it actually Woody Allen?) says the NY Times should amalgamate the obituary column with the apartments for rent/sale section...

Definitely not a note, are you serious? Talk to the family if you must. I have to say that if I were a recently-bereaved family member, even one planning to get rid of a parent's car after their death, I would be deeply unimpressed with the idea that a neighbour had been eyeing it up and thinking of my parent's/aunt's demise in terms of mileage and bodywork...

Please don't - it's really not appropriate. By all means express your condolences, but asking if the car is for sale - WTAF?

...or when Nana raided her neighbour Elsie's house after she died, in The Royle Family. She nicked the Radio Times and a pack of bacon as I recall.

It's a bit... vulture-ish.

Is this a reverse AIBU?!